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Outstanding Tourist Attraction in Iowa!

Fusebox Marketing on April 28, 2021

Iowa Tourism Organizations, Individuals Receive Awards at 2021 Conference April 28, 2021 (Des Moines, Iowa) — The Iowa Tourism Office and the Travel Federation of Iowa presented 25 awards recognizing excellence in the tourism industry at a ceremony today in Des Moines during the 2021 Iowa Tourism Conference.“These awards are a great opportunity to recognize our industry partners for their perseverance in the face of a pandemic,” said State Tourism Manager Amy Zeigler. “We celebrate their innovations in safely delivering memorable experiences to Iowa travelers.”Awards, divided into metro and rural distinctions, were made in 13 categories. In addition, conference attendees voted for the People’s Choice Award; nominees were the second-highest scoring nominations.  

The complete list of 2021 Iowa Tourism Award recipients:

Outstanding Attraction
Mahanay Memorial Carillon Bell Tower, Jefferson (Rural)
Three Pines Farm, Cedar Falls (Metro)

Outstanding Community
Clear Lake (Rural)
Cedar Rapids (Metro)

Outstanding Dining Business
Grace on Main, Elk Horn (Rural)
Butcher’s Brewhuis & In’t Veld Meat Market, Pella (Metro)

Outstanding Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Initiative 
NewBo City Market, Cedar Rapids (Metro)

Outstanding Event
Pizza on the Prairie, Orient (Rural)
Hickory Hills Holiday Lights, Waterloo (Metro) 

Outstanding Individual Leader
David Rettig, Amana Colonies (Rural)
Sara Olson, Sioux City (Metro)

Outstanding Lodging Property
Larch Pine Inn, Clear Lake (Rural)
The Hotel at Kirkwood Center, Cedar Rapids (Metro)

Outstanding Marketing Collaboration
Byways of Iowa Foundation, Postville (Rural)
Stephens Auditorium and ACTORS, Ames (Metro)

Outstanding Niche Market Initiative
Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce (Rural)
Visit Quad Cities (Metro)

Outstanding Promotional Material
Jefferson Matters: A Main Street & Chamber Community (Rural)
Greater Ottumwa Convention and Visitors Bureau (Metro)

Outstanding Retail Experience
Almost Famous Popcorn, Des Moines (Metro)

Outstanding Social Media Execution
Fayette County Conservation Board (Rural)
Greater Burlington Convention & Visitors Bureau (Metro)

Outstanding Website
Pocahontas County Economic Development Commission (Rural)
Visit Quad Cities (Metro)

People’s Choice Award
Black Capital of Iowa PassportTourism in Iowa generates nearly $9.3 billion in expenditures and $540 million in state taxes, while employing 70,700 people statewide. The Iowa Tourism Office is part of the Iowa Economic Development Authority. For more information, visit traveliowa.com.

 

 

 

New Bell Tower Music Policy in Jefferson Means Music Will Ring Once Again

Fusebox Marketing on April 28, 2021

The Mahanay Memorial Carillon Tower will once again have music ringing from the 47-bells.

The Board of Supervisors approved a music policy that outlines requirements that must be followed in order for live and pre-programmed music to be played on the bell tower. Some of the main requirements include not allowing outside requests for music to be made, only certain days and times will be allowed for live performances that are performed by an approved list of 80 maestros, and pre-programmed music will be played after every top of the hour chime from 8am-8pm. The policy also stipulates from William Floyd Mahanay’s will when he donated the tower that 50-percent of the music that is played must be sacred and patriotic. 

The Supervisors decided to temporarily suspend all music from the bell tower this past January after they denied a request to have patriotic music played on Inauguration Day. Since then a committee with County Attorney Thomas Laehn, some of the Supervisors and members of the Bell Tower Community Foundation worked to draft the finalized policy. 

Supervisor Chair John Muir believes the policy makes it more official of the previous agreement between the County and the Bell Tower Community Foundation, which is the organization that helps to enhance the bell tower.

“We took for granted how it was ran, what went on and what decisions were made. It was pointed out to us that there were some cracks that we needed to seal up to make sure we had everything covered. I think they worked together and went through it thoroughly so that everybody’s interests were taken care of.”

The Board also approved Peg Raney as the music coordinator for four years and Bill Monroe as the Mahanay Musician for four years. Raney shares her experience working on the policy as a member of the foundation.

“We appreciate that the Supervisors as owners of the tower itself, we really appreciate this relationship. We just really look forward to having the bells play again and see how we can move forward here this summer.”

A copy of the policy can be found below.  

Bell-Tower-Music-Policy

April 28, 2021 – Raccoon Valley Radio

Bell Tower to Open Weekends in May

Fusebox Marketing on April 28, 2021

An iconic structure in Jefferson will be reopening to the public soon.

The Mahanay Memorial Carillon Tower in Jefferson will be open to the public Saturdays and Sundays in May from 10am-4pm. Tour Director Pat Richards says last year the bell tower was closed for a variety of reasons, including repairing some of the bells, to window replacements and having to be closed because of the pandemic. She is excited for the upcoming season and to welcome visitors back.

