isn’t guaranteed. “Sometimes they don’t even get back to you. It’s like pulling teeth,” Vavricek said.
Craig Engel, a leader of the Mount Vernon-Lisbon Childcare Solutions group, understands the struggle. His organization formed in late 2022 after a survey by the League of Women Voters revealed a clear crisis of not having enough childcare spaces and providers to meet the demand.
“People that don’t have childcare can’t work fulltime because they have to care for their kids fulltime,” Engel said. “That’s a huge economic impact for families and for the community.”
The group is made up of about 25 local volunteers, who have raised over $110,000 through grassroot efforts. Nearly $80,000 of that has gone toward wage enhancements for childcare workers in the area. Another $10,000 in bonuses is being distributed this May, recently in the form of gift cards through a partnership with Gary’s Foods in Mount Vernon.
SENIORS from 1
“These are direct wage supports to help retain staff. Childcare workers are the third lowest-paid profession in Iowa. We’re trying to fix that,” Engel said.
Childcare Solutions went to 34 businesses in the community and found in the recent surveys that 79% of local businesses believe more childcare options would boost the local economy. And 67% of parents said they would enroll their children if affordable care were available.
Catherine’s family has already lived through the fallout twice. After Corbin’s daycare closed during the pandemic, they scrambled to fill the gap. Then, another provider left due to health issues. Now, as Cheyenne approaches preschool age, they’re again piecing things together often relying on friends, or considering expensive wraparound programs.
“We’ve talked about relocating to North Liberty if I get a promotion, just for better access,” she admitted. “But I don’t want to rely on someone I don’t know. This is our community. We just need help here.”
Engel says the long-term
team going up against another team each week.”
Ries was involved in softball, volleyball, track, speech, and the prom committee.
“I really loved being able to help plan prom, and put on an event for the upperclassmen to enjoy,” Ries said.
Flockhart was involved in softball, volleyball, student council and National Honor Society.
“My favorite has been student council, especially our community clean-up day and seeing people’s smiles when we were able to help them out,” Flockhart said.
Sauser has been involved in golf and basketball during his time at Lisbon.
“Golf has been my favorite, as it’s a sport I’m really good at,” Sauser said.
Favorite memories
For Ries and Flockhart – It’s definitely Homecoming week that are their favorite memories.
“It’s a time when we all get to come together as a school and as our class,” Ries said.
“The whole week brings the whole school together,” Flockhart said. “There’s a lot of friendly competition and camaraderie.”
Holub said his favorte memories have been track meets he has attended.
Members of the Mount Vernon-Lisbon Early Childcare Solutions group made distributions of gift cards to Gary’s Foods in Mount Vernon Friday, May 9, Childcare Provider Appreciation Day. Presenting the certificates to Bre Ties, director of LECC, were Katrina Sogaard Anderson, Linda Bigley, Nicole McAlexander and Craig Engel. Ties thanked the group for their ongoing support of childcare workers in the communities through wage enhancement stipends over the past few years.
vision could include a dedicated childcare facility in partnership with the school district or local churches. But that would require significant funding and staffing.
“The real conversation is: do we have the financial and human resources to build a center that can serve 100–125 kids?” Engel said.
In the meantime, efforts
“We’ve had a lot of success in track in my time here, and there’s a lot of freedom to focus on the events you do well,” Holub said.
Sadler said his favorite memories have been wrestling practices.
“I love that there were always people to push me and push me to do better,” Sadler said.
Sauser said his favorite memories include his time riding to many different sports activities.
“It’s just been a great time to have fun and connect with my friends,” Sauser said.
What they’re going to miss
“Probably the close connection we have to each other,” Ries said.
“I’m going to miss the support we’ve had from our teachers and coaches,” Flockhart said. “We’ve had a lot of close knit energy here.”
“Definitely being a part of teams,” Sadler said.
“Just the staff and community here at the school,” Sauser said.
“I’m really going to miss my good buddy, Tiernan Boots,” Holub said.
Advice for younger classmates
Sauser said one of his pieces of advice was not to use ChatGPT for assignments.
“It’s really not worth it to stress about the little things,” Ries said. “Those are things you’re going to discover really don’t matter in the
long run.”
like the round-up fundraiser at Gary’s Foods aim to keep wage enhancements going and provide short-term relief. But families say the need goes far beyond gift cards.
“It’s hard to hear that providers aren’t getting paid enough while parents like us are struggling to pay more than ever,” Vavricek said. “Something here just
Flockhart said figuring out what you want to do with your life and doing it is important.
“Don’t just do something because everyone has been doing it,” Flockhart said. “I didn’t go out for track this year, and it’s made it more enjoyable.”
Sadler encouraged people to get involved in what activities they wanted to pursue.
“It really helps you meet so many people,” Sadler said.
Sauser said participating in as many sports as possible is also a piece of advice he’d give.
“You may not get that opportunity ever again,” Sauser said.
Holub recommended students don’t hold on to any grudges.
“You have your whole life ahead of you,” Holub said. “Learning to move on is important.”
Teachers/coaches who have made an impact
Ries and Flockhart both said Ellen Johanns has been a great teacher for them.
“She’s so down to earth and welcoming to all students,” Ries said.
“She’s just super easy to talk to,” Flockhart said.
Holub said for him, that each sport he has been a part of have seen two different head coaches.
“They’ve all been just great coaches who encourage us all to do our best,” Holub said “They are pushing stu-
isn’t adding up.”
As Mount Vernon and Lisbon continue to grow, so does the urgency. Without reliable childcare, working families are caught in the middle—trying to do it all, with too little support.
“If I could be a stayat-home mom, I would,” Vavricek added. “But I can’t. And it doesn’t work that way.”
dents to do their personal best.”
Sadler said the coach who made the biggest impact for him was Brian Hall.
“He encouraged me to give it my all, and I was able to win a state wrestling title,” Sadler said.
Sauser said his favorite coach has been Andy Kahl.
Hopes for the community
“I just hope the community continues to grow and get better,” Holub said.
“This school already has excellent morals and message,” Flockhart said. “It’s one of those that highlights the size of a school doesn’t need to change.”
Sadler and Sauser had no comments on that topic.
Gage Holub will be attending the United States Merchant Marine Academy where he will study marine biology.
Kayla Ries will be attending Saint Ambrose University in Davenport and major in occupational therapy.
Maddie Flockhart will attend Kirkwood Community College where she will major in business management and administration.
Wesely Sadler will attend the University of Northern Iowa where he will major in accounting and business administration.
Tyler Sauser will attend University of Northern Iowa where he will major in business administration.
Volume 156 I Issue 20 108 1st St SW, Mount Vernon, IA 52314
Phone: 319-895-6216
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Official Newspaper: Mount Vernon, Lisbon, Bertram, Linn County, Mount Vernon Community School District, Lisbon Community School District
The Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun (USPS 367-520), a division of The Daily Iowan, is published weekly every Thursday by Student Publications, Inc., 100 Adler Journalism Building, Room E131, Iowa City, Iowa 52242. Periodicals Postage Paid at the Mount Vernon Post Office and additional offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun, 108 1st St SW, Mount Vernon, IA 52314. Subscriptions: Contact Rochelle Ferguson at 319-895-6216 or rochelle.ferguson@mvlsun.com for additional information. Subscription rates: Linn and adjoining counties – $55 annually; elsewhere in Iowa – $75 annually; out of state – $85 annually.
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mvlsun.com
Nathan Countryman
Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun nathan.countryman@mvlsun.com
The City of Mount Vernon is moving forward with a grant proposal for façade improvements of a number of uptown businesses.
The grant is offered by the Housing and Urban Development Community Development Block Grant,and the top award is for $650,000. Tom Gruis of East Central Iowa Council of
Governments said that two meetings have been held for interested property owners for the project.
As part of the project, portions of the uptown First Street will have to be assessed for the level of slum or blight that exists to the building’s façade.
“Blight or slum designations are just used to indicate the level of help that could be needed to a façade improvement,” Gruis said. “Our goal is to have a façade improvement that’s just as
great as Bauman’s building for other buildings in the uptown.”
Gruis said that Mount Vernon’s uptown does not have a high amount of blight, but there are some facades that could be part of this project that would benefit. He was hoping for between six to eight buildings to be in the grant.
