Ringing in the holidays
Nathan Countryman
Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun nathan.countryman@mvlsun.com
Lisbon’s lighted holiday parade returned this year, bigger than last year.
Vehicles adorned with Christmas lights traversed the two blocks of downtown Lisbon.
Members of Studio 30 performed a dance routine to music from “The Polar Express” at the Lincoln Square gazebo.
Attendees also had an opportunity to visit with Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus at Lisbon’s Fire Department, as well as buy cookies, hot cocoa and other baked goods from Southeast Linn Community Center’s booth in the fire station.
Lisbon discusses phase two of sports complex
Bids on baseball diamonds goes out in January
Nathan Countryman
Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun nathan.countryman@mvlsun.com
Lisbon discussed the second phase of the Lisbon Sports Complex, with bids slated to go out in January for the complex.
Phase two of the sports complex will add two full size baseball diamonds to the complex.
According to Lisa Burch of YTT, the cost opinion for the second phase of the project is roughly $1.29 million.
City administrator Brandon Siggins said that the plan is to take a bid out for base bids on grading of the fields, irrigation, backstops and fencing around the fields for roughly $726,000. Alternates for the plan would look at installing pavement around the ball parks, lighting for the diamonds, as well as bleachers. As well, work could begin on grading for fields included in phase three of the project. Irrigation will not be installed on phase three fields.
“If we encounter things like lights being higher than estimates, we could phase those in over multiple years,” Siggins said.
While work may begin on the fields this year, this is a planned two to three year project until the diamonds could be fully usable.
“It’s going to take at least one growing season for the grass seeding to take off properly in the ball fields,” Siggins said.
The city has roughly $1.1 million to spend on the phase of the project this year, which is also why the city is looking at alternates and bidding in multiple seasons to complete.
Discussion by council was on why the city was not considering adding turf field instead of grass field.
Parks and recreation director Drayton Kamberling said they were looking at grass fields to maintain versatility for different users.
“Without having solidly lined fields, we can easily adapt to whomever is using
the field, from little league to recreational leagues and high school play,” Kamberling said. “Another issue we have found is that turf gets super hot in the summer, as the sun reflects off the turf. It gets to be miserable for players in the infield playing on it.”
As well, life span of turf is roughly every 10 years it has to be replaced.
Mayor Doug O’Connor said if the bids for grading came in favorable, he would like to see grading for phase two and phase three completed at the same time to prepare the remaining portions of the sports complex be ready when the city comes to them.
Burch said the project will be sent out for bids in January, with the project to be awarded in February.
Photos by Nathan Countryman | Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun
Top: A family poses with Santa Claus at the Lisbon Fire Department. Bottom left: A car adorned with Christmas lights Friday, Dec. 20. Bottom right: Amy White hands out some cookies at the Southeast Linn Community Center bake sale.
Archway sculpture coming in spring
Nathan Countryman
Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun
nathan.countryman@mvlsun.com
The City of Mount Vernon approved the installation of an archway sculpture for the sculpture trail this spring.
Marie DeVries, member of the Mount Vernon Area Arts Council and sculpture arts trail committee, said that the committee has met with everyone about the piece and it will meet setbacks required for its installation and be tall enough to allow city vehicles to groom the trails in winter.
The archway will be funded by Les and Katrina
Garner, with the sculpture being created by Liberty Iron Works of Mount Vernon.
“One of the beauties of this sculpture is it was proposed to us in the first round, and was something the committee found appealing,” DeVries said. “We’re hoping placing this on the south end of the art trail will make the entry way more distinctive.”
DeVries said that the plan is to install the sculpture by as soon as May of this year.
“The sculpture trail has
Free community CPR Class at Cornell College
Saturday, Jan. 25
Time is the enemy when someone has a serious health emergency that stops blood flow to their organs. Starting CPR quickly can literally save a life.
“Minutes count,” says Jake Lindauer, director of the Lisbon-Mount Vernon Ambulance Service. “If CPR is started before our EMT professionals arrive on the scene, the prognosis for a good outcome goes way up. Bystanders who know CPR are especially important in rural communities like ours.”
Lindauer adds that if you are called to use your CPR skills, it most likely will be on one of your own family members.
If you’d like to learn (or re-learn) life-saving CPR skills from Lindauer and other LMVAS
come a long way in such a short amount of time,” DeVries said.
There are plans to have 10 to 15 sculptures installed along the art trail over the next several years, and has
received funding from Linn County, state of Iowa and City of Mount Vernon.
“Having this sculpture as well as another sculpture from David Rega to be installed in the spring
professional trainers, a free training class will be held on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025, at the Thomas Commons building on the Cornell College campus from 9 a.m. to noon. You can sign up at the Rotary Club of Linn County web site, rotarylc.org, and follow the links to Mount Vernon CPR Training. It is open to anyone who lives or works in Lisbon or Mount Vernon and is 16 or older. Enrollment will be limited to the first 40 enrollees.
LMVAS trainers will also offer an optional Stop the Bleed class on the same day and same location, 1-3 p.m. It’s also free, and you can indicate if you will attend the Stop the Bleed class when you enroll for CPR.
If you need Heartsaver certification from the American Heart Association, you will have to pay the certification fee ($30) on training day. Infant CPR and AED (defibrillator) training will be part of the class.
The Rotary Club of Linn County is again helping to organize the CPR class. “One of our missions is to make our communities safer and healthier for all residents,” says John Schultz, Rotary Club of Linn County President. “Helping get more people trained in life-saving CPR skills is one way we can do that. Area
shows support for our local artists alongside national artists,” said Bob Campagna, member of the Parks and Recreation Board and sculpture arts trail committee.
businesses, churches, schools, senior centers, government offices, sports venues, and other public places need to have people trained in CPR. Your own home needs it, too.”
This will be the eighth year the Rotary Club and the Ambulance Service have partnered to offer the Community CPR class. Over 200 Lisbon and Mount Vernon community members have been trained.
Just the Facts
What: Seventh Annual Mount Vernon-Lisbon Community CPR Training Class
When: Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025 CPR Class: 9 a.m. to noon Stop the Bleed Class: 1-3 p.m.
Where: Cornell College Campus, Smith Dining Hall, Thomas Commons, 810 Commons Circle, Mount Vernon, Iowa
Who: Anyone 16+ who lives or works in Mount Vernon or Lisbon. Class size limited to first 40 enrollees.
MVLCT announces 45th anniversary season
Mount Vernon Lisbon Community Theatre will present four mainstage productions, two studio shows under The Elliot Studio Series, and a 24-hour Play Festival to celebrate its 45th Season- all taking place at the Uptown Theatre at the First Street Community Center located at 221 First Street NE, Mount Vernon.
The Mainstage Season
Feb. 7-9, 14-15: Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? by Edward Albee. Directed by Jarrod Derooi. Inspired by August Strindberg’s Dance of Death, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? chronicles a long night’s journey into dawn with George and Martha, in a searing night of dangerous fun and games. (Summary courtesy of Edward Albee Society) featuring: Kim Benesh, Scott Humeston, Grant Blades and Denise Cherry
April 4-6, 11-12: Calendar Girls by Tim Firth. Directed by Kerry Covington. This hilarious play is based on the true story of eleven W.I. members who famously posed nude for a calendar to raise money for the Leukaemia Research Fund in 1999. (Summary courtesy of Concord Theatricals)
AUDITIONS: Feb. 15 & 16
July 18-20, 25-27 & Aug 1-3 : Jesus Christ Superstar by Andrew Lloyd Webber & Tim Rice. Directed by Courtenay Baker.
This rock opera recounts the final days of Jesus Christ leading up to his crucifixion as seen through the eyes of his betrayer, Judas. (Summary courtesy of Playbill)
AUDITIONS: April 4 & 5
Nov. 14-16, 21-22: Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins (IOWA PREMIERE) by Scott Zenreich. Directed by Uri Lessing. Hershel of Ostropol must defeat the goblins who haunt the synagogue at the top of the hill, keeping the villagers from celebrating Hanukkah. Hershel is told with puppets, an original klezmer score, and the power of a child’s imagination. (Summary courtesy of NPX)
AUDITIONS: Sept. 28-29
MVLCT’s Elliott Studio Series
The Elliott Studio Series is an ambitious community outreach effort by MVLCT. Its mission is to provide an opportunity for small studio style comedies and dramas to be performed at little to no cost except the necessary royalty payments. MVLCT has been fortunate to get funding from the Iowa Economic Development Authority to pursue this initiative and look forward to seeing “passion projects” get a chance to come to fruition. Interested parties will fill out an application and if selected, interview with the board.
Applications for the 2026 Elliott Studio
Series can be submitted at MVLCT.com after Jan. 1, 2025.
Elliott Studio Series 2025 Productions
Aug. 15-17, 22-23: Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks by Richard Alfieri. Directed by David Morton. A retired woman hires a dance instructor to give her lessons at home. Their relationship is antagonistic at first, but soon develops into a close friendship. Featuring Marty Norton and Matthew James (Summary courtesy of Concord Theatricals)
Sept. 26-28 & Oct 3-4 33: Variations by Moisés Kaufman. Directed by Rachel Korach Howell. A mother coming to terms with her daughter. A composer coming to terms with his genius. And, even though they’re separated by 200 years, these two people share an obsession that might, even just for a moment, make time stand still. (Summary courtesy of DPS)
AUDITIONS: Aug. 10 & 11
SPECIAL EVENT
December, 2025: 24-Hour Play Festival details to come
We are excited to share these productions with you and hope you help us celebrate our 45th season.
The Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun strives for accuracy and fairness in reporting news. If we’ve made an error or a report is misleading, let us know about it: news@mvlsun.com
STAFF
Publisher Jason Brummond jason.brummond@dailyiowan.com
Editor Nathan Countryman nathan.countryman @mvlsun.com
Sports Ryan Suchomel ryan.suchomel@mvlsun.com
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Advertising Sales Paul Rowland paul.rowland@mvlsun.com
Office/Sales Assistant Rochelle Ferguson rochelle.ferguson@mvlsun. com
Production Manager Heidi Owen heidi.owen@dailyiowan.com
Business Manager Debbie Plath debra.plath@dailyiowan.com
Official Newspaper: Mount Vernon, Lisbon, Bertram, Linn County, Mount Vernon Community School District, Lisbon Community School District
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mvlsun.com
Rendoring of sculpture trail archway.
Budget discussions ongoing at Lisbon City Council
Nathan Countryman Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun nathan.countryman@mvlsun.com
The City of Lisbon has begun budget discussions for the coming fiscal year.
At the Dec. 9 meeting, the council heard requests from Mount Vernon Lisbon Police Department, Mount Vernon-Lisbon Economic Development Group, Community Beautification and Trees, Lisbon History Center and Lisbon-Mount Vernon Ambulance. MVLPD
Chief Doug Shannon was requesting a three percent increase for the budget of Lisbon for the next two years. Shannon said they are proposing 4 percent increases for salaries.
MVLCDG
Director Jessie Thurn had an increase of $3,000 asked for economic development investment from the City of Lisbon this year. The increase is to help pay for the salary of the social media manager position for the CDG. The City of Lisbon currently contributes $6,000 for marketing and events with the CDG.
Community beautification and trees
The budget for community beautification and trees remained mostly the same, with most of that budget going to tree removal.
