The chamber works very hard to promote and showcase Creston, as well as being a leadership organization, which works to unify and map a course for Creston’s future development. With this in mind, I would like to continue sharing information on another committee within the Creston Chamber of Commerce.
The Image Enhancement Committee, which meets monthly, is made up of chamber members, representatives of the city council and other concerned citizens that continually strive to enhance Creston. The goal of this committee is to create and maintain a positive image of Creston through beautification, restoration and enhancement activities. As you can see from the list below, this group has been quite active over the past several years.
In the past, this group has spurred many projects that are in place today or have taken place. These include the Gold Star and Hi-Five Honors, junk houses awareness, Iowana refurbishing, garbage for renters, started the Welcome to Creston sign project with Trees Forever, assisted in the selection of new light heads in Uptown Creston, flower pots in Creston, street cleaning and snow removal in Uptown area – odd-even parking to make this possible, city-wide community banners, Yards and Areas of the Month, Paint Creston Project in 2007 and 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 – totaling 45 homes in that nine year period that were painted – and assisted in updating citywide Christmas decorations with the city.
On an ongoing basis the Image Enhancement Committee is:
• Continuing the Paint Creston Beautification Project – details for 2019 Paint Creston will be available to the public in early April
• Continuing to collaborate and work with other groups and organizations in maintaining and improving the image of Creston
• Continuing to work with the city and others on buildings, yards and homes in disrepair and other nuisances
• Continuing yards of the month, areas of the month and flower pots of the month
The Image Enhancement Committee is seeking input on areas you think this group could assist with to make a difference in Creston. If you have an idea, please call me at the chamber with your thoughts. I look forward to talking with you.
Did you know?
See below positive, interesting facts about a business, organization or individual in Creston. If you have information that you would like to share in Did you know?, please contact Ellen.
Did you know that Jamie David of Precast Concrete, has been selected to participate in the first Iowa-based class for Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses? Congratulations Jamie.
Did you know that the Chicken Inn was inducted into the Iowa Rock'n Roll Hall of Fame in 2011? Some of the bands that played there during the 1960s and 70s were The Rumbles, The Coachmen and The Crestmen.
Did you know that Vanmark Equipment LLC started manufacturing potato peelers in Creston in 1954 as the Veg-a-Peel Company?
Legislative Coffee
The second Legislative Coffee of this session will be held on Saturday, March 9. The coffee provides you with an excellent opportunity to ask your Legislators written questions or just listen to what your elected officials have to say. They begin at 8 a.m. in the mealsite at the restored Creston Depot in Uptown and last for an hour. The coffees are free and the public is invited to attend. Both Rep. Tom Moore and Sen. Tom Shipley are planning on attending.
Creston Sesquicentennial update – looking for history of Creston
The Sesquicentennial Committee and Union County Historical Society are looking for video of the Crestjubilee, Centennial parade and other videos from past events that took place in Creston. If we can find enough material, we plan to have an outdoor movie night this summer.
Contact the chamber at 641-782-7021 or Steve Francis at 641-782-8670, if you have such items.
If you are on Facebook, follow the Sesquicentennial at Creston Iowa Sesquicentennial Celebration.
2019 Southern Iowa Tourism Guides and Iowa Travel Guides are available
The 2019 Southern Iowa Tourism Guides and Iowa Travel Guides are now available. Stop by the chamber office and pick up your copy or copies today.
Hi-Five honorees
The following individuals were honored with the Hi-Five honor in March: Amber Hayes of Creston News Advertiser and Creston Community High School custodial staff – Chris, Janet, Eduardo, Jared, Mark and Ron. Congratulations to you all.
The Hi-Five for service allows us to recognize those who make shopping and doing business in Creston a rewarding and positive experience. Please call the Chamber with your honoree.
Gold Star Business honored
The chamber honored Pizza Ranch, 520 Livingston Ave., as the March Gold Star Business in Creston. They were nominated by a fellow Crestonian because of the appearance both inside and out of their property. Congratulations.
Call the chamber to acknowledge a business property.
Remember, for a listing of activities in the Creston area, visit the Creston Chamber of Commerce home page at www.crestoniowachamber.com or follow us on Facebook or Twitter.
Have a great month and remember, Creston – A great place to visit, work and call home.