“This project will not get funded without a local match,” Gruis said.
That means businesses will have to contribute to the project, as well as the city.
Nathan Countryman | Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun
Gruis said that of the 27 businesses in the uptown, there are roughly 11 in fair condition that could benefit from the grant, and another four that are in good to fair condition.
The project would amount to $1.08 million dollars to be awarded, with $650,000 in grant funds. The cost for the city or ECICOG would be roughly $30,000 for an architect for the project, as well as $2,500 for grantwriting.
With eight buildings, that would amount to roughly $110,000 that would be available for façade work. Not all
Cancer rates in Iowa second highest in nation
County report on cancer rates presented Thursday May 29
Nathan Countryman
Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun
nathan.countryman@mvlsun.com
Iowa’s cancer rate is the second highest in the nation, behind only Kentucky, and the evidence shows it’s not just one thing that’s causing that rate to be higher, but a mountain of pebbles helping to create those higher rates.
Dr. Sarah Nash with the Iowa Cancer Registry spoke about that ongoing cancer rate, factors that contribute to cancer and other items at a speech at Lester Buresh Family Community Wellness Center Thursday, May 8.
Nash said one of the findings that the Iowa Cancer Registry has determined is that cancer rates have steadily risen in the state since 2013. That’s for all cancers.
Iowa does have higher percentages of melanoma, breast, prostate and lung cancers that are driving cancer rates higher in the state.
Nash said that when the cancer rates are compared to the states around Iowa, it shows it is definitely something unique to the state of Iowa currently.
“It’s not something that we just did in 2013,” Nash said. “Cancer is one of those illnesses that takes a long time to develop. The patterns we’re seeing today are a reflection of things we’ve possibly done 20 to 30 years ago, and it’s going to take a lot of effort and time to turn this ship back around.”
Nash said that breast cancer rates are higher in urban areas, which comes from later childbearing years and higher rates of education. Rates of lung cancer are higher along the swath of counties in the south of the state. Prostate cancer rates are much higher in the northwest portion of the state, and Nash wondered if
businesses are going to need that full cost for the project.
Council member Scott Rose asked if the project could be tackled while work goes on for streetscape. Gruis said that the entire project will probably take three years to complete, with one or two facades fixed each year.
Another question was about if the grant would be impacted by Mount Vernon’s uptown being a historic district. Gruis said it would add one more step to the project, but all work would meet the department of
that might not be related to more PSA testing done in those areas.
Melanoma cases are much higher in the northern swath of counties in the state.
“We think that’s related to so many farmers in those areas and not wearing adequate sun protection,” Nash said.
On the positive side is while Iowa’s cancer rates are high, Iowa’s mortality rate is right in the middle of the pack.
“For every person who has a diagnosis, there is a level of treatment and survivorship,” Nash said. “It’s great that we have mortality declining, but it still leaves a large number of people being diagnosed with cancer.”
An attendee has asked if there is just better methodology in reporting of cancer over the years.
Nash said that has changed, but not enough to account for the rates we are seeing.
Another attendee wondered if diet for some people had a higher contribution to cancer diagnosis.
Nash said as someone who was in epidemiological research that answer falls into an ecological fallacy, where focusing just on diet alone skews research, when there are a number of factors controllable and uncontrollable that contribute to cancer diagnosis.
David Osterberg wondered if the counts for cancer diagnoses can be skewed due to lower population numbers in certain Iowa counties, like Cass being a high area for all cancers when its population is less than 6,000 citizens total.
Nash said when statistics are too low, it does pose a problem, especially for rarer cancers.
Nash said that the important thing to remember is it’s not just one cause of cancer, most people encounter it from a combination of different genetic, lifestyle, environmental and structural risk factors that change the function of cells in their body.
Lifestyle factors include tobacco, alcohol use (especially binge drinking), an unhealthy diet, not being physically active and sunburns.
Environmental includes exposure to chemicals and radiation.
That led to discussion with attendees on why data isn’t collected on radon and other exposures by the Iowa Cancer Registry.
Nash said they rely on other researchers collecting that data to help their own pool sets, that they aren’t the experts in those fields. Nitrates is a portion of study that will come in the next year’s study from the Iowa Cancer Registry.
Nash said risk factors can take years between exposure and a cancer to develop, which also makes it more difficult to prove the connection.
“The important things to do are to reduce your cancer risk by limiting your risk factors whenever possible,”
interior standards.
Building owners would have to contribute an amount to take part in the program.
Council members Mark Andresen, Scott Rose and Paul Tuerler all agreed it was worth moving forward to explore.
City administrator Chris Nosbisch said he would like the project to hold until the coming fiscal year on July 1 before any contribution from the city is explored.
Nash said. “Focus on the things you can do to reduce your cancer risk.”
A question came on Iowa Cancer Registry’s funding streams. Nash said a majority of their budget does come from federal government, and a request to reduce the budget by 40 percent was made. In Iowa, they will be receiving $1 million in the budget to look at why cancer rates are increasing in Iowa.
“It’s going to take a lot more than one time money and one time investment on this issue,” Nash said. “It’s going to take a lot more money and a lot more people.”
She encouraged Iowans to continue to talk to their legislators about the importance of bills they are passing that will impact cancer rates.
She also encouraged people interested in cancer in Iowa to sign up for the upcoming Iowa Cancer Symposium being held in Linn County, either virtually or in person. Information on that event can be found at https://shri.public-health.uiowa.edu/cancer-data/cancer-in-iowa-99-counties-project/. The event is slated for Thursday, May 29, at 10 a.m.
Seth Rushford & Stratton Ellyson MOBILE AUTO DETAILING
Call for appointment 319-450-1851 winthedetails@gmail.com
ance terms such as liability coverage which pays for damage you cause to others’ property or injuries to others. Iowa law requires minimum liability coverage of $20,000 of bodily injury to or death of one person in any one accident; $40,000 because of bodily injury to or death of two or more persons in any one accident; and $15,000 because of injury to or destruction of property of others in any one accident. Collision coverage pays for damage to your car from an accident after you pay the deductible or the out-of-pocket amount. Comprehensive coverage may reimburse for non-collision incidents like theft, animal collisions, or weather damage. If your car is going with you to a dorm or apartment, report the change of location to your insurance company.
Your personal property will need protection, too. First, check with your parents to see if their homeowners policy extends coverage to a student living in a dorm or apartment. If not, renters insurance is essential and approximately $20 a month. It protects your personal belongings against theft and fire, and many landlords require it. Renters insurance also provides liability coverage, and additional living expenses in case your dwelling becomes uninhabitable by a fire or storm
disaster. The policy may also cover your property if it is stolen from your car. Be sure to take inventory of your belongings and choose coverage that matches their value. If you are purchasing a home, homeowners insurance will be required by the mortgage company.
Even young, healthy people need health insurance. Under federal law, you can stay on your parent’s health insurance until age 26. If that’s not an option, explore health plans that cover essential services like preventive care, emergency services, and prescriptions. If you obtain a job with benefits, an employer-sponsored health plan is often the most affordable and comprehensive choice. Another option to consider is a Marketplace plan through HealthCare.gov. You may qualify for subsidies to lower your premium. Also, if you’re pursuing further education, universities often offer cost-effective coverage.
Always speak to a licensed insurance agent regarding all your insurance options, and compare several companies before purchasing any insurance policy. Higher deductibles can lower your premium but mean more out-of-pocket costs if you file a claim. Starting your insurance journey early helps you build good habits and financial resilience.
MV lawyer announces plans to run for attorney general
Campaign office located in Mount Vernon
Nathan Countryman Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun nathan.countryman@mvlsun.com
Mount Vernon resident, lawyer and former state house representative Nate Willems announced his plans to run for attorney general for the State of Iowa Wednesday, May 7.
More than 50 were in attendance for his campaign office opening in uptown Mount Vernon, located at the base of the hill of Hilltop Park.
Willems highlighted his work as a legislator in leading on labor issues and protecting workers rights in the first attacks on Chapter 20 in his speech.
“I also worked on a lot of education issues, including fighting for protections for 4-year-old preschools being needed,” Willems said.
He said he ran a campaign he was proud of in 2011 trying to take a seat in the Senate, but came short on election night.
