Mount Vernon-Lisbon
MV approves water main expansion to Bryant Road
Nathan Countryman
Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun
nathan.countryman@mvlsun.com
The City of Mount Vernon has approved an expansion of a water main near Bryant Road for $80,413.25. The contract was with Dave Schmitt Construction, and came in at $55,000 less than the engineer’s estimate.
City administrator Chris Nosbisch said the sale of the old public works facility will help cover the extension of the costs of the water main expansion.
The water main currently stops at Bryant Park, and replacing and extending a water main helps with developing the community moving forward.
Council member Scott Rose asked if the project coming in $55,000 under engineer’s estimate was a good bid or if there could be change orders.
Nosbisch said that he wasn’t surprised to see bids under the engineer’s estimate, as there’s a lot of contractors who are looking for work at this point.
Public works director Eldon Downs said that the main will be an eight-inch main.
The project is slated to be completed still this construction season.
Salt brine building approved for $45,000 maximum
2024 Homecoming
Nathan Countryman
Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun
nathan.countryman@mvlsun.com
The Homecoming parade, coronation and powderpuff football will be held at 6 p.m. tonight (Thursday, Sept. 26). Today’s dress-up theme is “Rhyme without a Reason.”
This year’s parade route is different than years in the past. The parade will line up at Washington Elementary School and then briefly turn on Palisades Road before heading north on Third Avenue. The parade will then head west on Fourth Street Southwest (College Boulevard) and proceed to 15th Avenue Southwest. The route will then proceed south towards Palisades Road. The parade will head
Mount Vernon Alumni Hall of Fame induction Friday
The Mount Vernon Community School District Alumni Association is pleased to announce the following alums have been selected as 2024 Alumni Hall of Fame recipients:
ACHIEVEMENT — Bill Yeisley, Class of 1952
FINE ARTS — Jude Smith, Class of 1981
SERVICE — James Moore, Class of 1953
COMMUNITY IMPACT — Tom Wilkinson, Class of 1986
ATHLETIC — Wayne Hormann, Class of 1985
The Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will take place on Homecoming weekend, Friday, Sept. 27. Please attend
east towards the school and conclude at the entrance to the Mount Vernon Schools, and events will move to the Martha Parsons Family Activity Complex.
Friday’s dress-up theme is Spirit Day. Friday, Sept. 27, will host the Alumni Hall of Fame inductees at 9 a.m. in the Mount Vernon Performing Arts Center.
The Mustangs will face off against Mount Pleasant Friday evening, with fresh/soph starting at 5 pm. and varsity beginning at 7:15 p.m.
The Marching Mustangs will participate in the Linn-Mar Marching Band Competition Saturday, Sept. 28. The Mount Vernon volleyball team also hosts the fall classic from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the high school. The Mount Vernon homecoming dance is 9 p.m. Saturday evening at the Mount Vernon High School.
at the Mount Vernon Performing Arts Center at 9 a.m. for the induction ceremony, followed by a public reception in the lobby.
Bill Yeisley – Achievement Hall of Fame
At the top of the Cedar Rapids Athletic Officials Association overview packet in bold letters says: “The game is for the kids - not the coach or the officials.” Our 2024 Achievement Hall of Fame Recipient Bill Yeisley spent his life training educators, referees, students and players to play a fair game “for the kids.” Yeisley was nominated by his sisters Rachel Yeisley Miller and Gale Yeisley Rhodes.
Yeisley’s life has been marked by dedication to both education and athletics. Born and raised in Mount Vernon, Yeisley was not only a standout student but also an active participant in numerous extracurricular activities. He played football for two years, basketball for
The Mount Vernon City Council also approved a maximum of $45,000 for the finalized construction of
Nathan Countryman | Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun
Representing the 2024 Homecoming Court for Mount Vernon are (back, from left) Seamus O’Connor, Joe Briesemeister, Ethan Wood, Emmett Jordan and Grady Olberding (front, from left) Betsy Louwagie, Paige Schurbon, Chloe Meester, Natalie Thuerauf and Clare Nydegger.
Yeisley
the new brine storage shed at the Bryant public works site.
The council had approved previously the construction of the hoop structure for storage of sand and salt. The sale of the old public works facility will cover the costs of the brine building at Bryant site.
Public works staff have done a lot of the concrete work for the facility, which is saving a great deal of work on the project.
Council member Craig Engel approved the cost to finalize the construction of the brine building.
Council member Scott Rose asked how soon the sale of the old site near the pool will be completed.
City administrator Chris Nosbisch said that will happen after plats have been determined and the project is advertised to the community. Nosbisch hopes the plats will be ready by next council meeting, and then a legal description
three, and excelled in track for four years. Beyond sports, Yeisley’s interests extended to the arts and leadership. He served on the student council, was a member of the school newspaper staff, and participated in the Velvet Curtain Drama Club. He was involved in both mixed chorus and boys’ chorus, along with playing in the band and drum ensemble. He lettered in football and track, performed in leading roles in school plays, and earned a State Superior Performance Rating for his senior-year operetta.
After graduating, Yeisley attended Cornell College, earning his bachelor of arts in 1957. He continued his education at the University of Iowa, where he received his master of arts in 1964. After college, Yeisley began his successful career as a classroom teacher and coach, serving in that role for 11 years before transitioning into school administration. For 27 years, he was an elementary school principal in Marion, until his retirement in 1995. He married Harriet Yeisley in 1952. The couple have two daughters, two sons in law, and four grandchildren.
Most people know Yeisley through his work officiating sports. For 34 years, he was a registered official with the Iowa High School Athletic Association (IHSAA), officiating in football, basketball, and baseball. His expertise and dedication led him to officiate at the Iowa High School Football playoffs for 23 years, including five state championship games. In 1992, Yeisley was selected to officiate the Iowa Shrine Senior Bowl Game. He was inducted into the Iowa High School Officials Hall of Fame in 2001.
Yeisley has also been an active member of the Cedar Rapids Area Officials Association, where he served in various leadership roles. He has been the training coordinator for new football officials and acted as the coordinator for football rules study presentations. Yeisley’s years of experience as an educator helped him train new officials. Under Yeisley’s training, referees started in middle school games before working their way to varsity games. He coached officials through the process and helped them understand the entirety of their roles. In 2015 a Cedar Rapids Gazette article Bill said, “‘A lot of people don’t realize how good of shape referees need to be in,” Yeisley said. ‘They are running up and down the field as much as the athletes.”
Among his many accolades, Yeisley has been honored with the prestigious Distinguished National Contributor Award by the National Federation of High School Officials in 2003 and was named the Iowa Football Official of the Year in 2005 by the National Officials Association. He published a paper on mentoring in the National Federation of High School Officials Quarterly Magazine, for which he received a merit award in 2000.
Wayne Hormann –Athletics Hall of Fame
In 1984, Jeff Dahn, sport reporter of the Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun said, “Wayne Hormann was a powerful force for the Mustangs all season.” Our 2024 Athletics Hall of Fame Recipient Wayne Hormann has been a powerful force in Mount Vernon his entire life. Hormann was nominated by his wife
and public hearing will be held.
LBC generator out for bid again
A generator for the Lester Buresh Family Community Wellness Center is out for bid for a second time.
City administrator Chris Nosbisch said a few minor changes have been made to the project, which could attract additional bidders. Previous bids had come in extremely higher than the engineer’s estimate. The city has a $100,000 grant for the generator, and the rest of the costs will come from LOSST monies.
Submitted photos
Front - City of Mount Vernon crews work on preparing the concrete pad for the brine storage shed at the Bryant Road site earlier this month.
Jodi Hormann, Dave Ryan (Class of 1985) and Jeremy Hotz (Class of 1999).
Wayne Hormann’s football career is one of dedication, versatility, and excellence, both on and off the field. “Hormann was old school tough....probably would have enjoyed playing football without a helmet,” said David Ryan, nominator. “He was one of the best offensive blockers and defensive tacklers of his era. I recall he was equally tough on his teammates setting the tempo in the huddle with raw intensity and piercing stares that made everyone around him a better football player.”
