The Mahanay Bell Tower in Jefferson is now open regular hours during the summer.

Greene County Chamber Director Chris Henning says it is open daily from 10am-4pm and with the Bell Tower Festival this weekend, it will be open extended hours from 10am-8pm this Friday and Saturday.

After last year’s renovations which included a new digital sound system and two air conditioning units getting installed, the outside landscape has a new look this year.

The Board of Supervisors approved the design and implementation of the new landscape by Dave Briggs and chairman John Muir says they wanted to have the work done before the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission’s visit on Thursday, May 29th, but that the project was long overdue.

“As far as before Thursday (May 29th), that was a good deadline, I just think it was long overdue before that.  It’s nice to get it done now and have it in place, the way it turned out, everybody looks at it and thinks why didn’t we do that a long time ago.  No, Dave (Briggs) did a really nice job on it.”

Chris Durlam of Durlam Electric said at a Supervisor’s meeting that he will donate three 150-watt LED light-bulbs and fixtures to the Bell Tower.  It is to replace the three original, 1965 mercury lightbulbs of which only one is currently working.

Henning comments that the Bell Tower is also available for special occasions and special, non-regular hour tours.  Admission fee to visit the Bell Tower is $3 for adults and children under five are $2.

Call the Chamber to set up a guided tour with their trained staff at 386-2155.