He has worked as a lawyer full time with Rush and Nicholson, P.L.C., in Cedar Rapids, the state’s largest workers’ compensation firm.
“I’ve led cases as sim -
Spots
ple as the worker who is involved in manual labor and feels the pop in his back that leads to significant injury to certified nursing assistants who are trying to help a patient with dementia shower and then gets clobbered with a shower head, leading to PTSD on top of her injuries,” Willems said. “When injured workers come to our office, they bring some of the biggest problems
Mount Vernon K-9 golf outing
The Mount Vernon-Lisbon Police Department will host its annual K9 golf tournament at Kernoustie Golf Club Friday, June 13. The event will be held in memory of K-9 officer Monster this year, with funds utilized for a memorial for the officer and remaining proceeds benefitting the future K9 program. Registration for teams is still ongoing and requested by May 30. Tee time is 11 a.m. for the 18-holes of golf, followed by a dinner at the club house.
If you have any questions or want additional information, contact Tasha Whitman at 319-895-6141 or visit the department’s Facebook page.
they’ve ever faced.”
Other labor cases he’s represented have been pushing against wage theft issues or helping get workers back their jobs, tackling cases against employers like Rockwell Collins and the University of Iowa Health Care for their workers issues.
Willems noted while he hasn’t had a success on every issue in the state house or won every case he
has argued, he continues to fight because “laws do not enforce themselves.”
“There are times where it feels like as a lawyer I’m just playing whack-amole, when you could do more against some of these issues as the attorney general,” Willems said. “The attorney general’s office is the largest law office in the state and could be prosecuting more of these cases.”
Willems noted there may be bumps in the road, even if he were elected, but he feels it is important to take on some of these battles.
“One of the lessons I’ve learned at my local church First Presbyterian Church of Mount Vernon is it’s not just important to comfort the afflicted, but also afflict the comfortable if they’re doing wrong,” Willems said.
Willems said he set up his office in Mount Vernon because he is a part of this community and knows in the next year and a half, there will be plenty of opportunities for volunteers and workers to work on the campaign.
Willems also said his wife and daughters are all in on this campaign.
Willems is also an executive board member of the Hawkeye Area Labor Council, AFL-CIO, and is a guest lecturer at the University of Iowa Labor Center.
For more information on Willems or his campaign, visit https://www.natewillems.com/ or check out his Facebook page.
SELCC summer meals
Southeast Linn Community Center will be hosting free summer meals in the communities of Mount Vernon and Lisbon this summer from Monday, June 2, through Friday, Aug. 15.
Meals are served from 12:15 p.m. to 1:15 p.m. No registration is required. The meals are funded in part by the Linn County Fund of the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation and Gary’s Foods.
Meals will be served Mondays at United Methodist Church of Mount Vernon, Tuesdays through Thursdays at SELCC and Fridays at First Presbyterian Church of Mount Vernon.
Nathan Countryman | Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun
Mount Vernon resident Nate Willems announced his campaign for attorney general of the State of Iowa and opening of his campaign offices in Mount Vernon Wednesday, May 7.
Benjamin Lee “Benny” Jamison passed away unexpectedly at his home in Lisbon on Tuesday May 6, 2025. Funeral services were held at the Living Hope Global Methodist Church with Pastor Andrew Bee officiating on Tuesday, May 13, 2025 at 11 a.m. Visitation was at the church on Monday, May 12th from 4-7 p.m. Burial was in the Lisbon Cemetery.
Benny was born June 21, 1939 in Anamosa, to Noel and Esther (Oxley) Jamison. He was united in marriage to Kathy Jennings on June 26, 1960 in Moberly, Mo.
Family members left to cherish his memories are his wife Kathy; sons Terry and Timothy (Teresa) of Lisbon; daughter Tracy (Tim) Allen of Woodbury, Minn.; grandchildren Jesse (Kelsey) Jamison, Taylor Jamison, Timothy Blake Jamison, Brittany Allen, and Danielle Allen; six great grandchildren; two brothers Ronnie (Monica) of Olin and Barry (Mary) of Table Rock Lake, Mo.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Jim.
Benny was the kind of man you don’t meet often—humble, steady, and blessed with a rare gift: he could build or fix just about anything. Whether it was a tractor in the field, a broken-down engine in the shop, or something entirely new drawn from the blueprint of his own imagination, Benny had the vision and skill to bring it to life.
He was a man of few words, but his actions spoke volumes. A devoted husband, loving father and dad, and a proud grandpa, Benny led his family by example—with strength, gentleness, and deep loyalty. He was someone you could count on, always. His presence brought calm, and his hands built more than machines—they built a legacy of love, patience, and quiet determination.
He lived a life grounded in faith, family, and hard work. On Sunday mornings, the sound of polka music filled the air, bringing a bit of light-hearted rhythm to the day. In the evenings, he appreciated a 5:00 beverage—never flashy, just a simple pleasure earned after a long day. And he loved Gaither gospel music, the harmonies echoing the quiet faith he carried with him.
He had a need for speed, a soft spot for a well-running engine, and a soul that found peace in music and the open land. Benny leaves behind a legacy of integrity, hard work, and quiet love—a man who never asked for much, but gave everything he had.
Chapman Funeral Home had Benny and his family in their care. Memories and condolences may be left at www. chapmanfh.com.
May 5 – Medical, 700 blk First Ave SW, Mount Vernon
May 5 – Criminal mischief, 100 blk Lincoln Dr NE, Mount Vernon
May 6 – Suspicious vehicle, 100 blk S. Jefferson St, Lisbon
May 6 – Medical, 100 blk S. Jackson St, Lisbon
May 7 – Motorist assist, 1200 blk First St SW, Mount Vernon
May 7 – Disturbance, 300 blk business 30 SW, Mount Vernon
May 7 – Civil issue, 100 blk Lincoln Dr NE, Mount Vernon
May 7 – Juvenile issue, 100 blk S. Walnut St, Lisbon
May 8 – Agency assist- alarm, Linn Co
May 8 – Warrant, 700 blk Meadow Lane Ct, Mount Vernon
May 8 – Juvenile issue, 500 blk N. Washington St, Lisbon
May 8 – Medical, 900 blk W. Main St, Lisbon
May 9 – Disturbance, 100 blk Third Ave NW, Mount Vernon
May 9 – Car unlock, 300 blk Third St SW, Mount Vernon
May 10 – Alarm, 500 blk Palisades Rd SW, Mount Vernon
May 10 – Car unlock, 400 blk S. Washington St, Lisbon
May 10 – Harassment, 100 blk Third Ave NW, Mount Vernon
May 10 – Alarm, 100 blk First St NE, Mount Vernon
May 10 – Car unlock, 100 blk S. Jackson St, Lisbon
May 10 – Medical, 900 blk N. Washington St, Lisbon
May 11 – Alarm, 300 blk Virgil Ave, Mount Vernon
May 11 – Medical, 200 blk Walnut St, Lisbon
May 11 – Trespassing, 400 blk E. First Ave, Mount Vernon
May 11 – Trespassing, 400 blk Second Ave, Mount Vernon
May 11 – Citizen assist, 100 blk E. Business 30, Lisbon
May 12 – Medical, 100 blk S. Franklin St, Lisbon
City to rehold final budget hearing
The City of Mount Vernon will have to rehold their final certification of the budget hearing.
City administrator Chris Nosbisch said that after publishing the hearing notice in the newspaper, they had published the hearing four days too early, and Linn County could not certify the budget as hearings were held too soon. The new budget hearing for the city is May 19 at 6:30 p.m.
Archery event to be held in Nature Park
Archers will take aim at Nature Park this summer for an archery event.
The Mount Vernon City Council approved an archery event to be held at Nature Park this summer.
The proposal was approved by the Mount Vernon parks and recreation board.
Council member Paul Tuerler said that this was the type of community driven program that the parks and recreation board embraces.
“It’s a way to introduce archery skills to more people as well as give current archers something to do this sum mer,” Tuerler said.
Tom Wilkinson submitted the proposal, which will allow One Arrow Archery, LLC, to utilize targets in nature park near tee 1.