In 1983, Hormann was a unanimous first-team, two-way Eastern Iowa Hawkeye Conference selection, excelling as both an offensive guard and a defensive lineman. His relentless play earned him a spot on the Quad City Times Eastern Iowa All-Star First Team as offensive guard and a place on the Des Moines Register’s Class 2A Second Team All-State. Hormann led the team with impressive 64 tackles in just nine games and was instrumental in guiding Mount Vernon to an 8-1 record.
The following year, Hormann continued to excel on the football field. This time, his talents earned him a spot on the Iowa Newspapers Association Second Team All-State (across all classes) for his defensive play and Des Moines Register’s Class 2A First Team All-State honors on the defensive line. Leading the team again with 96 tackles in 11 games, he helped Mount Vernon to a 10-1 record.
In addition to football, Hormann was a standout in track and field, qualifying for state in both the shot put and discus. His throws of 51 feet 7 inches in shot put and 150 feet 8 inches in discus placed him among the top five in school history for at least 15 years. In 1985, Hormann participated in the Iowa Shrine Bowl, showcasing his talents alongside other top players from across the state.
After high school, Hormann signed a national letter of intent to play football at the University of Northern Iowa. However, after a knee injury, he transferred to Coe College, where he continued to play football for three years. His college career included strong performances on the defensive line, recording 44 tackles in 1987 and 37 tackles in 1988.
Even after his playing days ended, Hormann continued to contribute to the Mount Vernon football program. In 2007, he was selected as the second honorary player for the Mount Vernon High School football team. During his time, he also took on the role of weight room coach and assisted in coaching the seventh and eighthgrade football and shot put teams. He volunteered hours each summer helping with the speed and agility programs. “If you have a son that’s played on a team Wayne coached, you’d probably say passion equals loud. Wayne routinely explains to his players that he yells,” Jodi, Wayne’s wife, said. “He wants them to enjoy the game and be excited to play it. Your time on the field is short, you need to make the most of it.”
“Hormann has coached for the Mount Vernon Mustangs simply for the love of the game and program,” said nominator Jeremy Hotz. “During his time coaching, he has never once accepted or expected to be paid for any of his service, it has been entirely volunteer.”
Hormann’s commitment to Mount Vernon athletics went beyond coaching. In 2014, he volunteered over 500 hours to help with the construction of the new bleachers at the First Street Field—a testament to his love for the sport and
his community.
“Wayne is proud of his career at Mount Vernon, but if you asked him he would tell you that it was about being a team,” Jodi said. “It wasn’t his statistic, it was the team statistic that is important to him. It was about getting up early and putting in the hours in the weight room, practicing with the team and doing the work. He tells our boys Hunter and Garrett often, it’s not the skills you have – it’s how hard you work to improve the skills you have. It’s about heart.”
James Moore – Service Hall of Fame
James Moore’s family has a history of service as old as the United States. When he enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1954, the late James continued a 235-year tradition of military service. It is that service that defined the life of Reverend, Doctor, Representative, and Colonel James Moore (class of 1953). Our 2024 Service Hall of Fame Recipient James Moore was nominated by his sisters Kathy Bearce (class of 1958) and the late Treva Heiser (class of 1950). He will be represented at the ceremony by his son, Lieutenant Colonel Robert Moore.
Moore spent his youth in Solon and Mount Vernon and graduated from high school in May 1953. Growing up on a farm taught Moore how to work hard, but he set his sights in a different direction the minute he hit the clouds. At just 16, he began flying lessons.
After a brief stint at the University of Iowa, Moore enlisted for four years in the US Air Force on February 15, 1955. The Air Force greatly added to his lifelong character - he loved uniforms, pomp & circumstance, orderliness & organization. Quite frankly, he loved his country and everything it stood for.
While on leave from Chanute AFB in Illinois, Moore’s best friend introduced him to Elizabeth Marie Shaw who was attending Cornell College in Mount Vernon. Moore was so love struck, that at the end of his enlistment he began attending Cornell College with her in the fall of 1958. They were married in June 1959 and moved to Denver to begin their family. They had five sons - Robert, James, John, Thomas, and Timothy. “I consider my wife of 55-years along with our five sons, their wives and children to be my greatest responsibility and blessing,” Moore said in 2015. “My belief system has been tried, improved and tested over the years. There is no greater joy than to see righteous children take their place in contributing to a productive society. My family is my success.”
Jim and Beth moved to Colorado where he continued his education at the University of Denver. Moore completed his bachelor’s degree in 1971 from the University of Denver, a masters in 1977 from the University of Northern Colorado, and his doctorate in 1990 from Pacific Western University. He taught business and business law at the Community College from 1975 until his retirement in 1995.
Moore was on the merit badge committee, finance committee, and the Order of the Arrow, for Troop 57, Timberline District, Jefferson County, Colorado. He was City of Lakewood, State of Colorado and National badge counselor and a member of the BSA Court of Honor. He guided his five sons as well as many other Scouts to reach the honor of Eagle Scout.
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Right - The finalized touches to the Bryant Road site were also completed by the crew earlier this month.
Hormann
Moore
Moore also volunteered to encourage the ROTC cadets at the University of Colorado to take pride in the military and to share the joy of flying as Jim took them flying in his private airplane. He continued flying, served in the Civil Air Patrol, and served in the Colorado legislature for four years
After a lifetime of service, Moore went on to serve in the US Air Force Reserves. He was commissioned to serve in the United States Air Force Auxiliary in June 1987 and received an ecclesiastical endorsement as a chaplain from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served in many capacities including squadron chaplain, group chaplain, wing chaplain and ultimately as chief of chaplain services overseeing operations for 800 chaplains of all faiths. As squadron, group and wing chaplain duties were the moral and spiritual advisor for the commander plus personal training for the youth called cadets.
He served in numerous assignments within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, served with wife on a full time religious mission in Texas, and in the Denver LDS temple.
Moore passed away in 2014 but his history of service to his family, his faith, and his country remains an enduring legacy.
Tom Wilkinson –Community Impact Hall of Fame
Tom Wilkinson wears many hats in the Mount Vernon community – family man, alum, teacher, and coach. His many hats have changed the Mount Vernon Community. Our 2024 Mount Vernon Community Impact Award goes to Tom Wilkinson (Class of 1986). He was nominated by his daughter Emily Wilkinson Vislisel (Class of 2009).
Wilkinson grew up in Mount Vernon and graduated in 1986.
“My senior year was probably most memorable,” Wilkinson said. “With encouragement from some of my friends, I joined the choir and got involved in drama. I never felt I was a strong singer, but I had a lot of fun. In theater I tried out and got some small parts in a couple of plays and a musical.”
Teachers understand teachers. No surprise, Wilkinson had many favorite teachers at Mount Vernon. “I have many strong memories of my teachers at Mount Vernon. Mr.
Silliman, my German teacher, taught me to think of a bigger world. Mrs. Michaud, my English teacher, helped me develop my voice in writing. Mrs. Thatcher my fourth grade teacher and Mrs. Ellison my English teacher both helped me to develop and awaken acting and speaking skills. Mr. Oliphant, my MS Social Studies teacher showed me that I could learn, study and focus. Mrs. Baker and Mrs. Swenson, my art teachers, helped me develop my artistic and creative skills. Mr. Meyer and Mrs. Marlow helped me read and explore new worlds with reading and writing. Mr. Schwiebert and Mr. Dick Peters helped me develop a background and understanding of political events and understanding of historical changes. No one teacher was everything for me, but together they have made a significant impact on the course of my life.”
Wilkinson moved to Phoenix, Ariz., after graduating with his bachelor of arts from Loras College. One year, he returned home for the holidays and ended up changing his path completely. Principal Tom Madson found him and explained that the high school needed a German teacher in the middle of the year. Wilkinson accepted the position and has been in Mount Vernon ever since.
Soon Wilkinson wanted to make a difference with students beyond the classroom.
In 2006, Wilkinson started a small archery club with a handful of participants. Soon the club grew into the Mount Vernon Archery Club, a significant program with more than 140 students from grades fourth to 12th at its peak.
