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. 

They’ll be picking grapes and watching how the harvest becomes the wonderful award winning wines that Tassel Ridge is known for.  Tours are available as well as tasting on Friday, September 5.  Van and Bonnie will be there from 3pm to 6pm. 

After the tour, you deserve some pampering and you’ll find that with an overnight stay at the nearby southeast Iowa Bed and Breakfast in Oskaloosa, Ia.  This beautiful historic home was built by a coal baron and has been lovingly restored to the elegance of the 1900’s, yet has the convenience of modern day.  What could be better than to enjoy some wine and then settle in for a comfortable night at the McNeill Stone Mansion B&B.  Show us what wine you purchased at Tassel Ridge and you’ll receive $10 off your nights stay in one of our two suites.

The Ottumwa Courier in southeast Iowa is celebrating its 160th birthday on Saturday, August 30 at the Bridge View Center Patio where THE NADAS will be preforming.  See Iowa’s Favorite band on the River for only $10 in advance or $15 at the door.  Opening band is She Swings She Sways.  Door opens at 7pm.  Kids 11 and under are 1/2 price.  Tickets on sale at: Hy-Vee (North and South); Hy-Vee Drug; Bridge View Box Office; KMGO; Ottumwa Courier; Ottumwa Chamber of Commerce; West Music; LOTM; and Classic 96

Overnight lodging is available at the McNeill Stone Mansion B&B in nearby Oskaloosa Iowa.  Come celebrate.

When: Saturday, July 26th at 7:00 pm
Where: Southern Iowa Fair grandstand, Oskaloosa IA
What: Iowa’s own Standing Hamption is the opening act for Daryle Singletary
How: Track tickets - $20 and Grandstand - $15, Tickets on sale at www.iowatix.com or at the Southern Iowa Fair office in Oskaloosa

Instead of driving home afterwards, make a reservation to stay at the near by McNeill Stone Mansion B&B where you can enjoy a comfortable night’s rest and wake to the smell of a wonderful breakfast the next morning.  Bring your ticket stub and receive $10 off your stay in the McNeill Suite or the Penthouse Suite.

Stam’s Greenhouse is offering two classes in combination container gardening on Saturday, April 19 one mile east of Oskaloosa Iowa on Hwy 92.  The first class is at 9:00am and the second is at 1:00pm.  To register, call 641-672-1437.

If the morning class works best for you, come and stay at the McNeill Stone Mansion B&B the night before and you’ll be rested and ready to plant.   Or you could have wonderful dreams of how beautiful that container will look when the plants get bigger, by going to the afternoon class and staying that night.   Call 641-673-4348 for your reservation at the Bed and Breakfast or you can make your reservation on line at www.thestonemansion.com  Receive a $10 discount off the McNeill Suite or Penthouse Suite on April 18 or 19, if you attend one of these classes.

Race fans know the Sprint Car National races provide some of the best racing in the country.  They also know it’s hard to find lodging anywhere close since the State Fair is also at the same time.  Due to a cancellation, the McNeill Stone Mansion Bed and Breakfast has a suite available for up to four people that week.   Join other race fans who come for the week, enjoying races in Oskaloosa during the first of the week and the Nationals the last part of the week.  You’ll relax with a good night’s sleep and be ready for the racing action each night.  With the Oskaloosa, IA races and the Knoxville races,  you can make it truly a racing week.  Only 28 miles away, it’s a quick trip.  Call now or reserve on line.  Ph: 641-673-4348  Website: www.thestonemansion.com