The Greene County Historical Society invites everyone to a special weekend event at Pleasant Hill Church.

The two-day event begins on Saturday from 2 to 5pm when Iowa artist Zack Jones of Malvern will sketch and paint the historical church as part of an “En Plein Air” where other artists can join Jones in painting their own pictures around them.

The main event will take place Sunday at the church. Jones and other artists will continue their work at 9:30am. Coffee, juice and Marianne Carlson’s State Fair winning cinnamon rolls will be served. There will also be a brass quintet performance by Mark Rasmussen, Wayne Lautner, Snowy Chargo, Wes Anderson and Peg Semke.

A Memorial Day service will start at 11am. The service will feature a prayer led by retired pastor and president of the historical society Dale Hanaman, historical information from Chuck Offenburger, a musical performance from the First United Methodist Church choir, the Preamble to the US Constitution and Gettysburg Address from Wallace Teagarden and singing of “The Church in the Wildwood.” The service will then be followed by a 21-gun salute in the churchyard from the Rippey American Legion Color Guard with Taps performed by Lautner.

Then at 11:45am the public can continue to observe with Jones and the other artists, informal hymn singing will continue and Pleasant Hill Memorial Incorporated will hold their annual meeting. The public is also encouraged to bring lunches and enjoy a picnic outside on the churchyard.

The event will wrap up by 3pm. There will be several free-will offering opportunities throughout the day on Sunday to benefit the maintenance of the church and its grounds.