Wilkinson went on to become a certified USA Archery Level 3 Coach. As a coach, Wilkinson embraced the philosophy of the Positive Coaching Alliance, which encourages “double-goal coaching”—striving to win while focusing on teaching life lessons through the sport. Under Wilkinson’s leadership, MV Archery emphasized personal growth, teamwork, and character development. For Wilkinson, success isn’t just measured in trophies or titles; it’s seen in the development of young individuals into confident, capable adults.
Wilkinson retired as Mount Vernon Archery Coach in 2018. Today, he continues to coach individuals and instruct beginning and intermediate level coaches as well as compete in summer and winter leagues and state competitions. He has coached several individual archers to the podium in state and national NASP championships.
Zadar! to screen at Bijou Sept. 30
Freewill donation requested for Mount Vernon After Prom
Nathan Countryman
Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun
nathan.countryman@mvlsun.com
Zadar! Cow From Hell will be screening at the Bijou Monday, Sept. 30 at 7 p.m. Doors for the show will open at 6:30p.m.
Kim Zanger Tucker and Bob Campagna have been working to get the opportunity to screen the movie for the past few years. Kim is asking for free-will donation to attend the screening that will benefit the Mount Vernon after prom.
Kim’s son, Grant, conducted an interview with Bob Campagna about the movie back in 2022 for a history project. Kim remembered being an extra in the movie, having skipped school for a day during filming for that opportunity.
Kim said that the title shouldn’t scare anyone from seeing the film. It’s a family-friendly, “campy” movie with a lot of Mount Vernon locals who were in it.
Campagna wrote a column about the movie and Grant’s interview on the project for the Sun in October 2022.
Duck’s Breath Mystery Theater was the company who made the film, which included five University of Iowa graduates - Jim Turner, Dan Coffey, Leon Martell, Bill Allard, and Merle Kessler. The troupe’s manager, Steve
Wilkinson’s jobs today also include a new hat – Grandpa.
“Today, my grandsons Cody and Lucas are at the center of my world,” Wilkinson said. “They go to Washington Elementary and are in kindergarten and second grade. I see them almost every day before school and after school. I’m thankful to have my daughter Emily and her husband Jeff Vislisel, both graduates of MVHS, as a big part of my life and living so close. Erin and I are so thankful and love that they are so close. I also enjoy working in the same building as my wife and have been fortunate to do so for the past 26 years.”
Jude Smith – Fine Arts Hall of Fame
For nearly three decades our fine arts award recipient has provided customized art solutions for highend residential and corporate collections.
Our 2024 Fine Arts Award Recipient is Jude Smith (Class of 1981). She was nominated by her classmate and fellow designer Rhondi Ewing (Class of 1981).
In high school, Smith was involved in cheerleading and art classes. “The direction and course I have taken in my life is due to one remarkable high school art teacher - Donna Swenson,” Smith said. “Donna believed in us and as I reflect today, I can’t help to wonder how differently my life would have played out if she wasn’t so adamant that I attend Mount Mercy College and receive an art degree.”
In addition, Smith was a Mustang cheerleader for football and basketball.
Smith received a bachelor of arts in art from Mount Mercy University and started her art career at the Corner House Gallery in Cedar Rapids before forming her own company in 1993. Today, Smith is an art consultant and art advisor in her business The Art Makery.
Using both her art and people skills first honed at Mount Vernon, Smith has had to learn and utilize many skills including establishing a network of artists, establishing a network of customers, and creating a network of contractors. In addition, she is a project manager for each installation where she has an eye for detail and impeccable planning skills.
Smith links artists and their work to
Baker, was Bob’s roommate at Iowa.
Zadar! was filmed in Mount Vernon because of that connection, with other local shooting locations including Solon, Tipton and Iowa City. The film was shot in Mount Vernon in the late 1980s
From Bob’s column - Adorned with plastic cow horns, fake animal noses, and white sheets splotched with black spots (think Holstein), locals had fun in bit roles, such as strolling in Memorial Park, lining First Street, and transforming into mutant cows.
The sidewalk in front of Stoll’s Ben Franklin was the setting where a mutant cow ripped away the leg of an unwitting deputy sheriff, played by Jim Turner. Fake blood spewed everywhere. Eeeewwww!
Two 10-year-old kids sprinted around the Bauman’s corner yelling “the movies are coming!”
The newly constructed Memorial Park gazebo served as a focal point for the nighttime local premier of the movie that is within the movie. Almost a hundred residents stayed until the morning’s wee hours to get this scene correctly filmed.
Filming was truly a small-town affair. Overhead shots were made possible thanks to Cornell College’s “loan” of its bucket lift truck.
The United Methodist Church provided restrooms and dressing areas for the cast.
new or redecorated commercial properties, primarily for hotels, nationwide. Her projects include Marriott Hotels in Phoenix, Ariz., Tempe, Ariz., New York City, Irvine, Calif., and Oklahoma City as well as corporate and private properties all over the country.
Smith is an art curator specializing in creating captivating visual experiences. Her role involves designing and organizing art installations for spaces like entrances, lobbies, and other public areas. She works closely with clients to select and arrange artwork that tells a story and enhances the visitor experience. Once the artwork is chosen, Jude oversees its installation and negotiates sales with artists and collectors.
As an expert in art history, techniques, and market trends, Smith brings a deep understanding of the art world to her projects. She excels at building relationships with artists, interior designers, architects, and hotel management to create cohesive and appealing environments. Her ability to assess the value of artworks and anticipate trends ensures her clients receive pieces that not only enhance aesthetics but also add market value.
“I’m passionate about combining the old in the new and creating spaces that are thought-provoking and well curated,” Smith said. Her skillful curation leaves a lasting impression, blending art with hospitality.
Her business has grown and evolved over time.
For most of her life, Smith lived in Scottsdale, Ariz., with her husband Greg Raupp, who is a professor of chemical engineering at Arizona State University. One of her most recent projects brought her back to her roots. She recently completed restoration and redesign of a building here in Mount Vernon. The now beautiful building includes a storefront downstairs and upstairs living quarters for Jude’s family.
Longtime alumni association director Kathy Staskal said “Because of her reputation in this industry and the many talents she possesses to make The Art Makery successful, I believe Jude is well deserving of a spot in the Hall of Fame.”
“When I think back to us taking art classes with Donna Swenson at MVHS, and I look at her today, I know that Donna would be SO PROUD of her, as am I,” said nominator Rhodi Ewing.
The movie was a satire stuffed with sophomoric, inside humor. Eagerly awaited and publicized statewide, Zadar! fell flat after its Hancher Auditorium premiere in Iowa City.
The movie did have a smattering of truly genius and wryly funny moments.
Fortunately, each of the Ducks Breath cast members have since enjoyed successful individual careers as writers, actors, producers, performers, and humorists.
Wilkinson
Smith
OPINIONS
What to do if you see an elk in Iowa
Living in Iowa
Dan Brawner
On Sept. 9, an elk was spotted on Shannon Drive in Iowa City—that is, if “spotted” is the right word. As if a 750-pound beast with antlers spreading out four feet would be difficult to detect. And, since we are not living in the 1880’s, elk are an extremely rare sight in Iowa. The Iowa DNR notes that there are only five or ten elk observed in the state every year, generally having wandered away from their herds in Nebraska or South Dakota. An article on the Shannon Drive sighting posed an interesting question: what should you do if you see an elk?
First of all, of course, you should be very surprised. You are not supposed to see an elk. It’s like seeing a Sherman tank coming at you in your lane on the highway. At first, you can’t believe your eyes.
Secondly, if you do see an elk, try to be understanding. The big guy is lost and he’s a long way from home. He’s probably confused, embarrassed and maybe a little angry. He’s like a dad on vacation who got turned around and now refuses to ask for directions. Even if you could point him toward South Dakota, the best thing is to just leave him alone.
Also, do not shoot an elk. It’s illegal and will get you a $1,000 fine. If the elk is in your yard, eating your tomatoes, let him. He’s hungry and he’s three times bigger than a deer. If you try to shoo him away, he might decide to stomp you into the ground like a tent stake. Call the DNR. They usually don’t have to handle anything more challenging than a disgruntled groundhog and wrangling a giant elk will give them valuable experience.
