Oskaloosa Area Chamber & Development Group Communicator Volume 40, Number 3 March 2015 29-YEAR IOWA MAIN STREET COMMUNITY A Note from the Director... The coming of spring means fresh starts, new growth, and change. Not just in nature, but in our community as well. The staff have been working hard all winter to make sure this year is a year full of positive development. Roger Brooks recently presented the Direction of the Brand for Oskaloosa. If you missed this presentation please contact the OACDG office. The presentation was recorded and we would love to share the link with you to view it. Here at the Chamber we are dedicated to helping you or your business grow. Our building not only houses the Chamber, but also Oskaloosa Main Street, Mahaska County Agricultural and Rural Development (MCARD), and Mahaska County Development Group (MCDG). Our goal is that we can serve all your business needs by having these four organizations under one roof. If you have questions or suggestions about your business or the community please stop by. My door is always open and I look forward to hearing from you. Oskaloosa Area Chamber & Development Group 124 N Market St., Oskaloosa, IA 52577 P: 672.2591 F: 672.2047 www.oacdg.org oskycofc@oacdg.org TotalScape Lawn Care has been serving Oskaloosa and the surrounding communities since the spring of 2005, and is owned by Jeff and Carol Kelderman. Jeff was raised in the Oskaloosa area and growing up realized with a small mowing service in high school that the lawn care service industry was what he enjoyed and wanted to do. I wanted to provide a quality service to the community with my past experiences working in bigger cities, but also giving it a small town feel. TotalScape provides a variety of services. The lawn care program is a 4 step treatment program that will fertilize as well as help control weeds in the lawn. There is also an insect treatment to control lawn feeding insects. Customers can take one treatment or all of the treatments offered. They also provide mowing and trimming services to residential and commercial customers. TotalScape Continued on Page 2 Jaarsma Bakery Jaarsma Bakery has been offering delicious Dutch Treats since 1898, when it was founded in Pella by Harmon Jaarsma, who used recipes that he brought with him as an immigrant from Holland. The original bakery was located in his family home, just a block from downtown. A larger downtown location was needed as the business continued to grow. Harmon s son Frank learned the business then passed it on to his two sons, Howard and Ralph. Today it is owned and operated by Ralph s daughter Kristi and her husband Dave Balk. Jaarsma Bakery has been a part of the Oskaloosa community since 1968 when an outlet store was started at 121 North Market Street. In 1971, an old gas station located at the corner of A Ave. East and North 1st Street was purchased and converted into a larger retail location. This expansion allowed them to begin selling imported Dutch gifts and food items as well as opening a coffee shop where customers can sit and enjoy the goodies with a cup of coffee. Fresh baked goods are still delivered to this location daily, including pastries, donuts, cookies, cakes, pies and candies. Jaarsma Bakery Continued on Page 2
2 Communicator March 2015 TotalScape Continued from Page 1 Along with lawn treatments they can do new lawn seeding, reseed small areas, and sod installation. Lawn aeration is also an excellent way to help your lawn green up by reducing compaction in the soil and providing oxygen to the grass s root system. In 2014 with the discovery of the emarald ash borer in the area, Jeff started providing services to treat ash trees to protect them from the ash borer. This is an injection treatment that provides the best control option available. If you would like more information on TotalScape s lawn care program or ash treatments log on to www.totalscapelawncare.com, or like their Facebook page for information and spring discounts. You can call Jeff at 641.295.1239 or 641.673.7535. Jaarsma Bakery Continued from Page 1 In July of 1973 the Jaarsma Bakery location in Pella suffered a devastating fire that completely destroyed the business. Ralph and Howard made the decision to rebuild and start over. Not wanting to simply wait for the new building to be built, they decided to purchase Oskaloosa s Bon Ton Bakery, located in the downtown. They used that facility for production for the nine months that it took to get the Pella location built and operational. We take pride in the tradition of baking the finest quality baked goods made from scratch without the use of preservatives. Many of our recipes have been handed down through four generations. We enjoy traveling to the Netherlands looking for new recipes to bring back. Our most recent trip, inspired us to begin making Stoopwafles, a delicious waffle cookie with a syrupy center. We encourage you to stop in and visit our newly remodeled location in Oskaloosa and meet our friendly new sales team lead by Annette Lumsden. You can connect with them on Facebook or Twitter and visit their website, jaarsmabakery. com, where you can order delicious pastries to send to friends and family all over the country. Hours of business: Monday- Friday 7:30-5:30. Saturdays 7:30-5:00 Oskaloosa Phone number 641-673-6415 Pella 641-628-2940
March 2015 Communicator 3 Money Needed to Fulfill Scholarship Requests For eighteen years the Oskaloosa Area Chamber & Development Groups has led the Chamber Scholars program, a program designed to help recognize outstanding Mahaska County high school senior students and lend assistance to them to further their education. Last year, 18 scholarships, amounting to $9,000 were awarded. There were 46 applicants last year from seven different schools. The Chamber would love to fill MORE of these requested scholarships this year. THEREFORE Would you consider participating in this year s Chamber 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 2015. Or perhaps you would like to participate in the annual golf tournament to be held Friday, May 15, as a fundraiser for the scholarships. For more information on either opportunity, contact the OACDG by April 1, 2015. Main Street sets theme for 2015 Lighted Christmas Parade The Lighted Christmas Parade Committee met January 20 and made a decision for the 28th annual Main Street Lighted Christmas Parade to be held on December 3, 2015. The parade will again be one night only and the theme will be Old Fashioned Oskaloosa Christmas. The committee envisions floats and entries with a variety of old fashioned themes. It could perhaps be an idea from any time in history, and all ideas are up to the float builders. As before many events are held throughout Oskaloosa in conjunction with the Lighted Parade. As you begin plans for related activities, please contact the OACDG to have these events placed in the Holiday Happenings brochure. Many volunteers are needed to make the event a success. If you would like to be a part of the planning contact the Main Street office of the Oskaloosa Area Chamber and Development Group at 641-672-2591 or email to oskycofc@oacdg.org. Be a part of Iowa s #1 Holiday Event.
