From 14 to 47 bells in Mahanay Tower

The Mahanay Memorial Carillon Tower is now complete with 47 bells which is a four octave carillon.  For 50 years, the Tower has hosted 14 bells that played the Westminster Chimes but not much else.  Recorded bell music has played from speakers for a number of years.  The Bell Tower Community Foundation kicked off their “Let the Bells Ring” fundraising campaign for the 50th Anniversary of the tower in 2016.  A sizeable bequest from Paul Nally was used to start the campaign with a Grow Greene County Gaming Corporation grant awarded for $61,500 in early 2016.  This gave the momentum for other donors to purchase the bells needed for a four octave carillon.  Fifteen bells had been purchased by donors over 20 years ago but were left in a case in the courthouse.  Cost for the completion was $440,000.  A Vision Iowa grant was awarded in June of 2016 so the Foundation could announce the successful completion of the campaign at the 2016 Bell Tower Festival.  A re-enactment of the original dedication ceremony was a part of the Oct. 16, 2016 50th Anniversary celebration.  The bell donors were all recognized and the excitement built for the bells to be hoisted in the spring.  On May 24, 2017 the first load of smaller bells with the trailer of remaining bells arriving on May 25.  Over the Memorial Day weekend, numerous residents and visitors enjoyed watching the process.  The bells were in place on Memorial Day.  Music will begin to play as soon as everything is in place.  Live Tower Tune Concerts are planned daily at 12:15 – 12:30 pm and the bells will play electronically throughout the day.