Southeast Iowa
OLIDAY HOLIDAY
crediTS
Southeast Iowa Holiday is a publication of the Ottumwa Courier and Oskaloosa Herald
Publisher : Ron Gutierrez
Editor : Tracy Goldizen
Writer : Chad Drury Shannon Rabotski
Advertising Sales : Ashley Coyne Jodi German Tyler Goodell Barb Knox Liz Techel
Graphic Design : Stephen Peters Shanelle Yahn
213 E . Second St . Ottumwa , Iowa 52501 641-684-4611 tgoldizen @ ottumwacourier . com @ CourierTracy on Twitter
Cover photo by Kyle Ocker
2021
Southeast Iowa Holiday 2021
In this issue
FEATURES
‘ Fun , Fun , Fun ’ for the holidays
the beach boys bring holiday harmonies tour to ottumwa . Page 4
Making holiday magic
oskaloosa ’ s holiday season offerings continue to expand . Page 14
No shortage of surprises
for o ’ hara hardware , holiday displays bring sense of unknown to customers . Page 20
DEPARTMENTS
Gift drives
organizations work to provide happy holidays for those who might otherwise go without . Page 10
Calendar
a roundup of holiday events around southeast iowa . Page 26
Editor ’ s noTe
A bustling time of year
It doesn ’ t seem possible , but the holiday season is approaching rapidly . It ’ s one of my favorite times of year .
First of all , it ’ s so wonderful , as the darkness comes earlier , to see so many places lit up and decorated for the season . Every year , it ’ s become a tradition for my son and I to drive through the Holiday Nights ’ n Lights in Ottumwa Park . But there ’ s so much more to do and see this season .
Oskaloosa not only has its lighted Christmas Parade , but new traditions are making their mark in the community throughout the holiday season . O ’ Hara Hardware in Ottumwa has become a favorite stop with its tradition of bringing reindeer in and creating a magical scene in its entryway each year .
Additionally , as a special treat this year , The Beach Boys are taking their Holiday Harmonies tour to Bridge View Center in Ottumwa . See what band leader Mike Love has to say not only about the band ’ s success over the decades but also why Christmas is such a special time of year to him and his family .
And yet , there ’ s still so much more going on in the region this holiday season . Check out our extensive Holiday Happenings calendar for ideas on what to do as Christmas approaches . You may just find a new tradition there !
And , if you ’ re feeling particularly generous , be sure to check out our listings for toy and gift drives , for there ’ s no better gift than to share with those in need !
May this holiday season be full of many blessings for you and your loved ones !
TRACY GOLIDZEn Editor , Southeast Iowa Holiday
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