4 Communicator March 2015 Hy-Vee in Oskaloosa recently celebrated their grand reopening with store director Kevin Wright cutting the ribbon. Check out the new diamond polished floors, paint, decorations, new restrooms, floral cooler, new registers, service counters and more. Oskaloosa Hy- Vee is proud to have given back $144,000 to the community in 2014 via area donations and food cupboard donations. THANK YOU HY-VEE. New Hope Community Inc. Executive Directors Blaine and Joan Vos were welcomed by the Chamber Diplomats. New Hope is in the business to strengthen families in the circle of Christian care to build a better community. They are located in the former Jefferson School, 308 5th Ave. West in Oskaloosa, continuing a project started 10 years ago by Steve and Leslie Rice. New Hope helps local families with the NEST Program, community gardens, home of the United Way winter coat drive, Green Dress program, the frugal market where they hope to expand upon international fair trade and other local items, Chloe s Closet and MORE! Through a United Way grant, the kitchen will be upgraded, so that it can be used for the summer lunch program, for educational classes and more. Visit them Monday through Saturday, or call 641.676.1601. In the photo is garden administrator Bernie Breese. WELCOME: New OACDG Members Interim Health Care Tonya Lawrence 10 South Main Street PO Box 511 Albia, Iowa 52531 PH: 641.932.2513 www.interimhealthcare.com Skilled in home nursing, physical therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, private nursing, aide and personal care services. They serve cities of Oskaloosa, Eddyville, Albia, Bussey, Blakesburg, Ottumwa, Centerville, and Moravia. Doty s Debbie and John Doty 309 A Ave East Oskaloosa, Iowa 52577 PH: 641.673.4173 www.dotypc.com Commercial printing like envelopes, forms, business cards, brochures, flyers, posters, invitations and more. Computer sales and repair of all PC brands. Laptop repair, virus cleanup and removal. Doty s now does binding and lamination services. The Doty s have been serving Southeast Iowa for 19 years. Debbie can help you with any graphic design or even with web hosting.
$pring $pruce Up March 2015 Communicator 5 Consumers often decide whether or not they ll use your services or shop at your store based on its exterior presentation. Alarmingly, more than twothirds of consumers say they have avoided a place of business based on its external appearance, according to Morpace Omnibus Report. If your building is run-down with peeling paint, scuffed doors, or dirty storefront windows, you might be giving the impression that your business is outdated and in turn, you don t really care about the quality of your products or services. Studies have shown that exterior design affects your sales AND your price point. Here are a three easy ways to improve them BOTH: 1. Keep it clean. 52% of consumers have avoided a business because it looked dirty from the outside. 2. Touch it up. A little touch up paint goes a long way and small fixes can have a big impact. 3. Create interest. Incorporate elements like planters, window boxes, signs, and merchandise to create an interesting and appealing entrance. A pop of color can quickly dress up a dreary sidewalk, attract passers-by and upgrade your image. For your paint, plants, and accent pieces, choose carefully. Your color choice should complement your facade while supporting the overall feel of your brand. Did you know, that orange conveys value? Yellow is the first color the retina sees, and red signals someone to stop and look. Use these colors carefully in order to highlight rather than overwhelm. Sprucing up your place of business is a decision that makes a lot of sense and a lot of cents for you, your customers, and your Oskaloosa Main Street community!
6 Communicator March 2015 OACDG Seeks Award Nominations Oskaloosa Area Chamber & Development Group will again be presenting several civic awards at their annual meeting to be held Thurs., May 14 at The Peppertree. 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 business 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. Student Employee of the Year- This individual will be a student employee from a business 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 6.
March 2015 Communicator 7 RP Support America, Inc. Receives $100,000 from Mahaska County Revolving Loan Fund RP Support America, Inc. received a $100,000 low interest loan from the Mahaska County Revolving Loan Fund. This program provides low-interest loans to assist industries and businesses that desire to locate, expand, or diversify their business in Mahaska County. Owner Dan Terpstra is using the money to help fund the construction of a new office and laboratory facility in Mahaska County. Dan stated that these funds will allow us to put more money into developing our employees and growing the company. This will help us keep more dollars here at home. Deann and the County Supervisors share that vision and have helped us greatly through the application process. RP Support America (RPSA) was started by Dan & Deb Terpstra in 2010 to support the Sterelithography (SLA) 3D Printing industry in North America. RPSA s core business is field service of SLA machines, parts sourcing for legacy machines, and refurbish and remanufacture of the machines. Since 2010, the business has grown to serve customers in more than 30 US States and Canadian Provinces. For more information on the Mahaska County Revolving Loan Fund, contact Deann De Groot at mcard@mahaskacounty.org or call 641.672.2591. Join the Mahaska Young Professionals for social hour on March 5 at 5:00 at On the Green in Oskaloosa. In addition, the young professionals will be heading out to Tassel Ridge Winery in March. Watch for more details on Facebook/MahaskaYoungProfessionals or the website mahaskayp.org.