Lisbon History Center
City administrator Brandon Siggins said the slight increase for the center will be towards insurance costs. The city will maintain a $5,000 for the west wall of the center for any needed improvements.
LMVAS
Director Jacob Lindauer said his ask this year was an increase for the benefits portion of his salary. The City of Lisbon is responsible for contributing to Lindauer’s benefits in their shared costs with the City of Mount Vernon for the position. Lindauer said that calls have been down a little bit this year, which he attributes to the services in other communities finding better staffing that they have not had as many joint calls of service needed.
At the Dec. 23 meeting, the council heard requests from Lisbon Public Library, Lisbon cemetery, Southeast Linn Community Center, Lisbon Fire Department, Lisbon EMA and Lisbon Historic Preservation Commission.
Lisbon Library
Director Elizabeth Hoover de Galvez has completed her first year with the library. Her request was roughly for cost of living adjustments for staff salaries. She highlighted the number of programs completed for all ages at the library, as well as the updates to the library’s website and cataloging software for the library.
Cemetery
The largest increase for the cemetery was increases in wages, going up to $15,000 this year. While salary is increasing, Siggins said that building maintenance and repair has been slightly decreased to bring things more to gender neutral.
SELCC
Director Nicole McAlexander said her increased ask this year was to help fund the summer lunch program that the center did last summer in a joint program with the Lisbon Public Library. The center is looking to increase that popular program to three days a week during the summer, up from the one per week currently offered.
As McAlexander said in her report to the council, without any USDA meal sites in the community, there is a gap to fill in child hunger during the summer.
Fire
Siggins said that the maintenance cost for the building was being increased to $1,000 to replace a door that is rusted out on the building.
“If we are able to complete that work in house, that will be $1,000,” Siggins aid.
Vehicle operations and maintenance costs were also raised to $6,000.
Minor equipment was lowered to $3,000.
Insurance was estimated to be $17,000.
With the reductions to minor equipment, Siggins said that takes the budget to a few thousand more than last year.
EMA
The budget remains mostly unchanged this year. Siggins said they anticipate buying a radio this year, so funding is there for that.
HPC
Lisbon Historic Preservation Commission budget was slightly reduced for this fiscal year.
Linn County Board of Supervisors sets standards for hazardous liquid pipelines in Linn County
The Linn County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved an ordinance that sets standards for hazardous liquid pipelines in Linn County. The approval came after the third and final reading of the pipeline ordinance on Wednesday, December 18.
While counties in Iowa cannot regulate hazardous liquid pipelines because regulations are set by the U.S. Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) and the Iowa Utilities Commission, Iowa code does allow counties to set additional standards to help protect landowners, tenants, businesses, and others from economic damage that may result from the construction, operation, or maintenance of hazardous liquid pipelines as long as the additional standards are not inconsistent with state statutes.
The intent of Linn County’s ordinance is to establish a reasonable set of standards that balance existing and new economic growth that align with Linn County’s strategic plan and comprehensive plan.
The Board’s action this week sets these additional standards by adding a new article to Linn County’s Chapter 14 Code of Ordinances. The Board of Supervisors took this action to balance the benefits of economic development and growth with the desire to protect the economic interests and property values of Linn County residents and businesses.
The ordinance has four main components:
• Minimum distance (separation) requirements from homes, places of assembly, and future growth areas (minimum distance requirements set by federal regulations are listed in Linn County’s ordinance)
• Road Use Agreement
• Agricultural Impact Mitigation Plan
• Pipeline Planning Consultation Area document
The purpose of the Pipeline Planning Consultation Area is to improve communication between property developers/owners and pipeline operators. Consultation areas are a recommended practice of PIPA (Pipelines and Informed Planning Alliance).
Linn County’s ordinance requires hazardous liquid pipeline applicants to apply for a permit from Linn County that demonstrates compliance with all four components. The applicant must receive an approved permit prior to beginning construction. Federal regulations set the minimum distance from hazardous liquid pipelines to homes and places of public assembly. The new Linn County regulations set the minimum distance from carbon dioxide in a dense/supercritical phase to homes and places of public assembly. The minimum distance regulations are:
Linn County’s ordinance also includes provisions to mitigate damage to public infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and drainage systems.
“We are working to respond to the needs of our residents with this ordinance. The people of Linn County are our priority,” Linn County Board of Supervisors chair Kirsten Running-Marquardt said.
The ordinance is effective upon publication in the Gazette, which is expected to happen within the next week.
To read the entire ordinance, visit Linn County’s website LinnCountyIowa.gov.
Mount Vernon Motel
no more
The former Mount Vernon Motel was demolished by Robison Construction over the weeks ahead of the Christmas holiday
The motel had stood empty for a number of years, having closed in 2021. Mount Vernon city administrator Chris Nosbisch said the building was becoming an attractive nuisance in the community, with people attempting to gain entry into the building numerous times a month.
The demolition frees up the space for Robison Construction to design their own buildings in the future. No site plans have been proposed to Mount Vernon planning and zoning commission yet for the space, but are expected to be delivered this spring.
Nathan Countryman | Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun
OPINIONS/NEWS
OPINIONS
New Year’s: a celebration of backsliding and optimism
Living in Iowa
Dan Brawner
You understand that this whole business of time is fake and just something we made up to explain the appearance of gray hair and why we don’t have summer all year round, right? So when we celebrate the “new year”, let’s agree there’s nothing actually new about it.
It’s not as if when January1st rolls around our sins are forgiven and we have no debts or dirt under our fingernails. In fact, it’s generally the opposite. Many people wake up on New Year’s Day feeling as bad as they are going to feel for the rest of the year, with a throbbing headache and a vague memory of humiliating things they did the night before. Or worse yet, with memories of having done nothing humiliating or fun the night before.
So, even if New Year’s Day isn’t actually new, it’s an excuse to reflect and repent and review the previous year’s resolutions. How about those ten pounds you vowed to lose last year? Did they follow you into the new year? You promised to get “more organized” last January. How’d that work out for you? And where did you park the car last night? If only you could find your phone this morning. Did you really call your ex and leave ten messages?
The idea is that the next year is going to be better than the last year that somehow failed to live up to your expectations. It’s like pouring over those seed catalogs that arrive in the middle of winter with photos of perfect tomatoes and lettuce with no weeds. You think, this could be my garden.
Celebrating New Year’s Day is a celebration of hope and optimism. It is believing that doing the same thing over and over again, expecting different results is really not, as Einstein said, the definition of insanity. I have a theory of finding lost items. If I can’t find my keys, for example, I will make a systematic search of the house. But I am not discouraged if I don’t find them the first time because I know when I go back and look over those same exact places again, my keys will magically appear. I can’t explain it. But this mysterious principle is what gives me hope for the future. This year, I will exercise every day. I will learn Spanish. I will kayak on the Mississippi. I know I said that last year. But this year will be different because of the power of pure, dumb optimism.
New Year’s Day is more than the day to recover from a hangover or watch football and eat Christmas leftovers. It is a baptism, a rebirth. It is the day to forgive yourself for the sin of being who you are. It is the day to celebrate human frailty. On New Year’s Day, we get to take a good look in the mirror and say, well… it appears all that hard work has paid off!
SUN EDITORIAL
Wonderful holiday concert, Lisbon holiday parade and Pleasant Grove Heritage Park
We have to thank the Mount Vernon Fine Arts Association for a lovely concert featuring international Steinway artist Jim McDonogh in the Performing Arts Center just ahead of the Christmas holiday.
It was a great way to see the work that can be done by a professional artist on that stage, while also raising funds for supporting the arts in our communities.
And we agree with Jim McDonogh on the importance of the arts in any community. Mount Vernon and Lisbon have long been champions of uplifting students in what they are passionate about and giving them the opportunities to excel. None of those opportunities do not exist without the excellent music teachers, art teachers and drama instructors at all levels in our area schools, and their work is important. Like Jim said, many of those students may never become professional artists in their own rights, but they will forever have appreciation for the skills the arts teach them the rest of their lives.
Lisbon’s second annual holiday parade was bigger than the previous holiday outing. More vehicles participated in this
What the city of Mount Vernon
accomplished in 2024
Tom Wieseler Mayor of Mount Vernon
Happy New Year, Mt. Vernon.
As 2025 begins, it is time to review the City activities and look forward to what is coming up.
Completed construction projects include the resurfacing of Business 30 from Lisbon, west to the Highway 1 roundabout, the Fourth Ave. NW 3 block street construction, and the water meter conversion to remote reads. The Community Development group has changed leadership from Joe Jennison to Jessie Thurn and they conducted seven ribbon cuttings for new businesses during the year. The City funded and completed the engineering for the Iowa DOT to replace all but the center four blocks of Highway 1 between the roundabout and the railroad tracks.
Our residential development partners added three blocks of new streets in Spring Meadows and six blocks in Stonebrook, and they are filling up fast with new homes. Groundbreaking for the 30 unit, 55 and older Cottonwood apartments happened in August with move-ins to happen in late summer
My top 15 films of the year ny side
year’s parade, and it went off beautifully. One of the changes this year was moving the SELCC bake sale into the fire house itself, which helped ease traffic congestion, as everyone was moving to the same destination on the evening.
Speaking of Lisbon, the City of Lisbon and newly formed non-profit Pleasant Grove Heritage Park, Inc., came to a transfer agreement for the park.
As the Lisbon Historic Preservation Commission noted, it was a case of Christmas coming early for those who loved the barns, as it allows a new commission to fundraise and secure the barns for future generations.
And as city administrator Brandon Siggins said, it was definitely the best solution for all partners involved to keep the vision of that particular park moving and evolving forward, without impacting grants the park had already received.
The City made no profit in transferring the park to a nonprofit, but dotting the I’s and crossing the t’s took time behind closed doors to make this the vision both entities wanted, and allowing the preservation of historic barns moving forward.
2025. Commercial development should happen west of the cemetery and on Business 30 between the roundabouts. A public hearing for Kwik Star/Trip is set for the first 2025 council meeting on Jan. 6 and that may bring other opportunities for businesses at the bypass.
In parks, our trail art inventory continues to grow and will add an entry feature in 2025. Our first prairie has been started on the roadside hill by the gazebo. A major decision was made to keep a large park presence in our northwest quadrant with keeping, but upgrading the pool in its current site. Public works continues to relocate to the Bryant Road site with concrete floors going into our 2 main buildings and the construction of our salt shed and brine site almost being complete. We hope to have Public Works totally housed at our Bryant Road site in 2025.
Many projects are still in process. Generator install at the LBC should happen in 2025. Uptown street light install should be ready for our first 2025 festival-Chalk the Walk. The sidewalk repair project should launch in the summer and Davis Park is ongoing. We will continue to address the childcare challenge with a possible partnership with the school district and an addition to the LBC. A personal stretch goal of mine is to partner with the City of Cedar Rapids and Linn County Conservation on the reopening of the Interurban Trail from Mt. Vernon west.
While there has been steady progress in 2024, it should continue into 2025. In November, local elections will be held and there will be an opening on City Council for a four-year term. Please consider serving your town in this fashion, or by volunteering for our city board openings as well. Have a great 2025!
– talking about doing the job in the face of a tragedy that hits your community and trying to be objective, which gets so much harder when you are drawn in as part of the story. It’s another angle on the Uvalde tragedy from an interesting perspective.
