In the know with Osceola Chamber Main Street

As the 2020 Annual Dinner program is a pre-recorded, virtual event, presenting the prestigious Community Service Award provided another challenge for organizers. Normally, dinner attendees would be gathered at Lakeside Casino/Hotel event center and dressed according to the theme. Traditionally, a Rotary Club representative presents the award.

Marie, though, was lured to the OCMS/CCDC conference room to discuss ideas about The Clarke County Historic Museum with OCMS Executive Director Ashleigh Eckels. Marie’s daughter, Brenda, who is active in Clarke County History also attended.

The meeting began when Rotary Club Secretary, Dr. Al Adams, briefly summarized the nomination letter from Mike Boldon. Marie, who is not comfortable in the limelight said, ‘I can’t believe it!’ as she was encouraged to accept the plaque.

Marie regularly contributes historic pieces to the Osceola Sentinel Tribune, but this is a small portion of what she does as the unofficial Clarke County Historian. The following information is excerpted from Boldon’s nomination letter.

…Marie is generally regarded as Clarke County’s Historian and has been very active in the Clarke County Historical Society, serving terms as president, vice president, secretary and is presently vice president. She was involved in moving the organization’s cabin from the old location on the former Clarke County Fairgrounds to its present location on the grounds of the museum. She has helped clean and arrange the museum and assists with tours. She was active in the Clarke County Heritage Days Celebrations at the museum in various years.

When the Iowa Sesquicentennial Committee was preparing to observe the event, Marie contributed significantly. She researched and prepared a spiral bound directory titled, “Osceola City Business Directory 1851-1996.” From that information at the appropriate time, she made and placed cards in the stores listing the various businesses which had been operated at that location. The resulting book served as background material for Mickey Thomas’s columns in the Osceola paper and Reflections.

In preparation for the Clarke County Historical Society’s Cemetery Tours, Marie wrote many of the scripts that were used and assisted in setting up the tours, recruiting people who would portray the various characters, provided the props and helped with the tours themselves.

Marie is active in the local Genealogy Society and is a member of the local Historic Preservation Commission. She is well known throughout the community as the person to contact about local history and is always pleasantly willing to provide the information…

OCMS appreciated Marie’s contributions to the local history section for the Smithsonian Traveling Exhibit: Voices and Votes-Democracy in America. As a member of the Historic Society since 1971, Marie knows every inch of the museum, and when contacted proposed several ideas. She collated all the information and photos of Mary Osmond, the first woman to vote in Clarke County and offered the idea of exhibiting an old canvass voting booth. The presence of these items gave people solid connections to Clarke County History, and a small look at what the museum has to offer.

Congratulations to the Community Service Award Winner for 2020-Marie White.

Easter Details

The timeline for April 3rd Easter Events on the square Is set. Breakfast with the Easter Bunny is 8:30-9:30 a.m. at the fire station. Hy-Vee provides the pancakes, sausage, coffee and juice. Adults $2 and children $1.

Following the brunch Pastor Chuck DeVos will read the story of Easter on the bandstand, followed by the egg hunt with the following separate groups: Walking through age 3; PreK and K; 1st and 2nd grades; 3rd and 4th grades.

Thank you to these sponsors: Premier-Country Concrete; Gold: Hy-Vee, Clarke County Publishing and Osceola Vision; and Silver: Hunsicker and Associates.

Six downtown businesses extend the fun, April 3rd, by hiding five ‘lucky eggs’ in their stores. Check out Timber Ridge, Clark’s, Darlene’s Variety Store, Southern Iowa Saddle Shop, Ivy Rose and Mayberry’s.

Thursdays in the Park

Help keep the courtyard busy all summer! All June dates and August 12th are scheduled, but there are plenty of openings. If your business or group wants to host a Thursday, please call 641-342-4200

Business Buzz

Your Sweet Pickins Event Venue: March 26th, DIY Home sign with interchangeable seasonal attachments. Must have reservation. www.eventbrite.com/e/diy-workshop-tickets-144802234381

Revelton Distilling Company Special Events: April 3, April 17 from 5-8 p.m., hear the music of singer and song writer, Jake Schrodt in the tasting room.

Osceola Municipal Golf Course is now hiring seasonal help-apply at City Hall.

SalonRed Boutique and Spa

Did you know blue LED light is used to treat acne? This is just one of the options available at the spa. Call for more information: 515-238-8934

Back Door Country Crafts has Easter Bunny reading pillows and homemade baby cocoons.

Studio 201: Movement classes ages 18 mo.-preschool -11-11:30 a.m. each Friday. To learn more about classes and special camps, contact 515-517-0201.

United Methodist Church offers Yoga classes Mondays and Thursdays at 5:30 p.m.

The DES Prom Closet is open. Dresses at no cost, call for appointment 641-342-6182.

Bingo at the Eagles every Monday 6:25 and 6:45 p.m. and dinner specials every Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 5-9 p.m.