In the pioneer days and before, when Iowa was mostly prairie, the elk belonged here. And the few humans who also lived there, did their best to fit in. Since then, people have transformed the landscape to suit themselves, replacing prairie with concrete and cities and now many native species would find Iowa a strange and inhospitable place. The last time an elk native to Iowa was spotted was 1871.
Herds of bison once thundered across the grasslands of northwestern Iowa. But no more. The barn owl once thrived in Iowa but now with its forests stripped away, it is on the endangered species list. Today, a barn owl is a rare sight. You can tell if it’s a real barn owl because it doesn’t give a hoot. It shrieks and hisses. (And who could blame it?)
The Great Plains Skink is a lizard about a foot long, also on the endangered species list. It has survived cats and quick-fingered 8-year-old boys by using a special stunt. It can escape by detaching its tail, which it miraculously grows back.
The spotted skunk is endangered in Iowa but has a peculiar defense against humans. When threatened, it performs a handstand. This sounds cute, but you don’t want to ever see it because the next thing is does is let loose with a reeking, throat-tightening spray, like burning rubber, so horrible it makes regular skunk spray smell like fabric softener. It’s a nasty trick for a little skunk. Just be glad elks can’t do it.
We want to thank the Mount Vernon-Lisbon unit of the League of Women Voters for hosting a candidate forum for House District 83 candidates Kent McNally and Cindy Golding. That race is one of two local races that is contested for the area, with the Linn County Board of Supervisors race between Molly Donahue and Brandy Zumbach-Meisheid the other.
It was a great forum, with more than 100 there to hear from these two candidates on the issues in the race and a livestream is still up on the Mount Vernon-Lisbon LWV’s Facebook page.
We’re a month out from the general election, and as McNally said during the forum, outside of the local races, there isn’t much civility to be seen. It’s refreshing to listen to
candidates who may not agree on each issue or how a question was presented to civilly correct the language and discuss where they stand on an issue.
Absentee ballots can be requested now up until Oct. 16, and there will be a satellite voting station at Cornell College later in October for those who want to vote early but rather do so in person.
The presidential race looks to be one where every vote is going to matter and states that were solidly for one candidate may not be as solid at this point.
As always it is this newspaper’s stance we don’t tell you how to vote, but we do care that you do get out and vote in the election. Letters to the editor in support of candidates will run up to the Oct. 24 issue of the Sun
Candidates for House District
Nathan Countryman Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun nathan.countryman@mvlsun.com
The candidates for House District 83 participated in a candidate forum held by the Mount Vernon-Lisbon unit of the League of Women Voters Thursday, Sept. 19, at Mount Vernon Performing Arts Center lobby. More than 100 constituents were present at the event.
In opening statements, Kent McNally, the Democrat candidate, thanked the league for hosting and commended his opponent for keeping things civil in the race.
“I really appreciated the conversation we had early in the race about where we stood on issues and our difference,” McNally said.
Golding outlined reasons she was in the race, including her family – six children, 21 grandchildren, and nine foreign exchange students.
“I was an analytic chemist before having children,” Golding said. “I also served as a youth mentor for several years, and worked with children with disabilities. Our home became a place of a break for them.
Top three priorities
Golding said her main three issues were defending small towns and rural areas and their Constitutional rights, defending against the use of eminent domain and McNally said women’ s choice for bodily autonomy, helping Area Education Agencies again, and working on collective bargaining once more. He also said he was supportive of small towns.
How
would you support working families?
Raise the minimum wage, extend unemployment benefits, increase child care?
McNally said that something has to be done on minimum wage, that it’s impossible to raise families on $7.25 per hour. He also would extend unemployment benefits.
Golding said the minimum wage was never supposed to be a living wage, it was a wage for high school students to work at to gain experience and move up in the field. She said the issue of inflation has made things harder. She would be in favor of a study on the issue. She also said that a bill to help childcare was passed in the House, but never made it through the Senate in last legislative cycle.
Thoughts on the use of eminent domain to install a pipeline through private land.
Golding said she’s made a name for herself fighting carbon sequestration pipelines, having joined with 30 other Republicans to oppose the Summit pipeline decision by the Iowa Utilities Commission at the state and federal levels.
“If this passes, no one would be safe,” Golding said. “The pipeline has a number of issues, and I’m working on this issue because of the safety to the community.”
McNally said he was against the use of eminent domain. He said pipelines are okay if they’re done correctly and properly installed and have inspections. On solar energy,
McNally said it was important for the state to have a portfolio of different energy options.
Urban/rural divide
McNally said he has loved living in a rural community of Central City and would love to protect that way of life.
“I work in Cedar Rapids, but at the end of the day come home to live in Central City,” McNally said. “My biggest win was when my neighbors started inviting me to coffee at the local gas station with them, after being in this community for a few years.
Golding said this is an issue she has worked on for decades as well, remembering the 28E agreements between different agencies that were passed. In Palo, those agreements weren’t honored, as it wasn’t law, and it made the larger communities bullies. She wants to make sure small communities are represented well.
School vouchers and accountability
Golding reminded attendees that what was passed wasn’t a voucher, it was an ESA. The purpose of the funding was to make sure education of students was important and it gave families the right to choose the proper accredited schools to send their students. She said it allows families to pick the best school for their needs and get the education that fits their students.
McNally said for him the issue is that private schools have the ability to cherry pick students, and not all are allowed.
“They want the best and the rest get to go somewhere else,” McNally said.
As a tradesperson, he has worked with all different forms of education. He said he didn’t want to see public schools defunded.
What is the proper role of government and schools on gender discussions?
Nathan Countryman | Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun Candidates Kent McNally and Cindy Golding listen to a question from moderator Megan Goldberg during the legislative forum.
McNally said the matter of gender identity is a family issue, and that government and schools should not be involved. As a person who works in the trades, if someone is willing to do the work, he was willing to work alongside them no matter who they are.
Golding said she had no concern for adults who made the decision to transition. Her issue was for anyone under the age of 18 making a choice that would allow permanent mutilation to their body should not be allowed.
Women’s health care and restrictions from heartbeat bill
Golding said she had a long conversation with her OB/ GYN about the issue and that a heartbeat was a viable life of a child. Golding said that the heartbeat bill is not a damaging bill. It allows for the growth of the second person, and people have the ability to abort before a heartbeat is detected. The development of heartbeats in infants varies, it can happen sooner.
McNally said he was pro-choice, but not pro-abortion. He doesn’t believe the statements of babies being killed after birth that are around. He said his ex-wife had an ectopic pregnancy and had to have an abortion at three months to protect her own health.
“A lot of women don’t know they’re pregnant within the first three months,” McNally said.
Public water contamination – What can Iowa do to protect water quality?
McNally said that water quality is a huge issue in this state, and if Iowans don’t step up to protect their water with more ways to filtrate out nitrogen and other issues, things are going to get worse.
Golding said this was one of the bills she worked on at the legislature because she saw how it would impact small communities in her district by requiring cities to do more to retain more water instead of builders working to stop water because it was costly.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Vote for Brandy Zumbach Meisheid
Brandy Zumbach Meisheid’s has left me continuously impressed by her passion, devotion, and loyalty to our community. Her commitment to Linn County is without comparison, from attending Walker’s historic Pickle Days, to putting miles on the pavement door knocking, to the open house of Marion’s St. Luke’s ER – she has a vested interest in our community, and best part is she genuinely enjoys it.
Brandy personifies the values which Linn County needs in our next Supervisor, she’s deep rooted in rural Iowa, leads with honesty, is relatable, and has an admirable ability to rise above when others tend to want to shake her to fall. Her visions for Linn County will continue to pull our communities forward together.
Brandy is genuinely committed to listening and engaging with all of Linn County, by seeking and not shutting down differing viewpoints, aiming towards building the bridge of collaboration and finding common ground. She demonstrates personal integrity with
Nursing homes and elder care
Golding said that one of her close friends has a loved one in a nursing home, and the horror stories she has heard during session about nursing homes scares her. She said the House tried to increase funding and have increased inspections and expects that the issue will be tackled in the coming session.
McNally said that compared to the nursing homes and centers in other areas of the country like Philadelphia, Iowa’s nursing homes are better quality. He did note that high turnover and employee burnout contribute to the staffing issues of care centers.