Nathan Countryman
Well, I watched more movies than I did in 2023… I crossed the 1095 films watched overall (three films on average per day, the majority on weekends), and I did excel in watching more movies than were added to my watchlist. I also am back under 100 films on my to watch list, thanks to staycation.
My top 15 movies of the year are: “Dune Part Two,” “Hundreds of Beavers,” “The Wild Robot,” “Anora,” “Print it Black,” “Flow,” “Wicked: Part 1,” “The Substance,” “Nosferatu,” “Patrice: The Movie,” “Out of My Mind,” “The Fall Guy,” “Challengers,” “Sugarcane” and “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire.”
I’m not going to speak on all 15 of my favorite movies of the year. A couple of them, like “Hundreds of Beavers” and “The Wild Robot” I’ve already talked about in previous columns.
What I am going to say is the ABC Studios documentaries
“Print it Black” and “Patrice” are both exceptionally good documentaries. “Print it Black’ is hard as a journalist to watch
“Patrice” is one of those documentaries that highlights a law that is functioning in a way that impacts the quality of life for individuals pursuits of happiness. At its core is Patrice, a woman whose joy and exuberance to overcome obstacles in her path is a reminder of the human spirit. Yes, it has contrivances. But it is one of the most positive documentaries I watched this year with a point.
“Flow” as an animated movie is one of those wild cards in the animated race I would not hate to see win. It’s choppier than “The Wild Robot” on a technical side, but it’s got just as much heart and personality in many of it’s animal characters.
“Wicked” proved again Jon Chu knows what he is doing in adapting musicals, with my only quibbles being the color grading seeming off because they were shooting for IMAX/3-D cameras that always leave everything looking muddy in all aspects.
“The Substance” and “Nosferatu” are going to be interesting to watch in visual effects and cinematography races this year. “Nosferatu’s” cinematography alone was gorgeous to watch on the big screen.
Many of the other films on my list are popular fare. I have some films, like ”The Brutalist,” “September 5,” “Sing Sing,” and “Nickel Boys” that I haven’t seen that are vying for awards, as several haven’t had wide releases yet.
GUEST COLUMN
Look for the helpers
C. Sherene Hansen Player
Perhaps you are familiar with this quote from Mr. Rogers: “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’” I’ve been thinking about this during the past few weeks. It is a great reminder that there are always people out there who are helping others.
But I’ve been thinking about the quote in another way. Am I a helper? Are you a helper? We can’t just wait for other people to be the helpers, we need to be ready to be the helpers. We all need to be ready to help when there is need, for when we are the person in need, we will be grateful for the helpers who come to our aid.
One of the first times where I saw a true helper has been seared in my mind forever. I was in First Grade and my mother was very ill. She had been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, which was crippling her body, and then she came down with the flu. She had been in bed for a week while my father was trying to manage our family of five children, ages nine and under. Things were not going well.
I got home from school one day and had made myself a snack when the doorbell rang. It was Lorraine Ball, one of the nicest women I knew at church. She was really fun and so I was happy she had stopped by for a visit. I started to take her up to my mother’s room but she said to me, “I’ll visit your mom in a bit. I’ve come to clean your bathrooms.” I was in shock! Our bathrooms were a disaster because none of us had bothered to clean them since my mom hadn’t been reminding us to do our chores.
Lorraine got to work while we kids stood slack jawed. We finally realized that maybe we could start straightening other rooms in the house as she cheerfully scrubbed our bathrooms and soon the house was much cleaner. Then she went in to visit my mother. I learned that afternoon what it meant to be a true friend. My mom was in tears as she visited with her friend, amazed that she would come do such a selfless act for her.
How often do we say to someone, “Let me know if there’s
Thank you for preserving Pleasant Grove Heritage Park, Inc.
With overwhelming pleasure and immense relief, the Lisbon Historic Preservation Commission extends a warm welcome to Pleasant Grove Heritage Park, Inc. This nonprofit has sprung into existence as if by magic, born from a need to serve the community and answer the call to safeguard the unique gems in Lisbon’s architectural crown. Thank you, Pleasant Grove Heritage Park, Inc., for your commitment to protecting and preserving
Linn County Sheriff’s Office to partner with the Iowa Department of Revenue for tobacco, alternative nicotine and vapor product education and enforcement
The Linn County Sheriff’s Office has taken a pledge to keep tobacco, alternative nicotine, and vapor products out of the hands of Linn County youth.
Known as I-PLEDGE, the program is a partnership with the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division (ABD) to educate local retailers and to enforce Iowa’s tobacco, alternative nicotine, and vapor product laws. Since the program’s inception in 2000, the statewide tobacco compliance rate has grown to 91%. By participating in the program, the Linn County Sheriff’s Office has committed to do its part to increase the compliance rate even more this year.
I-PLEDGE places emphasis on retailer training. Clerks who successfully complete an online train-
anything I can do to help,” but do we ever actually go and help that person? As I’ve said many times before, words matter. It’s a kind phrase to say, but do we really mean it? Will we follow through and be the helper that the person needs us to be? Perhaps you won’t show up and clean someone’s bathrooms, but there are so many other things that can be done to help someone in need.
Years ago my brother got married in Germany. His wife was from there and he had been living there with her for a while before the wedding. They had planned everything out and we all flew in about a week before the wedding to do some sightseeing. The day of the wedding was a joyous day and very traditional Austrian/German. They had planned a delicious dinner for extended family and friends with music and entertainment.
At the end of the reception my parents and siblings and I got up and started clearing tables. My brother stood back and watched how none of us had been asked to do this; we just sprang into action. Then he bellowed out, “I love it! Hansens help!” We all looked up from what we were doing and laughed. We were doing what came naturally, but he had realized in that moment that they hadn’t planned for how they would get the reception hall cleaned up and now the problem was being solved by his family who knew how to help.
In this season of giving, we often spend lots of time and money looking for a perfect gift for a family member or friend. Yes, these gifts are appreciated and are meaningful. But what if we considered giving gifts of helping where there is need? What if we started looking for ways to help others by small acts of service and then extended that throughout the year? Better yet, what if we did these acts of service anonymously?
Let us become better helpers by reaching out to those around us. Start small; pick up some trash the next time you see it lying around. The next time you say, “Let me know if there’s anything I can do to help,” go and actually do something to help that person. Try the website JustServe.org to find service opportunities in our area. When it snows, shovel a few more feet down your sidewalk to help your neighbors. As more people become helpers, there will be more helpers for others to look to when they are in need. Being a helper is not that hard, but it makes a tremendous, lasting difference.
the Meyers Farmstead Historic District and the adjacent land. The LHPC would like to thank all those involved for their tireless efforts to advocate for the protection and preservation of this exceptional property, and we look forward to future collaborations on its development. We could not have asked for a better Christmas present.
Happy holidays and a bright and beautiful New Year,
The Lisbon Historic Preservation Commission: Rebecca Hess (Chair), Marc Mohn, Amelia Kibbie, Alexandra McKendree
Mechanicsville Specialty Care employee celebrates 35 years
Patty Dawson recently celebrated 35 years of service with Mechanicsville Specialty Care. The celebration included residents and team members as they recognized Dawson, a dietary team member, for her hard work and dedication. Mechanicsville Specialty Care is a skilled nursing and long-term care community providing compassionate, individualized care for our residents, while also caring for their family’s well-being and peace of mind. Mechanicsville Specialty Care is licensed to provide quality care to up to 39 residents, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
ing course and then pass an exam will become I-PLEDGE certified. This allows a retail establishment to use an affirmative defense against a civil penalty if the certified clerk makes an illegal sale.
“I-PLEDGE’s retailer training is a great way for clerks to prepare themselves to refuse illegal tobacco, alternative nicotine and vapor product sales,” Sheriff Brian Gardner said. “The training also assists retailers to ensure they maintain a compliant and responsible establishment.”
Deputies will also be conducting compliance checks on local establishments as
part of the I-PLEDGE program. Underage customers, under the supervision of law enforcement officials, will enter establishments and attempt to buy tobacco, alternative nicotine, and vapor products. Clerks who make the illegal sale will be cited on the spot.
Criminal penalties for selling tobacco, alternative nicotine and vapor products to a minor include a $135 fine for a first offense, a $325 fine for a second offense and a $645 fine for third and subsequent offenses. However, handing out citations is not the intent of the I-PLEDGE program.
“By partnering with the
Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division, we hope to educate clerks and maintain a compliant retail environment in our community,” Sheriff Brian Gardner said. “Moreover, we pledge to help keep tobacco, alternative nicotine and vapor products out of the hands of Iowa’s youth.”
To take the I-PLEDGE training or search certification record, go to revenue. iowa.gov.
Grassley Nominates 34 Iowa Students to U.S. Military Academies
U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) is announcing his support for 34 Iowa students seeking acceptance to U.S. military academies. That nomination includes Gage Holub of Mount Vernon to the United States Merchant Marine Academy.
“I’m honored to nominate these 34 extraordinary Iowans to our nation’s prestigious military academies,” Grassley said. “These young men and women represent Iowa’s best and brightest. Their accomplishments, leadership and desire to serve are commendable. I look forward to seeing all they accomplish going forward.”
Each year, Grassley nominates Iowa high school seniors for placements at the U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Military Academy at West Point, U.S. Naval Academy and U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. All service academies select at least one of Grassley’s nominees.
Grassley’s nominees for entrance during the 20252026 academic year follow:
United States Air Force Academy
Trenton Abel, Toddville
Emmett Bartels, Runnells
Sean Bendinger, West Des Moines
Alexis Bogardus, Granger
Brayden Bohnsack, La Porte City
Grant Dunn, Johnston
Benjamin Green, West Des Moines
Linn County seeks voluntary board and commission members
Linn County seeks voluntary board and commission members
The Linn County Board of Supervisors is accepting applications to fill several voluntary appointments on County boards and commissions. Serving on a County board or commission is an excellent way to get involved with local government and contribute to the quality of life in Linn County.
Linn County is committed to gender balance on all boards, commissions, and advisory committees. Women, minorities, and qualified individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
Board of Adjustment – three-year terms
There are two openings on the Board of Adjustment (BOA). Individuals are appointed for five-year terms and may not serve more than two terms. Members of BOA must live outside the corporate limits of any city.
The Board of Adjustment hears and decides on appeals for variances and special exceptions for proposed improvements which do not meet Linn County zoning regulations. The BOA also hears and decides on Conditional Use Permits and on appeals of the zoning administrator’s decision where an error of law is alleged in the decision.
Community Services Advisory Board – three-year terms
There is one opening on the Community Services Advisory Board. Individuals are appointed for three-year terms and may not serve more than two terms. Applicants with a background in finance or accounting are encouraged to apply for this vacancy.
The Linn County Community Services Advisory Board addresses local health and human service needs by providing direct services, community planning, and administration of local, state, and federal funds in ways that promote service availability, access to services, cost-effectiveness, and quality service.