Wilkinson is looking to host events Tuesday, June 17, from 9-11 a.m., and Tuesday, July 8 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. During the sessions for archery events, the disc golf course would be closed in the nature park, as at least one of their tees will be impacted by archery.
Council member Scott Rose said his only concern was more was done on the safety side for errant arrows, as one of the proposed tees is adjacent to walking trails.
“I just know as a camp counselor in the past, the first thing youth do when you give them something to shoot is to try and shoot it,” Rose said. “There needs to be just a little more than signage for public safety.”
Nominations Open for 2025 Women Impacting Agriculture Recognition
Four women will be honored during the 9th Annual Women in Ag Leadership Conference
Summer library kick-off party is Saturday, May 31
Kickoff the summer with a party at the public library! This year, our Summer Reading Kickoff Party will be held
Come enjoy music by Balderdash Ditty, a snack mix bar, a bubble station, and sign up for the Summer Readinging Program – one for kids and one for teens. If you are unable to attend, you can still sign up at the library’s first
This year’s theme is “Level Up at Your Library”. Our summer activities run June – July. The Summer Reading Kickoff is sponsored in part by our friends at
19: 8am-8pm
May 20: 8am-8pm
May 21: 8am-4pm
May 22: 8am-4pm
Tuesday Morning Book
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach’s Women in Ag Program has opened nominations for the annual Women Impacting Agriculture recognition. This honor celebrates women across Iowa who have made significant contributions to the agricultural industry and their communities.
The Women Impacting Agriculture recognition highlights women who demonstrate leadership, innovation and a passion for the future of agriculture. Nominees may be involved in production agriculture, agribusiness, education, conservation, policy or advocacy. Their impact can be felt through their work on farms, in classrooms and boardrooms, and across the broader agricultural landscape.
"We are excited to celebrate the dedication, leadership and resilience of women who are shaping the future of agriculture in Iowa," said Madeline Schultz, program manager, ISU Extension and Outreach Women in Ag Program. "Their stories inspire others and reflect the important role women play in sustaining and growing the agricultural economy."
Nomination Details
• Nominations are open now through May 31.
• Anyone may nominate a deserving woman by completing a brief nomination form.
• The form asks for information about the nominee’s leadership, impact and contributions to agriculture.
To nominate a woman who is making a difference in agriculture, visit Women Impacting Agriculture.
Honorees will be recognized during the 9th Annual Women in Ag Leadership Conference at the Gateway Hotel and Convention Center in Ames on Dec. 3-4.
For more information about the Women in Ag Program or the Women Impacting Agriculture nomination, please contact Madeline Schultz at schultz@ iastate.edu or 515-294-0588 or visit the Women in Ag website.
which is the large meeting room on the First Floor of the Library.
All are welcome to join the Book Club. You can email Sherene Player at Sherene1968@gmail. com if you have any questions.
At the May Meeting, the group will be reading and discussing the book The Awakened Brain: The New Science of Spirituality and Our Quest for an Inspired Life by Dr. Lisa Miller. Mary Woods will review the book and lead the discussion. This book was selected for this particular month because Dr. Miller was recently in Cedar Rapids as a speaker as part of Prairiewoods’ Spirituality in the 21st Century speaker series.
From the publisher comes this summary of the book: “Whether it’s meditation or a walk in nature, reading a sacred text or saying a prayer, there are many ways to tap into a heightened awareness of the world around you and your place in it. In The Awakened Brain, psychologist Dr. Lisa Miller shows you how.
“Weaving her own deeply personal journey of awakening with her groundbreaking research, Dr. Miller’s book reveals that humans are universally equipped with a capacity for spirituality, and that our brains become more resilient and robust as a result of it.
“The Awakened Brain combines cutting-edge science (from MRI studies to genetic research, epidemiology, and more) with on-the-ground application for people of all ages and from all walks of life, illuminating the surprising science of spirituality and how to engage it in our lives.
“Absorbing, uplifting, and ultimately enlightening, The Awakened Brain is a conversation-starting saga of scientific discovery packed with counterintuitive findings and practical advice on concrete ways to access your innate spirituality and build a life of meaning and contribution.”
Benjamin Jamison
Cornell holds commencement
Three professors receive emritae status
Nathan Countryman
Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun
nathan.countryman@mvlsun.com
Cornell College held commencement exercises for the class of 2025 Sunday, May 11.
Bishop Kenetha Bingham-Tsai was at the graduation on Sunday and spoke of the importance of the United Methodist Church values that many Cornell graduates have exhibited in their time at Cornell.
“You live in a time when the values of the church and those you hold from Cornell need to be lived out,” Bingham-Tsai said.
Savannah Sheffler was the commencement speaker for the class of 2025.
“You can’t move mountains without moving pebbles first,” Sheffler said.
Sheffler said that the journey for many students wasn’t always easy. There were missteps along the way.
“But we are all resilient, resolved and ready,” Shetler said. “You are enough and deserve to be celebrated.”
Megan Goldberg was the faculty speaker for the class.
Goldberg drew inspiration from a number of Taylor Swift lyrics in her speech.
“You formed a real community, and real connections in your time here at Cornell,’ Goldberg said.
Goldberg recounted the freshman students who helped register 200 students to vote for the 2022 election.
“In that election, there were several races that were won by less than 10 votes,” Goldberg said. “That was power in the community.”
Three professors at Cornell were also given emeriti status.
Kara Beauchamp from the engineering department was the first. Beauchamp’s 23 years at Cornell were recognized, as was her passion for engineering and pushing standards higher in her classes.
Alice Ganzel from the psychology and social sciences department was honored for her 26 years of teaching. One of the partnerships she was praised with maintaining was work with the Lisbon Early Childcare Center classrooms.
Lynne Ikach, professor of Russian language for the past 33 years, impact was seen by her passion on campus and with her students, including helping numerous students obtain Fulbright Scholarships.
President Jonathan Brand gave a charge to the college students, recounting the motto of Paris, France – “She is stressed by the waves, but she does not sink.”
That importance of resilience was what Brand charged the students to remember.
“You’ve done things that you thought were impossible,” Brand said. “You’ve won and lost championship games. You’ve learned from success and failures how to be more resilient citizens.”
by Nathan Countryman | Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun
Top: The Class of 2025 as seen from the stage at Cornell College commencement. Above left: Kara Beauchamp gets emeritae status from the college. Above right: Savannah Scheffler delivers her speech for the class. Right: The commencement singers lead the singing of the alma mater song at the conclusion of commencement. Below left: Will Bickel receives his Cornell College diploma from his grandfather Cornell College life trustee and alum John Bickel at the commencement ceremony Sunday, May 11. Below center: Cornell College students process into the Small Sports Athletic and Wellness Center gym.
Photos
Above: Meg Goldberg delivers a graduation speech at Cornell.
Far left: Students transition their tassels from the right side to the left side of their face.
Left: Bishop Kenetha Bingham-Tsai delivers a blessing and history of support for the gym.
Little House on the Prairie speaker presents what it was like in pioneer times
Nathan Countryman
Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun
nathan.countryman@mvlsun.com
Sarah Uthoff helped third-grade students learn what it would be like in the pioneer times with a Zoom session Tuesday, May 6, at Lisbon Library’s Heritage Hall.
Uthoff spoke about the life and times of Laura Ingalls Wilder on the prairie in her meeting with students at Lisbon Public Library.
Uthoff, in character as Laura, recounted the time Ma Ingalls patted the rump of a bear she confused as a cow, due to not being able to determine what the animal was due to the type of lantern used.
“Ma told me to slowly start walking to the house,” Uthoff said. “She then started running, picked me up and we were both dashing back to the house.”
Uthoff recounted one of the Christmas on the prairie, where one of the gifts Laura received was her own tin cup, a penny and a stick of candy and that was a wonderful Christmas.
The plights of farming, especially dealing with grasshopper infestations and the family having to relocate to farms that did not have those issues to have food as well as money to pay for their lost crops was another portion of the presentation.
She recounted Laura’s time living in a dug-out hut on the prairie – a home dug into the side of a hill. Dugouts weren’t good at keeping dirt, bugs and snakes out of homes, as they were essentially carving directly into a hill where many of those creatures called home.
Eventually, the Wilders would stay and work at a hotel for a year or so, where the responsibilities included feeding all the guests who came to the hotel.
