Another Addition to July Fourth Activities Highlights Local Artist and 19th Amendment

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When local artist, Tacy (Riddle) Cummings read about the recreation of Independence Day activities, she began thinking of ways to contribute a unique project using her artistic talents. With the ‘Women’s Suffrage Salute’ and 100-year anniversary of the 19th Amendment in mind, her original idea was a living sculpture. She would create a metal frame form and add plants to create the details, color, and texture.  Although OCMS staff enthusiastically embraced the idea, upon further research, it was mutually decided this piece would be too extensive and costly this year. 

Tacy did not back away from a project, however, and with encouragement from OCMS staff, devised alternative plans. With approval from the Board of Supervisors, Tacy will create a couple of unique interactive photo props to display on the courtyard, including a special feature to honor the first woman to vote in Clarke County, Mary Osmond.

Although she admits she did not know much about the Suffragettes, Tacy has taken this opportunity to learn more about this important time in history,  “As an artist it is my job to take the things I have learned to create something visible and tangible that will evoke emotion for the viewers and hopefully allow them to walk away with a deeper understanding of the movement.”

The projects need to be large to be interactive and they must withstand the elements, which Tacy acknowledged, “This has forced me to not only think about things from an artistic perspective but from an industrial one as well… I will be using a lot of wood, industrial plastics, and some metal to create pieces that are sturdy and able to withstand nature as well as human interaction… The materials also need to work together but function individually.”

As she explained her proposals and shared other ideas with OCMS staff, Tacy’s unmistakable enthusiasm for the projects and adding more artwork to the community generated thoughts for the future, “We can’t wait to see the Women’s Suffrage Salute pieces and the excitement they’ll bring to our 4th of July event and community.  We look forward to partnering with her more on bringing more art and interactive displays to Osceola.,” said Executive Director, Ashleigh Eckels.

Although the installations will be temporarily displayed on the courtyard through the holiday timeframe, they will become part of the local exhibit for the Museum on Mainstreet, Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition coming to Osceola October 9th through November 22, 2020.  This exhibit, “Voices and Votes: Democracy in America,” will be housed at the depot, but the whole down town will become part of the tour, highlighting the local aspects of democracy.

During the October 16 planning session hosted by Main Street Iowa, OCMS staff arranged to collaborate with Iowa State University to add the 19th Amendment Anniversary and Women’s Suffrage movement to the Smithsonian exhibit.  A professor at ISU offered the research and ISU’s extensive archives to partner with any host town who wanted an ancillary exhibit.  Ashleigh Eckels accepted the partnership offer and saw it as a chance to emphasize Osceola’s history, “We are excited about this exhibit for the history it will share about local historical figures such as Mary Osmond, Clarke County and all of Iowa.“

 

With Tacy’s interactive pieces, people from all over the country who visit the traveling exhibit at the depot will be able to take photos with them to memorialize the event. Because the pieces are portable, they may also be moved to other venues to stimulate tourism. 

Fourth of July Reminders

Do you have your new favorite shirt-there are several colors from which to choose!  Registration for the Virtual 5K and One Mile Fun Run closes at midnight, July 21. The website is easy to navigate and also allows anyone who wants to donate to the fourth of July activities to do so in-name or anonymously without leaving home. https://runsignup.com/Race/IA/Osceola/Osceolas4thofJulyVirtual5kand1MileFunRun

Who said you cannot have fun during a pandemic? Have you registered for the Reverse Parade? Osceola has a chance to make this holiday a community project and to bring people out to do something different. Anyone can participate in decorating, just sign up and return the form to OCMS to be added to the map. This is a parade for everyone- young and old, with every ability level. Participants view entries from their vehicles, walking or biking, whenever they choose to see it July 1st-4th! 

What is New with Local Businesses: Signup for the OCMS Monday Morning Update to stay In the Know [email protected]

Have you checked the table tent flyers for community activities, including the Osceola Library calendar and Farmers Market hours? Thanks to OCMS volunteers, Seth Cisler and Brian Flaherty, flyers are posted in businesses around the community. 

Homestead Assisted Living and Memory Care staff hosts a ‘Drive by, Honk and Wave’ parade June 19 at 2:00pm. They are asking people to decorate their vehicles, tractors, 4-wheelers, or antique cars and join the fun at a safe distance in their vehicles. Contact Amanda Byers with questions 342-1036 or email [email protected]

Timber Ridge Country Market opened for dine-in Monday, June 15th. Co-owner, Kim Jackson, said they can seat 12 customers and the tables and chairs will be sanitized between customers.

The Iron Horse Neighborhood Grill added and online ordering service. Co-owner, Courtney White, says customers can skip the hassle of phone orders and just visit the website to order pickup or curbside carryout. As a new system, though, they are preparing for challenges, “Please bear with us as we incorporate this new technology into our business, as we're sure there will be kinks to work out going forward. We appreciate your support and we hope this adds a new convenience to dining with us.” Order here: www.ironhorseneighborhoodgrill.com or through Facebook. Online ordering for the Chariton location will be added in the upcoming weeks.

 

Mayberry’s Coffee Shop and Eatery announced regular dine-in hours beginning this week and will be open Saturdays beginning June 20th.