From: "Seymour, Janet I" <DYKEMAJI@uwec.edu> Subject: FW: PRESS RELEASE: 30th Annual Strawberry Fest at Iola Historical Society Sunday, June 22 Date: Tue, 10 Jun 2014 17:54:08 +0000 Message-ID: <8FACD6FAA2A852459A94CEFB7C8F9870691714C9@EX2010-MBX1.uwec.edu>
From: onthelake2 tds.net [mailto:onthelake2@tds.net]
Sent: Monday, June 09, 2014 9:15 AM
Subject: PRESS RELEASE: 30th Annual Strawberry Fest at Iola Historical Society Sunday, June 22
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Greg Loescher, onthelake@tds.net<mailto:onthelake@tds.net> or 715-445-2456;
or Cliff Mishler, mish@EclecticPursuitsIola.com<mailto:mish@EclecticPursuitsIola.com> or 715-445-5050
Iola Historical Society to host 30th annual Strawberry Fest
along with Antiques Appraisal Fair and crafters on June 22
IOLA, WI: Strawberries and local history are on the schedule for the Iola Historical Society’s 30th Annual Strawberry Fest, to be held Sunday, June 22, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Society’s Historical Village complex on Depot Street just west of downtown Iola. Local crafters will also show off their handiwork, and an Antiques Appraisal Fair provides experts on a wide range of collectibles on hand to ascertain the value of people’s attic and basement treasures.
Admission to the event is free, although goodwill donations are being accepted. Food items include strawberry shortcake and ice cream or cool whip, for $4; barbecue sandwich, $3.00; hot dog, $2.50; and coffee, lemonade and water for $1. Each purchase of strawberry shortcake includes a free door-prize drawing ticket, with additional tickets available for $1 each.
There is also a cash raffle drawing with tickets are priced at $2 each, or three for $5. The major prize will be $500 in cash. Additional prizes donated by Iola-Scandinavia businesses will also be distributed during the drawing held at 2:45 p.m., toward the end of the fest.
All proceeds from the event go to benefit restoration of the historic Iola & Northern Railroad Depot and other Iola Historical Society projects.
Historic building tours
The Historic Iola Village buildings will be open for visitors, including the Iola And Northern Railway depot, which is undergoing restoration to its original design. The other buildings include a replica of a local one-room schoolhouse; a 1930s log cabin used in the area by hunters; a replica of Iola’s original fire station containing Iola’s vintage first three firefighting vehicles; the original Helvetia Town Hall; The Machine Shed, filled with vintage farm and manufacturing equipment along with the recently acquired Anderson Machine Shop equipment; a vintage caboose – always a hit for kids to crawl around in; and the historical society’s newly remodeled and expanded museum.
The museum, which recently unveiled new display cases for its exhibits, features recently acquired collections including the following, which are all in new displays:
• Copper Culture display, culled from the Robert Towne Collection of Native American artifacts, are from the first Native Americans to live in Wisconsin, dating back more than 5,000 years.
• The Bert Stromberg violin collection. Stromberg was a former constable of Iola who made and sold violins in the mid-20th century.
• The Lee Nelson exhibit, a decorated World War II veteran from Iola who flew 31 bombing missions in a B-17 “Flying Fortress” over Germany and German-occupied France. Nelson was also an accomplished woodcarver and his carvings are also in display.
• The new DeLyle Omholdt military memorabilia display. Omholt was drafted into the Army as an enlisted personnel in 1943 and received a battlefield commission in 1945. He was in the Army Reserve as a major officer from 1946 to 1966. The display includes Nazi war items along with Omholdt’s military medals and uniform, among other items.
• R.I. Anderson machine shop featuring the original equipment used by Anderson, who built, among other things, Iola’s original fire engines. The equipment is located in a replica building inside the society’s Machine Shed, and is still in working condition. Demonstrations will be featured during the Fest.
Other items of local historical significance are also on display. Docents will be at each building to talk about their historic significance and answer any questions.
Antique Appraisal Fair
Area residents can bring items from their attics and basements for evaluation and pricing information to a wide-ranging group of experts at the Antiques Appraisal Fair. Cost is $2 per item or $5 for three items, with all proceeds benefitting the Iola Historical Society.
Antiques and collectibles appraisers tentatively include, for general antiques, Joel Edler, Dave Demling, and Kurt Krueger; books, comics and popular culture - Maggie Thompson, and Tom Michael; sports collectibles - Bob Lemke; militaria and medals - Colin Bruce; and miscellaneous collectibles, toys, and coins - Joel Edler. (Lineup is subject to change.)
Crafters showing their skills
Crafters showing their artisan skills include Linda Carsten (rosemaling), Jerry Johnson, (rugweaving), Claire Nordness (spinning), and Patty Kirschner ( jewelry making), among others. Most of the crafters also have items for sale. (Lineup is subject to change.)
The Iola Historical Society’s village is also open on Saturdays from noon to 3:00 p.m. in June, July and August. The Society’s next special event is Taste of Norway & Lost Arts Fair which will be held on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2014.
For more information, go to the Society’s website at www.iolahistoricalsociety.org<http://www.iolahistoricalsociety.org> or visit the Iola-Scandinavia Chamber’s website at www.ischamber.org<http://www.ischamber.org/>.
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