Uthoff will be back to present an in-person presentation on the items in kitchens during settlement times during Lisbon’s Sauerkraut Days and 150th celebrations in August.
Donovan
sisters
helped contribute to library programming
Lauren and Carolyn Donovan helped contribute the funds for Sarah Uthoff’s program Tuesday, May 6, at Lisbon Public Library.
The sisters saw an option to support the library during the Friends of the Library fundraiser last fall.
“I really like the library, and wanted to do what I could to help,” Carolyn said.
Some of the Donovan sisters favorite activities include reading books at the library, visiting with head librarian Elizabeth Hoover de Galvez and attending the library’s special programming year-round. That has included attending the Dia de Los Muertos event at the library this past November, and summer story times.
Carolyn said it made her happy her donation helped the library line up a speaker like Sarah Uthoff to talk about Laura Ingalls Wilder’s experiences on the prairie to tie into the 150th anniversary of the community of Lisbon as well.
The Donovan sisters also use Lisbon’s Heritage Hall for some of their Girl Scouts meetings during the year.
Lauren said she has been into graphic novels a lot, and the Lisbon Library has a lot of those.
Carolyn is looking forward to her upcoming 10th birthday, when she gets to drink coffee for the first time. Both call the library one of their safe spaces in the community.
Lauren is also part of the newspaper at Lisbon Schools this year.
“I’ve loved being able to ask people questions and learn about people during my interviews,” Lauren said.
Mount Vernon Middle School Parent Teacher organization helped arrange a volunteer service day for middle school students on Wednesday, May 7, an early out day for the schools. Students helped at places like the Mount Vernon Visitors Center or other locations that requested help, or just serenaded the uptown with band music as a service project during the day.
Nathan Countryman | Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun
Lauren and Carolyn Donovan helped raise funds to support the program for area third graders presented Tuesday, May 6.
Uthoff
Mustang girls’ first at WaMaC Super Meet
Ryan Suchomel
Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun
ryan.suchomel@mvlsun.com
The Mount Vernon girls’ track team was warned they were in for a battle Thursday, May 8, when they hosted the WaMaC Super Meet at Armstrong Family Field.
Well, there was a battle, but it was pretty one-sided.
“That was unbelievable what they did out there,” Mount Vernon coach Kory Swart said. “The girls just performed spectacularly. I’m looking forward to what’s in store the next couple weeks.”
Swart set up the lineup to score lots of points, and it did.
Mount Vernon won the Super Meet title with 162.5 points. Williamsburg was second with 104.5 and the team Swart warned them about, Marion, was third with 94 points.
“It makes me feel super good,” junior Cali Whitaker said. “Everyone was super nervous coming into it. We won it by a lot. It makes us happy to hold the trophy and be proud of each other.”
And Mount Vernon wasn’t taking advantage of a mediocre conference. A total of nine WaMaC Super Meet records were set on the girls’ side -- four by Marion, one by Grinnell, one by Williamsburg, one by Clear Creek Amana, and two by Mount Vernon.
“It was a phenomenal night all around for all the
athletes,” Swart said. “I was so impressed with how all the kids performed tonight. Having a front row seat was so fun for me.”
Senior Sydney Maue had already won the high jump with a leap of 5 feet, 5 inches. Then she gave 5-8 a go, and set the WaMaC record that has stood since 1986.
“My coach decided it was not worth jumping 5-6 or 5-7, so we just went straight up to 5-8,” Maue said. “And I guess it worked out.”
Maue missed the early part of the season battling shin splints. And the Arkansas volleyball recruit was worried she may not compete at all.
“I got into physical therapy, and they started getting better,” Maue said. “A couple weeks ago I decided to try it at practice, and that ended up going pretty well, so I decided to keep going.”
Maue finished second at state in Class 3A as a sophomore with Center Point-Urbana with a leap of 5-6. She was second again last spring, with a jump of 5-4 for Mount Vernon.
“It was great, because I have not PR’d since my sophomore year,” Maue said. “I hope to stay healthy and keep jumping higher. I think I’m close to 5-9, 5-10. It is not hurting as much as I thought, and I like jumping, so I’m going to keep at it.”
Also scoring a WaMaC record for the Mustangs was Libby Dix in the discus. She uncorked a throw of 150 feet, 7 inches to win and break the record of 144-9 set in 2012.
“I had a big PR today, by almost six feet,” Dix said. “That’s exciting. I’ve just been working a lot in practice correcting a lot of stuff and figuring out how to make a couple big jumps.”
Dix placed third at state a year ago, but this throw would have won it for her.
“The last two years for discus, it’s been third,” said Dix, who is going to throw for Northern Iowa next year. “Hopefully I can do better than that.”
Dix also won the shot put Thursday, and Lucy Wischmeyer was second in the long jump (to Aiden Gosselink of Grinnell, who broke the WaMaC record set in 1997).
In all, that’s a heck of a bounty of field event points.
“Field events are huge for us,” Swart said. “We have such a complimentary team.”
Sophomore Evelyn Moeller had a big night, winning the 800 and 1,500, and also running anchor on the wining 4x800.
“You have to be tactical a little bit, and not burn yourself out early,” Swart said. “She was smart about how she raced.”
There was no gold for Whitaker, but she placed second in the 100, second in the 200, second in the 400, and second
running the anchor leg for the sprint medley.
“I feel good,” Whitaker said. “I mean, not a lot of kids do all three sprints, and I knew they were all close.”
Whitaker lost the 100 by .01 seconds to Abby Cave of Marion.
“Abby is my good friend, and I enjoy competing with her,” Whitaker said. “It was smiles from everyone after we got done.”
Whitaker lost by .21 seconds in the 400 to Ava Hocker of Williamsburg and by .28 seconds to Cave in the 200. The sprint medley must’ve seemed like a blowout, finishing 1.69 seconds behind Hocker and Williamsburg at the tape. That sprint medley team did break the school record, and Whitaker broke the school record in the 200.
“That 200 record is from Nikki Nelson, and that’s a tough record to beat,” Swart said. “And those second-place finishes are huge points for us.”
Kiersten Swart won the 3,000 in 11 minutes 6.28 seconds to complete the big night.
“It was really cool to see everyone come together and fight for this conference title,” Dix said.
WaMaC Super Meet
100 — 1. Abby Cave (M), 12.27; 2. Cali Whitaker (MV) 12.28. Distance medley — 1. Marion 4:14.39; 2. Mount Vernon (Lucy Wischmeyer, Kara Swantz, Kiersten Swart, Eastin Whisner) 4:18.47.
400 — 1. Ava Hocker (W), 57.54; 2. Cali Whitaker (MV) 57.73; 7. Caroline Rupe (MV) 1:03.65. 4x200 — 1. CCA 1:44.90; 6. Mount Vernon (Quinn Pershing, Olivia Haverback, Grace
Girls team scores — 1. Mount Vernon 162.5, 2. Williamsburg 104.5, 3. Marion 94, 4. West Delaware 86, 5. Solon 71.5, 6. Clear Creek Amana 70, 7. Center Point-Urbana 37.5, 8. Grinnell 37, 9. Benton Community 34, 10. Vinton-Shellsburg 22, 11. South Tama 11, 12. Independence 10. Winner, Mount Vernon placewinners *9 WaMaC records set Shot put — 1. Libby Dix (MV), 39-4. Discus — 1. Libby Dix (MV), 150-7. High jump — 1. Sydney Maue (MV), 5-8; 4. Adrienne Ruhland (MV) 4-10. Long jump — 1. Aiden Gosselink (G), 20-0.5; 2. Lucy Wischmeyer (MV) 17-2. Sprint medley — 1. Williamsburg 1:47.21; 2. Mount Vernon (Olivia Haverback, Grace Hale, Kara Swantz, Cali Whitaker) 1:48.90. 3,000 — 1. Kiersten Swart (MV), 11:06.28; 4. Edith Dawson (MV) 11:31.85. 4x800 — 1. Mount Vernon (Sam Schoff, Madison Hoffert, Caroline Rupe, Evelyn Moeller) 9:46.72. Shuttle hurdle — 1. West Delaware 1:06.45; 4. Mount Vernon (Sorell Telecky, Annabelle Smith, Olivia Haverback, Adrienne Ruhland) 1:11.53.