Censorship and where you stand on banning books from public school
libraries
McNally said he believes in parental rights on controlling what a child encounters in a library, and thinks books should adhere to a rating system of age appropriateness like movie ratings where certain books in libraries are kept out of the wrong grade level. He doesn’t agree with removing books, period.
Golding corrected the language on the question, noting legislature did not pass a book ban, they passed a bill that made sure age appropriate books were housed in school libraries. She explained that the Iowa Code defines what a sex act is in plain English and the bill passed was to make sure certain verbiage and pictures are not in books housed at schools. They can be maintained at public libraries and still purchased by parents if they so choose.
Iowa’s
property taxes higher than other states
Golding said she is 100 percent opposed to the real estate law as it is, as the every two years of property reassessment balloons the value of properties. She wants to freeze assessments for a few years as the legislature
a devotion to ethical leadership. She is the ideal choice for Linn County Supervisor as her experience, vision, and dedication to our community is unmatched. Brandy’s leadership will bring about constructive change and improve the interest of all residents in our district by making sure decisions are made keeping the needs of all people in mind.
I offer my unwavering support to Brandy Zumbach Meisheid and I strongly encourage you to consider supporting her in this crucial election! Her success is key to continuing to foster a bright and prosperous future for Iowa.
Chelsea Newton Marion
Rep. Golding has firm grasp issues facing state
Some reflections on the legislative at Mount Vernon
works on property tax reform again and require taxing entities to come to their constituents for any tax increases.
McNally agreed with Golding on the issue, siting his assessment has been changed numerous times by an assessor. He did note taxes in the rural areas are nowhere near as high as Linn-Mar or Cedar Rapids school districts.
Iowa’s surplus and where you stand
McNally said that surplus is because the state is cutting funding for items that should still be funded, like mental health and SNAP benefits.
“Let’s not cut funding for things Iowans need,” McNally said.
Golding said she is proud of how the governor has managed the surplus. She said the House did request a 3 percent state supplemental aid last year, but that was negotiated to a 2.5 percent SSA. She reminded everyone the surplus is being kept in case of a recession like the one that hit in 2008-09 when Gov. Chet Culver was in charge and there wasn’t a surplus and all agencies took a 10 percent cut.
“All indications point to us facing a recession soon, and we’ll need the rainy-day funds,” Golding said.
AEA services and how to solve the issue
Golding said that the AEA bill is one she continually hears thank you from special education teachers, administrators and others for the way it helped get what students needed or freed them from the AEA systems that weren’t working for them.
“In the past year, I’ve had 10 special education teachers say ‘thank you’ for the action taken,” Golding said.
McNally said that the legislature needs to look at the fallout of the actions on the AEA bills, that it is placing paraeducators in dangerous situations with training they do not have. More districts are also relying on more volunteer help and he wants to get back support to the AEAs.
High School between 83rd District Rep. Cindy Golding and her opponent Kent McNally Thursday night: To my mind the question arises, “What kind of representative should a person in the 83rd District want representing them over in the Des Moines legislature?” I would think they would want someone who is hard-working, up to speed on key issues, and someone who shares their concerns on state-wide issues. There are many politicians that don’t fit that description, who are beholding to big money, special interest groups. One person who does fill that description is Rep. Cindy Golding. My wife and I have gotten to know Cindy and her astute husband Joseph over the last year, and we hold them in highest regard. Cindy demonstrated a firm grasp of the key issues facing Iowans during the forum, and has shown a record of good accomplishments in the state legislature. She deserves to be re-elected.
Ribbon cutting at Abbe Creek Gallery
A ribbon cutting was held at Abbe Creek Gallery Monday, Sept. 16. Attending the ribbon cutting were (back, from left) Jake Krob (Mount Vernon Bank and Trust), Brenda Langenberg (Hills Bank), Jessie Thurn (director Mount Vernon-Lisbon Community Development Group), Lisa White (Cornell College and president MVLCDG), Tom Wieseler (mayor of Mount Vernon), Ashley Dunford (Mount Vernon Bank and Trust), Casey O’ Connor (Town Center Office Suites), John Bardsley (City of Lisbon) (front, from left) Susan Campagna, Bob Campagna, Kimberley Machovec Smith, Chris Childers and Joe Jennison (all representing Abbe Creek Gallery).
Gary Bell Mount Vernon
Photo by Nathan Countryman | Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun
Mount Vernon Area Arts Council in need of new members
Group also highlights accomplishments in past 20 years
Nathan Countryman
Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun
nathan.countryman@mvlsun.com
If there’s a need for the Mount Vernon Area Arts Council at the moment, it is definitely increasing numbers of members.
Steve Maravetz, a longtime member who will be stepping down from the organization following the Mount Vernon Area Arts Council, said that was the organization’s biggest need now.
Marie DeVries, member of the council further elaborated that the council can have up to 14 members, according to their bylaws. Currently, the group has six members.
Maravetz said it would be nice to find people with ideas to tackle for new projects for the arts council.
“We have the money to fund ideas, we just need people who have those ideas,” Maravetz said.
“And be willing to work to implement those ideas,” DeVries said.
Lisbon students recognized at Hills Bank Youth Salute program
Hills Bank held their annual Youth Salute Program Awards ceremony Sunday, Sept. 8 at Hancher Auditorium in Iowa City.
Students that were nominated from Lisbon High School were: Kolsie Bixler, Dakota Clark, Sarah Dietsch, Brynn Epperly, Kaitlynn Hasselbusch, Gage Holub, Wesley Sadler and Jacob Walerius. Kaitlynn Hasselbusch and Sarah Dietsch were able to attend the program.
Congratulations to Sarah Dietsch who was a runnerup and received a $500 scholarship from Hills Bank.
The group holds meetings via Zoom once a month for roughly an hour each meeting to discuss the different projects they are working towards.
Maravetz was the speaker for the organization Thursday, Sept. 19, at an adult speaker series event at Lester Buresh Family Community Wellness Center.
Coming up for the organization yet this fall is a 20th Anniversary Concert that will feature Phil Heywood performing scheduled for Friday, Nov. 8.
The speech was also held ahead of the Lincoln Highway Arts Festival, one of two festivals the arts council helps hold in the Mount Vernon area. The other is the Chalk the Walk festival, which they collaborate with Mount Vernon-Lisbon Community Development Group and the City of Mount Vernon.
The most recent project the group has tackled has been the sculpture art trail, an ongoing project and collaboration between the Mount Vernon Parks and Recreation Commission.
One of the items that the council also does is support grants for art projects in the community, up to $500 each for a project that brings art to the community. Maravetz said over the 20 years, the organization has contributed more than $12,000 to those endeavors from that fund.
Both the poet laureate and artist in residence positions will be opening for applications this fall. Amelia Kibbie has been the poet laureate for a number of years for Mount Vernon and Lisbon, and as such responsible for an original poem at Memorial Day and trying to host one event to share poetry with the community. Sarah Fitzgerald, former art teacher at Washington Elementary, has had an exhibit at Cole Library and supported art activities in the community with her Creatives Connect series of meetings on Sundays.
Other events that have been sponsored include: the murals in uptown, help support the creation of Free Little
Libraries, storytelling events at the former Mount Vernon Creates space and Farm to Fork Tales at First Street Community Center.
One of the big accomplishments that Maravetz has been proudest the organization accomplished was the creation of the Cultural and Entertainment District that extends from Cornell College to First Street Community Center.
“That district allows us to pull on larger grants from the Iowa Arts Council and supports the art and culture in this community,” Maravetz said. “It also puts us on tourism maps about what is happening in our communities people should see.”
When it comes to funding, a portion of funding each year comes from the City of Mount Vernon, which is reinvested in the Chalk the Walk and Lincoln Highway Arts Festivals.
They also receive grants from the state and annual support from private donors.
Maravetz said that the commission has plenty of members who had the idea 20 years ago to thank for the group’s creation.
“There are a lot of artists and creative people in Mount Vernon,” Maravetz said. “We are also a beneficiary of Cornell College being in our community, which raises the expectations of the students and families living here.”
