Communicator Volume 41, Number 3 March 2016

Oskaloosa Area Chamber & Development Group

29-YEAR IOWA MAIN STREET COMMUNITY

A Note from the Director...

- Valinn McReynolds

Oskaloosa Area Chamber & Development Group124 N Market St., Oskaloosa, IA 52577

P: 672.2591 • F: 672.2047www.oacdg.org • oskycofc@oacdg.org

Valinn McReynolds, Chamber Director • Karen Hafner, Main Street Director • Deann De Groot, Office Manager • Deb Bruxvoort, Financial Manager • Tessa Veldhuizen,

Main Street Events Coordinator Stephen Memorial Animal Shelter Continued on Page 3

The Mango Tree Continued on Page 2

Stephen Memorial Animal ShelterThe Stephen Memorial Animal Shelter (SMAS) is a smaller animal shelter located in Oskaloosa, Iowa. Built in 1991, the original facility’s sole purpose was to serve as a “pound” for stray animals in Mahaska County. As with most animal impound facilities, animals that were not adopted or claimed after 7 days were euthanized. Since then, the SMAS has evolved beyond the old “pound” ideology.

In 2011, the SMAS stopped euthanizing animals for space and started looking for alternatives to euthanasia. Through partnerships with other shelters and breed rescues, as well as programs aimed at increasing the adoptability of the animals in their care, the SMAS went from a dismal live release rate of 40% (meaning 40% of the animals taken in leave the shelter alive) to a live release rate of 93%. In May of 2014, they celebrated their first month of a 100% live release rate, a milestone they are very proud of.

The Mango Tree set for some new and exciting changes

Some new and exciting things are planned this year for The Mango Tree in Oskaloosa. The frozen yogurt store has started its 2nd year in Oskaloosa and has already had a great first few months.

“We have been extremely blessed with great volunteers and staff.” Shared Ken Landgrebe, the new Team Lead for Business Operations for Many Hands for Haiti. “Our old Manager, Liz Clarke, has assembled an excellent base of volunteers and laid the ground work for another successful year.”

In January, Liz answered a call to become a full time missionary with Many Hands for Haiti. So two part time employees, Janita Abbas and David Steinborn, both Oskaloosa locals, were hired to replace her. Ken Landgrebe will now oversee business operations within Many Hands for Haiti. He will be supervising the store while David and Janita handle the day to day operations.

Spring will soon be here! With the coming of spring, comes all of our exciting events. Amongst that excitement, we would like you to help us determine the “Best of Oskaloosa” so we can share it with our visitors and celebrate them in our community.

Similarly, we are also seeking nominations for our Annual Banquet. Please take the time to review the categories for the awards that will be presented at our Annual Banquet on May 12th. This is a great opportunity for you to help us recognize someone who is doing great things in our community.

Also, please mark your calendars for our Golf Tournament on May 13th. Our Golf Tournament helps us to raise money to give local graduating seniors scholarships to college. This year the tournament falls on Friday the 13th, but don’t let your superstitions keep you from playing. We will have a lot of new games and fun happenings.

As we wrap up our Eggs and Issues Series for 2016, we would like to thank you for coming and asking questions and listening to what is going on in our community. I truly believe that a well-informed community is a strong one. If you would like to be more involved in what goes on in our community, please give me a call. We have a lot of opportunities at the Chamber for you to get involved and I would love to share those with you.

And as always my door is open and the coffee is always fresh. I would love to hear from you.

Pictured Ken Landgrebe

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The Mango Tree Continued from Page 1Both Janita and David were volunteers with The Mango Tree before accepting their new positions. They both look forward to continuing to serve Oskaloosa great Fro-yo.

In February, The Mango Tree began selling Cranberry Stone Bakery cupcakes. You will now be able to custom top your own cupcake with frozen yogurt and any toppings from the bar. Cupcakes in 4 packs and 12 packs will also be available for purchase. Cranberry

Stone Bakery is located in Pella with all cupcakes made locally. Ken Landgrebe shared his excitement for the cupcakes and the coming year:

“We look forward to offering great tasting cupcakes in Oskaloosa. Going into 2016 we are excited to see improved operations as well as new promotions, such as ‘Guess your Weight Wednesdays’. If you guess the weight of your Fro-Yo, you get it at 50% off! There are many other great specials in the works this year, and prepacked Fro-yo will soon be available too. The Mango Tree looks forward to continuing to support the Ministry of Many Hands for Haiti, while supporting many local charities as well. “

The Mango Tree is a volunteer supported ministry with all profits going directly to Many Hands for Haiti and these five great local charities: Love Inc, New Hope Community, Habitat for Humanity, Crisis Intervention Services, and Ecumenical Cupboard.