Electrical Board of Appeals –three-year terms
Spots
Eliana Hansen, Cedar Rapids
Shae Magley, Cedar Falls
Amelia Porisch, St. Ansgar
Ky Wilkens, Dallas Center
United States Military Academy at West Point
Eric Ding, Davenport
MacKenzie Fah, Bettendorf
Theodore Hartwig, Marion
MacKenzie McClelland, Grinnell
Aiden Price, Davenport
Abigail Sander, Polk City
Naomi Templeman, Dallas Center
Jonah Zimmer, Sperry
United States Naval Academy
Madison Andrews, Maysville
Ava Blankenship, Ankeny
Ella Goodrich, Adel
Ellie Hance, Palo
Evan Kohlsdorf, Des Moines
Riley Kramer, Riverdale
Solene MacLean, Polk City
Brigid McGowan, Sioux City
Quentin Moore, Des Moines
Owen Powell, Blue Grass
Connor Rash, Ames
Tyler Tingley, Council Bluffs
Ryan Traynor, Urbandale
Conrad Yates, West Des Moines
United States Merchant Marine Academy
Sean Bendinger, West Des Moines
Ella Goodrich, Adel
Gage Holub, Mount Vernon
Conrad Yates, West Des Moines
There is one opening on the Electrical Board of Appeals. Individuals are appointed for three-year terms and may serve consecutive terms without limitation.
The Electrical Board of Appeals hears and decides on the suitability of alternate methods and materials for compliance with the National Electrical Code as adopted by Linn County. The board also participates in code development and makes recommendations to the Board of Supervisors.
Mechanical Board of Appeals – four-year terms
There are three openings on the Mechanical Board of Appeals. Individuals are appointed for three-year terms and may serve consecutive terms without limitation.
The Mechanical Board of Appeals hears and decides on the suitability of alternate methods and materials for compliance with the Linn County Mechanical Code. The board also participates in code development and makes recommendations to the Board of Supervisors.
Planning & Zoning Commission – three-year terms
There are two openings on the Planning & Zoning Commission. Individuals are appointed for five-year terms and may not serve more than two terms. Commission members must live in unincorporated Linn County.
The Planning & Zoning Commission (PZC) makes recommendations on requests for rezonings, subdivision plats, and conditional use permits. In addition, the PZC makes recommendations on revisions to the Linn County Unified Development Code and the Linn County Comprehensive Plan.
Plumbing Board of Appeals – three-year terms
There are three openings on the Plumbing Board of Appeals. Individuals are appointed for three-year terms and may serve consecutive terms without limitation.
The Plumbing Board of Appeals hears and decides on the suitability of alternate methods and materials for compliance with the Linn County Plumbing Code. The board also participates in code development and makes recommendations to the Board of Supervisors.
To apply for openings
Applicants for these openings must be residents of Linn County and may submit an online application available on the Linn County website. For questions, please call 319-892-5000.
New reserve officer joins Mount VernonLisbon Police Department
David Frankfurt has officially joined the Mount Vernon-Lisbon Police Department as a reserve officer.
Mount Vernon-Lisbon police chief Doug Shannon said that Frankfurt has recently returned from service to the United States Marine Corp, and wanted to join the reserve officer program to learn more about how law enforcement works.
Frankfurt is the son of Jeff Frankfurt, an officer for the Mount Vernon-Lisbon Police Department as well.
Moratorium lifted on smoke shops
The moratorium on smoke and vape shops has been lifted in Mount Vernon.
With the passage of ordinances addressing locations of new smoke or vape shops, the moratorium’s purpose had elapsed.
Water meter reads have first reading
The first water bills have went out with the new water radio meter reads.
According to city administrator Chris Nosbisch, if citizens saw a zero read on their water bill, that might have been due to when the new meter was installed and that meter not speaking to the tower at that time.
“All customers had a minimum bill for water services,” Nosbisch said.
There were a couple other issues identified, like a few meters running backwards, that are being corrected. Another 90 to 91 meters need to be replaced at the moment.
One of the biggest changes was going from cubic feet to gallons used by citizens.
Nosbisch said if customers have a bill that seems abnormally high compared to past usage, they should contact city hall.
Meeting times for each board and commission are available on the Linn County website.
Auditorium. Tickets will be on sale at mvhstheatre.ludus.com. Mount Vernon Boots and Badges blood drive The Mount Vernon-Lisbon Police Department and Mount Vernon Fire
Department will be hosting a boots and badges blood drive Thursday, Jan. 16 at the Mount Vernon-Lisbon Police Department. The ImpactLife blood drive will run from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. To book an appointment, contact Tasha Whitman at twhitman@ mtvernonlisbonpd-ia.gov or Derek Boren at derek.boren@gmail.com.
MOUNT VERNON BRIEFS
Doug Shannon, contributed photo
David Frankfurt (right) takes the oath of office administered by mayor Tom Wieseler (left).
Celia (“Cece”) Mayne Lynch Van Metre
Cece Van Metre passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, at the age of 94 on Dec. 14, 2024. Cece was born to Charles J. Lynch, Jr. and Dorothy Mayne Lynch on May 19, 1930, in Cedar Rapids. She was proceeded in death by her husband of fifty-four years, Douglas C. Van Metre; both parents; her sister and brother-in-law, Nancy and Ed Beatty; and her sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Carol and David Van Metre.
Cece is survived by her three sons Douglas (Molly), Craig (Donna), and Kent (Susan); her brother Charles “Jerry” Lynch (Heidi); grandchildren Benjamin (Ashley), Nathan (Holly), Mary, Harriet, Abigail, and Holland; great-grandchildren Harrison, Dalton, Mason, and Adeline; and numerous nieces and nephews; and childhood and lifelong friend, Sue Oglanian. Cece once wrote that “the center of my life is my husband and children”.
Cece graduated from Franklin High School (1948), Coe College (Bachelor of Arts 1952), and the University of Iowa (Master of Arts in Speech Pathology 1956).
Education, philanthropy, and community service were integral parts of Cece’s life. She served on the Coe College Board of Trustees from 1998 to 2007; was active in Coe’s Alumni Association and served as its national president from 1973 to 1975; and was recipient of Coe’s Distinguished Service Award for Educator and Volunteer in 2012. In 2018, she was awarded Honorary Alumna to Cornell College.
Cece also served on the Board of Directors of Tanager Place (formerly known as The Children’s Home) and the Linn County History Center, active in HACAP and the Cedar Rapids Recreation Center, and was a volunteer teacher at the Jane Boyd Community House, Project Head Start, and Montessori School. She was also a member of the Kappa Delta sorority, the First Congregational Church, Chapter JI of P.E.O., and the Home Garden Club, of which she was a Master Gardener.
Her fondest memories were numerous Christmas Eve parties with close neighbors and friends; the Coe / Cornell football rivalry and pre- and post-game tailgate parties; trips to Europe, especially Ireland; hosting “Grammy Camp” for her grandchildren; family reunions at “440”; and knitting her beloved Christmas Stockings for family and friends.
The family would like to extend its heartfelt appreciation to all the caregivers at Cottage Grove Place with whom Cece was fortunate to be associated. A private interment will be held in 2025. Memorials may be directed to any of the nonprofit organizations listed above, to The Van Metre Family Charitable Foundation, or to the donor’s preferred charity.
Brenda Lee Broulik, 66, of Olin, Iowa, passed away on Sunday, December 22, 2024, at her home. A Celebration of Life will be held 2-5:00 p.m., Saturday, January 4, 2025, at Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services in Mount Vernon.
Brenda was born May 10, 1958, in Cedar Rapids the daughter of Donald and Sharon (Erger) Raim. She was united in marriage to Dale Broulik Sept. 15, 1979.
Brenda was a loving wife, mother, and most of all loved being a grandma. She was an Olin school board member, loved sports and coached for several years. She was the visionary and co-founded Glyn Mawr Winery and The Local in uptown Mount Vernon with her daughter. Her passion for making old new, and bringing The Local building to life was a true joy for her. She had a big heart, would help anyone, and was truly loved and adored by all who knew her. Anyone who knew Brenda knows that nothing meant more to her than her family and friends.
Brenda is survived by her husband, children, Clayton Broulik, Anna (Luke) Wilson, Chase (Julia) Broulik; grandchildren, Landon Wilson, Ella Wilson, Lane Wilson, Winry Broulik, and Harrison Broulik; and siblings, Robert Raim, Richard (Carie) Raim, Barb Garry, and Belle Dunkin. Brenda was preceded in death by her parents. Please direct memorials to the family so they can donate to organizations that meant a lot to Brenda.
Please share your support and memories with Brenda’s family on her Tribute Wall at www.stewartbaxter.
Geraldine Ann (Horsman) Alger, 84, of Lisbon passed away Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024. A celebration of life was held Thursday, Dec. 26, at Living Hope Global Methodist Church in Lisbon. Cards and memorials may be given to the Alger family at 1270 Sutliff 2nd Road, Lisbon, IA 52253. Online condolences may be expressed at www. iowacremation.com.
Geraldine was born Feb. 17, 1940, in Washington, Minn., to Dwight and Ethel (Oviatt) Horsman. At the age of 6, she moved with family to Spring Valley, where she attended school. She often said she had an amazing and happy childhood. For several months, she attended a one room country school before moving into town. At times, she tagged along with her dad to go coon hunting. Geraldine had wonderful memories of her mom and grandma shopping in Rochester. She declared she was lucky to be a teen of the 50’s! Lots of music and dancing at family gatherings, among other places.
Geraldine married Bruce Alger on Sept. 15, 1956, eloping to Albert Lea, Minn., and was married by the Justice of the Peace. They farmed for 10 years and then owned and operated B&G Feed and Grain until 1983. Geraldine worked for 20 years (1983 to 2003) at United Way of East Central Iowa in Cedar Rapids. She was the first woman elected to the Lisbon town council in 1976. She loved to play cards, go to dances, listen to an array of music, play slot machines and spend time with her beloved family.
Survivors include her daughters, Bobbi Kruse (Howard Gollobit), Sutliff; and Betsy Jeffrey, Cedar Rapids; sons, Barry (Cindy) Alger, Cedar Rapids; and Brian (Lisa) Alger, Mechanicsville; sisters Joan Newkirk, Faye Alger, and Gale Markley; special cousin Mary Ellen Oviatt; 10 grandchil dren, Brianna (Ryan) Koester, Kassidy (Ashley) Kruse, Monikka (Ryan) Fuller, Grant (Lacy) Alger, Alicia (Cory) Gatzemeyer, Andrew (Amanda) LeGrand Jeffrey, Jamie Murphy, Luke Jeffrey, Abby Alger and Kal (Rachel) Alger; 27 great-grandchildren and one on the way.
Geraldine is preceded in death by her husband Bruce; parents Dwight and Ethel; grandparents Cleve and Cora Oviatt; foster brother Melvin Smith; brothers in law, Har vey Newkirk, Richard Alger, Larry Alger, Leland Alger and Lester Alger; and son in law Brian Kruse.
Vernona “Sue” (Juett) O’Brine, 87, of Lisbon, passed away Saturday, December 28, 2024, at the Dennis & Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy, Hiawatha. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. Thursday, January 2, 2025, at Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cedar Rapids, with the funeral service to immediately follow at 11 a.m. at the funeral home. Burial will take place at Linwood Cem etery, Cedar Rapids.
