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Joe's Signs More than Sign Painting Business |
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Joe Jordan opened Joe’s Signs in the year 2000. Joe who has been designing “stuff” since he was a very young man decided to share his talents in the community where he grew up. At age 16, Joe painted a 20’x40’ backdrop for a dance studio in Des Moines, Iowa. He will usually do approximately two per year, hand painting each one on the floor of his studio.
Joe enjoys doing truck lettering which led to painting race cars. One year he painted 32 cars. Although he hasn’t repeated that number, he still paints a few cars.
 Most window lettering you see in Lenox  and the surrounding areas has been painted by “Joe’s Signs”. He recalls painting a car dealership where the windows were 15 feet high by 50 feet long. For a guy who doesn’t care for heights this presented quite a challenge.
When the movie “The Crazies” was filmed in Lenox in 2009, Joe painted several store front signs for the newly created town of Ogden Marsh. Joe even appeared in the movie; however, he was a dead guy!
Joe and his wife Veronica suffered  through the Lenox Tornado in May, 2011. The tornado tore through town damaging houses and buildings and ripped the roof off of their shop pouring two or three inches of rain inside; damaging nearly everything they owned. Joe and Veronica picked up the pieces and immediately built a new building. A fantastic example of optimism and fortitude for their now eight year old daughter Eva and six year old son Lee.
 This family business gives the  children the opportunity to help Dad by taking out the garbage and sweeping the floors. Both kids are budding artists who fill notebooks with their drawings. Lee is now drawing some pretty cool Super Hero stuff and Eva’s talents also run to dance. She likes to show off her dance moves while she draws on the dry erase project board in the studio.
In recent years Joe is enjoying more “artistic” projects such as murals on inside walls and on the outside surfaces of buildings, painting motorcycles and even canvas painting.
Along with Jordan & Sons Farm Drainage, Joe’s Signs co-hosts an annual Car, Bike & Tractor Show during the summer. They hold a cook-off contest with cash prizes for the winners. The date hasn’t been set for 2013, but those who have attended in the past are looking forward to another fun event.
Lenox is fortunate to have such a talented artist. Joe and Veronica invite you to visit their studio on Main Street in Lenox to see what projects are in the works.
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My Sisters Place Perfect Place to find your floral needs |
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My Sisters’ Place, a floral and gift shop opened its doors on Main Street in 2005 after they moved from the flower shop on the edge of town. Restoring the building and adding a cooler gave the sisters a perfect place to hold and display the floral creations and be in the center of activity on Main Street in Lenox. The most interesting feature of the building was the unveiling of the original brick walls which act as a showcase for the merchandise.
Susan Ryan and Denise Robinson offer fresh flowers, floral arrangements and house plants. Their holiday wreaths are a must during the Christmas season. The sisters still open the greenhouse during a three month period in the spring and summer.
   
Denise who started a custom screen print business incorporated that into the business. Here you can order custom printed t-shirts, jackets or specialty items for an event or family occasions. A new line of Lenox Tiger memorabilia can be seen in the store.
Browse this unique gift shop and you will find wonderful garden statuary, home decorations, a line of candles, a great variety of reasonable priced scarves and jewelry. A baby corner is filled with stuffed animals and cool baby fashions for that newborn gift that is just right.
This floral and gift shop wouldn’t be complete without a Candy Bouquet for all ages. Friendly service and a charming atmosphere welcome you to My Sisters’ Place. Stores hours are Monday thru Friday from 9 – 5 and Saturdays from 9:00 - 2:00 p.m.
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Lenox Strives on Family Business |
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Family business owners offer the community services and  products that keep our small towns prospering. Lenox features three such businesses who help blend the fabric of small town living.
One such business if Lenox Hardware. Mark and Misha Curtis purchased Bunch Hardware on January 30, 2012 from Dennis and Judy Bunch who operated the store for over thirty years.
Mark also owns and operates Curtis Heating & Cooling, which has served southwest Iowa since 2005.
Mark & Misha are committed to continue that local feel of service to the community. They employ two full time and two part time employees. One area of the store they are concentrating on is the paint department. They are organizing a paint room where people can sit and look at paint swatches, take their time in deciding colors and ask questions.
They have invested in a new line of paint by Valspar called Elan. Not only is this paint good for walls, it is also an excellent choice in giving your cabinets a new look. This allows you to re-purpose your old cabinets.
Other items they are  bringing to the store are do-it-yourself items such as Rustoleum products that allow you that "new feel" for a project with one-fourth (1/4) the cost. Such items as laminated floor resurfacing, counter top resurfacing and concrete patch work as well as water staining solutions.
Both Mark and Misha are extremely active and committed to the Lenox Community. Away from work they enjoy time at home with their three daughters, Emily age 11, Izabelle age 6 and Avalyn age 4. Spending time with family and friends include camping, horseback riding and raising livestock.
Come in a check out the new additions to the store and visit with the Curtis family.
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Civil War Comes to Life |
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 A re-enactment of the battle of Pea Ridge, also known as Elkhorn Tavern, took place in 2011 in
Lenox for The 150th Anniversary of the American Civil War. The 1st, 4th, and 9th Iowa Infantries participated in this battle, which cemented the Union control of Missouri. As history unfolded before our visitors, the words “bravery and courage” were heard over the roar of the cannons.