DeVries commended the support of the Mount Vernon City Council as well, especially on the sculpture art trail.
During questions, people asked why more hasn’t been done to include Lisbon in the events for the area arts council. DeVries said that they have hosted events at Lisbon Heritage Hall in the past, and would be open to doing more in the future.
If you are interested in joining the Mount Vernon Area Arts Council, contact any current board member or reach out to mvartcouncil@gmail.com.
Cornell department of theatre and dance presents ‘Body Convos’
Cornell College dancers return to the stage Oct. 3–6 for the fall dance concert.
The performance will showcase new works choreographed and performed by Cornell students and Dance Instructor Amy Simonson. Audience members will experience a dynamic showcase of contemporary modern dance, interwoven with elements of jazz, ballet, and other styles, on the Kimmel Theatre stage in Cornell’s Armstrong-Youngker Hall.
“The show is called ‘Body Convos,’ and every piece has an idea related to conversation, communication, and expression through the body,” Simonson said. “Sometimes dance can convey a feeling or thought even better than words.”
Eight Cornell students will perform in the show. Audience members will also see video elements created by a student videographer and editor. Cornell students also designed the costumes and will crew the show. Three of the pieces are entirely choreographed by students.
“I’m especially excited for the student choreographers to see their ideas come to life on stage,” Simonson said. “We’re thrilled for people to attend this show and support the hard work these students have put in. As much as dancers love to perform for sporting events and behind actors and singers, in this show, the dancers are the main event.”
Sophomore Nikauly Rios will perform in the show. She says throughout her life, she has found that “dancing it
all out” is the best way to communicate and understand herself.
“I wish for people [attending the show] to be allowed to travel into a state of mind where there is only the audience and the dancer to understand the words and conversations we dancers carry framed in our bodies,” Rios said.
Tickets are available for purchase online at Ludus. Adults are $15, seniors, students, and youth are $12. Cornell faculty, staff, and students attend for free with their Cornell ID. Tickets are also available for purchase at the Box Office, Monday–Friday 3:15–5:15 p.m. two weeks prior to the performance and one hour prior to showtime. About the lead choreographer:
This is Amy Simonson’s third year as the dance instructor in the Department of Theatre and Dance at Cornell. She teaches ballet, modern, jazz, and musical theatre dance. Simonson has taught dance classes since the age of 16 and obtained a B.F.A. from Wichita State University and an M.F.A. from the University of Iowa in dance.
Cornell College Department of Theatre and Dance Presents: “Body Convos”
Oct. 3–5 at 7:30 in Kimmel Theatre Oct. 6 at 2 p.m. in Kimmel Theatre
Contributed photo
Sarah Dietsch and Kaitlynn Hasselbusch at the Hills Bank Youth Salute.
Dorothy Jean Nost, aged 88, of Lisbon, Iowa, peacefully passed away Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024, surrounded by her loving family. Her legacy is woven with cherished moments and enduring connections. Visitation was held Friday, Sept. 20, at Fry Funeral Home, Tipton. Funeral services were Saturday, Sept. 21, also at Fry Funeral Home. Dorothy’s final resting place will be Tipton Masonic Cemetery. Online condolences, fond memories and photos may be shared at www. fryfuneralhome.com.
Dorothy Jean Irving, born March 9, 1936, in Tipton, was the daughter of William James Irving and Florence Edith (Andre) Irving. Her early years were spent in Tipton, where she completed the 11th grade.
On August 1, 1954, Dorothy married Donald Lewis Nost, and together they had a daughter, Sheryl, and three sons: Graig, Ronald, and Mark. Their marriage lasted 36 years until their divorce in 1990.
Dorothy’s career path was diverse: she briefly worked in Gary’s bakery, spent 8 years at Cornell College, then moved to Melbourne, Florida, where she worked at Brevard Community College. Finally, she dedicated 15 years to the Mount Vernon Community School district before retiring.
She was an active member of First Federated Church in Lisbon, and attended a Baptist church during her time in Florida. Dorothy expressed her creativity through the Women’s Craft Club and enjoyed bowling in a league.
Dancing, country music, bowling, and the card game Hand and Foot filled Dorothy’s days. And when it came to eating out, Texas Roadhouse was her favorite spot. But above all, it was her family— the heartbeats of her life—that brought her the most profound joy.
Dorothy leaves behind her daughter, Sheryl (Duane) Pospisil of Lisbon; sons, Ronald (Sheila) Nost of Melbourne, Fla.,, and Mark (Anita) Nost of Cedar Rapids, and sister-in-law, Loretta Irving. Dorothy’s legacy extends to 13 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren.
Dorothy was reunited with her parents, son Graig Nost, and siblings: Bretha (Irving) Bedbury, Betty (Irving) Davis, Wilma (Irving) Seivers, Bonnie (Irving) Glick, Everette Irving, Robert Irving, and Donald Irving.
May the echoes of Dorothy’s love and laughter continue to resonate in the hearts of those who knew her.
William “Bill” Dennis Tate, 73, of Lisbon, passed away on Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, at St. Luke’s Hospital, Cedar Rapids. Gathering of family & friends is 4-7 p.m. today (Thursday, Sept. 26) at Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services in Mount Vernon. Private family burial will be held at Red Oak Grove Cemetery in Tipton. Bill was born April 28, 1951, in Denison, the son of William and Patricia (Canfield) Tate. He was united in marriage to Marcy Edler on June 14, 1975.
Bill was a published author, guitar player and loved music. He worked as a Test Editor for ACT for over 30 years. Bill loved his family.
Bill is survived by his wife, children, Jenny Marie (Mike) Moore and William Dawson Tate; grandchildren, Maya and Jasper; bonus grandchildren, Mars, Zander, Kimmy, Josie, and Gracie; and sisters, Marsha Tate and Judy (Steve) McVay.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents. Memorials may be made to the family in care of Marcy Tate. Donations will be distributed to the American Heart Association and the Mount Vernon Lisbon EMS.
Please share your support and memories with Bill’s family on his Tribute Wall at www.stewartbaxter.com under Obituaries.
Melba Jean Bostwick, 94, of Mount Vernon, passed away on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, at the Hospice House in Hiawatha. Per Jean’s wishes, no services will be held. Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services in Mount Vernon is assisting the family.
Jean was born June 12, 1930, in Trenton, Mo., the daughter of Luther and Edith (Sullivan) McCartt.
Jean enjoyed spending time with her family, cooking, and boating on the Mississippi.
Jean is survived by her children, Michael (Yukari) Bostwick, Kerry Ann Bostwick, and Rick Bostwick; grandchildren, Dennis (Leslie) Bostwick and Christopher (Cathy George) Bostwick; and great-grandchildren, Clair, Harrison, Georgia, and Alvin.
Jean was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers.
Please share your support and memories with Jean’s family on her Tribute Wall at www.stewartbaxter. com under Obituaries.
Archeologist talk at Palisades-Kepler State Park
Gail Barels will be presenting a program on the Indian Mounds at Palisades Kepler State Park Saturday, Oct. 5, beginning at 11 a.m. Those looking to attend should proceed to the campground area at Palisades Kepler State Park. The event will be canceled if rain/weather is too severe.
Red Cedar Chamber Music
Red Cedar Chamber Music will present Passion and Peril at Lisbon Heritage Hall at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 28. The presentation is free and open to the public. Christine Bellomy joins as guest artist as a clarinetist. The program opens with Fun and Frolic, a brand-new work from Iowa City composer Peter Bloesch, written especially for this trio. There is a little of everything on this program, from a romantic Serenade by Hans Gál to Gilad Cohen’s Dances of Peril. We explore the classical period with a trio from the very early years of the clarinet, and return to Michael Kimber’s jazzy variations on the Iowa Corn Song, Iowa Moods.
Mount Vernon Trailblazers 4-H
The Mount Vernon Trailblazers 4-H Club held their regular meeting at the Mount Vernon Fire Station Sunday, Sept. 8. During the meeting, education rec reation officers Ellie and Kenlyn had everyone bring in their favorite candy to create a candy salad for a snack. The club talked about how our record books are due Oct. 15. We also discussed help with the community service members in advance. Mya requested members send her pictures from the last year for The next meeting will be held at the Fire Station Octo ber 13.