Sue was born Jan. 16, 1937, in Decatur County, Iowa, the daughter of Robert and Luella (Webster) Juett. Sue grad uated from Lisbon High School, Lisbon. She was united in marriage to Dale O’Brine on June 2, 1956, in Lisbon. Sue was a member of the Lisbon United Methodist Church. She worked as a salesperson at JCPenney, but her true labor of love was being a homemaker. She was an accomplished seamstress; sewing her nieces’ wedding gown as well as a variety of other sewing projects. She cherished time with her family, especially her grandkids. Sue enjoyed cooking, collecting butterflies, camping at Sugar Bottom and road trips in the RV with Dale, Rod, and the grandkids.
Cole Library begins New
Survivors include her son, Rodney (Cathy) O’Brine of Marion; grandchildren, Holly (Justin) Fencl of Solon, and Tracy Flory of Mechanicsville; great-grandchildren, Emma Fencl, Declan Flory, and Lachlan Flory; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Dale O’Brine; grandson, Pattrick O’Brine; grandson-in-law, Chad Flory; siblings, Jean Graver, Robert, Ronald, Randall, and Darrell Juett; and nephew, Jason Juett.
Memorials may be directed to: Hospice House of Mercy, 315 18th Avenue, Hiawatha, 52233.
Please share a memory of Sue at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.
Eldon Lyle Silvers Jr, 77 of Rapid City, S. D., formerly of Anamosa & Mount Vernon, passed away peacefully Monday, Dec. 23, 2024, surrounded by his loving family. Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025, Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Mount Vernon. Burial will follow at the Mount Vernon Cemetery.
The oldest of three boys, Eldon was born March 27, 1947, to Eldon Sr and LaCleda (Cook) Silvers. He grew up and attended school in Georgetown, Colorado area where he had many fond memories until the whole family relocated to Iowa in 1966.
Eldon followed in his dad’s footsteps and worked in the transportation industry, mostly trucking, his whole life. Alongside his former wife of 14 years, Diana Close, he became a parent in 1972 with the birth of his son Shane and in 1974 with the birth of his daughter Angela who were his pride and joy. Being in the trucking industry, he took pride in his ability to show his children the country when they would accompany him in his semi.
Thursday, January 2: 8am-4:30pm Friday, January 3: 8am-4:30pm Saturday, January 4: 10am-2pm Sunday, January 5: Closed Monday, January 6: 8am-8pm Tuesday, January 7: 8am-8pm Wednesday, January 8: 8am-4:30pm Thursday, January 9: 8am-4:30pm
In 1992, Eldon suffered the unexpected loss of his son Shane which changed him forever. He is now reunited with him in heaven.
Eldon was always very proud of his grandkids, and he loved them so much! He was also overjoyed with the births of his great-grandkids, Rosie, Owen, Emma, and Ellie. Eldon enjoyed going to movies, shopping, looking at cars, discussing politics, watching westerns and football. But most of all, he enjoyed spending time with his family and friends!
Eldon is survived by his daughter, Angie (Shane) Tonderum of Box Elder, S. D.; stepdaughters, Juanita (Ron) Bissell of Pflugerville, Texas, and Cleo Close of Cedar Rapids; four grandchildren, Skylar (Callie) Donaldson of Cedar Rapids, Shayna Tonderum of Watford City, N. D., Kaycee (Seth) Dahlke of Rapid City, S. D., and Dakotah (Katelyn) Tonderum of Rapid City, S. D.; four great-grandbabies, Rosie and Emma Dahlke of Rapid City, S. D., and Owen and Ellie Donaldson of Cedar Rapids; and a nephew, Josh Silvers of Rapid City, S. D.
He is preceded in death by his son, Shane Silvers, both parents, brothers, Bruce Silvers and Arnold Silvers, and sister-in-law, Helen Silvers.
To our beloved family, friends, and communities,
From the depths of our hearts, we thank you for the overwhelming support and kindness you have shown during this difficult time at the loss of our boys.
Your generosity and compassion mean more to us than words can express and will forever be remembered.
The family of Nick and Mitchell Thomson
Geraldine Alger
Eldon Silvers
Brenda Broulik
Verona O’Brine
Celia Van Metre
SPORTS
“They just stayed on top of us and we couldn’t breathe offensively, couldn’t breathe defensively,” Smith said. “So credit to them. Their experience showed through.”
Meester finished with 18 points and 12 rebounds for her fourth double-double of the season. Taylor Franck had 14 points and Wright finished with 13 points. Huber had nine points.
Mount Vernon (6-1) played at No. 11 West Delaware on Friday, Dec. 20, and took a special trip Saturday, Nov. 21, to Bolingbrook, Ill.
No. 1 Mount Vernon dominated Solon so thoroughly in the first half Tuesday, Dec. 17, it surprised even the players.
“It kind of shocked all of us when we came out, 20-0,” Mount Vernon senior Chloe Meester said. “We didn’t think we’d be that far apart from them.”
After all, Solon had a nine-game win streak in the Hwy. 1 rivalry until last season, when the Hwy. 1 rivals split a pair of games as highly-ranked teams that both eventually qualified for the state tournament.
But this was total domination.
“Even if someone wanted to script it to make it worse, I don’t think you could,” Solon coach Jamie Smith said. “They just beat us all over … everywhere. I can’t even explain it.
“It’s been a while since our program has been in that situation.”
Mount Vernon opened the game with a 20-0 run.
The domination continued until about the midpoint of the second quarter, when the Mustangs led 32-2.
Smith called four timeouts to try and reverse the momentum.
“You look at the scoreboard and you are up by 20 six minutes into the game, and it certainly hasn’t been that way the last three years,” Mount Vernon coach Nate Sanderson said. “We were fortunate to play well from the start tonight.”
Meester and Taylor Franck each had 10 points during that 32-2 start. Freshman guard Savanna Wright had two steals she turned into layups. Senior Sydney Huber added a 3-pointer and a 2-pointer in the run, and top reserve Eryn Jackson added a 3.
“It felt really good at the beginning, then you kind of knew it was yours the rest of the way,” Meester said.
Solon shot 14.3 percent (3 for 21) in the first half and had 12 turnovers.
The Mustangs handled the Hawks, 70-46, getting off to another hot start with a 22-3 surge to start and won the first quarter 26-7.
“The Hawks eventually found their footing,” Sanderson said. “But by then the game was out of reach.”
Meester had 22 points and eight rebounds and Huber had 21 points and eight rebounds. Wright added 12 points. Mount Vernon had 19 assists and just six turnovers.
Their game in Chicago was a bit tighter, but Mount Vernon (8-1) came out on top, 47-43.
Taylor Franck led the scoring with 16 points. Wright had 10 and Meester had 11 points and 11 rebounds.
The Raiders led early, 10-2, before the Mustangs switched to their 2-3 zone. “Which stymied Bolingbrook’s preferred dribble-drive attack,” Sanderson said.
Mount Vernon (8-1) will open the January schedule against No. 3 (2A) Regina (8-0) on Saturday, Jan. 4, in Mount Vernon.
MOUNT VERNON 62, SOLON 30 Solon (30) – Kobi Lietz 1-12 0-0 2, Delaney Durr 1-7 1-2 3, Laney Johnson 4-9 0-0 12, Laeni Hinkle 1-1 0-0 3, Beckett Kruse 1-10 1-2 3, Jerzey Haluska 1-4 1-2 3, Quinn Armentrout 0-4 0-0 0, Jillian Janssen 0-0 1-2 1, Kalynn Timmons 1-1 0-0 3, Sophia Link 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 9-47 4-8 30. Mount Vernon (62) – Savanna Wright 6-10 0-0 13, Taylor Franck 5-10 3-4 14, Chloe Meester 8-12 2-2 18, Courtney Franck 1-5 0-0 3, Sydney Huber 4-8 0-0 9, Eryn Jackson 1-5 0-0 3, Rylee Rasmussen 0-0 0-0 0, Quinn Pershing 0-0 0-0 0, Sophia Meester 0-0 0-0 0, Lucy Wischmeyer 0-0 0-0 0, Alivia Truitt 0-0 2-2 2. Totals 25-50 7-8 62. Solon 2 6 14 8 – 30 Mount Vernon 22 10 15 15 – 62 3-point goals – Solon 6-30 (Lietz 0-5, Durr 0-4, Johnson 4-9, Hinkle 1-1, Kruse 0-7, Haluska 0-2, Armentrout 0-1, Timmons 1-1), MV 5-11 (Wright 1-2, T.Franck 1-2, C.Franck 1-1, Huber 1-1, Jackson 1-5). Rebounds – Solon 30 (Kruse 11), MV 39 (Meester 12). Turnovers – Solon 16, MV 12. Fouls –Solon 14, MV 8.
Whether it is geared toward the Christmas season or not, Kellen Haverback and the Mount Vernon boys’ basketball team has a motto it tries to live by.
Share the sugar.
On Tuesday, Dec. 17, there was plenty of sweetness to go around as Mount Vernon beat Solon, 54-40, to stay undefeated at 5-0.
“Share the sugar,” Haverback said. “Everyone has to eat.”
Even if everyone gets a gingerbread cookie, some Mustangs get the whole gingerbread house. Haverback had 18 points and senior post Joe Briesemeister led the way with 24 points and 12 rebounds.
“We’ve got to get the ball to Joe,” Haverback said. “There’s not many guys with that type of frame.”
More important than sharing the sugar, was keeping the sweets away from the Spartans (3-2).
The Mount Vernon pressure defense frustrated Solon early and often.
Then Luke Rushford and Haverback hit back-toback 3-pointers to start the second quarter, and extend the Mustang lead to ten, 15-5.
“It is tough playing from behind, knowing you’ve got to make plays,” Solon senior Caleb Bock said. “We just didn’t make enough plays.”
The Spartans cut the lead down to five late in the second quarter, but a pair of buckets from Briesemeister – one off an entry pass from Seth Rushford and the other on an offensive putback -- pushed the lead to 25-16 at halftime.
Solon never got closer the rest of the game.
“Their pressure affected how we wanted to play offense,” Solon Coach Jared Galpin said. “It is a lesson that we’re learning as a young team, how to
develop some consistency.”
Mount Vernon closed the pre-holiday portion of the schedule with a trip to West Delaware on Friday, Dec. 20, and a longer trip to Northridge Prep in Niles, Ill.
The Mustangs beat the Hawks 61-57.
Mount Vernon took a 35-17 lead by halftime, then held on.
Haverback led the attack with 28 points –including 6 of 10 from deep -- to go with five assists and four steals. Briesemeister had 10 points.
The trip to Chicago for the inaugural Illinois vs. Iowa Border Battle resulted in a 56-26 win and a 7-0 record.
“I think it is really cool (to be undefeated),” Haverback said. “We’re going game by game, but it is hard not to look at the big picture, because everyone does it.
“Every night, if you are 1-0, you are going to win a lot of games. If we keep that mindset, we can keep winning.”
Chris Umscheid | Solon Economist Sydney Huber (23) puts up a two-point shot in varsity action against Solon Tuesday, Dec. 17. A senior, Huber produced nine points in a 62-30 win over the Lady Spartans.
Chris Umscheid | Solon Economist
Eddie Johnson (33) and Nolan Seagren (10) try to trap Luke Rushford (3) in the corner Tuesday, Dec. 17. The Mustangs improved to 5-0 with a 54-40 win over the Spartans.
Lions slash Knights 76-28
Ryan Suchomel
Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun
ryan.suchomel@mvlsun.com
With apologies to the North Cedar boys’ basketball team, for most of the first quarter, they looked like the Generals playing against the Globetrotters.