MV boys third at WaMaC Super Meet
Ryan Suchomel
Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun ryan.suchomel@mvlsun.com
Mount Vernon boys’ track placed third at the WaMaC Super Meet Thursday, May 8, at Armstrong Family Field. “It felt absolutely great,” Mount Vernon coach Ryan Whitman said. “Our guys
have come a long way. We’ve taken steps each meet. I’m excited how we finished tonight.”
Clear Creek Amana won the Super Meet title with
Thede (MV) 20-4.75; 7. Stanley Krob (MV) 20-3.5.
medley— 1. CPU 1:31.48; 7. Mount Vernon (Kaleb Coon, Caysen Curran, Jaks Lee, Logan Ericson) 1:39.20. 3,200 — 1. Alex Torres (V-S) 9:50.80; 4. Graham Vavricek (MV) 10:25.75.
134 points, outplacing Center Point-Urbana (107), and Mount Vernon (75.5).
“Coming into the season, I feel Mount Vernon boys’ track was overlooked,” senior Grady Olberding said. “So being able to finish third is a huge step for us. I think a lot of us didn’t expect it.”
Olberding ran the third leg of that 4x800 relay,
1,600 — 1. Alex Torres (V-S)
with Seamus O’Connor, Chasen Caskey and Dawson Scheil. They finished in 8 minutes, 8.82 seconds. The 4x800 ran at state in 2024, and has run faster this season, but still set a new stadium record Thursday.
“We have the chemistry
WaMaC Super Meet
Boys team scores
Clear Creek Amana 134; 2.
107; 3. Mount Vernon 75.5; 4. Grinnell 69.5; 5. Benton Community 66; 6. Vinton-Shellsburg 64; 7. Williamsburg 55; 8. Solon 48; 9. West Delaware 36; 10.
Kiersten Swart, Evelyn Moeller)
Photos by Chris Umscheid | Solon Economist Cali Whitaker and Marion’s Abby Cave cross the finish line for the 100-meter dash Thursday, May 8, in the WaMaC Conference Meet in Mount Vernon. Cave inched ahead of Whitaker for the win in 12.27 seconds while Whitaker took second in 12.28.
Sydney Maue cleared 5’-8” to win the girls varsity high jump Thursday, May 8, in the WaMaC Conference Meet in Mount Vernon.
together,” Olberding said. “We knew we could win it today.”
Whitman said he has been impressed how the cross country runners have learned to dominate in the 800.
“An 800 is a long sprint,” Whitman said. “So, you have to have endurance. They get that from cross country. But you also need speed work, and Coach Caskey has done a great job with the guys. They are running well right now.”
The 4x800 will be an event to keep an eye.
“They are a year older, a year stronger, and they are very together,” Whitman said. “They know the race better and know what needs to be done.”
After their one gold, the Mustangs just put together points up and down the lineup at the Super Meet.
The distance medley was second, the 4x200 was third, and the 4x400 was fourth.
Scheil finished second in the 800 and O’Connor was fourth. The Mustangs also placed twice in the high jump, long jump and 1,600.
“All those points count,” Whitman said. “Tonight, we just exploded.”
Lions boys’ win Tri-Rivers title
Girls place sixth overall
Ryan Suchomel Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun ryan.suchomel@mvlsun.com
The Lisbon boys track team won another Tri-Rivers title on Thursday, May 8, in Alburnett. But for the first time during the recent run of state-championship seasons (2023, 2024) there was a tiny bit of doubt.
The Lions scored 131 points to top the host school, Alburnett, by eight points.
A disqualification in the 4x200 may have hurt the Lions from posting a larger overall margin of victory.
Lisbon still won the 4x100 and sprint medley relays with Quinn Coleman, Dakota Clark, and Chase McFarlane. Daylin Schaefer ran the 400 leg of the sprint medley, and Tiernan Boots completed the 4x100 relay, which finished in 43.89 seconds.
Gage Holub was the only Lion to win an individual race, crossing the tape in the 100 hurdles in 14.69 seconds.
Girls
The Lion girls finished sixth with 57 team points. Maquoketa Valley won the title with 146 team points, followed by Edgewood-Colesburg (99) and North Linn (82). Lisbon didn’t win any events.
Their top finish was a second-place in the 4x100 with Brynn Epperly, Quinn Roos, Addie Clark, and Brynnley Patterson finishing in 52.08 seconds. That set a season best.
“We got our relays pretty well set for districts,” Lisbon coach Brett Epperly said. “We need to finish getting ourselves healthy.”
Individually, Emersyn Reiter was second in the high jump, and Brynn Epperly was third in the long jump and fourth in the 100 hurdles. Patterson was third in the 100.
Maleeah Adams set a personal best in the 1,500, clocking in at 5 minutes, 59.85 seconds and placing seventh.
Tri-Rivers Meet
Boys team scores – 1. Lisbon 131; 2. Alburnett 123; 3. Maquoketa Valley 97; 4. Midland 63; 5. Springville 48; 6. North Linn 47; 7. Starmont 43; 8. Edgewood-Colesburg 42; 9. Central City 36; 10. Calamus-Wheatland 28; 11. Bellevue Marquette 27; 12. Easton Valley 20; 13. North Cedar 14; 14. East Buchanan 13; 15. Clinton Prince of Peace 3. Winner, Lisbon placewinners Long jump – 1. Cameron Templeton (BM) 21-0.25; 3. Gage Holub (L) 20-3.25. High jump – 1. Eli Lemke (BM) and Chase Klatt (CW) 6-0; 3. Leon Rogers (L) and Justin Snyder (L) 5-10.
Shot put – 1. Anthony Harrington (M) 48-1.25; 6. Henry Reiling (L) 41-0. Discus – 1. Anthony Harrington (M) 151-2; 2. Henry Reiling (L) 138-3; 8. Grayson Wollum (L) 112-4. Sprint medley – 1. Lisbon (Quinn Coleman, Dakota Clark, Chase McFarlane, Daylin Schaefer) 1:35.05.
Above: Lisbon’s Tiernan Boots (left) and Quinn Coleman (right) finish second and third in the 100 meter dash.
Right: Lisbon’s Gage Holub clears a hurdle at Alburnett. Holub placed first in the 110 meter hurdles.
Photos by Chris Umscheid | Solon Economist Chasen Caskey hands off to Grady Olberding for the third leg of the 4x800 relay Thursday, May 8, in the WaMaC Conference Meet in Mount Vernon. Seamus O’Connor, Caskey, Grady Olberding, and Dawson Scheil won in 8:08.82.
Luke Paulus cleared 5’-8” for eighth place Thursday, May 8, in the WaMaC Conference Meet in Mount Vernon.
Right: Lisbon’s Ava Mollenhauer takes off from the starting blocks in the 4x400 meter relay. Far right: Lisbon’s Brynn Epperly clears a hurdle at Alburnett Thursday, May 8. Epperly finished fourth in the 100 meter hurdles.
grassroots effort led by passionate community members who saw the same gap Mount Vernon did—a need for accessible, local soccer options.
“Solon FC started as a way to give our kids more access to soccer without having to commit to expensive, time-consuming club travel,” said Solon Activities Director Casey Hack. “We’ve had great leadership with our coaches. They really helped grow the program from the ground up.”
Much of that leadership came from Chris and March Sutton, two parents and coaches who helped shape the early years of Solon FC. With their guidance, the program organized schedules, secured uniforms, handled travel, and created an inclusive environment for kids who simply wanted to play.
“They built it from the ground up,” Hack said. “It started with maybe a dozen kids, and now we’re regularly seeing full teams and even multiple squads per grade level.”
The student interest has grown fast. Hack said they’ve had strong turnouts across both boys’ and girls’ teams and that the energy at games is now on par with other middle school sports.
“The kids are fired up. You go to a game and it feels like a real team atmosphere,” he said. “They’re wearing school colors, playing under the lights sometimes, and just having fun. That’s what we want.”
This year, Solon FC officially became part of the Solon Community School District’s sanctioned athletics. Coaches are now district employees, games are scheduled through the school, and teams have access to school resources.
“We’ve brought it under the school umbrella, and it’s been a smooth transition,” Hack said. “Having the school behind it gives it more structure, consistency, and respect. It also helps these athletes feel like they’re
truly part of the Spartan sports system.”