Jacob Stewart club reporter
Cole Corner
Cathy Boggs Cole Library
Fall Master Gardener discussions held at Cole in October
In October, Cole Library and Lisbon Library will join together to host a series of fall classes Monday Master Gardener Talks offered by Linn County Master Gardeners. Four Master Gardeners will present a garden program on four consecutive Monday evenings from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. at Cole Library in Room 108.
Who are the master gardeners? They are your friends and neighbors who have a passion for gardening. To become a Master Gardener, you must take 40 hours of horticulture class training, complete a 40-hour internship, and then continue to take courses and volunteer so that you are up to date on the latest best practices for gardeners in Iowa.
The classes are free and open to everyone in our communities and do not require pre-registration. The subjects and teachers are as follows:
• Oct. 7: Get More From Your Yard with Maeghan MacDougall, LCMG
I want it all. I want beautiful flowers in the spring, food for us or for birds, color in the fall….and I don’t really want to work at it! Yes, it can be done! Plant the right things, in the right place, in the right way, and before you know it you can have your own oasis.
• Oct. 14: Spring Bulbs: Spectacular Signs of Spring! with Angel Burns, LCMG
Planting spring blooming bulbs in the fall lets you get some of your gardening work out of the way for the following year. Most spring bulbs bloom in early spring and offer a glimpse of warm spring days ahead. We will discuss some of the most popular spring bulbs, a few select varieties of each, how to plant and protect those bulbs.
• Oct. 21: Gardening for Birds & Butterflies with Beula Dvorak, LCMG
Join LCMG Beula Dvorak for a presentation on what birds and butterflies need to thrive in our gardens. Dvorak will share helpful hints on providing for habitat, food, and water for our winged friends.
With all the pressure on the environment and health, growing vegetables organically is all the more important. LCMG, Phil Pfister, will provide techniques to help you maximize the production of your garden, including insect control, without using harmful chemicals. This class is of all levels of experience who gardening.
All are welcome at these informative sessions. Please call Cole Public Library Director Grace Chamberlain at 895-5940 with questions. Cole Library is located in Mount Vernon on the southside of Cornell Campus up Library
Dorothy Nost
William Tate
Melba Bostwick
CLUB NOTES
Mustangs lose close game to Solon 7-6
extra point and likely force overtime, but Meester had faith in his team.
The howitzer cannon rang out three times before the Friday, Sept. 20, rivalry game between No. 3 Mount Vernon and No. 1 Solon at Spartan Stadium. Fitting.
BOOM.
Solon took the opening drive 65 yards and scored on a 2-yard touchdown run by Eddie Johnson to make it 7-0.
BOOM.
With 1:53 left in the game, Mount Vernon went 65 yards in one play, a pass from Kellen Haverback to Watson Krob for a touchdown.
BOOM.
Mount Vernon opted to go for the win, and attempted a 2-point conversion. The pass to the back of the end zone was out of bounds. Final score, 7-6.
“It was said before … if we go down and score this thing, we’re going to try and win this game,” Mount Vernon Coach Brad Meester said. “We will not back down from that decision.
“I’m okay with that. This team will be aggressive.”
Mount Vernon (3-1) went for the win. It could have elected to kick the
“Sometimes nights just go like that,” Krob said. “Hopefully next time we’ll finish.”
Krob injected some energy into the stadium after nearly four quarters of slug-it-out, scoreless football. Mount Vernon forced Solon (4-0) to punt the ball back to them, and took over at the Mustang 40 with 2:28 to play and no timeouts, having used all three during Solon’s last possession.
After an incompletion and a penalty, Haverback uncorked a high, deep pass to Krob near the visitor’s sideline. Krob grabbed it, then shed an arm tackle and outran his coverage to the end zone.
“Watson is one of our guys,” Haverback said.
“You go to your guys.
“Me and him work on those jump balls. He’s pretty athletic. I trusted him. And he went up and got it.”
After catching it and staying in bounds, Krob still had to break loose from a tackle and outrun his defender.
“I knew I was getting the ball, so I knew I had to make a play,” Krob said. “I just ran as fast as I could to score that touchdown.”
Solon called time out
once they saw Mount Vernon was going for two. Haverback took the snap out of the shotgun, ran right for the run/ pass option, then threw it into the back of the end zone where Jase Jaspers grabbed it.
The pass was caught, but was ruled out of bounds.
Mount Vernon kicker Bennett Harp tried an onside kick, but it was covered up by Solon senior Owen Einwalter.
The game was filled with unfinished drives for the Mustangs.
Mount Vernon had an earlier touchdown catch and throw from Haverback to Krob called off by a penalty near the end of the first quarter.
Two other Mustang drives deep into Solon territory ended when a pass got thrown into coverage, tipped, batted around and intercepted by the Spartans.
“Some things didn’t go our way,” Haverback said. “But it comes down to better decision making.
“Yeah, there were a few plays we wish we could get back.”
Another Mount Vernon drive got down to the Solon 16, then was backed up and stalled out by two penalties.
“We’ve got to find ways to finish drives,” Meester
said. “We moved the ball well. We’ve just got to eliminate mistakes. It is little things. All things that are correctable.”
By contrast, after the initial touchdown drive by the Spartans, Solon never drove closer to the Mustang end zone than the MV 42-yard line. That’s nine empty drives.
Solon, the No. 1 team in 3A, finished with 219 yards and 11 first downs, compared to 230 and 17 for No. 3 Mount Vernon.
Eddie Johnson finished with 107 rushing yards on 20 carries for Solon. Tyler
Ball was 13-of-16 passing for 101 yards, including six for 27 to Karsyn Regennitter.
Jaspers had 88 rushing yards on 21 carries (he was over 100 yards until a fumbled snap late in the game made him lose 15 yards from his tally). Haverback was 9-of-21 passing for 123 yards and Krob had three catches for 76 yards.
Mount Vernon hosts Homecoming this Friday, Sept. 27, against Mount Pleasant (2-2) at the Martha Parsons Activities Complex. It is the first of
five district games that will decide the Mustangs’ playoff fate.
“We’ve got a lot of season left,” Meester said. “We’re going to get this thing rolling. I can’t wait to see what this team can do. It’s all right there. We’ve just got to clean stuff up.”
And maybe this Mount Vernon team will get a chance to do what it missed out on last fall. A rematch against Solon in the 3A playoffs.
“We want to play this team again,” Krob said. “Hopefully get back at them.”
Rushing – Mount
Cole Thurn (19) attempts a reception under pressure from
Maddox Kelley
and Owen Einwalter (9) Friday in Solon.
Left: Jase Jaspers (9) advances the ball while the line tries to hold back the Solon defense Friday, Sept. 20 in Solon during the annual rivalry game.
Photos by Chris Umscheid | Solon Economist
Top:
Solon’s
(4)
Eddie
Carney
Stecher
Mount Vernon tops West Delaware in five sets
Ryan Suchomel
Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun
ryan.suchomel@mvlsun.com
LISBON FOOTBALL
This fall is proving to be a historic season for Mount Vernon volleyball. So why not add a little more?
The top-ranked Mustangs participated in the first-ever outdoor volleyball match in state history on Tuesday, Sept. 17, at Brown Field in Manchester. They survived an upset bid from then-No. 9 West Delaware, 21-25, 19-25, 25-23, 25-17, 15-9.
“They were ridiculously underrated prior to the match, and I knew that from scouting them,” Mount Vernon coach Maggie Willems said. “Their ball control and pace of the game is always a challenge.”
The IGHSAU agreed with the underrated part, and moved the Hawks up to No. 4 in the 3A rankings a few days later.
The court was assembled on the football field and the weather cooperated with a calm, warm night.
“Playing outside was both exhilarating and overwhelming at the same time,” Willems said. “It gave us that football stadium feel and experience while also providing some spatial challenges that
Top: Chloe Meester (No. 16), Sydney Huber (No. 15), Eryn Jackson (No. 5), Cali Whitaker (No. 3), Sydeney Maue (No. 9) and Sophia Meester (No. 17) celebrate a game point.
