With this lofty goal in mind, a series of fund-raisers ensued. A wide variety of them were held those first three years.

2006 was eventful for the Park. The Historic Preservation Commission presented us with the Historic Preservation Week Award as the top "historic place." MRHD grant announcements followed, and we received $10,000 for a major upgrade of the Park's lighting system. As one of the designated charities working for Awesome Biker Nights, we netted a check for $5,505. September brought the 4th Annual "Art in the Park," with the artists and food stand reporting great sales! Lastly, we received a Leisure Services Grant from the City of Sioux City for picnic table replacement.

2007 saw many more activities -- a new membership drive, an All America Band Concert, more picnic tables through Leisure Services, and the Morningside Lodge #615 held a July 4th benefit pancake breakfast for us. Our second Awesome Biker Nights June poker run & raffle ticket sales went very well, and in August, the Awesome Board presented us with a check for $5,615, which will help grow our endowment fund. The northeast garden is being redesigned, and another successful "Art in the Park" is in the books.

It was another busy year here in 2008 -- a $750 Junior League grant, matched by Scott Ohlfest, took care of the cleaning & tuckpointing of the brick gazebo; a MRHD grant for $10,000 is enabling us to start on our long-awaited underground sprinkler system; the 2nd Annual Morningside Lodge Fourth of July Pancake Breakfast netted almost $900; we worked the Awesome Biker Nights June poker run and ended July with a $3700 check for those efforts. July 31st was the last day on the job for caretakers Bill & Dawn Tope, who had beautified the Park for eight years. The Homebuilders Association and WIT construction class rebuilt the back porch on the house; Carter Gardner trimmed trees; Coughlin Landscaping worked on beds, grounds & trees, installed flagstone paths & moved benches; and our 6th annual "Art in the Park" was greeted by an appreciative audience on a beautiful September day.

2009 had lots of activities booked -- WEDDINGS, WEDDINGS, WEDDINGS. The underground sprinkler system saw completion, the 3rd Annual Morningside Lodge #615 July 4th Pancake Breakfast was well attended, bringing in over $1000, a new caretaker arrived, and September's "Art in the Park" was very well sponsored and attended, netting the Park over $4000. This 2009 event was a judged art show -- a definite upgrade for the artists -- and very well received. Awards were presented to:

Best of Show – Jess Elofson, pottery
Award of Excellence – Ron Emmick, birdhouses
Award of Excellence – Tori Engelhardt, stained glass & mosaics

It's now 2010, and the year is starting off with a bang! Well, no, it's with a band. The All-America Concert Band is presenting a fund-raiser concert for us in April, new Gerkin replacement windows have been installed in Clara's house by Guarantee Roofing, another Independence Day pancake breakfast is on the schedule, and plans for an even bigger and better "Art in the Park" are being made. More events & projects have been proposed, but must remain a secret for now. Stay tuned!

BULLETIN BOARD > > > > > The park is open for the season < < < < < Premier Barbershop Harmony AND ICE CREAM SOCIAL August 30th -- 7:00 - 8:30 P.M. at the Park Siouxland Discovery Chorus Uptown Chorus Bring your chairs or blanket & join the fun FREE WILL OFFERING Artist Registration forms are now accessible from our new "Art in the Park" page The next "Friends" meeting is scheduled for: August 12th Thursday, 7 P.M., at the Latham House If you have time and talent to lend to our cause, we'd love to have you join us! The house is always available for small group meetings throughout the year. To reserve the house for your event, call Matt at 712-276-6016