Next year, Solon is set to join the growing WaMaC junior high soccer conference. That means more regular competition with nearby programs like Mount Vernon, Marion, and Center Point-Urbana, and fewer scheduling headaches for coaches and parents.
“We’re excited to be joining the WaMaC officially,” Hack said. “It gives the program more legitimacy and it makes it easier to organize a season with schools that are taking it just as seriously.”
Looking ahead, Solon also hopes to expand its middle school soccer offerings even more—whether that means additional practice fields, expanded coaching staff, or hosting its own tournaments.
“This is just the start,” Hack said. “We’re proud of where the program is today, but even more excited for where it’s headed.”
Growth in Numbers and Impact
One of the major reasons these programs have been successful is because they fill a gap for kids who fall between recreational soccer and elite club teams.
“The goal was to get those middle-tier kids an opportunity to stay involved,” Truitt said. “Not everyone can afford club dues or travel every weekend. But if they can keep playing through middle school, it helps them stay engaged and improves high school participation.”
That’s already happening. Mount Vernon’s high school teams have seen a jump in numbers since the junior high program began. According to Truitt, the boys' team currently has 34 players, while the girls’ team has 21—a steady increase compared to years before.
“There was a time where you’d play parks and rec
as a kid, but by fifth or sixth grade those options faded unless you had the means to join a club in Cedar Rapids,” he said. “Now, we’re giving kids a chance to keep going, and that’s made a difference.”
Hack agreed that the middle school program gives students a chance to grow as athletes and people, without the pressure of winning or the financial stress of club soccer.
“We want to provide a fun, positive experience at the middle school level,” he said. “This isn’t about winning trophies—it’s about learning the game, being part of a team, and hopefully continuing that journey into high school and beyond.”
Looking Ahead
As both programs continue to grow, there’s hope for more variety in competition and more support from the schools. For now, most teams play only six games per season, often against the same opponents more than once. But with more schools joining the conference, that’s expected to change.
“We’d love to get to the point where we don’t have to repeat opponents,” Truitt said. “Ideally, each game would be against a new team. That keeps things fresh and helps us keep building excitement.”
Uniform rotations, equipment upgrades, and expanded coaching staff are all part of the long-term plan. With support from school boards, athletic departments, and the community, middle school soccer in Mount Vernon and Solon looks ready to thrive.
Hack summed it up: “This is a great opportunity for our students. We're not just building soccer players— we’re building school spirit, teamwork, and a love for the game.”
LISBON SUMMER SPORTS
Monday, May 19 at Prince of
Tuesday, May 20 host Maquoketa Valley doubleheader
Tuesday, May 27 host North Cedar doubleheader
Wednesday, May 28 at West Branch
Thursday, May 29 at Mount Vernon
Monday, June 2 at Marquette Catholic
Tuesday, June 3 at
Wednesday, June 4
Thursday, June 5 vs. Springville at
Monday, June 9 host Calamus-Wheatland
Tuesday, June 10 host Don Bosco
Thursday, June 12 at Edgewood Colesburg
Monday, June 16 at Easton Valley doubleheader
Tuesday, June 17 host Monticello
Wednesday, June 18 at New London
Thursday, June 19 host North Linn
Monday, June 23 at Midland doubleheader
Tuesday, June 24 .................... host Springville ..........................................................................
Wednesday, June 25 host Northeast
Friday, June 27 at Durant
Wednesday, June 30 at Tipton
Thursday, July 1 host Iowa Valley
May 27
May 29
June 2
June 3
June 4
Friday, June 6
Monday, June 9
June 12
June 13
June 14
June 14
June 16
June 18
June 20
June 23
June 24
June 26
June 27
June 28
June 28
June 30
July 1
July 5
LISBON BASEBALL
LISBON SOFTBALL
Lion girls win Washington Invitational
Ryan Suchomel
Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun
ryan.suchomel@mvlsun.com
The Lisbon girls’ golf team won the six-team Washington Invitational on Monday, May 5, at Washington Golf & Country Club.
The Lions shot 351, beating second-place Highland by 23 strokes. Senior Eryn Jackson was the meet medalist with an 82.
“It was just our second 18-hole meet, and I was really pleased,” Lisbon Coach Andy Kahl said. “If you shoot that low, you are going to be in the hunt. We had five girls in the top 10.”
Lisbon also competed Wednesday, May 7, in a triangular at Three Elms Golf Course in Independence. Lisbon carded a 173 to beat Benton Community (177) and Independence (195).
Kyla Kahl was runner-up medalist with a 40. Benton’s Halle Sobaski carded a 38 for medalist.
In both events, Carie Johnson is coming in strong with a solid third
score.
“She’s one you don’t want to overlook,” Kahl said. “She hasn’t peaked and she’s trending in the right direction. She’s been steady, very steady.”
The triangular win at Three Elms showed Kahl the team is ready for the postseason in Class 3A.
“We have a 1A school schedule, but in the non-conference, we look for 3A competition,” Kahl said. “We need tests to see where we’re at.”
Washington Invitational
Team cards – 1. Lisbon 351; 2. Highland 374; 3. Oskaloosa 427; 4. Danville 478; 5. Mediapolis 485; 6. Washington 488. Medalist – 1. Eryn Jackson (L) 82.
LISBON (351) – Jackson 82, Kyla Kahl 85, Carie Johnson 86, Abby Bock 98, Avery Thurn 106, Grace Bausch 107. Lisbon 173, Benton 177, Independence 195
LISBON (173) – Kyla Kahl 40, Eryn Jackson 42, Carie Johnson 45, Abby Bock 46, Avery Thurn 49, Grace Bausch 50. Benton (177) – Halle Sobaski 38, Madelyn Kenny 43, Bristol Kahle 46, Hailey Suiter 50. Independence (195) – Emma Gonzalez 46, Kanleigh Trumblee 48, Karlyn Howard 50, Jersey Coonrad 51.
Boys
Tyler Sauser won medalist honors at the Tri-Rivers East Meet on Monday, May 5, at Kernoustie Golf Course.
Sauser carded a 74 on his home course.
“Tyler’s been rock solid for us all year,” Lisbon coach Dylan Hastings said. “He put together another great round Monday.”
The Lions finished second by a whisker. Lisbon tied with Easton Valley, both shooting identical 336 scores over 18 holes, but EV won by virtue of their better fifth golfer score.
“We’ve shown flashes, but now it’s about cleaning up the little stuff and putting it all together,” Hastings said.
Tri-Rivers East
Team cards – 1.
MV boys’ pick up two wins for week
Girls team drops a pair of matches
Ryan Suchomel
Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun
ryan.suchomel@mvlsun.com
The Mount Vernon boys’ soccer team keeps building, and went 2-0-1 last week.
“We felt pretty good about finding a way to results,” Mount Vernon coach Nate Grosse said. “We continue to focus on our team consistency and pushing each other to keep growing.”
On Tuesday, May 6, Mount Vernon won 6-0 at home against Independence.
Goals were scored by Cash Luneckas, Gavin Plathe, Mason Chizek, Silas Johnson, Carter Gadberry, and Jaxon Anderosn. Luneckas, Caleb Bartelt, Chizek, and Gadberry recorded assists.
Then on Thursday, May 8, Mount Vernon beat VintonShellsburg 2-0 on the road. Jakob Yock and Luneckas scored for the Mustangs. Assists were recorded by Johnson and Gadberry.
The week was capped off with a 2-2 draw Saturday, May 10 at Solon.
“We found ourselves down a player and down a goal
The bats were hot for the 12U Mustangs baseball team at Davis Park Monday, May 5, as six of the team hit home runs out of the park. One of the balls hit by Braden Murphy went from the ball field at Davis Park into the adjacent Mount Vernon Swimming Pool. The last person to hit a home run into the pool that adults could remember was Tristan Wirfs.
late in the second half,” Grosse said. “For the guys to find a way back into the match and to get the draw was a huge reflection of their mentality and desire.”
Yock and Jack Carnes scored Saturday. Both were on headers from “nice crosses.”
Mount Vernon improved to 6-4-4 overall and closed the regular season at Benton Community on Tuesday, May 13. Postseason pairings have not been released, yet.
