New Exhibit and Extended Hours!

Eldon—This Memorial Day Weekend marks the opening of a new summer exhibit about how Grant Wood ended up in Eldon to discover the house made famous as the background of his most parodied painting. The new exhibit was funded in part by grant monies received from the Alliant Energy Foundation.

Thanks to the support of volunteers, there will be extended hours this weekend. The Center will be open Saturday, May 24 from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, Sunday, May 25 from 1:00 to 4:00 pm, and Monday, May 26 from just after the Veterans Memorial Service to 4:00 pm. Come learn about American Gothic, Grant Wood and how he ended up in Eldon to discover this special little house.

Free Workshop on How to Take the American Gothic Photo

Eldon—Join us Thursday, May 22 at 6:00 PM to learn how to take your own reproduction of “American Gothic” in front of the house that inspired the masterpiece. Learn about where the couple and photographer should stand, what props you might consider using and how to frame the photo to get a close approximation of the original painting.

Don’t forget to bring your camera and a smile or frown. Costumes, hayfork and antique glasses will be available. Photographers will practice on each other, or you can bring your own couple to practice on.

It's Not Too Late to Enter the American Gothic House Art Contest!

Eldon— American Gothic House Center (AGHC) and Gothic Area Tourism of Eldon (GATE) join together in sponsoring the third annual art contest during the 2008 Gothic Days, June 13-15.

The art contest celebrates the house used as the background of Grant Wood’s most famous painting American Gothic. Entries must include the American Gothic House. The contest will promote greater awareness of the uniqueness and beauty of the little white house with its gothic window.

Submitted works will be returned. Minimum size will be 8” x 10”—no maximum size. Contest is open to amateur artists only in the following three divisions:

• Sixth Grade through Eighth Grade
• Ninth Grade through Twelfth Grade
• Adult

Prize money in the amount of $50 for 1st place and $25 for 2nd place will be awarded for each division.

Judging will take place Friday evening, with the exhibition planned for Saturday and Sunday, June 14-15 from 1 PM to 4 PM at the AGHC in Eldon, Iowa. Official entry forms are required, and artwork must be submitted by Friday, June 6.

For entry forms, complete rules and further information, contact AGHC; Jessica Strom; 300 American Gothic St; Eldon, IA 52554; 641-652-3352; aghc@iowatelecom.net.

GATE is a nonprofit community betterment organization and no entry fee will be sought from submissions or participants.

Schedule Change to the American Gothic House Spring Plantings

Eldon— Pack your shovels, gloves, hat and a snack for some fun in the sun at the American Gothic House Center Monday morning, May 12 at 9:00 am to help with some spring plantings.

The originally scheduled butterfly garden program has been delayed, as the seedlings are not yet ready for the ground. Instead, staff and volunteers will replace ten redbud trees that didn’t make it and spread more mulch around existing trees.

Gothic May Brunch

Eldon— Remember when women had lace handkerchiefs and white gloves? The Gothic Guys and Gals Committee are hosting a vintage, nostalgic Gothic May Brunch Saturday, May 3 from 10:00 – 11:30 am at the Eldon KD Center. A special program will include a sneak preview of “This American Gothic” documentary by Sasha Waters. Please purchase your tickets in advance at the Eldon City Hall, as seating is limited to only 50. Tickets are $6.00.

"How Grant Wood came to paint American Gothic" lecture by Kristy Raine

Eldon— In preparation for the new summer exhibit, Kristy Raine (a Reference Librarian and Archivist from Mount Mercy College) will speak on Grant Wood’s connections to Eldon -- Edward Rowan and John Sharp -- which led to his painting of American Gothic. This program is ideal for Center Volunteers and the public that want to know “the rest of the story.”

Spring Volunteer Training at the American Gothic House Center

Eldon— The American Gothic House Center seeks additional volunteers in preparation for its second summer season. With the tourist season just around the corner, come see how YOU will fit in. Some ways to stay active include greeting visitors, giving tours of the facility, keeping the center shining clean and assisting patrons with photos and sales. All it takes is three hours or more commitment per month and your own personal enthusiasm.

The next informal volunteer orientation & training will be Thursday, March 27 at either 2:00 PM or 6:00 PM at the new center at 300 American Gothic St in Eldon. Call Jessi at 652-3352 to sign up or for more information.

