This month the Creston Chamber of Commerce would like to acknowledge and thank the many businesses that call Creston home. We feel it is important to recognize the contributions of our Creston small business community to our economy and our society. Please, take a moment to think about the impact on our local economy and community that these local businesses have. Look at how many people they employ, the number of people that shop in Creston because of our businesses, but do not live here and the impact on our tax base to name but a few areas that our small business community directly impact.
Creston businesses really do make Creston and Union County a special place to live, work, shop and call home. Thank you for being here and all that you do for our great community.
Sesquicentennial sculpture
Individuals wishing to have a part in the creation of the sesquicentennial sculpture may drop off ferrous materials such as wrenches, hand tools, chain and other metal objects at the Creston Chamber Office, 208 W. Taylor St., to have them incorporated into the artwork. It can be one item or many. Let’s make it a community project.
Sesquicentennial coins
The Sesquicentennial Advisory Group will have Sesquicentennial coins for sale. One side of the coin will have the logo on it and the other side will display the depot along with a train. There will be two types of coins. We have purchased 150 silver coins that will sell for $60 each, as a limited offer. There will also be an antique bronze coin available with the same design for $6 a coin. If necessary these coins will be re-ordered.
If you are interested in purchasing these coins, please contact the chamber.
It is hoped to have the coins available the middle to latter part of May. The artist rendering is available to see at the chamber office.
Sesquicentennial souvenir stock
The Sesquicentennial Association is selling souvenir stock for the event. Shares are $5 each and are non-redeemable and will help cover some of the expenses incurred during our 150th anniversary celebration of June 29 through July 6. The stock shares are available at the chamber office.
Creston Clean Sweep Days
The Creston Chamber of Commerce, the city of Creston and Prairie Solid Waste are again sponsoring Clean Sweep Days May 1-14. Clean Sweep Days is easy and simple. You do not have to struggle to load and tie down your unwanted items and take them to the landfill, instead, let the city crews handle it for you. By stopping by the chamber office or Creston City Hall and filling out the paper work, your items will be taken away for free in some cases or for a small fee. For more information, please call the chamber at 641-782-7021 or city hall at 641-782-2000 ext 203.
Creston/Union County Visitors Center to open
The Union County Visitors Center, 636 New York Avenue/Hwy 34 West, will open for the 2019 season on May 20 and remain open until Oct. 5. The visitors center hours will normally be 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. If you would like to visit when it is not open, call the chamber to schedule an appointment.
We are still looking for volunteers to staff the visitor center. If you have time to give, call the chamber.
Union County Historical Village
The Union County Historical Village and Museum will open for the season on Monday, May 27, and then be open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through Labor Day from 1 to 4:30 p.m. or by appointment. There is no cost to visit.
The village, located at the south end of McKinley Park, is a great spot to see what a town might have looked like in Iowa in the 1890s.
2019 citywide events
Over the course of the year, the chamber receives many calls about the dates of various activities and events that take place here in Creston. For current and updated listings including the Sesquicentennial, please check out the calendar of events on the chamber home page at www.crestoniowachamber.com.
Hi-Five Honorees
The following individuals were honored with the Hi-Five Honor in May. Congratulations to Sara Bolinger, Creston NAPA; Shelby Bishop, Subway; Breanna Thaden, Mario’s Sports Bar and Grill; Lisa Miller Carroll, Family Chiropractic; and Casi Ross, Dollar General.
The Hi-Five for service allows us to recognize those people who make shopping and doing business in Creston a rewarding and positive experience.
Gold Star Businesses
The chamber honored Nishna Valley Credit Union this month as the May Gold Star Business in Creston. They were nominated by their fellow Crestonians because of the appearance both inside and out of their building. Congratulations.
To acknowledge a business or an individual for either the Hi-Five or the Gold Star, just contact the chamber and tell us why you wish to nominate them.
Have a great month and remember, Creston – A great place to visit, work and call home.