73rd Annual Tulip Festival: May 16, 17, 18
By Co-Owner: Bonnie Meier

In just a few short weeks our 73rd Tulip Festival will be held in Orange City. Last year at this time our tulips were blooming already. This year our ground is still white with snow with more predicted. We need the moisture so we are not complaining too much, but our poor little tulips are about 4 inches high and covered with white stuff. Maybe if we get some sunshine and warm weather they will be just right for the Festival.

The theme this year is Dutch Charm. All three days start with horse-drawn trolley tours starting at 9:00 a.m. This is also the time that the Century Home, Flower Show, Sioux County Heritage Center, and Quilt Show open. Pedi-Cabs begin then as well. The Pedi-cabs are driven by people in Dutch costume pedaling a bicycle attached to a seat and they will take you around to attractions in the down town area. Other attractions include an antique tractor show, the Dutch Street Organ and the Vogel Mill. On Saturday there is a fly-in breakfast and Art Burst and Authors’ Corner.

Then at 10:00 a.m. De Straatwinkel opens (souvenirs) and the Straatmarket (food). There are Wooden Shoe demonstrations, carnival rides (open at different times each day) and the Little White Store. On Friday there is an Organ Recital.

The Dutch Dozen performs daily at 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. The Fietsen Zangers (Dutch singers) go around daily at noon.

Then at 1:00 p.m. the main events start with the Straatfest and Street Scrubbing followed by the parade a 2:15 p.m. At 3:30 p.m. there is a daily Drum Line performance.

At 4:00 p.m. the Dutch Dozen performs again along with a Puppet Show, a Netherlands Movie showing at the Library and a wooden shoe demonstration (how to make them). The night show this year is Fiddler on the Roof and that begins at 8:00 p.m.

A complete brochure with more detailed information is available at our Chamber office or you can e-mail or call Jubon Juweelen and we will send you one. It lists the places to eat, places to stay and a good map of the parade route. Jubon Juweelen’s e-mail is bonnie@jubon.biz and our phone number is 712-737-8920. We would be happy to send you a brochure. On the center map in the brochure our store is located right next to the picture of the bus and behind the Merry-Go-Round on 3rd Street.

Tulip Time hours at Jubon Juweelen will be flexible. As long as there are people around we will be open. We will open earlier and stay open later than our normal hours.

Antiques

By Co-Owner: Bonnie Meier

In the northeast corner of our little store there is a room that features antiques. This time of year some very unique Dutch items have been brought in. The antiques come from many different people from the surrounding area and beyond and include Dutch dolls, plates, spoons and books. We have a Vogel Windmill puzzle and several other items with Orange City advertising. Someone brought in a little cloth Dutch girl with a complete 1940 calendar on the other day. We have pewter, brass and Delft. We have some wonderful pictures and both old and new jewelry. We also have some old tools. The other day we had someone bring in some wonderful Japanese items. Go to our facebook page to see some of them pictured. Most of the items featured in our antique area and also in our Queen Victoria (fine arts) area are one of a kind. When you are browsing, you really need to look in every corner to make sure that you don’t miss anything.

Yellow Section

By Sales Clerk: Sharon Vande Steeg

Right in front of the antique area is our “yellow section”. Here you will find our newly arrived napkins as well as many new Dutch imports. Be ready for Tulip Time entertaining. Also available are new inspirational books.

Featured Personnel: Margaret Fernow

By Clerk/Designer, Margaret Fernow

What a joy it is coming to work at Jubon Juweelen and being associated with Bonnie and Lee Meier (owners) and the entire Jubon team. We always have a great time, and I learn so much about the Dutch heritage of Orange City and the families that make the city what it is today. The tales that are told over coffee are priceless!

My heritage is Scotch and Irish. You may wonder how a lady with that background got in the front door . . . it has been a great blend of nationalities and personalities! After having spent twenty-nine years in the corporate world (K-Products/American Identify), I was ready for a new challenge that did not require 50+ hours per week. I retired in 2007 and began at Jubon Juweelen when the store was launched in the fall of 2010. My duties are very diverse, but I really enjoy doing the displays in the store. I grew up having an appreciation for beautiful things, so I appreciate the opportunity that I have been given to create these displays. I love the diversity of our customers . . . being able to help them make their special selections or answer their questions about our products or community is very gratifying. I find everyday that the world is very small as many commonalities are shared and friends made!

My husband (Allen) and I and four children moved to Orange City in 1977 from Eastern Iowa (Cedar Rapids/Marion area). We grew up in that area where our parents farmed all their lives. We attended school together (high school sweethearts) and were married in the summer of 1963. Prior to that I had attended Cedar Rapids Business College and became a dental assistant. We farmed east of Marion until 1977 at which time health issues forced an occupational change, which led us to Northwest Iowa.

Allen continues to work full time and does some traveling with his job. When our schedules allow I do travel with him. Great way to see rural America at its greatest! We have four children who reside in various regions of the United States. We have also been blessed with five grandchildren, and our first great grandchild will be arriving in May. We are very excited! Also, we are looking forward to celebrating our 50th wedding anniversary in August. We are truly blessed with family, friends, and good health.

My wish is that Jubon Juweelen will have a wonderful and prosperous future in this community for many years to come. It provides a very special niche for those who take the opportunity to visit our store . . . whether it be area residents or visitors to the community.