Lisbon roared out to a 31-4 lead after one quarter and beat the Knights 76-28 on Friday, Dec. 20, in the
Lion’s Den. “I didn’t think it would go that well,” Lisbon coach Levi Montague said. “But our guys can cause some turnovers early, and came out ready to play.”
Senior forward Daylin Schaefer had enough fastbreak dunks that his hand still hurt a little bit after the game.
“My thumb is a little sprained,” Schaefer said. “But it’s my senior year, so
LISBON 76, NORTH CEDAR 28
might as well live it.”
Schaefer had 10 points on a night where 11 of the 12 Lions that played, scored. Senior Grayson Wollum led the attack with 23 points on 10 of 12 shooting. Jackson Powers had 11 points and Henrik Whitney had nine points off the bench.
Lisbon (4-2) raced out to a 28-0 lead in the first seven minutes. Schaefer had four steals he turned into easy baskets (three he dunked with force).
“We just came out in our zone and jumped passes,” Schaefer said. “That’s the game plan. We know they are going to pass it before they do.”
“The long skip passes shouldn’t be getting by with our speed,” Montague said.
Up 31-4 after one quarter, the Lions started the second quarter on a 12-0 run. It was 62-21 at halftime, and the bench got some extended minutes in the final quarters.
“We want to continue to have our guys play hard, no matter the score,” Montague said. “We can’t take plays off; we can’t create bad habits.”
The Lions had early losses to Bellevue Marquette (67-52) and Regina (74-34). The Defenders were the 1A runners-up last year, and the Regals were a 2A state qualifier.
“We went against some pretty tough teams,” Schaefer said. “We’ll see one of them again. We’ll be alright.
“We’re all learning each other right now. There will be more moments like this, I hope.”
On Tuesday, Dec. 17, the Lions won at Easton Valley, 57-50. Trailing 25-22 at half, Lisbon won the third quarter 21-9.
Wollum had 22 points and senior Tyler Sauser added 19 points.
“We came out slow and struggled to get into a
North Cedar (28) – Dylan Wachendorf 1-4 0-0 2, Connor Dohmen 0-9 2-4 2, James Traughton 2-9 3-4, Kaden Koth 3-4 2-2 10, Noah Schroeder 3-10 0-2 7, Tyler Driver 0-0 0-0 0, Brayden Balichek 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 9-36 7-12 28. Lisbon (76) – Tyler Sauser 1-2 1-2 4, Jackson Powers 4-7 0-0 11, Grayson Wollum 10-12 0-0 23, Ian Whittenbaugh 1-3 0-2 2, Daylin Schaefer 5-9 0-0 10, Nathan Ahrendsen 0-1 0-0 0, Dakota Clark 1-5 0-0 2, Devin O’Brien 2-7 0-0 5, Henry Reiling 2-4 0-0 5, Chase McFarlane 1-2 1-2 3, Carew Kamaus 1-2 0-0 2, Henrik Whitney 4-6 0-0 9. Totals 32-60 2-6 76. North Cedar 4 5 12 7 – 28 Lisbon 31 13 18 14 – 76 3-poing goals – NC 3-15 (Wachendorf 0-2, Dohmen 0-5, Traughton 0-3, Koth 2-2, Schroeder 1-3), Lisbon 10-18 (Sauser 1-2, Powers 3-3, Wollum 3-4, Schaefer 0-1, O’Brien 1-5, Reiling 1-2, Whitney 1-1). Rebounds – NC 19 (Troughton 6), Lisbon 36 (Wollum 5, Whittenbaugh 5, Ahrendsen 5). Turnovers – NC 20, Lisbon 11. Total fouls – NC 6, Lisbon 11. Mount Vernon 39, Marion 31 120 – Cadence Pastor (M) won by forfeit. 125 – Josie Logan (M) maj. dec. Lexi Glaza 10-1. 130 – Liliana Grosse (MV) dec. Kenadee Batey 11-8. 135 – Lucy Hangartner (M) tech.
Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun ryan.suchomel@mvlsun.com
Mount Vernon girls’ wrestling split a pair of duals Tuesday, Dec. 17 in Manchester. The Mustangs beat Marion, 39-31, and lost to West Delaware 45-30.
Avery Arens | For the Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun Mount Vernon’s Carly Elliott grapples with a Clear Creek-Amana wrestler earlier in the season.
“We finally have filled our open weights and it felt good to get a dual win,” Mount
rhythm,” Montague said. Lisbon travels to Midland (0-7) on Friday, Jan. 3, to open the post-holiday schedule.
“I think we’re moving in
the right direction,” Montague said. “We’re starting to understand what guys can do, can’t do, and putting each other in better situations.”
Ryan Suchomel
Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun ryan.suchomel@mvlsun.com
Iowa boys’ wrestling is kind of two sports at once. Each program tries to build the best tournament team it can, and the best dual team, as well. State champions are crowned in both.
The Lisbon boys’ wrestling team, ranked No. 16 in duals in 1A, showed why it may be a force to the dual team competition Thursday, Dec. 19, beating three teams at a quadrangular in the Lion’s Den.
The Lions beat East Buchanan 70-9, Maquoketa Valley 66-18, and Regina 51-21.
“I think we’re pretty good,” 126-pounder Cade Happel said. “They are sleeping on us.” Lisbon (7-0) only has two ranked wrestlers –Wesley Sandler is No. 8 at 120 pounds, and Tiernan Boots is No. 3 at 157 – but
marches a lineup out for duals that doesn’t have many soft spots.
“We have a lot of good guys that aren’t ranked,” Lisbon coach Aaron Helmrich said. “I really like the lineup the way it is. I think we’re a sleeper right now. I like that we’re ranked pretty low. We’re going to surprise some people as a dual team.”
Helmrich mentioned that Happel would’ve made it to state in any other region last year, and that Jackson Knapp felt victim to a bad day.
“I’m real happy with our guys,” Helmrich said. Happel finished with two pins and a forfeit. Knapp had two wins and a forfeit, too. So did Gage Holub (165) and Caleb Brown (190).
Boots had a major decision against Carter Wilgenbusch of East Buchanan, who came in ranked No. 3 at 165, and a pin against Swayer Kemp
Vernon coach Trevor Trende said.
Addi Whisner (145), Gracie Pickney (170), Libby Dix (235) and Kiersten Swart (115) recorded pins in the win over the Wolves. Liliana Grosse won an 11-8 decision at 130 pounds, her first win.
“We competed well and we are looking forward to the second half of the season,” Trende said.
Lisbon 70, East Buchanan 9
132 – Carter Gadberry (L) won by forfeit. 138 – Jackson Knapp (L) pinned Brody McGrath 5:21. 144 – Luke Robinson (L) pinned Trenton Elledge 3:45. 150 – Tayton Elledge (EB) tech. fall Lucas Capron 17-0 3:22. 157 – Tiernan Boots (L) maj. dec. Carter Wilgenbusch 13-3. 165 – Gage Holub (L) won by forfeit. 175 – Jack Gericke (EB) maj. dec. Gavin Carmer 10-2. 190 – Caleb Brown (L) won by forfeit. 215 – Jacob Walerius (L) pinned Tucker Berns 1:46. 285 – Aiden Winders (L) won by forfeit. 106 – Jack Gogel (L) won by forfeit. 113 – Cael Stricker (L) won by forfeit. 120 – Wesley Sadler (L) won by forfeit. 126 – Cade Happel (L) pinned Kaden Kepke 1:03. Lisbon 66, Maquoketa Valley 18
126 – Cade Happel (L) won by forfeit. 132 – Carter Gadberry (L) won by forfeit. 138 – Jackson Knapp (L) won by forfeit. 144 – Kyle Engelken (MV) pinned Luke Robinson 3:43. 150 – Lucas Capron (L) pinned Brayden Schuster 3:55. 157 – Tiernan Boots (L) pinned Swayer Kemp 1:08. 165 –Gage Holub (L) pinned Dalton Africa :17. 175 – Clayton Davis (MV) pinned Gavin Carmer 3:57. 190 – Caleb Brown (L) pinned Braden Ronnebaum 1:18. 215 – Nathan Beitz (MV) pinned Jacob Walerius 2:49. 285 – Aiden Winders (L) won by forfeit. 106 – Jack Gogel (L) won by forfeit. 113 – Cael Stricker 9L) won by forfeit. 120 – Wesley Sadler (L) won by forfeit. Lisbon 51, Regina 21 138 – Jackson Knapp (L) maj. dec. Luke Hamilton 18-5. 144 – Kaleb Moeller
of Maquoketa Valley.
“Tiernan beat a returning state qualifier,” Helmrich said. “That was a good dominating win.”
The night was a bit of a whirlwind for Helmrich, who was helping the girls’ wrestling coaches through their first home dual and trying to organize seven teams on two mats.
“It was a lot of work,” Helmrich said. “For the girls coaches, until you’ve seen it set up and done, how are you supposed to know
how to do it?”
Lisbon closed the pre-holiday schedule by winning the title at the 15-team Regina Invitational on Saturday, Dec. 21.
(So, maybe they are a good tournament team, too.)
Cael Stricker (113) and Boots (157) won titles. Cade Happel (120), Carter Gadberry (132), Jackson Knapp (138) and Jacob Walerius (215) took second.
The post-break schedule opens with the Lion’s Den Duals on Saturday, Jan. 4,
pinned Lexi Glaza 2:19. 130 – Kylee Shoop (WD) pinned Liliana Grosse :42. 135 – Gabriella McDermott (WD) pinned Lyla Glaza 1:08. 140 – Hannah Crane (WD) pinned Hannah Jones 1:20. 145 – Addi Whisner 9MV) won by forfeit. 155 – Parker Robinson (WD) dec. Kaylee Kintzel 11-6. 170 – Gracie Pinckney (MV) pinned Gracie Heim 3:14. 190 – Libby Dix (MV) won by forfeit. 235 – Ella Goedken (WD) pinned Maci Stoner 2:30. 100 – Double forfeit. 105 – Addison Schulte (WD) pinned Carly Elliott :33. 110 – Kate Martin (MV) won by forfeit. 115 – Kiersten Swart (MV) pinned Addesyn Welcher 2:53. 120 – Alivia White (WD) won by forfeit.
(R) pinned Luke Robinson 5:34. 150 – Lucas Captron (L) pinned William Shey 2:59. 157 – Tiernan Boots (L) won by forfeit. 165 – Gage Holub (L) pinned James Whisler 3:30. 175 – Leren Fernandez (R) dec. Gavin Carmer 8-1. 190 – Caleb Brown (L) dec. Dawson Boileau 12-11. 215 – Porter Shetler (R) pinned Jacob Walerius 2:16. 285 – Simon Shetler (R) pinned Aiden Winders :44. 106 – Jack Gogel (L) pinned Huck Zahasky 1:09. 113 – Cael Stricker (L) won by forfet. 120 – Wesley Sadler (L) maj. dec. AJ White 10-0. 126 – Cade Happel (L) pinned Carter Slager 3:06. 132 – Carter Gadberry (L) maj. dec. Brendan Baker 12-2.
