It’s almost time to see the wonderful Dutch heritage in its finest at the Pella Tulip festival and due to a cancellation, we now have our Far East room available on Thursday, May 6 and Friday, May 7. Come enjoy some of the Dutch pastries and rest in elegant comfort away from the crowds in historic Oskaloosa IA, at the McNeill Stone Mansion B&B located about 15 minutes away from Pella. www.thestonemansion.com or phone 641-673-4348  Stop  and taste some of the award winning wines at the Tassel Ridge Winery located between Pella and Oskaloosa near Leighton.

If you haven’t made arrangements for lodging during the Sprint Car Nationals August 12-15 om in Knoxville IA and the Oskaloosa IA races at the Southern Iowa Speedway August 10-11, you’ll want to call soon.  The McNeill Stone Mansion B&B provides racing guests a comfortable place to stay that’s a short drive after a full night of races.  We only have two rooms left, with one room for two people and the other can accommodate four people.  Call for reservations at 641-673-4348.  You’ll be glad you did.

For a sample of Dutch history, make plans to travel to Southern Iowa for the Pella Tulip Festival.  There will be street cleaning, parades, special baked goods and flower gardens to enjoy.  Only 20 minutes away, you can stay in the beautiful, historic McNeill Stone Mansion Bed and Breakfast located in a residential neighborhood of Oskaloosa IA.  Between Pella and Oskaloosa, stop and walk along the vinyards and sample the award winning wines of Tassel Ridge Winery.  You can savor history, unique architecture, wonderful food and wine all in one weekend.

The Tassel Ridge Winery between Oskaloosa and Pella, Iowa invites you to experience Oktoberfest winery style on Sunday evening, October 12.   This German feast will be paired with the winery’s award winning Oskyfizzante Red, Overture, and Candleglow Red.   The traditional four-course German-style menu includes sauerbraten and other wonderful German dishes ending with apple strudel with Bavarian cream paired with a special mulled wine.

Call 641-672-9463 by Thursday, Oct. 9 for reservations.  It’s only $60 plus tax per person.

After your special dinner, you can continue that enjoyment with a stay at the historic home of a coal baron, the McNeill Stone Mansion B&B in Oskaloosa.  Call 641-673-4348 for reservations or go to www.thestonemansion.com to make reservations on line.  $10 discount on a suite when you show us your menu from the Oktoberfest dinner.

The Nelson Pioneer Farm is hosting it’s annual Farm Festival from 9:30am to 4:00pm on September 20, just outside Oskaloosa, IA. 

Activities include: –kid’s activities: spelling bee, rope making, candle dipping, indian beading, games, crafts
Also –Antique farm equip. demo, dinner from 11 - 1, steam engines, tractors, wagons, cars, horse shoe tournament  at 10 am, fiddle contest at 1:30, bingo at 5.  Call 672-2989 or visit www.nelsonpioneer.org. $7 adults, $2 children

Plan to stay for the Max Bennett jazz concert that evening and stay at the McNeill Stone Mansion bed and breakfast.

Max Bennett, internationally renowned jazz bass player is returning to his home town for the starting of the George Daily Auditorium’s 2008-2009 season on September 20 at 7:30.  Mr. Bennett has performed and recorded with Ella Fitzgerald, Joni Mitchell, Barbara Streisand, Peggy Lee, Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Chuck Berry, Miles Davis, Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Stan Kenton, George Harrison, John Williams and more.  He’s even written a special piece to be performed entitled, “Good Times at Osky High”.  Tickets are $20 for adults and $8 for students at www.georgedailyauditorium.com

If you are traveling a distance and need comfortable, quiet lodging, check at the McNeill Stone Mansion B&B.