You can find out more about Many Hands for Haiti and The Mango Tree by visiting www.mh4h.org or following them on their Facebook pages.

SAVE THE DATEOACDG Annual BanquetMay 12, 2016 @ 5:30 PMWilliam Penn Cafeteria

catered by Sodexo

SAVE THE DATEOACDG Golf TournamentMay 13, 2016 @ 9:00 AM

Oskaloosa GolfCall 641-672-2591

March 2016 Communicator 3Animal Shelter Continued from Page 1

In addition to taking in and rehoming stray, abandoned, abused, and otherwise homeless animals, the SMAS, in partnership with the Mahaska Humane Society, has developed programming aimed to educate the community and promoting responsible pet ownership. Some of these programs include visits to the elementary school to teach dog bite prevention, bringing dogs to the local university during finals week as stress relief for students, visiting nursing home and retirement facilities for “pet therapy”, and helping low-income residents of Mahaska County get their pet spayed/neutered through our “Spay the County” program. The SMAS puts a great value on community partnerships, and always welcomes ideas from local businesses, organizations, and groups in the community on ways that they can partner together.

The SMAS is operated by a small staff of 7 and because of this, they rely heavily on volunteers to help exercise and enrich the animals. Volunteers also play a huge part in the animal shelter’s two major annual fundraisers: the K-9 5K and Dog Walk and Gourmet Double Chocolate Caramel Apple Sales. Anybody who is willing to give their time is welcome to come to the shelter to volunteer and encouraged to contact the SMAS to learn more about the program.

The SMAS relies greatly on support from the community to operate. Whether it be through monetary donations, donations of supplies to care for the animals, or volunteer work, there is always an opportunity available to lend your support. If you are interested in helping out the SMAS through volunteer work, donating, or if you are have an idea on how your business or community organization can partner with the SMAS, please contact Lindsey Sime, Executive Director at (641) 673-3991 or by email: smas@mahaska.org.

Money Needed to Fulfill Scholarship Requests

Would you consider participating in this year’s Cham-ber Scholars program? Here’s how the program works:

1. Scholarships offered in the amounts of $500 or $1,000 may be presented to graduating seniors living in Mahaska County & attending any high school.

2. Contributing businesses and industries will be given the opportunity to designate the types of students to whom they would like to see their scholarship awarded.

3. The Chamber Scholar scholarships will be presented at the award winners’ annual Academic Recognition Programs in May. Sponsors are invited to attend and make presentations at the appropriate ceremony.

4. Scholarships can be used at any institution at which the Scholar plans to continue his/her education, or as designated by the scholarship sponsor.

Please consider the invitation to sponsor a Chamber Scholar scholarship for 2016. Or perhaps you would like to participate in the annual golf tournament to be held Friday, May 13, as a fundraiser for the scholar-ships. For more information on either opportunity, contact the OACDG by April 1, 2016.

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Magdalena Holz, DDS (Lena) was recently welcomed to practice at Town Square Dental, 107 High Ave. East. Dr. Holz grew up in West Virginia, did her residency in Florida and is now happy to call Iowa “home”. Staff included in photo are Kathy Hol, Sue Rozeboom, and Merribeth DeGroot. You can contact them at 641.673.3008.

Nannette Roach, PhD cuts the ribbon at Evolution Clinical & Psychological Services along with Counseling Intern, Casy Shatzer assisting. Evolution was displaced following the May, 2015 fire at Swim’s & True Value. They have totally

remodeled and repurposed the former K&K Crafts building at 219 High Ave. East, while yet maintaining the historic integrity of the building. You can contact them at 641.676.3999.

The ribbon was cut at a new Oskaloosa business, Whet Your Pallet. They carry liquidated merchandise at discounted prices! Brand name tools, clothing, camping gear, kitchen appliances, generators, compressors and more. Whet Your Pallet is located at 1115 S 11th St. in Oskaloosa, or call 641.295.0492, or 925.3552. Find them on Facebook. Hours are 9-6 Tue-Fri and Sat. 8-noon. Congratulations to Austin Blackwell and Jake Barnes on your new business!

Grate Expectations Catering & Cafe cut the ribbon for new owner Kyle Brown. Kyle has been cooking since he was 15 years old and enjoys creating new specials to

serve at the cafe. Hours are 11-2 PM Monday through Friday. Catering by appointment, 641.676.3388.

