Ad-Express and Daily Iowegian, Centerville, IA

Local News

Related Photos

  • Clockwise are Jessica O'Riley, with the Iowa Tourism Office, Sylvia Forbes, free lance writer from Fayette Mo., and a member of the Midwest Travel Writers Association, Nancy Landess, with the Iowa Tourism Office, Teresa Bjork, feature's writer with Iowa Farm Bureau. And from Chicago were Diane Dawson, who works with April Maher to her left, who writes "Camping Journal," a syndicated monthly column for five midwestern papers and on the Web. They were in Centerville Wednesday at The Continental for lunch before traveling to Albia. Photo by Michael Schaffer

    visiting writers

Share your thoughts!

The Daily Iowegian welcomes your thoughts and your opinions, including unpopular ones. We ask only that you keep the conversation civil and clean. We reserve the right to remove comments that are obscene, racist or abusive and statements that are false or unverifiable. Repeat offenders will be blocked. You may flag objectionable comments for review by a moderator.
comments powered by Disqus
June 7, 2009

Writers impressed with Honey Creek Resort State Park, local attractions

By Michael Schaffer - Managing editor

There's something about Appanoose County. And several writers were in the area Wednesday to find out what has made this county a burgeoning mecca for tourism.

Writers from Chicago, Missouri and Iowa Farm Bureau in West Des Moines, using Honey Creek Resort State Park as a base, made visits to the Exline Old Country Store, Bradley Hall, The Columns, Centerville's downtown square and The Continental before going to Albia Wednesday and returning to Honey Creek. The next day the plan was to take the writers out onto Rathbun Lake before going home.

Leading the merry band of journalists was Nancy Landess and Jessica O'Riley, both with the Iowa Tourism Office.

"We had more with us last night and they all have stayed at the resort," Landess said. "We know that when people are going to come to the resort, usually there is plenty of things for them to do there, but they're also going to venture out and go to some of the surrounding communities. So we want to acquaint these writers with what there is to see and do in the area."

The writers were impressed with the resort and the varied activities they have there.

"It's a beautiful resort," April Maher, who writes "Camping Journal," a syndicated monthly column for five midwestern papers and on the Web, said. "You can have anybody from any age group at that resort. Or camping. And they stay at the hotel or the cabin or camp. And so that takes care of a lot of people. And a family reunion, they structure a naturalist program for your family."

Teresa Bjork, a writer for Iowa Farm Bureau in West Des Moines, said she grew up in northern Iowa and was totally unaware of Rathbun Lake until she moved to Des Moines. And all it took was one camping trip to the lake with her family for her to realize the areas potential.

"And we were just so impressed by this area. It's a really nice kind of getaway within the state," Bjork said. "So I was happy to get a chance to come back here and get a really nice tour of the towns here. I think there's a lot people that don't realize what's here."

Text Only
Local News
Featured Ads
Poll

This week the Iowegian wants readers to think about the recent decision by the Centerville Municipal Waterworks Board of Directors to increase the fee for late payment of water bills. In a story published in Wednesday's Ad Express, board members announced a 10 percent late fee after two days late, a $50 red tag fee for accounts unpaid after seven days late and a $25 shut off fee, water service terminated after two weeks late. The board said the decision to increase the fees associated with late payment is to encourage customers to pay their bills on time. So, the question this week is, "Are these fees too much to ask for?"

A. Yes, they are.
B. No, they are not.
C. I'm not affected so I don't care.
     View Results
Obituaries
Iowegian on Facebook
Community Calendar
Loading…
Events by eviesays.com
Hyperlocal Search
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide
Popular Searches
Powered by Local.com