In the Know with OCMS - January 5
(Pictured above: Cady Crawford, Osceola Chamber Main Street's new Event Coordinator)
OCMS Event Reminder: OCMS/CCDC Annual Dinner- “Silver Celebration”
Lakeside Casino Event Center, January 10 Social Hour beginning @ 5PM, Dinner @ 6PM
*Must have ticket/reservation
Happy 2023 from OCMS and an idea for a New Year’s Resolution: Get to know the small businesses and owners in Osceola. Break out of routines and try something new. Check the listings in the back of the Osceola Living Magazine and discover more about your hometown.
Two thousand and twenty-three marks the first year two, full-time OCMS staff will manage the OCMS office. Cady Crawford, accepted the Event Coordinator position December 19th, soon after she graduated from Northwest Missouri State University with a double major in Marketing and Management.
Cady interned about 20 hours a week at OCMS through the summer and continued when she had time through her final college semester. As an Intern, Cady and Director, Ashleigh Eckels, developed a good working relationship while they planned and directed several events together, and developed the inaugural “Experience Osceola.”
Acquiring another full-time staff member has been years in the making as the OCMS budget would not fully sustain it and there were no insurance benefits to offer. Once the population grew over 5,000 Main Street Iowa (an entity of the Iowa Economic Development Authority) requires a full-time person dedicated to the Main Street Mission. As a Chamber-Main Street organization one person cannot cover the day-to-day activities and events.
With more focus on filling downtown buildings, supporting businesses, conferences, meetings with architects, engineers, City and County official, grant writing plus helping with events, Eckels’s time stretched thin. Previous part-time staff members and volunteers also attested to the growing demands and need for full-time Event Coordinator.
After Eckels had a handle on what the events could generate and once the Suites (loft apartments) were sold, she and the Executive Board began collating information to approach the City Council. During preliminary talks with City Manager, Ty Wheeler, Eckels was encouraged to present the long-range plans, more information about specific demands on her time and what could be accomplished with another staff member.
Once they reviewed the growing list of progressive changes, grant dollars obtained, large number of events, business promotions and overall positive impact of OCMS on Clarke County Tourism, Ty, Mayor Kedley and City Council supported the request to supplement the salary and offer benefits.
When the agreement with the city was settled, Eckels advertised the position. Cady applied and completed the interview process, along with the other applicants.
Contributing to the community in a positive way is what Cady enjoys most, “Growing up I always loved to attend most of the events that the chamber was a part of. Now, I am able to aid in that experience for others! It has been so much fun working on this side of things and with that I have grown a passion for our community and OCMS.”
With twelve events requiring hundreds of details and scores of volunteers, Crawford learned to juggle, “I think the most challenging part of this job is always making sure you have a ‘plan B’. There is a good chance that what you have planned may not happen or an order may not come in on time. Thinking ahead for situations like that is imperative in planning a successful event.”
One other very important event happening in April is Cady’s marriage to Grant Atwood, who proposed in late summer!
If you are looking for a way to be involved in the community, give Cady a call. 641-342-4200 or email [email protected]
Board Meeting Highlights
Eckels hopes to wrap-up the annual membership and event sponsorship drive by the middle of January. As of the last board meeting, December 22nd, she reported being about halfway to the sponsorship goal of $60, 841.
Membership is NOT limited to businesses. OCMS encourages individuals to join and support the events they enjoy throughout the year. Individual membership $50.00. Anyone wanting information about membership, sponsorship and all the benefits OCMS offers, please contact one of the board members listed or Ashleigh Eckels.
Ashleigh reported walking the square with City Manager, Ty Wheeler and Architect, Pete Franks to form potential ideas for the Old Robinson Building and the area of the burned building.
Promotions, Design and Business Improvement committees will meet in January to discuss upcoming projects and events.
Board meetings are the fourth Thursday of each month.
A Note of Gratitude
At the end of December, Clarke County employee, George Norris, graduated to ‘retired’ status. George has helped OCMS behind the scenes for many events and projects through the years. Running hoses for watering, helping to keep the holiday lights on, pinch-hitting for event announcers, troubleshooting electric problems on the bandstand, gathering tools for landscape volunteers, and lending his music talents for the Fourth of July and other events.
Thank you, George, and good luck in your next adventures.
Business Buzz
The Holidays are done, but bargains abound in small businesses, and remember, gift cards, gift certificates and Warrior Dollars are perfect birthday, anniversary and all-occasion presents.
Acquisitions: Closed for regular hours through the winter until March 3rd, but catch Janene ‘by chance or by appointment’ until then. She says it’s best to call.
Your Sweet Pickins Venue: 1st Saturday of each month: Pop-Up Bakeries
New for 2023: Place custom bakery orders on-line or in person, pickup or have delivered within city limits (with fee) Thursdays and Fridays 4-6PM and Saturdays 10AM-2. What about a monthly pie subscription?
Check it out: https://yoursweetpickinsvenue.com/bakery-1/ols/products
January 14th: Frozen Royal Tea Party, 1PM-2:30PM. Story time, crafts, games, refreshments and more. Reservations required.
Mayhew’s Market: Various sizes of salmon filets are now in-stock and check out Mitch’s sea-food recipes on their Facebook site.
Country Crumbs Bakery inside The Grass Roots Home: items available Wed-Fri, 10AM-4PM and Sat. 9AM-2PM
Every Tuesday at Iron Horse: Kids eat free with every purchased adult meal of at least $10.
Revelton Distilling Company:
Saturdays in January, live music 4-7PM
7th: Dustin Baird
10th: Jake Schrodt
17th: Jesse and the Medicine Men
24th: Robert Deitch
Community Happenings
Osceola Public Library
Stay In the Know with Osceola Chamber-Main Street. Contact Ashleigh or Cady 641-342-4200.
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