REGINA INVITATIONAL Team scores – 1. Lisbon 222.5; 2. Woodbury Central 188.5; 3. West Branch 162.5; 4. Mount Pleasant 134; 5. Regina 131; 6. Independence JV 112.5; 7. Sigourney-Keota 112; 8. MFL MarMac 107.5; 9. Tipton 107; 10. WACO 84.5; 11. Wapello 66; 12. Davenport West 56.5; 13. HLV 45.5; 14. North Cedar 16; 15. Lone Tree 11. LISBON
106 – Jack Gogel, 3-1, third. 113 – Cael Stricker, 3-0, first. 120 – Cade Happel, 2-1,
then a triangular in Midland on Thursday, Jan. 9, that includes No. 1 Alburnett.
“That’ll be tough,” Helmrich said.
“We have a lot of youth on this team, but we’re just getting better every day,” Happel said. “The seniors are pushing everyone hard.”
Jennifer Tischer | Contributed photo
Lisbon’s Cade Happel grapples an opponent at Iowa City Regina Dec. 21.
Jennifer Tischer | Contributed photo Lisbon’s Dakota Clark (No. 3) dribbles the ball down the court against North Cedar.
CORNY JOKES. . .
What’s a spider’s New Year’s resolution?
What do you tell someone you didn’t see on New Year’s Eve?
What does every new year have in store for us?
Why is partying in Times Square overrated?
What New Year’s resolution should a basketball player never make?
Answers along bottom of page.
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CALENDAR & PUZZLES
CHURCHES
MOUNT VERNON
St. Paul Lutheran Church L.C.M.S.
600 Fifth Avenue South
Pastor: Rev. Sean Hansen www.splcmv.org; send e-mail to info@splcmv.org
Sun.: 9:30 a.m. In-person worship
Please refer to our website or contact the church directly for additional worship information.
First Presbyterian Church
301 1st St. N.W. www.firstpresmv.com
319-895-6060
Pastor: Rev. Lori Wunder
Sun.: 9:30 a.m. in-person worship.
Online services stream beginning at 9:20 a.m. on Facebook
St. John the Baptist Catholic Church
Rev. Andrew Awotwe-Mensah, parish priest Sun.: 8 a.m. Mass
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Justus Hallam, Bishop
Meeting at: 4300 Trailridge Rd. SE, Cedar Rapids
Sun.: 11:30 a.m. in person services. Also an option for digital worship services.
United Methodist Church
Pastor Vicki Fisher
www.umcmv.com
Sun.: 8:30 a.m. Praise Worship
11 a.m. Traditional worship
Both worships available online at UMCMV.com
An LGBTQ affirming congregation
Community Bible Church
940 W. Mount Vernon Rd.
www.mvcbc.org, 895-6269
Teaching Pastor Brandon Glaza
Discipleship Pastor Dennis Fulkerson
Youth Pastor Stephen Thomas
Sun.: 9:30 a.m. In-Person Worship Service
Wed. - 6 p.m. Encounter and Youth Group
Linn Grove Presbyterian
2000 Linn Grove Rd., Mt. Vernon
Pastor Carla Burge
Sun: 9 a.m. in-person worship, masks requested Also, weekly readings, prayers and sermons are posted on the church’s Facebook page.
Baha’i Faith
Nina Scott, Group Secretary, 319-270-9230
CrossLife Community Church
Pastor Erik Bennett
Sun.: 10:30 a.m. – In-person worship service. Services also livestream on Facebook page.
LISBON
Living Hope Global Methodist Church
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
Thursday, Jan. 2
Story Time, Cornell College Cole Library Browsing Room, 9:30 a.m.
Fiber Friends, Southeast Linn Community Center, 10:30 a.m.
Friday, Jan. 3
Bingo, Southeast Linn Community Center, 10-11:30 a.m.
Linn Lunch Bunch, Southeast Linn Community Center, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Monday, Jan. 6
No School Mount Vernon – Teacher professional development day
Mount Vernon City Council, Mount Vernon City Hall, 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Jan. 7
Lego Club, Cornell college Room 108, 3:30 p.m.
Yarn squad, Cornell College Cole Library Room 326, 6:30 p.m.
200 E. Market St., 455-2000 livinghopegmc.org
Interim Pastors
Services live streamed at Living Hope Global Methodist Church’s YouTube page Sundays at 8:45 a.m. Sun.: 8:45 a.m. — In-person worship.
Seeds of Faith Lutheran Church, ELCA 798 Brenneman Lane, 455-2599
(Off Hwy. 30 on eastern edge of Lisbon) www.seedsoffaithlutheran.org/
Pastor Erika Uthe
9 a.m. — In-person worship. Services also livestream via Seeds’ Facebook Page.
BERTRAM
United Methodist Church
319-365-8077
Rev. Darwin Moore, Pastor Sun.: 10 a.m. — In-person worship service
MARTELLE
Christian Church Sun.: 10:30 a.m. — in person worship service Services also stream online at Martelle Christian Church’s YouTube page.
United Methodist Church Sun.: 10:30 a.m. Worship service. No Sunday school.
SPRINGVILLE
United Methodist Church Sun.: 9 a.m. Worship service. Wed.: 6:30 p.m. Praise service
Faith Christian Fellowship
Pastor Joseph Bielema Sun.: 9:30 a.m. worship at Springville Memorial Library, in the Buresh Room
(264 Broadway Street)
St. Isidore Catholic Church Sat.: 6 p.m. Mass
MECHANICSVILLE
Living Hope Bible Church
Mechanicsville Memorial Building
First Presbyterian Church
408 E. First Street.
Christian Community Church of Mechanicsville
307 East First Street 563-432-7716
Sun: Sunday School 10-11am and in-person Worship Services at 11:15am with Fellowship to follow.
St. Mary’s Catholic Church
Pastor: Father James Flattery
Wed.: 8:30 a.m. — mass Sun.: 8 a.m. Mass
Mount Vernon Fine Arts Association Meeting, Mount Vernon High School Library, 7 p.m.
Mount Vernon Middle School Parent Teacher Organization, Mount Vernon Middle School Commons, 8 p.m.
Wednesday, Jan. 8
Cards, Southeast Linn Community Center, 10-11:30 a.m.
Linn Lunch Bunch, Southeast Linn Community Center, 11:30 a.m.
Learn to play bridge, Cornell College Cole Library room 108, 1 p.m.
Mount Vernon Booster Club, Mount Vernon High School PAC Lobby, 5:30 p.m.
Thursday, Jan. 9
Story Time, Cornell College Cole Library Browsing Room, 9:30 a.m.
Fiber Friends, Southeast Linn Community Center, 10:30 a.m.
1 Run down
“Then again,” in texts
“Abbott Elementary” principal 13 Nutrient-rich soil component
Negative 15 Editorial notation for an error
Opt
Considerable 19 Common order at a hoagie shop 21 Beyond the pale 22 British designer Crawford awarded a C.B.E. in 2021 23 Embellish
25 Clip
27 It might be mashed (in more ways than one!)
29 Grandiose
33 Legal org.
34 8 or 9, in a golf bag
35 Haunted ___ (Halloween activity)
36 Doesn’t have enough
38 Grammy, in Germany
39 Bumpkin
40 Slam on the brakes
41 Capitalized on an opportunity
43 Actor Daniel ___ Kim
44 Canadian fuel brand
45 Hackneyed
46 Figs. counted in some diets
47 Praiseful poet
49 Supermarket section
51 Old Glory
54 Ruse designed to disguise
57 Amounts to nothing, as a plan
60 “Key ___ “ (Bogart movie)
61 R&B icon Rawls
62 Ask for someone else’s cig
63 Natural dos
64 Since January 1: Abbr.
65 French, in England
66 Saw points
1 Jazz great Baker 2 Streaming giant
Some coffee orders
Feed like a baby
___ Park, Colo. 6 Abbr. in a birth announcement 7 Vietnamese New Year 8 Delivery person? 9 Uprightness 10 “You wish!” 11 “___ Las Vegas”
12 Big name in laptops
14 Digital newsletter platform
18 Color printer supplies
20 Mythological creature with origins in Sherpa folklore
23 Hanna-Barbera character who costarred with Secret Squirrel
24 Response to “Gracias”
25 Examine in great detail, as a text
26 Is adjacent to
28 Bakery byproducts
30 Home away from home 31 Best possible 32 Yields
34 Pancake order
35 Place to find a needle, maybe 37 Winds
42 Trees along the National Mall
45 ’90s rapper with the hit “Still Not a Player”
46 Pitcher for the reds?
48 Applies carelessly, as paint
50 Flamboyant display
51 Like many Christmas sweaters
52 Flue residue
53 Longstanding rivalry
54 Factory chimney
55 Showbiz awards acronym
56 Nibble
58 Qualifying abbreviation
59 Bug
SUDOKU
To play: Complete the grid so that every row, column and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 to 9. There is no guessing or math involved, just use logic to solve.
tion carries. Discussion and Consideration of Invoice #51359 – 3 – 4th Street NW Reconstruction – Council Action as Needed. This invoice in the amount of $6,598.71 is for engineering and technician oversight. Motion made by Rose, seconded by Engel to approve Invoice #51359-3 from Veenstra and Kimm-4th Street NW Reconstruction.
Motion carries.
Discussion and Consideration of Invoice #51364 – 4 – 2024 Sanitary Sewer
Rehabilitation – Council Action as Needed. This invoice in the amount of $7,089.14 is for engineering and technician oversight. Motion made by Tuerler, seconded by Andresen to approve Invoice #51364-4 from Veenstra and Kimm-2024 Sanitary Sewer
Rehabilitation. Motion carries.
Discussion and Consideration of Setting a Public Hearing Date on an Amendment to Chapter 115 Cemetery – Council Action as Needed. Chapter 115.10, Placement of Monuments, contains foundation dimension requirements that are designed to accommodate lot sizes found within the “old” cemetery and not the new cemetery. Motion made by Engel, seconded by West to set a public hearing for January 6, 2025. Motion carries.
Discussion and Consideration of Pay Application #2 – 2024 Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation Project – Council Action as Needed. Pay Application #2 is in the amount of $204,364.32. This project is part of the Linn County ARPA grant for sanitary sewer televising, cleaning and lining project. Motion made by Rose, seconded by Andresen to approve Pay Application #2-2024 Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation Project. Motion carries.
Discussion and Consideration of Painting the new Fire Department 2024 Chevy Silverado 2500 Truck - Council Action as Needed. This was discussed as part of the purchase of the vehicle but it did not come fully detailed at the time of purchase. Payment for this would come out of the Fire Department equipment levy. Motion made by Tuerler, seconded by Engel to approve the quote from Big Rigger Builders for the paint on the 2024 Chevy Silverado Truck in the amount of $8,304.20. Motion carries. Reports to be Received/Filed. Full reports can be found on the City website in the December 16, 2024 Council packet.
Mt. Vernon/Lisbon Police Report
Mt. Vernon Public Works Report
Mt. Vernon Parks and Rec Report Cole Library Report
Discussion Items (No Action) Water Meter Read Transition. Staff provided Council with an update on the water meter reading and billing transition process. There are a little over 90 meters that have not been replaced and will be completed by City staff. The main difference residents will see on their water bills is the readings will be in gallons instead of cubic feet.