“We not only act as tour guides for our bell tower, we’re ambassadors for the community, which is not hard work at all, it sells itself. But it’s so much fun to go up in our elevator to the observation deck and point out all the great things in Jefferson and hear all of the wonderful comments that people make.”

Admission is $3 for adults and those 18 and younger are free due to the sponsorship of the Jefferson Rotary Club.   

April 26, 2021 – Raccoon Valley Radio  

Christmas Tower Tunes Live concerts

Fusebox Marketing on November 16, 2020

Local musicians will be sharing the Christmas spirit this season with live music from the Mahanay Memorial Carillon. Each Thursday from 5:15 – 5:30 p.m. and Sunday from 12:15 – 12:30 p.m. a variety of holiday music will be shared with the community. These concerts will begin on November 19 and continue through December 20. Musicians include Michelle Fields, Rick Morain, Wendy VanderLinden, Rhena Lane, Danille Curtis, Pat Richards, and Yvette Bardole. The Bell Tower Community Foundation Board organizes these concerts and appreciates these volunteers known as Mahanay Maestros sharing their talents.

Several bells had been damaged during storms this summer and are now repaired. The community can expect to hear the full 4 octave carillon being played.

Bill Monroe continues to manage the music that is played digitally with several songs playing after each hour. The Westminster Chimes play each quarter hour and rings out the hour.

The Mahanay Bell Tower is now closed for the season but visitors can make an appt. with small groups to visit by calling Jefferson Matters: A Main Street and Chamber Community office at 515-386-2155. COVID precautions are in place for visitors and staff.

Bells are repaired

Fusebox Marketing on November 16, 2020

Six bells of the carillon have not been ringing due to storm damage late this summer. With these bells placed on the outer edge of the framework, a large crane was needed for the Verdin Bell Company technicians to reach them. This work was completed on Nov. 12 – 13. Now the full carillon of 4 octaves is in great condition and ready for the holidays.

Bill Monroe continues to change out the music for carillon to play digitally with several songs after each hour. The Westminister Chimes also play each quarter hour and ring out the hour.

Tower closed for regular hours but open by appt.

Fusebox Marketing on November 12, 2020

The Mahanay Bell Tower has closed for the season but is open by appointment. Small groups wishing to make an appt. can call the Jefferson Matters: A Main Street & Chamber Community office at 515-386-2155 to schedule a visit. COVID precautions are in place with masks required and a limit of 5 people in the observation deck at a time.

Youth 18 and under are free courtesy of the Greene County Community School Foundation and $3 for adults. The tour includes a history of the tower and an elevator ride to the Paul Nally Observation Deck at 120ft. The bells play the Westminster chimes at each quarter hour. The bells ring the hour followed by several songs played digitally on the bells.

Local musicians will be playing the four octave carillon on Sunday afternoons from 12:15 – 12:30 pm and Thursday evenings from 5:15 – 5:30 pm during the holiday season.

October Hours at Tower

Fusebox Marketing on October 2, 2020

During the month of October, the Mahanay Bell Tower will be open every Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. The bells continue to chime each quarter hour and play several songs after each hour. The observation deck is reached by elevator. Covid -19 precautions have been implemented for the safety of our visitors and staff. Masks are required to enter the Tower and limited numbers in the observation deck at a time. The staff is delighted to explain more about the Tower right outside the entrance door on the Bell Tower Plaza.

Autumn is a beautiful time of year to visit the Mahanay Bell Tower. The colors in the downtown and surrounding rural area are breathtaking! Visitors of all ages enjoy viewing the peaceful landscape while listening to the four octave carillon throughout the day.

Tours are also available by appointment by calling the Jefferson Matters: Main Street & Chamber at 515-386-2155.

Youth 18 & under are free courtesy of the Greene County School Foundation! Adults are $3.

COVID 19 updated info on tours

Fusebox Marketing on September 22, 2020

The Mahanay Memorial Carillon Tower is OPEN and glad to welcome back visitors! Hours: Beginning on Memorial Day the tower is open daily from 10 AM – 4 PM through the end of September and weekends in May and October.  Cost is $3 for adults and FREE for youth 18 and under courtesy of Rotary Club of Jefferson. 

Bus Tours, special groups, and visitors may call our Welcome Center at 515-386-2155 to arrange a tour any time of the year. The air-conditioned observation deck is accessible by elevator. It is also available to rent for small events.

The Tower complies with our state Covid-19 guidelines. Masks are optional inside the Tower.  There may be a limited number of people in the lobby in observation deck for the comfort level of the visitors.  

The Bell Tower is ADA accessible and has recorded tours available with headsets.

Tower temporarily closed for repairs

Fusebox Marketing on August 24, 2020

The derecho was responsible for several broken windows in the Mahanay Bell Tower. The Tower will be closed on Monday and Wednesday this week as new glass is installed. The Tower will be OPEN on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and throughout the weekend. We are sincerely sorry for any inconvenience this has caused our visitors but want you to be safe when you visit. Thank you!