2008 American Gothic House Art Contest

Eldon— American Gothic House Center (AGHC) and Gothic Area Tourism of Eldon (GATE) will co-sponsor the third annual art contest during the 2008 Gothic Days, June 13-15.

The art contest is to celebrate the American Gothic House used as the background in Grant Wood’s most famous painting American Gothic. Entries must include the American Gothic House. The contest will promote greater awareness of the uniqueness and beauty of the little white cottage with its gothic window.

Submitted works will be returned. Minimum size will be 8” x 10”—no maximum size. All mediums except photography are allowed. Contest is open to amateur artists only in the following three divisions:

• Sixth Grade through Eighth Grade
• Ninth Grade through Twelfth Grade
• Adult

Prize money in the amount of $50 for 1st place and $25 for 2nd place will be awarded for each division.

Judging will take place Friday evening, with the exhibition planned for Saturday and Sunday, June 14-15 from 12 PM to 4 PM at the AGHC in Eldon, Iowa. Official entry forms are required by May 15. Artwork must be submitted by June 1.

For entry forms, complete rules and further information, contact AGHC; Jessica Strom; 300 American Gothic St; Eldon, IA 52554; 641-652-3352; aghc@iowatelecom.net.

GATE is a nonprofit community betterment organization and no entry fee will be sought from submissions or participants.

Grant Wood Soup Smorgasbord Lunch

Eldon— Come celebrate Grant Wood’s birthday with a Soup Smorgasbord on Saturday, February 9. It will be held at the KD Center in Eldon from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. The menu will include five homemade soups, fresh bread, fresh vegetables, drinks, brownies and cake. Free will donations benefit the American Gothic House Center.

Detailed Description— Grant Wood’s birthday is being celebrated in Eldon on Saturday, February 9 with a fragrant homemade soup smorgasbord. There will be potato cheese soup, chili, vegetable, broccoli and ham and bean soup. Crisp vegetables, crackers and a variety of fresh breads are next. For dessert delight in mouth-watering brownies and cakes. Lunch is from 11:00 AM -1:00 PM in Eldon at the KD Center. Free will donations to the American Gothic Committee will benefit projects at the American Gothic House Center. Make us your lunch stop on Saturday February 9th in Eldon.

Christmas around the area

"ELDON — The Christmas spirit resounded in southeast Iowa this weekend with celebrations in cities all around.

In Eldon children started the day by making gingerbread houses from candies and frosting at the American Gothic House Visitors Center."

Gingerbread Wonderland Event at AGHC

Eldon— An old fashioned Christmas will be in full swing in the town of Eldon this weekend, and children of all ages are invited to create gingerbread houses at the American Gothic House Center this Saturday, December 8th from 2:00 – 4:00 PM. Graham crackers, candy decorations and gooey frosting along with adult helpers will be provided.

The “American Gothic” Santa with his red and white striped overalls, red blazer and cheery Mrs. Claus are waiting to pose for pictures with you indoors. Visitors are welcome to view the center’s main exhibit and seasonal “Misty Water-colored Memories” exhibit by Dr. R. H. Intress, a former Eldonean.

The gift shop with many American Gothic-themed items will be open to please you with Christmas cards, note cards, T-shirts, tea towels, sweatshirts, handcrafted items, prints and books about Grant Wood.

After you’ve visited the McHaffey Opera House Winter Tree Wonderland & Nativity Display and the Rock Island Christmas Depot with its trains, stop in to make and take a gingerbread house, have your photo taken and shop for that special someone.

Other events include a GATE Christmas dinner served at the KD Center from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM, a special Christmas surprise downtown at the American Legion Building at 1:00 PM for kids of all ages and the Boy Scout Soup Supper at the KD Center from 5:00 – 7:00 PM.

Photo help at Gothic Center thanks to grant

"ELDON — Want your picture taken in the cut-outs at the American Gothic House Center?

If you do and you forget your camera, the center’s staff can help you thanks to a $2,500 grant from the Wapello County Foundation."

American Gothic Photos Available on Site

Eldon— The American Gothic House Center gives thanks for the $2,500 grant received from the Wapello County Foundation. Now visitors can have their pictures taken by a Sony camera and printed immediately on an Epson printer. American Gothic look-alikes can purchase quality 4” x 6” pictures of their memory in front of the house. This new service will add to the center’s bottom line.

Included in the grant are a Sony Cyber-shot camera and a portable PC-free printer by Epson Picture Map Snap, which enables center personnel to take the printing show on the road. They can capture those cute shots of merrymakers in the American Gothic wooden cut-outs.

