COLUMN: May Chamber happenings

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 the Creston 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 impacts.

When you stop to think about all that we have available to us here in Creston – great grocery stores, an outstanding hospital, great medical facilities, a local newspaper and radio station, great shopping and dining experiences, great schools, Southwestern Community College, fitness centers, an active art community as well as the numerous parks and lakes to name but a few of the things that add to our quality of life – we really are fortunate to call Creston home.

Please stop by or contact our local businesses and let them know how much you appreciate them doing business in Creston. I know these hard-working folks will appreciate it. May I also suggest that we not stop there, but remember them in the upcoming weeks and months as we have done in the past and remember to shop and buy local year around.

Creston businesses really do make Creston and Union County a special place to work, shop, live and call home. Thank you for being here and all that you do for our great community.

Paint Creston Program reminder

The Creston Chamber of Commerce Image Enhancement Committee will again be offering paint and painting supplies through the Paint Creston Program to a minimum of four Creston owner-occupied homes in 2025. In the 15 years that the program has been in existence, 72 Creston homes have been painted.

Thank you to our anonymous donors for providing some of the funding to allow us to continue this program.

In order to be considered for the program, the home needs to be owner occupied, in the city limits of Creston and the homeowner must have the ability to get the home painted by October 20. In the past, the painting or help with it has been done by the homeowner, family and friends of the homeowner or organizations that the homeowner is directly involved with.

Each interested homeowner needs to complete an application, which is available at the Chamber Office, 208 W Taylor St. in Creston, or online at www.crestoniowachamber.com or www.crestoniowa.gov. The completed application must be returned no later than 5 p.m. on May 9, to the Chamber office. The mailing address is PO Box 471, Creston, IA, 50801 and the Chamber email address is chamber@crestoniowachamber.com. Each application will be reviewed and the homeowners will be contacted May 22 if their home will receive paint and supplies.

Creston Clean Sweep Days

The Creston Chamber of Commerce, the City of Creston and Prairie Solid Waste are again sponsoring Clean Sweep Days April 28 through May 9. By stopping by the Chamber office or Creston City Hall or downloading the paperwork at www.crestoniowachamber.com or www.crestoniowa.gov and filling out the paperwork, your items will be taken away for free in some cases or for a small fee by the city crews. Your paperwork needs to be turned in by noon on May 8. This is a great, inexpensive way to get rid of unwanted appliances and other household items.

For more information please contact the Chamber at (641) 782-7021 or the city at (641) 782-2000 ext. 203.

Highlighting other May activities

Other activities and events in May include the Springtime Tea at the Edaburn House at the Historical Village on May 9 and 10 beginning at 1 p.m. Reservations are required. Mark you calendar for Market on Maple from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on May 10, which is a wonderful day filled with vendors, various activities, food and so much more. For additional information on current and updated listings check out the calendar of events on the Chamber home page at www.crestoniowachamber.com regularly.

Union County Historical Village to open

The Union County Historical Village will open for the season on May 26 from 1 to 4:30 p.m.

The facility is open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday along with Memorial Day, as mentioned, and Labor Day, through September 1 from 1 to 4:30 p.m. Located at the south end of McKinley Park, it is a great place to visit our past. There is no admission cost, but donations to the Union County Historical Village would be greatly appreciated.

Hi-Five honoree

The following individual was honored with the Hi-Five Honor in May. Congratulations to Dawn Vicek for “offering such GREAT Customer Service.”

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 Business honored

The Chamber honored Three Little Birds Marketplace, 114 N. Maple St., 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 and being such great community supporters. 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.