Josh Yocum of Kokomo’s Comfort Inn presented with 2013 Hoosier Hospitality Award

Lt. Gov. Sue Ellspermann presents Josh Yocum of Kokomo’s Comfort Inn with Hoosier Hospitality Award

Lt. Gov. Sue Ellspermann presented Josh Yocum of Kokomo’s Comfort Inn with a 2013 Hoosier Hospitality Award for outstanding contributions to the tourism industry during a ceremony on May 8, 2013 at the Indiana Statehouse.  Twenty representatives of the tourism industry earned the 2013 Lieutenant Governor’s Hoosier Hospitality Award for their high level of service in tourism-related jobs at hotels, restaurants, attractions and other destinations.

Josh has been in the hotel industry over 10 years and is currently the Front Desk Manager.  He was acknowledged for the care he takes to ensure each patron receives exceptional service and for going above and beyond the normal duties of his position to help all staff with everyday tasks in the hotel.  Josh was nominated by Marlo Stevens, General Manager of the Comfort Inn Kokomo, for doing  a fantastic job at the hotel.  His on-going service to visitors was recognized in a recent letter from a guest which stated that he did an “outstanding job of making our visit very special.”  The guest also stated that “during the snowstorm, he kept us informed, comfortable, well fed, and treated us as family.  We’ve traveled all over the world and the Comfort Inn Kokomo was the best hotel we ever experienced, because Josh looked out for us and all other guest.  He has excellent customer service skills.”

The Greater Kokomo Visitors Bureau congratulates Josh on receiving this award, and we thank him for his outstanding service to visitors in Howard County!

Sweet Poppin’s and Front Porch Pretzels named Indiana Artisans

Local Kokomo businesses Sweet Poppin’s and Front Porch Pretzels have been named Indiana Artisans.  Indiana Artisans supports entrepreneurs who create high-quality art, crafts, and value-added foods in the Hoosier state.  Artists are juried into this state-wide group.  There are nearly 250 Indiana Artisans across the state, including over 80 foodists.  We are proud to have two of these Indiana Artisan foodists from Kokomo!

Sweet Poppin’s gourmet flavored popcorn

Sweet Poppin’s, located in Downtown Kokomo, makes gourmet flavored chocolate covered popcorn in many indulgent flavors, including Pralines & Cream, Lemon Pound Cake, Strawberry Cheesecake, and Peanut Butter Popcorn.  Since their inception, over 30 popcorn flavors and/or combinations have been created.  Visit their website to find out why this heavenly treat is “a dream come true!”  Sweet Poppin’s popcorn can be purchased online or at their shop located at 107 East Sycamore Street.

Jams made by Front Porch Pretzels

Using all organic ingredients, Front Porch Pretzels makes hand-rolled soft pretzels, specialty breads, pies, and soups.  However, they were juried into Indiana Artisan with their delicious jam made with organic fruit.  Jam flavors offered include strawberry-rhubarb, pear-apple, dutch apple pie, and blueberry.  For more information or to place an order, call 765.455.2085 or follow them on Facebook.

To find out more about Indiana Artisans throughout the state and the process to become designated by this program, visit www.IndianaArtisan.org.

Kokomo CVB Sign Grant Program Assisting Downtown Businesses

Pepperwhistle Bakery & Cafe

New signage is popping up around Downtown Kokomo.  Local businesses are partnering with the Greater Kokomo Visitors Bureau’s Perpendicular Sign Grant Program to enhance business signage, as well as the look of Downtown.  The grant program is designed to offer financial assistance to downtown businesses wishing to install perpendicular or blade signs to storefronts to increase visibility to visitors and residents and improve the quality of place.  Up to 50% of the total cost of sign production and installation may be granted up to a maximum of $1,000.

Pepperwhistle Bakery and Cafe and the Law Office of Corbin King have both installed perpendicular signs this spring after receiving grants from the Greater Kokomo Visitors Bureau.  Both signs were designed and installed by Huston.  For more information about the sign grant program, call (765) 457-6802 or visit our website.

Law Office of Corbin King

Downtown Kokomo Celebrates the Arts with First Friday

Celebrate First Friday in Downtown Kokomo!  Tour downtown businesses and organizations the first Friday of every month from 6-9 p.m.  Participating venues will highlight a unique and engaging exhibit or special event related to the arts, including Planet Mind, Artworks Gallery, Comics Cubed, Lux Boutique, Pepperwhistle Bakery & Cafe, Bohemian Tattoo Club and Art Gallery, Main Street Cafe, and Angie Meyers Design Studio among many others.

Family-friendly and free, join the fun in Downtown Kokomo with food, local artists, live music, family activities, shopping, tastings, and a celebration of the arts!  Upcoming First Friday events will be held April 5 and May 3, 2013.  For more information and a full schedule of monthly activities, visit www.FirstFridayKokomo.com or visit their Facebook Page.

Angie Meyers Designs

Main Street Cafe

 

Artworks Gallery

Celebrating Kokomo’s Tourism Leaders

The Kokomo Visitors Bureau recognized Kay Frazer for her dedicated service in the tourism industry on March 4, 2013.  Kay is the Curator at the Elwood Haynes Museum and announced her retirement after 33 years of service.  We appreciate all the wonderful hospitality she has shown to visitors, her support of Kokomo/Howard County tourism, and her passion for sharing the fascinating story of Elwood Haynes and his legacy to Kokomo and around the world!  The Kokomo Visitors Bureau salutes Kay as one of Kokomo’s tourism leaders.

 

Kay Frazer is recognized for 33 years of service in the tourism industry

 

 

 

3rd Annual St. Patrick’s Day Tent Party – March 16, 2013

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with Irish food & drink, giveaways, and great live music at Cook McDoogal’s Irish Pub on Saturday, March 16, 2013.  The Pub will open at 11 a.m. and Tent opens at 4 p.m.

Entertainment includes Barefoot Murphy at 6pm with Hope Oakes with Bagpipes around 8:30pm.  Mike Milligan and Steam Shovel are headlining at 9pm.  Cover charge for the tent is $5 (cash only.)  Cook McDoogal’s Irish Pub is located at 100 North Main Street (at the corner of Main & Sycamore Streets) in Downtown Kokomo.  For more information, call (765) 450-6143 or visit their Facebook Page.

Kokomo’s Seiberling Mansion Hosts Unique Civil War Exhibit

An extraordinary exhibit on the Civil War is on display now through June 2013 at the Seiberling Mansion.  The exhibit features photographs and artifacts from local collector Craig Dunn and a unique letter on loan from Katherine Morehead.  Dunn has built one of the state’s most remarkable collections of material related to Indiana Civil War soldiers.  He also authored two books about Hoosiers caught up in the war between the states.  Craig has loaned a small portion of his collection to the Howard County Historical Society for this exhibit, and the museum has supplemented with items from their own archives and collections.  Morehead is a descendent of  T.J. Harrison, the highest-ranking Howard County veteran of the war, and she allowed the exhibit to display an original letter home written by Harrison.

The Seiberling Mansion is open Tuesday – Sunday from 1-4 p.m.  Group tours by appointment.  In addition to the Civil War exhibit, visitors will enjoy many other displays in the beautifully restored (former) home of Monroe Seiberling built in 1891.  For more information, call (765) 452-4314 or visit www.HowardCountyMuseum.org.