March 2016 Communicator 5

The Oskaloosa Chamber’s Tourism Committee is asking the community to help us find the most Simply Brilliant things in Oskaloosa so that we can share them with visitors and celebrate them in our community.

By completing the survey, your vote will provide insight on the highlights of Oskaloosa. This information will help newcomers find those great gems within the area. If you have suggestions not listed under a category, please submit them for consideration.

Please visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BestOfOskaloosa to take the survey.

The contest will run February 1 until March 31. Only entities in and around the Oskaloosa area are eligible. Top vote recipients in each category will be announced in May. We ask that each person only vote once.

After the announcement in May, “Best of Oskaloosa” brochures will be distributed throughout the city and state so people will know the local favorites when they visit Oskaloosa.

Happy voting. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Valinn at 641-672-2591 or vmcreynolds@oacdg.org.

The OACDG Diplomats congratulated Dr. Daniel Foster as a new partner along with Dr. Molly Walker at Oskaloosa Vision Center, Inc. in Oskaloosa. Dr. Foster was born and raised in Oskaloosa, graduated from Osky High in 2006, graduated from Iowa State, and then on to the Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, Tennessee. He joined Oskaloosa Vision in 2014 and became partner upon retirement of Dr. Coen. He, his wife Amanda and 3 children are happy to call Oskaloosa “home” again. Contact him at 641.673.4366. His son Bennett is in photo as well.

Oskaloosa Main Street welcomes Tessa Veldhuizen as the events coordinator. Tessa will be working with Oskaloosa Main Street Director Karen Hafner. If you would like to have an event in downtown Oskaloosa, call Tessa today. She can provide information on how to make your event successful. Call 672.2591 for an appointment.

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OACDG Seeks Award NominationsOskaloosa Area Chamber & Development Group will again be presenting several civic awards at their annual meeting to be held Thursday, May 12 at the William Penn Cafeteria catered by Sodexo. Chamber members and area residents are urged to submit their nominations for these awards. The categories are as follows:

Retail Business of the Year –The most outstanding retail business in the Mahaska community during this past fiscal year must be in business for minimum of two years, demonstrate success, with evidence of commitment and contribution to the community.

Service Business of the Year –The most outstanding service business in the Mahaska community during this past fiscal year must be in business for minimum of two years, demonstrate success, with evidence of commitment and contribution to the community.

Industry of the Year – The most outstanding industry in the Mahaska community during the year will have a stable employment history, will have been in busi-ness for minimum of two years, showing evidence of commitment and contribution to the community and a commitment to sound management practices.

Business Person of the Year – This individual will have demonstrated those qualities which have distinguished him/her in business: proven commitment and contribution to the community, a commitment to ethical business practices, recognized within their profession, a Mahaska County resident, a history of success in their business.

Citizen of the Year – This individual will have demonstrated outstanding involvement in and support of his/her community over an extended period of time.

Community Improvement Award – This commercial or industrial property will have made improvements which enhance the appearance and /or economic vitality of the Mahaska community through new development or through the redevelopment of an existing property.

Educator of the Year – This individual from a Mahaska County school will display a true passion and devotion to the betterment of students.

Student of the Year-This individual will be a graduating senior or college student from a school in Mahaska County who is well-rounded and displays exemplary leadership and service for the betterment of Mahaska County.

To make any nominations or if you have an innovative idea for a “special award” for exceptional achievement in a category not mentioned, you are encouraged to phone 641-672-2591, email dbruxvoort@oacdg.org with “OACDG Award” in the subject line or fax 641-672-2047 the suggestion to the Chamber. Nominations must be received by Monday, April 4.

March 2016 Communicator 7I’d like to take a moment to introduce myself and let you know about all the great wellness things happening in our community. My name is Ann Smith, my degree and personal passion is in health and wellness and I’m trying to fill the very large footprints left by the Blue Zones Project Team in my role as Community Wellness Coordinator at Mahaska Health Partnership.

MHP is focused on the health of our community and feels we should be a significant driver of healthy solutions. I am very grateful for my opportunity

to put my passion to work at MHP. We have a great group of community volunteers who are committed to activities that are bringing people together and, hopefully enriching their lives while moving them toward a healthier lifestyle.

Some of the accomplishments that I’m so proud to share with you include the recent worksite certification of Mahaska, International Potluck Moai group, Book and Cook Series, our weekly newsletter, YMCA family fun night in March and walking groups.

You can stay connected to activities going on around Oskaloosa by liking us on facebook page: Blue Zones Project Oskaloosa or signing up for our weekly newsletter by emailing oskybz@mahaskahealth.org

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