Tom Krueger and Michelle Brundage pictured last Saturday following the third annual Deck the Hall event held at Clutier’s ZCBJ Hall. The husband and wife duo spent four days this year decorating the Hall which included trimming 30 different Christmas trees. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

CLUTIER – It’s time to deck the halls!

Last Saturday afternoon the inside of Clutier’s ZCBJ Hall was literally aglow in thousands of twinkling Christmas lights thanks to the efforts of husband-wife duo Thomas Krueger and Michelle Brundage who spent four days this month readying the space for the annual community Christmas celebration, Deck the Hall.

Thirty beautifully decorated trees lined the spacious room while two long rows of festively-trimmed tables were erected on either side.

Amid the grand decorations, Santa Claus himself set up shop at the base of the stage to greet area children.

Both ZCBJ Lodge #104 – of which Brundage’s mother is president – and the local non-profit Standing for Clutier led by Krueger have joined forces the last three years to offer the community Christmas party. In addition to Santa Claus, the annual event features drawings for a turkey and ham, multiple giveaways, and kids treat bags – all free.

Children anxiously wait to hear if their name will be called for one of the many free drawings held during ZCBJ Hall’s third annual Deck the Hall event held last Saturday in Clutier. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

“We gave away [close to] $900 in gift cards, food, or prizes this year,” Brundage said.

The event has come a long way in just a few short years – prior to Brundage’s mother assuming leadership of the Lodge, the Hall was actually for sale, empty, and closed.

Shortly after meeting in the newly-reopened Hall during a Clutier Fun Days event several years ago, Krueger and Brundage fell in love, quickly married, and the rest, as they say, is now ZCBJ Hall history.

“I met Tom and we were talking about how to bring people into the community,” Brundage explained of her and Krueger’s efforts to reinvigorate Clutier, before adding with a laugh while gesturing at the decorated Hall, “So, really, this is all his fault! He makes it all happen – he makes it magical.”

In addition to hosting various Standing for Clutier community events, the Hall is available to rent and – to be frank – it’s a (highly decorated) steal.

ZCBJ Hall pictured on Saturday, Dec. 16 during the third annual Deck the Hall event. The Hall is available for rent anytime of year but is particularly beautiful during the holiday season. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

“Summer rental is $50. It’s $75 in the winter months because we have to dewinterize it,” Brundage said.

Both beer and wine are allowed in the Hall with a $25 city permit. Rental fees help to maintain the building which is currently in need of new siding.

Money raised from silent auctions and raffles held during community events like Deck the Hall is used by Standing for Clutier to continue its mission of benefiting the local community – much of that effort taking place below the radar.

Just last week, the non-profit paid off the lunch debt of every Clutier student who attends North Tama, Krueger shared, to the tune of hundreds of dollars.

“Community service is so important – that’s what the Hall was designed for.”

Three-month-old Henry Weber of Clutier peers over his mother Elizabeth Weber’s shoulder at all the twinkling lights in Clutier’s ZCBJ Hall last Saturday during the third annual Deck the Hall event jointly hosted by Standing for Clutier and ZCBJ Lodge #104. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

And it certainly looks magnificent this time of year while doing so.

ZCBJ Hall located at 501 Main Street in Clutier can be rented any time of year for graduations, reunions, parties, weddings, and more. Call 319-270-1805 for more information.

Santa Claus takes a break between visits from youngsters during the third annual Deck the Hall event held at Clutier’s ZCBJ Hall last Saturday. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

ZCBJ Lodge member Ollie Kremenak, left, holds Flannery McAllister during ZCBJ’s annual Christmas party on Saturday, Dec. 16. Kremenak, 100, remarked she had never before seen the iconic space filled with so many twinkling Christmas trees. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER