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.

The Wash House gift shop located in the heart of the Lakes area.

The Wash House gift shop in West Okoboji, IA invites you to their annual Spring Open House Wednesday April 1st to Saturday April 4th.  Spring has sprung at the store and we are bursting with color in every corner and floor.  Stop by and get inspired by our fresh new look and take a little touch of spring home with you.  Just arrived for spring are some bright yellow tulips and bunnies, rabbits and hares in different sizes and shapes.  Pick up a copy of the Iowa Bed and Breakfast Innkeepers Association new cookbook, Discover Iowa: Cooking with Iowa Wine, Meats and other Iowa Products.  We have signed copies for sale by the author Amelia Painter in our gift shop. 

Also featured at the Spring Open House on Friday April 3rd from 5-8pm, will be a Wine Tasting by Diane Benjamin from the Little Swan Lake Winery.  Join us and sample a variety of different wines that we carry in our gift shop from the Little Swan Lake Winery and be treated to several sensational appetizers too.  This will be a fun event that you won’t want to miss.

More information on The Wash House 1712 Terrace Park Blvd. West Okoboji, IA. 51351 can be found at http./www.okobojicountryinn.com/ or call (712) 332-2358.

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.

Estherville, IA — The band, “Ceolmhor” will be playing at the Little Swan Lake Winery on Oct 19, Nov 16, and Dec 21, 2008.

Ceolmhor is pronounced “kell-more” — it is a Gaelic term meaning melody or musical, and Ceolmhor is a three-person band from Hartley, Iowa.  The band plays an eclectic mix of folk,country, blues and Rock ‘n Roll, and is known for their on-stage bantering and story-telling.

There is no charge for the entertainment and buffalo meals are available to purchase while the band performs.  The band plays from 4pm - 6pm.

Nearest B&B inns are:   1)Engel’s Lakeside Bed and Breakfast at 320 Lake Avenue in Lake Park, IA. Visit them online at http://www.engelslakesidebedandbreakfast.com;

2) Kingman Place Bed & Breakfast at 13710 240th Avenue, Spirit Lake, IA. Visit them online at http://www.kingmanplace.com

Little Swan Lake Winery
1350 320th Ave.
Estherville, Iowa 51334
712-858-4592

The winery is open from April 1st through December 31st. 

Here is an event calendar for the Little Swan Lake Winery Oct - Dec 2008:

October  5 - Glenn Henriksen  4-6pm
October 12 - Dave Rowley  4-6pm
October 18 - Chad Elliot 4-6pm
October 19 - Ceolmhor 4-6pm
October 22 - Chicks, Flicks, and Wine 6-9pm
October 26 - Alan Morphew 4-6

November 2- Billie James and Glenn Henriksen 4-6pm
November 9 - Dave Rowley 4-6pm
November 16 - Ceolmhor 4-6pm
November 19 - Chicks, Flicks, and Wine 6-9pm
November 22-23 Christmas Open House 11am- 6pm both days
November 23 -Alan Morphew 4-6
November 30 - TBA

December 7 - Billie James and Glenn Henriksen 4-6pm
December 14 - Dave Rowley 4-6pm
December 17 - Chicks, Flicks and Wine 6-9pm
December 21 - Ceolmhor 4-6pm
December 28 - TBA
December 31 - RING IN THE NEW YEAR WITH US!

Please call for reservations 712-858-4592
Entertainment is free!   

Buffalo entree meal available at all weekend performances.

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.