Girls
The No. 15 Mount Vernon girls’ soccer team dropped two matches and tied another this past week.
Goals were hard to come by. The Mustangs lost 3-0 to No. 6 Independence on Tuesday, May 6, and lost 1-0 to Solon on Saturday, May 10.
In-between, they tied Vinton-Shellsburg 1-1 on the road Thursday, May 8.
“We definitely need more goal-scoring opportunities,” Mount Vernon coach Angie Knies said.
The first-year coach did like seeing her team tie the game against V-S with 30 seconds left. Courtney Franck scored the equalizer off an assist from Miranda Sellner.
“That was a big deal for us,” Knies said. “It showed we can come back and keep battling with a good team.”
Mount Vernon fell to 6-4-3 overall.
Mount Vernon fifth at WaMaC East Division meet
Ryan Suchomel
Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun ryan.suchomel@mvlsun.com
Mount Vernon boys golf was playing a loaded field Monday, May 5, at the WaMaC East Division Meet at the Wildcat Golf Course in Shellsburg.
Solon won the six-team event with a 294 card. They were followed by Independence (300), West Delaware (301) and Marion (313). The Mustangs carded a 324.
“We are on the tougher side of the conference, and we played kind of average,” Mount Vernon Coach John Rhomberg said.
Kellen Haverback led the way with a 79 over 18 holes. Tommy Rhomberg and AJ McDermott each turned in an 80.
East Division Meet
MV girls’ tennis second at WaMaC meet
Ryan Suchomel
Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun ryan.suchomel@mvlsun.com
Mount Vernon girls’ tennis finished second at the WaMaC Meet Tuesday, May 6, at Independence. Grinnell won all seven head-to-head matchups with Mount Vernon, and beat them in team points, 36 to 32. The Mustangs finished ahead of Independence, South Tama and Marion.
Jayden Meeker of Mount Vernon hit a hole-in-one on May 3 at Kernoustie Golf Course.
Meeker used a 6-iron on par 3 No. 8, which was playing 157 yards.
The ace went into the hole on the fly, according to witnesses.
It was the first hole-in-one of the season at Kernoustie. Soccer club meeting
The Mount Vernon-Lisbon-Springville (MVLS) Youth Soccer Club is holding an informational meeting for families who have children interested in playing on a league soccer team for the fall 2025-spring 2026 seasons.
The meeting will be May 22, 7-7:30 pm, at the Mount Vernon Middle School, 525 Palisades Road SW.
The MVLS Youth Soccer Club currently fields eight girls' or boys' teams -- from U10 to U15 -- that compete in a league based in Cedar Rapids/Marion. Practices are local, led by certified coaches. There is no cost to join the club, and there are no tryouts for teams.
Please direct any questions to Richard Lewis, at 401662-6336 (phone/text) or richclew@gmail.com.
Easton Valley 336; 2. Lisbon 336; 3. Bellevue Marquette 349; 4. Calamus-Wheatland 354; 5. Midland 366. Also: Prince of Peace, North Cedar. Medalist – Tyler Sauser (L) 74. Lisbon (336) – Sauser 74, Adrian Armstrong 84, Evan Coleman 84, Ben Kelley 94, Bryce Boots 96, Ian Whittenbaugh 97.
Kernoustie
SPORTS BRIEFS
MV GIRLS’ TENNIS
MV SOCCER
LISBON GIRLS’ GOLF TRACK
Pictured with their home run balls, from left: Gibson Jost, Brooks Thede, Camden Mertes, Holden Rife, Cru Bartelt, Braden Murphy.
Teeling Walk-A-Thon raises $14,000
Nathan Countryman
Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun
nathan.countryman@mvlsun.com
Elementary principal Justin Brown said that when the dust settles, he is sure the school raised it’s $10,000 goal for this year’s Roger Teeling Walk-A-Thon.
“We were at $9,500 on Tuesday when we counted, and we’ve had so many donations roll in since then,” Brown said.
By Thursday, May 8, the final totals raised was $14,000 this year.
And participation from all grades in the elementary was high. The top fundraising class in each grade was
Members of the fifth grade classes race around the track for the
Brogan gets his face painted by teacher Keri Speidel at the track. Students who raised the most money in each grade got face painting as a special incentive.
able to receive face painting, provided by art teacher Keri Speidel, down at the track.
Brown said two sixth graders set the bar high for other classes in the morning, completing 24 total laps around the track during their hour walk.
Before walkers and runners took around the track, Brown reminded them to walk or run in memory of Teeling, and to not waste the donated water for the event. Gary’s Foods donated the water for the event this year.
Funds raised this year will help add a shade pavilion to Teeling Court, which will help provide shade during the recess times as well as provide another possible outdoor classroom space for education in the future.
Photos by Nathan Countryman | Mount VernonLisbon Sun
Above: Sawyer Edwards-Abodeely and Noah Brus get asked by paraeducator CJ Nelson “what’s happening, brothers,” in his Hulk Hogan impression at the track.
Left top: Elementary principal Justin Brown goes over expectations at the track before fifth graders start their laps for the Walk-A-Thon.
Left: Jace Czaenecki, Maverick Jamison, Alissa Heimer and Aaliyah Sutton finish a lap around the track at the Teeling Walk-A-Thon.
CLASSIFIEDS
Auction
6-Storage units full of stuff (Ryan, Waltz, Coultas, Arjes, Evans, Topie) will be auctioned at 10:00 AM on Sunday, May 25, 2025. Discount Storage Units, 945 W. Business Hwy 30 (beside the golf course), Lisbon. 319-895-8899
Wanted
WANTED: JUNK APPLIANCES. Will pick up for free. Farm clean-up, batteries. Will buy junk cars. 319-331-8122
Class Action Lawsuit
IF YOU HAD KNEE OR HIP REPLACEMENT SURGERY and suffered an infection between 2020 and the present time, you may be entitled to compensation. Call Attorney Charles H. Johnson 1-800-535-5727
Miscellaneous
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Teeling Walk-A-Thon.
Artist in residence hosts art event at care centers
Nathan Countryman Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun nathan.countryman@mvlsun.com
Mount Vernon’s artist in residence Angie Heuton has been holding art events at local care centers Rehabilitation Center of Lisbon and Hallmark Care Center for the past few months.
On Thursday, May 8, attendees got to work with clay to make their own coil or pinch pots.
Heuton explained that coil pots are one of the oldest forms of pottery, with examples of coil pots being found in locations like those of Pompeii.
“It may look easy to do at first, but it can be hard,” Heuton said. “If you don’t push or blend the walls tightly enough.”
Some of the attendees were having issues with previous injuries keeping them from doing work on the clay. As the group was using quick drying clay, they were also experiencing clay that was beginning to harden after a few minutes of working with it. The entirety of the clay would be dry in the next 24 to 48 hours and not need to be fired in a kiln.
“The thing about working with clay is if it’s a mess, it’s okay, it’s just clay,” Heuton said. “You can easily fold it and try again.”
Heuton said that if rolling the clay into the coils that start the base of a coil pot, participants could instead do a pinch pot, which adds more clay by pinching pieces to an existing pot, like you would in making a pie crust or other baked goods.
“You don’t have to have a perfect coil,” Heuton said. “It’s
First responders work with LifeGuard Air ambulance for trainings
Members of several area first responder crews worked with LifeGuard Air Ambulance for a training exercise Sunday, May 4, in Mount Vernon. The helicopter landed in a field near the Mount VernonLisbon Police Department for the exercises at 7 p.m. Sunday night, and took off at 8 p.m.
not about the end product with this project, it’s more about getting the experience of working with clay and creating something. It may not be the most beautiful project we do.”
As attendees worked, they shared their histories of working with items like clay or their fear of things like snakes, since coils as they’re formed look exactly like snakes at times.
Creatives Connect is holding it’s next event at Iron Leaf Press in Mount Vernon the first Sunday in June from 2 to 4 p.m.
Contributed
Larry, activities director Kristin Arnold and Nell work on making coils for their pots at Rehabilitation Center of Lisbon Thursday, May 8.
Photos by Nathan Countryman | Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun Mount Vernon artist in residence Angie Heuton demonstrates how to make a coil in clay for the coil pot art project.