( photo courtesy of Lenox Time Table)
Other activities included the appearance of Abraham Lincoln, games of the period for children, a grand ball where music from the Civil War era entertained as dancers danced the Virginia Reel and the Spanish Waltz.
(photo courtesy Vera Bradley)
Ladies dressed in period garb attended a morning tea. Each lady received a hand-painted china tea cup and saucer as a souvenir, with the opportunity to win a matching tea set.
Refreshments included tea, mince tarts, biscuits and clotted cream and cucumber sandwiches.
Three days of special events provided opportunities to rediscover the many ways Iowans played key roles in the war that forever changed life across America. Make plans to join us in 2013. Dates for the re-enactment have not been set, but will be posted on our website at: www.lenoxiacwr.org.
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Heritage House Waits for you in Lenox, IA |
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Barb Gerber returned to her home town and is now fulfilling  her childhood dream to restore her grandparent's former home and offer the community an opportunity to experience cuisine in its finest. Elegant resturants for fine dining are located in the larger cities, why not in rural areas too? This Victorian home was originally known for hosting elite social parties for residents of taylor county and the surrounding communities in 1904. This loveiy queen Anne was built by members of her maternal grandmothers' family.
It was a place of business as well as a residence. Barb says "Three years ago, God opened the door for my husband and me to actually purchase the home and set in motion my 30 year-old-vision"
Our 1904 Victorian home has been restored to its origional grandeur. From the sparkle of crystal chandeliers, the stylish English Pub and the beautiful table settings, The Heritage takes you back in time when family and friends sat down to an eligant meal where conversation flowed and laughter could be heard above the tinkle of crystal. They opened their doors December 1, 2010. For reservations please call 319-360-2163.
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Nitro Bar and Grill Offers Specials in Gravity |
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Nitro’s Bar & Grill is Gravity’s newest business. Located on Main Street,  owner Dan Kernen is proud of his new building and the beer garden he has created. Nitro’s serves sandwiches during the week and also features live entertainment on special occasions.
He started the Bike Rally in July, 2010 and it gets bigger and better each year Nitro’s Bar & Grill Bike Rally draws motorcycle.png) enthusiast s from surrounding states, who participate in a weekend of fun, friends and lots of “free” stuff. The Gravity rally gathers momentum by starting in June where you can ride to Nitro’s each Sunday in June and receive a free beer ticket to be used during the July Rally.
Events include a poker run, games, live music and entertainment, and a Bikini Bike Wash. Vendors selling a variety of motorcycle related merchandise, food and refreshments. Breakfast last year was provided by the Gravity First Responders Unit. Tattoo artists and body painting all add to the fun. Camping is available on site.
Come and join in the fun this July 11, 12, 13, 2013.
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New Lenox Community Center Opens |
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Dedicated September 20, 2011, Lenox now boasts a beautiful new  Community Center. Amenities include large or small meeting rooms, state of the art accoustics, wifi service, a lovely 430 square foot kitchen which is suitable for all your special occasion needs, and lots of free parking. The facility is available to rent for a , 1, 2 or 3 day event. Find out more information or to make reservations by contacting the Lenox City Hall at 641-333-2228.
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Michael Food, Inc |
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Michael Foods, Egg Products Company has a long proud history.  The egg business in Lenox started in the 1940’s with Pete Wiand who marketed eggs in downtown Lenox. There have been many changes made in the egg processing facility since Pete owned the business. In 1966, Jerry Sheridan installed 4 Seymour breaking machines and shipped bulk tankers for further processing from the downtown location. Jerry owned the business until his retirement in 1983 when the business was sold to Tom Rechsteiner. In 1987, Papetti’s Hygrade Egg Company of Elizabeth, New Jersey went into partnership with Tom and the name was changed to Papetti’s of Iowa.
In 1991, a new facility was  built south of Lenox. In 1997, the Papetti’s facilities were sold to Michael Foods Inc of Minnetonka, MN. In 1999, in conjunction with the City of Lenox, a new waste water treatment facility was built and staffed with 2 fulltime operators both certified by the state of Iowa. In 1999, a precook and freezer expansion was completed which enabled the facility to process egg patties and French toast. In 2004, precook was expanded and the breaking machines were removed. In 2011, the operation went through another expansion to increase precook capabilities, add dry good warehouse space, and liquid egg storage.
Last year approx 132 million lbs of liquid eggs (equivalent of 110 million dozen) were transported into Lenox. Approx 23 million lbs of ingredients were added to the eggs (salt, sugar, flavors, starches, oils) for an approx total of 155 million lbs of egg product produced.
Casa Trucking, is the trucking Co owned by Michael Foods. The fleet includes 12 truck tractors, 22 refer trailers, and 23 bulk tankers as well as 1 dispatcher, 12 full time drivers, 2 full time shop employees, and 1 transportation administrator. Casa’s fleet makes deliveries within approx 300 mile radius of Lenox. Long haul deliveries are done through independent contractors.
There are approximately 285 employees working at the MFI Lenox Facility with another 30 employees to be hired for the 2011expansion. The Facility operates 24 hours per day on a 5 plus day work week.
The Lenox facility produces Egg Patties, Omelets, French Toast, French Toast Sticks, Liquid and Frozen Egg Product.
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