Reports of Mayor/Council/Administrator Mayor’s Report. Wieseler reported that the Mount Vernon Motel is in the process of being taken down. He would also like reviews of the City Administrator from Council by the end of January. Council Reports. Council member Andresen thanked Council members and City staff for helping him in his first year on Council. City Administrator’s Report. Full report available on the City website under the December 16, 2024 Council Packet. As there was no further business to attend to, the meeting adjourned, the time being 7:09 p.m., December 16, 2024.
Respectfully submitted, Marsha Dewell City Clerk Published in the Sun January 2, 2025.
CLASSIFIEDS
Help Wanted-Government
POLICE OFFICER: Indianola Police Department will begin taking applications for the positions of Police/Patrol Officer starting 1/6/2025. Obtain applications by visiting https:// indianolaiowa.applicantpro. com/jobs , choose Police Officer. Deadline 2/7/2025 EOE
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MV grapplers top of field at Dike-New Hartford duals
Ryan Suchomel
Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun
ryan.suchomel@mvlsun.com
The sixth-ranked Mount Vernon boys’ wrestling team lost a close one last week to No. 1 West Delaware, 37-29, on Tuesday, Dec. 19, in Manchester.
“There were a couple close matches that we could’ve won, and the dual score would’ve been switched around,” Mount Vernon coach Vance Light said. “That’s the way it goes.”
Light pointed out that West
Delaware lost a dual to No. 14 Clarion-Goldfield-Dows a few days later.
“I think in 2A for duals, there are six or seven teams that are pretty equal,” Light said. “Come dual time, it’ll be whoever is healthy and wrestling their best.”
Mount Vernon also wrestled Marion in Manchester, and defeated them, 58-19.
The Mustangs closed out the pre-holiday slate with a trip to the Dike-New Hartford Duals on Saturday, Dec. 21. Mount Vernon (5-2) tore through the field, beating DNH
Mount Vernon 58, Marion 19
106 – Cooper Krob (MV) pinned Dallas Bayler 1:05. 113 – Ari Groothuis (M) maj. dec. Matthew Goodlove 12-1. 120 – Jake Haugse (MV) pinned AJ Dietz 1:50. 126 – Drew Thurn (MV) won by forfeit. 132 – Lucas Stearns (M) pinned CJ Martin 1:33. 138 – Kavin Marble (M) dec. Chasen Caskey 10-5. 144 – Jase Jaspers (MV) pinned Landon DeSotel :53. 150 – Mikey Ryan (MV) pinned JT Malcom 1:01. 157 – Will Goodlove (MV) pinned Ty Mull 3:41. 165 – Cooper Hird (MV) won by forfeit. 175 – Jaxon Anderson (MV) maj. dec. Brandon Hatfield 15-3. 190 – Cael Schultz (M) pinned Watson Krob 3:38. 215 – Caysen Curran (MV) pinned Jacob Ahmann :41. 285 – Ethan Wood (MV) won by forfeit.
71-11, Van Buren 72-6, and Marshalltown 71-3.
Mount Vernon won 38 of 42 individual matches, and racked up bonus-point wins in 35 of those wins. Cooper Hird (165), Caysen Curran (215), Jake Haugse (120), CJ Martin (132), Jase Jaspers (144) and Will Goodlove (157) all went 3-0 without a forfeit for the Mustangs.
“We wrestled well, but the competition wasn’t quite as good as our first couple weeks,” Light said. “Now we can get everyone rested up and get our lineup set after Christmas.”
West Delaware 37, Mount Vernon 29 113 – Cooper Krob (MV) pinned Jarret Lynch 3:47. 120 – Jake Haugse (MV) pinned Collen Roling :41. 126 – Jarrett Engel (WD) dec. Drew Thurn 7-1. 132 – Kooper Waugh (WD) tech. fall CJ Martin 19-2 4:05. 138 – Rylan Gaul (WD) pinned Chasen Caskey 2:47. 144 – Jase Jaspers (MV) tech. fall Jax Miller 19-3 4:45. 150 – Mikey Ryan (MV) maj. dec. Lane Gudenkauf 19-6. 157 – Liam Weber (WD) pinned Will Goodlove 2:57. 165 – Cooper Hird (MV) dec. Ryan Hilby 10-3. 175 – Blake Mather (WD) dec. Jaxon Anderson 13-7. 190 – Brent Yonkovic (WD) pinned Watson Krob 1:48. 215 – Jeryn Funke (WD) dec. Caysen Curran 4-1. 285 – Ethan Wood (MV) tech. fall Owen Pettion 21-5 5:21. 106 – Lucas Peters (WD) tech. fall Matthew Goodlove 21-5 2:57. Mount Vernon 71, Dike-New Hartford 11 165 – Cooper Hird (MV) pinned Logan Hayes 2:42. 175 – Jaxon Anderson (MV) pinned Bryce Bass 2:57. 190 – Watson Krob (MV) pinned Gavin Hines :39. 215 – Caysen Curran (MV) pinned Lew Textor 5:32. 285 – Ethan Wood (MV) pinned Tate DeBuhr 5:06. 106 – Cooper Krob (MV) pinned Sully O’Neil 1:14. 113 – Conner Weedman (DNH) pinned Matthew Goodlove 1:24. 120 –Jake Haugse (MV) pinned Colt Roger 1:17. 126 – Drew Thurn (MV) pinned James Wingert :29. 132 – CJ Martin (MV) pinned Karson VanHeiden 2:51. 138 – Kaizin Eberhart (DNH) tech. fall Chasen Caskey 17-1 4:00. 144 – Jase Jaspers (MV) tech. fall Dax Weedman
Lisbon girls’ wrestlers win home duals
Ryan Suchomel
Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun
ryan.suchomel@mvlsun.com
Lisbon has a long and storied wrestling tradition.
On Thursday, Dec. 19, it added a new chapter, as the girls’ wrestling team hosted its first home duals, beating Lone Tree 64-12 and West Branch 60-12.
“It was exciting, and they brought it,” co-coach Seth Hall said. “That was probably the best I’ve seen them wrestle all year.”
While the final scores were padded by forfeits, the Lions went 6-1 in contested matches in the Lions’ Den.
The West Branch dual included a few revenge matches from losses earlier in the season.
Emma Dietsch (145) pinned Gisele Gross in 37 seconds. Kaylee Jordan (155) pinned Hanna Lacina in 3:24. And it looked like Jordan might get pinned again in the
Help Wanted
first period. She escaped from several tough positions. In the second period, Jordan took control.
“We were both getting tired,” Jordan said. “I tried to not seem tired, and seem more energetic.”
Alina Mallie (140) and Dietsch were the top Lions that night, both winning two matches for Lisbon (3-1).
“Our progress is huge,” Hall said. “The biggest challenge now is getting confidence. Tonight is a big turning point.”
Lisbon wrestled at the Bubba Randles Winter Classic on Saturday, Dec. 21, at Cedar Rapids Prairie. The Lions placed 18th in a large field. Only six wrestlers competed, with Dietsch placing fourth and Jordan sixth.
LISBON
Lisbon girls’ outshine North Cedar 47-16
Ryan Suchomel
GIRLS’ BASKETBALL LISBON 47, NORTH CEDAR 16 North Cedar (16) – Reese Sandberg 0-6 0-2 0, Caylee Curley 1-2 0-0 2, Aubrey Webb 0-4 0-0 0, Lily Dohmen 1-2 0-0 2, Haley Hefflefinger 2-3 0-2 4, Emily Pruess 0-0 0-2 0, Addyson Lehrman 1-9 3-4 6, Kaylea Troughton 1-1 0-0 2, Bella Dohmen 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 7-28 3-10 16. Lisbon (47) – Emersyn Reiter 0-2 0-0 0, Ava Ahrendsen 3-5 1-2 7, Maleeah Adams 1-3 0-0 2,
Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun ryan.suchomel@mvlsun.com
Lisbon is trying to build its girls’ basketball program. First-year coach Jack Leighty knows the foundation should be built with defense.
“We’re not always going to shoot it well,” Leighty said. “But we can always have effort. And we can always defend.”
That worked out well for the Lions on Friday, Dec. 20, as they beat North Cedar 47-16 in the Lion’s Den.
“I think we’re a lot better than we were last year, defensive-wise,” sophomore Morgan Sauser said. “And just a lot better in general. I think we can compete with a lot of teams.”
Sauser played extensively as a freshman but also had knee surgery after the season. Leighty said she’s just now getting up to speed.
“She’s starting to trust herself, and not just spotting up and shooting jumpers,” Leighty said. “Any time you have surgery it takes time. You have to build up that trust back in yourself. We were starting to see that tonight.”
Sauser led a balanced offensive attack with 12 points. That included a logo 3-pointer to end the first half. Lisbon led at intermission, 39-14.
“I do,” have permission, Sauser said of her Caitlin Clark 3-point range. She was 1-of-5 from deep, overall.
“We’ve got to keep those under wraps,” Leighty said of the long-range 3s. “But she does have the ability to make them.
“I don’t know we need to shoot a ton of them … but every once in a while.”
Big offense wasn’t needed Friday. The Lions held the Knights to two points in the first and last quarters. North Cedar (1-7) shot just 25 percent overall (7 of 28) and had 32 turnovers.
Kamryn Kahl and Emma Pleasant each added nine points for Lisbon (3-5). Kahl hit a pair of 3-pointers to open the game and put the Knights in an early hole.
Leighty said he thought the Lions were missing the same intensity they had Thursday, Dec. 19, when they lost 40-34 at Alburnett.
Kahl led the offense with 12 points.
On Tuesday, Dec. 17, Lisbon lost at Easton Valley, 37-33. Kahl had 19 points.
“We’re trying to figure things out,” said Leighty, who was hired shortly before school started. “We can’t take anybody for granted. We’re looking to
get better every time out.
“We’ve shown so much growth from Nov. 11, we are so much further ahead. I kind of got a late start at this, and have joked, we’re building the plane as we’re flying a little bit. So, we can use Christmas break to kind of regroup.”
2-13 3-8 9, Quinn Roos
0-0 0-00
4-13 3-6
4-5
0-0 2, Schaefer Krie 0-1 0-0 0, Payton Curtis 0-0 0-0 0, Riley Clark 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 18-51 8-20 47. North Cedar 2 5 7 2 – 16 Lisbon 11 13 15 8 – 47 3-point goals – NC 1-7 (Webb 0-3, Lehrman 1-4), Lisbon 3-13 (Reiter 0-1, Adams 0-2, Sauser 1-5, Kahl 2-5). Rebounds – NC 30 (Dohmen 6), Lisbon 35 (Ahrendsen 7, Sauser 7, Pleasant 7). Turnovers – NC 33, Lisbon 14. Total fouls – NC 18, Lisbon 12. Fouled
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Mount Vernon Parks & Recreation Boys & Girls Ages 4, 5 & 6
Registration Deadline is Friday, January 10 at 5pm Beginner wrestling with instruction on the basics. Focused NOT on competition. Designed to be safe and fun. Practices will begin on Thursday, Jan. 23 and run through Thursday, Feb. 20. Practice time will be 5pm-7pm at the Mount Vernon Middle School wrestling room. Cost is $22 for the residents/$27 for non-residents. 6 yr. olds leaving this program can participate in the MV Wrestling Club’s youth program that will start November 2025. Register at mtvernon.recdesk.com/Community/Home (create account and then register) or at LBC 855 Palisades Road SW