Also included is Adobe Creative Suite 3 Design Premium software package, which allows the center to manage its website and design its promotional pieces. It’s a technological dream come true for AGHC director, Jessi Strom, with thanks for the continuing support of the Wapello County Foundation.

Of "Intress" - Misty Water-Colored Memories Exhibit

Eldon— Dr. Robert H. Intress MD’s "Misty Water-Colored Memories" exhibit features images of the Rock Island Depot, grain elevator, old railroad bridge, locomotives, Sandy Lane School, brick kiln and brickyard, Exchange Hotel and memories of Eldon Christmas celebrations of the l930's.

Dr. Intress presented the American Gothic House Center with original watercolors drawn from his childhood memories of Eldon. Dr. Intress describes himself as “a very amateur painter,” but his memories are something all native Eldonites can relate to. This trip down memory lane can be celebrated in the media room from the November 30th Opening through January 6, 2008.

Intress’ grandfather Dr. S.H. Sawyers was Eldon’s doctor from 1890 through l950. His parents were Carl and Alice (Sawyers) Intress. Mr. Carl Intress was a Rock Island fireman-engineer for 50 years.

Dr. Intress is a graduate of Eldon High School Class of l938 and earned his medical degree from the University of Iowa in l944. In addition to 41 years of practicing medicine in Amarillo, Texas and Albuquerque, New Mexico, he volunteered 6 years of service with the Bureau of Indian Affairs. He and his wife now reside in Waynesboro, VA.

The Opening of Intress’s Misty Water-Colored Memories Exhibit will be held Friday evening November 30 from 5:00 – 7:00 PM at the American Gothic House Center. All are welcome.

Oak Savannah Planting at Center

Eldon—Tuesday afternoon Cardinal High School students Danny Luna, Marcus Giltner, Andrea Fults and Curtis Fiedler hustled to plant the first trees of the oak savannah project at the American Gothic House Center. Tuesday evening Quenton Sims, Dakota Wilbanks, Auston Hummell and Lewis Aszman from Ottumwa Cub Scout Pack #11--with Den Leader Teresa Wilbanks, Cub Master Cheryl Carness and parent Robert Aszman--planted one more tree.

Students and cub scouts dug holes, filled in, watered and mulched the newly-planted trees under the direction of Administrator Jessi Strom and volunteers Dennis Donaldson of Ottumwa and Dennis Jeffrey of Eldon.

A grant from Alliant Energy/Trees Forever generated the funds for the oak savannah featuring burr oaks, white oaks and red oaks. Other trees to augment the oaks are basswood, black cherry, red maples, white pine, service berries and burning bushes.

Wapello County Conservation workers Lincoln Utt and Paul Totten transported trees and continued planting with volunteers on Wednesday.

Proud of Visitors Center at American Gothic House

We are so proud of our new Visitors Center at the American Gothic House here in Eldon.

Anyone that hasn’t taken the time to drive out to visit it has missed a local treasure. Allen and I have been volunteering there since it opened in June. We really enjoy meeting folks from all over the world. I like to read the comments folks have written in the guest book. Seems like our local folks are really surprised at how very nice it is.

Anyone who enjoys people should consider becoming a volunteer. We have had folks from Yorkshire, England; they had flown into Chicago, rented a car and were going to travel here for six weeks. This was one of their first stops. They had been to the Art Institute in Chicago and seen the original painting the day before. We had a family with nine children from Idaho. They were on their way to Nauvoo, Ill., to be part of the play there. Everyone is so friendly and those who don’t know about the painting’s history are happy to have it explained or watch the 30-minute film, “Grant Wood’s America.” Our administrator, Jessica Strom, is well-versed on the history and has several books about Grant Wood for the volunteers to get “boned up.”

There is a nice gift shop with books, T-shirts and many other items for sale. One of the most popular things is the rack of clothes for folks to put on, including a three-tined pitchfork and gold-rimmed glasses. They really enjoy going out and having one of the volunteers take their picture in front of the house. I always tell them, “Now, this is one picture that you don’t smile.” This is all free!

This is truly the dream of many of our local folks. Don Gettings and Helen Glasson worked very hard for many years to get it. Now, it is a reality. Hats off to the committee and the many people that have worked in the past to get this done. Take this as an open invitation to one and all to come for a visit.

