Ron and Cheri Cunningham of Sedalia, MO, were sure they hadn't been speeding when they were pulled over Thursday on Iowa Highway 218 by Washington County Iowa Sheriff Jerry Dunbar. They hadn't been breaking any laws, but the couple was still arrested and sentenced to stay the night at the Pull'r Inn Motel in Kalona and be wined, dined and toured by the Kalona Area Chamber of Commerce.
The stop was a way Kalona could promote its attractions and small-town hospitality, said Chamber President Larry Moeller.
The Cunningham couple was looking to spend several foot-free days meandering through Iowa on their way to sightsee in Wisconsin. Predicted bad weather in Tennessee had canceled their original plans to travel to Tennessee.
Moeller quickly assured the Cunninghams that they weren't in trouble, though Cheri laughed that her husband remained suspicious for the first half of Moeller's pitch.
"He thought something was fishy," she said.
After being escorted to their free lodging for the night at the Pull'r Inn, they were taken to the Tuscan Moon Grill on Fifth, noted for its fine cuisine and extensive wine list. They were also interviewed and featured that evening on the KCRG television news (see kcrg.com).
The next morning saw Ron and Cheri as breakfast guests at the Kalona Family Restaurant. This was followed by their own personal tour of the area on the Kalona By-Ways Tour Bus, where they visited J&K Creative Woods, Stringtown Grocery and the Kalona Cheese Factory. Their visit ended with a tour of the Kalona Historical Village.
Cheri said she was so impressed by the area, that if they were still on the road the following Friday and Saturday, Sept. 25 and 26, they'd pass through Kalona again to attend the town's annual Fall Festival.
Newspapers publishing an Associated Press story on the arrest included USA Today and The Chicago Tribune. It was also mentioned on CNN.
Since last week's promotion, the Kalona Chamber office has been receiving a number of e-mail queries about the community.
"I just saw news clip on CNN about Kalona just now in Trinidad, part of Trinidad & Tobago. I always thought I'd go to Iowa one day, instead of big cities, especially after seeing movie in the cornfields. I look forward to getting info on your town. I like the creativity in promoting your area, keep it up, you might be surprised where it gets you," e-mailed one person from Trinidad.
"I left my heart in Kalona. Thirty years ago I was there for a year and have been bragging about it ever since then," e-mailed Lisa Querin from Apple Valley, CA. "My husband thinks I'm crazy, but there was no place like it. I saw your piece on CNN and called my husband, who did not understand, but I will always remember that place and it will have a special place in my heart. I will be there again someday."
A Los Angles resident e-mailed, "I love what you guys are doing. I wish I were closer and could come by. How can I go about getting one of your "Ask Me about Kalona" shirts?"
From British Colombia, Canada, came the e-mail, "I just read the story about tourists being arrested in Kalona and spending the following 24 hours getting to know the town. It prompted me to Google search Kalona and read all about your town and its history. Kalona sounds like a very warn, welcoming place, and we will be sure to visit when we travel across the US next summer."
The resulting publicity even drew the attention of a person from Florida who would like to move to Kalona, "I just saw a news report this evening about your city. I would be interested in various types of positions that may be available there. I have included my resume below. If possible, could you please pass this along to any firm that may be hiring."
A person from Fayetteville, GA, e-mailed, "I just saw the piece on CNN.com concerning the arrested tourist. Very cool idea. What a way to bring a smile to people's faces. I can assure you, if I am in eastern Iowa, I will for sure stop in Kalona."
Moeller, who thought of the promotion, said he was very pleased with the result of the promotion and the amount of attention it gathered for the community.
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