I was born and raised in a nice north-central Iowa community of 3,000. I received a great education and lived in the kind of neighborhood where you could play baseball in the streets and not be threatened by being run over by a car. The neighborhood kids would get together and play “Kick the Can” and I’d spend hours and hours and hours at the local swimming pool.
I went to college in a little larger community that was equally as nice – beautiful campus and quaint college community. Then I moved to Marshalltown, which is now the place I call “home.”
Our community has been dealt its far share of blows in the last several years, none of which I care to rehash here. But despite all of the challenges, there are so many positive and wonderful things happening in Marshalltown that make me proud to call it home!
Here is my list of top ten (in no particular order):
1 – Orpheum Theater revitalization. This historic theater (which one screened movies staring Marshalltown’s own Jean Seberg and Mary Beth Hurt) is in the process of being partially remodeled to its original state and partially updated to include the conveniences of modern technology.
3 – Emerson Data Center. Marshalltown is home to the back-up data center for Emerson Process Management’s four world-wide data centers.
4 – Emerson Research & Development Lab. This flow test lab will be the only one of its kind in the world once completed. Again, very cool!
6 – Linn Creek bike trail. I love having access to a trail for biking/walking/running that takes you through wooded areas, along the Iowa River and Linn Creek. It’s an 8+ mile trail that goes from Riverview Park to Grimes Farm, the home of Marshall County Conservation.
7 – Educational opportunities. Not only is Marshalltown home to a bi-lingual elementary school (where students learn in Spanish for half of the day and English for the other half – there is a waiting list for admission), we have a community college, Buena Vista University satellite location and continuing education opportunities from yoga to web design.
8 – Marshalltown Young Professionals. I would be remised if I did not mention MYP. This is such a great organization, providing social and professional development opportunities!
9 – Art & Culture. Marshalltown is home to the Central Iowa Art Association, Marshalltown Community Theatre, Marshall County Arts & Culture Alliance, Marshalltown Community Concert Series and the list goes on. Hanging in the art gallery at the Fisher Community Center is a Degas and there’s a great (but sad) story about the Monet that was stolen from the building. We also have a beautiful historic Main Street, Marshall County courthouse, Marshall County Historical Society, additional galleries and music festivals. I could go…
10 – Everything I’ve left out. There certainly isn’t enough space here to list everything that is wonderful about Marshalltown. Come see for yourself. Stop into the Chamber office and say hello. I’ll take you down to Lillie Mae’s for a piece of hand-dipped chocolates.
Sometimes I think it’s easy for all of us to see the things we’d like to change and forget to think about the wonderful things waiting for us in our own backyards. I encourage you to look at your community with a fresh set of eyes and enjoy what you have. |