Rosie Morrison

Eldon

Eldon Does Something Cool - Plants Trees With Help From Trees Forever and Alliant Energy

Eldon— Volunteers and community leaders in Eldon are planting trees to provide shade and save energy through the Trees Forever and Alliant Energy Branching Out community tree-planting program.

“We’re looking forward to working with Trees Forever and Alliant Energy this year to plant trees,” says Jessica Strom. “Together, we are growing a better environment while making our community more beautiful and attractive.”

“Trees Forever and Alliant Energy are committed to improving the environment and our quality of life. Especially this year when many communities were hit hard by the late winter storms that damaged or destroyed so many trees,” says Shannon Ramsay, Trees Forever President and CEO. “We thank our local volunteers in Eldon for their dedication and hard work and look forward to helping with positive solutions this year--- tree by tree, neighborhood by neighborhood.”

Alliant Energy will award $64,962.00 in grants to assist 15 Iowa communities and groups with tree-planting projects this fall. Eldon will receive $5,000 for its ambitious tree-planting project.

Planting trees helps reduce peak electric demand, keeps communities healthy and vital, and provides long-term environmental benefits.

“Energy efficiency is important to us and we believe our investment in tree planting and education will help our customers become more aware of the benefits that trees have to offer,” said Tom Aller, president of Alliant Energy-Interstate Power and Light. “We care about the communities we serve and welcome the opportunity to help them.”

If you would like to volunteer to help plant and care for trees in Eldon, please call Jessica Strom at (641) 652-3352 or Trees Forever at 1-800-369-1269.

Branching Out grant applications are accepted on an ongoing basis throughout the year, but are considered for funding during two grant-making cycles (spring and fall). The next application deadline is November 1, 2007. Spring 2008 grant recipients will be announced in December. For more information, contact Trees Forever at 1-800-369-1269. Applications are available online at www.alliantenergy.com/branchingout or www.treesforever.org.

Branching Outis a nationally-recognized program where Alliant Energy, Trees Forever and Iowa communities work together to plan and create outstanding tree-planting projects. The program is designed to encourage energy efficiency, environmental awareness, and community stewardship in Iowa.

Branching Outis offered exclusively to Iowa communities where Alliant Energy provides electric and/or natural gas service. The utility provides grants of between $500 and $10,000 for community-based, tree-planting projects – like parks, gateways, cemeteries, nature trails, libraries, nursing homes, schools and more. Trees Forever administers the program, providing technical and planning support.

Behind Grant Wood’s canvas

"This couple doesn’t need any convincing. She dips her left foot gingerly into the patterned purple dress, pulling it up to her neck. Her husband hooks the Union Bay overalls at his chest and reaches to help her close the clasp.

“It almost fits me,” she says, while tying the apron behind her back."

$5,000 Alliant Energy / Trees Forever Grant Awarded

Eldon— The American Gothic House Center (AGHC) of Eldon, Iowa has been awarded a $5,000 Alliant Energy / Trees Forever grant through its Branching Out program. The check will be presented at the Eldon City Council meeting Tuesday, September 11, 2007.

The AGHC project will include planting a concentration of Oak trees, other non-Oak deciduous trees, Eastern Red Cedars and Serviceberries for a total of 36 trees. The goal of the project is to include a variety of trees native to Southeast Iowa. The AGHC is seeking additional funds to incorporate the Oak trees into a Prairie Oak Savannah restoration.

The trees will be planted by the Wapello County Conservation Board beginning Monday, November 12, 2007. Please contact Jessi Strom at 641-652-3352 if you would like to be a part of the tree planting.

Branching Out is a nationally-recognized grant program through which Alliant Energy, Trees Forever and local community leaders work together to fund and implement tree-planting projects. The program is designed to encourage energy efficiency, environmental awareness and community involvement in Iowa.

Since the start of the Branching Out program in 1989, more than 1.1 million trees and seedlings have been planted as part of 2,188 Iowa projects by a volunteer force of 111,117 people. Environmentally, the trees planted represent a kilowatt hour savings of 13,918,553—or enough energy to power more than 1,700 average-size residential homes for one year.

Struggling Iowa town finds hope in American Gothic painting

"ELDON, Iowa — The perfectly arched and cross-paned gothic window is everywhere.

It is among the blue ribbon winners at the Wapello County Fair crafts barn, built out of 16 Popsicle sticks. It's printed on yellow banners that hang from lampposts lining Elm Street. And down American Gothic Street, it sits atop the white cottage."