“1940s Hollywood” is a strong contender for the theme of the annual Tama County Convention and Visitors Bureau gala coming up next spring.

Present at the Convention and Visitor Bureau meeting on Dec. 10 were Ellen Young, representing the Traer Salt and Pepper Shaker Gallery, Ann Graham, Pilgrim Heights, Jamie Busch-Upah, John Ernest Vineyard & Winery, JoAnn Ruopp, Matchstick Marvels and Tourist Center, Cathy Wieck and Mary Ann Gregory, Dysart Blue Hat Team, Sandy McAntire, Kissing Emu Farms, Cassie Sokol, Tama-Toledo Area Chamber of Commerce coordinator and Heath Kellogg, Tama Co. Economic Development executive director.

During meeting members discussed via telephone the event with Scott Thompson, filmmaker of “A Place for Heroes,” the World War II-era movie that was filmed in Traer and Clutier last summer.

The gala is set for April 20 at the ZCBJ Hall in Clutier.

Thompson offered great recommendations for attraction items to utilize for the tourism’s gala, such as signed copies of scripts of the movie, signed actor photographs and much more.

Live, behind the scenes footage will be presented during the Gala.

Decorations for the event will be based off the scene in the movie, where the viewers are taken back in time to a USO dance.

“Gloria’s Catering” has quoted a price and Bureau members have agreed on it.

McIntire, Busch-Upah and Sokol will be grouping together to work on silent auction items.

Elect Officers

Convention and tourism Bureau officers elected for 2013 were President – Mary Anne Gregory; Vice President- Ellen Young; Secretary Jamie BBuschUpah; Treasurer- Joanne Husak.

County-Wide Calendar

The final proof has been approved and County Calendars will be available in December.

The cost will be $10. A total of 500 are being printed.

The Convention and Tourism Bureauu will be offering a monetary incentive to businesses helping sell the calendars. Each committee member will be responsible for locating businesses in their communities to sell the county calendars and for keeping inventory.

In other business:

Young reported her meeting with a salesman whose business creates folder designs created from city/county building illustrations. (You have to see it to know what is being spoken of.) Group thought the folders could be a potential fundraiser for the Tourism Group one day. Folders would be used to gather information for potential bus tour directors or anyone wanting information about Tama County and its tourism.

“Facebook 101” class will be available in Dysart at the Norma Ander’s Public Library. Date yet to be determined.

The next Tama Co. Convention and Visitors Bureau meeting will be Jan. 13 at 9 a.m. at Rasmussen’s Salt & Pepper Shaker Gallery, Traer.