Left: Sydney Maue spikes the ball down on Manchester players Tuesday, Sept. 17.
Lions slash Wildcats 49-6
Ryan Suchomel
Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun ryan.suchomel@mvlsun.com
Even for the undefeated and defending district champs, not everything is going to go your way.
No. 6 Lisbon was simply average for a half Friday, Sept. 20, at Highland High School near Riverside. But the Lions got things going in the final two quarters and won, 49-6.
“It was not great,” Lisbon coach Dylan Hastings said of the 14-6 halftime lead. “The coaching staff was a little bit frustrated.
“We were just missing some opportunities. It was there, we just had to trust what we were coached to do, and we saw that in the second half.”
The Lions made sure the Huskies got a lethal double dose of running back Tiernan Boots, who ran for 266 yards on 20 carries, and quarterback Dakota Clark, who ran for 123 yards on 15 carries. The pair scored all seven touchdown (four for Boots).
“The offensive line started to get their job done,” Hastings said. “Then it was as simple as Dakota and Tiernan running north and south.”
Having a pair of state track stars in the backfield helps. Clark had TD runs of 54 yards and 51 yards
among his scores.
“Dakota is an athlete,” Hastings said. “With the ball in his hands, he can be electric. He trusted himself and his O-line.”
And, of course, Boots is tied for sixth among all classes and is tops in Class A with 822 rushing yards.
“Tiernan just runs through tackles,” Hastings said.
It took a while to get going Friday because the Huskies kept moving defenders around.
“They were trying to play a little chess match with us,” Hastings said. “They tried to take away Tiernan. That’s when Dakota took over.”
And after the first quarter touchdown, which was set up by a 72-yard halfback pass from Logan McFarland to Landon Roling, Highland (2-2) didn’t really threaten the Lions much again.
“We got caught sleeping,” Hastings said. “But we fixed that. I’m happy with the way we fought through some adversity.”
The Lisbon defense forced seven 3-and-outs and stopped another drive with a fumble recovery by Gage Holub.
Jacob Walerius led the defensive attack from his linebacker spot. He had 11 solo tackles, nine assists and 3.5 tackles for loss.
we do not experience inside.”
The strangeness may have contributed to the Mustangs dropping the first two sets, but Willems said West Delaware also blocked very effectively.
Mount Vernon regrouped, and won the next three sets.
“We started to play like we were capable of playing,” Willems said.
Chloe Meester led the attack with 26 kills and Sydney Maue had 18 kills. Paige Schurbon added eight kills and Sophia Meester had six. Sydney Huber had 54 assists and Eryn Jackson led with 24 digs.
Mount Vernon then took the long, fourhour bus ride to the other side of the state for the Red Oak Invitational on Saturday, Sept. 21.
“We go there in order to see opponents we do not see here,” Willems said.
The Mustangs went 6-0 on the day beating Tri-Center (21-13, 21-10), Murray (21-10, 21-2), Council Bluffs St. Albert (21-7, 21-7), and Underwood (21-13, 21-11) before taming No. 7 (4A) Glenwood 21-12, 16-21, 15-6, and No. 6 (3A) Sioux Center 25-19, 25-17.
“Our semifinal and final wins were against rated teams, both really good teams,” Willems said. “Those were high-quality wins.”
On a day with 13 sets, Chloe Meester and Maue led the way with 50 and 41 kills, respectively. Also attacking were Schurbon (20 kills), Cali Whitaker (17), and Sophia Meester (25). Huber had 133 assists.
Photos by Lucy Wischmeyer | Mustang Moon
Jennifer Tischer | Contributed photo Lisbon’s Tiernan Boots (No. 7) works on tackling a Highland player.
LISBON FOOTBALL from 9
“He had a great game,” Hastings said. “He’s a big strong kid. All our linebackers did a great job.”
And now, another big District showdown Friday, Sept. 27, against No. 10 Pekin (4-0).
It will be Senior Night, too. The final home game of the season is actually Oct. 11 vs. Danville, but that’s Homecoming.
“We had to flip flop,” Hastings said. “The boys minds are focused on football, and it is great to have guys like that.
“This Friday is two 4-0 teams. It is a great opportunity and we’re excited.”
Lisbon tops Calamus Wheatland in four sets
Ryan Suchomel
Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun ryan.suchomel@mvlsun.com
If you know your memes, there is one out there known as “Call An Ambulance But Not For Me.”
It shows an old man being mugged by a guy with a knife in one panel, followed by the old man pulling out a gun in the second panel.
On Thursday, Sept. 19, Lisbon split the first two sets with Calamus-Wheatland in the Lion’s Den. Then the Warriors jumped out to an 11-0 lead in the third set. Call an ambulance.
But not for the Lions.
Lisbon tied it up 14-14, took the lead 18-17, and won 25-20.
“I’m running out of things to say,” Lisbon coach Lance Kamaus said. “We were confident we could get on some runs.”
Lisbon went on to win the match 23-25, 25-17, 25-20 and 31-29.
It was a big victory in the Tri-Rivers East as the Lions hunt down their eighth straight East title.
“I mean, it would be nice to get another one,” junior Kamryn Kahl said. “No doubt.”
Both Kahl and senior Sarah Dietsch said the conference streak wasn’t their biggest goal, but they definitely didn’t want to be the team that loses and breaks the streak.
Calamus-Wheatland (117) was probably always going to be the main obstacle this fall. And the Warriors came out and took the first set, and got out to the big, big lead in the third set.
“It really showed our integrity as a team,” Dietsch said. “How we can come together in tough times and how we support each other as a group.”
Tied 17-17, a Dietsch kill and a Kaitlynn Hasselbusch ace gave Lisbon its first lead, 19-17. The Lions put it away with three kills by junior Mykala Luzum-Selmon, a freeball kill by junior Alexa Roos and a kill and stuff block by Dietsch.
“I know a lot of people in that situation would be discouraged,” Kahl said of getting down 11-0. “But I know that our team is a really resilient team. And we just didn’t give up, and that’s what happens.
“I trust my teammates, they trusted me, and we all trusted each other. We made it happen.”
The week prior, Springville forced a fifth game and upset the Lions in a cross-division Tri-Rivers match. The loss pushed Lisbon (11-5) out of the Class 2A rankings.
When C-W got kills from senior Brooklynn Biddle and sophomore Alena Wilhelm to go ahead 25-24 in the fourth set, things looked destined for a deciding fifth game.
Later, the Warriors got a block from Wilhelm and senior Erica Will and an ace from Wilhelm to go ahead 28-27.
But both times Lisbon fought off set points, first on a kill by Dietsch, and then a kill by Luzum-Selmon.
“That shows our grit and integrity,” Dietsch said. “We were excited out there.”
Lisbon finally put two points together on a kill by Luzum-Selmon and an attack error by C-W.
“I’ve never experienced anything like that in my volleyball career,” Kahl said.
“If you don’t finish there, then they’d have all the momentum,” Kamaus said. “That’s a big deal, finishing in four.”
Luzum-Selmon led the
way with 24 kills. Kahl added 16 kills and Dietsch had 13. Hasselbusch had 54 assists and Presley Studt led with 22 digs.
The Lions then hosted the Lisbon Invitational on Saturday, Sept. 21. They beat Iowa Valley (21-13, 21-13), Davenport West (21-17, 21-16) and Midland (21-15, 21-15) before falling to No. 4 (1A) Holy Trinity (21-13, 14-21, 15-11).
LISBON, IA
Jennifer Tischer | Contributed photos
Left: Lisbon’s Quinn Coleman (No. 5) tries to advance the football down the field against Highland.
Right: Lisbon’s Gage Holub (No. 4) tries to squeeze a few more yards past the Highland defense.
Jami Martin-Trainor | For the Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun
Left: Volleyball player Kamryn Kahl spikes the ball during a match against Davenport West at Lisbon High School on Sept. 1, 2024. The Lisbon Lions beat Davenport West, 2-0.
Right: Lisbon volleyball players Kamryn Kahl and Kyla Kahl check in and out of the game, respectively, during a match against Davenport West on Sept. 1, 2024. The Lisbon Lions beat Davenport West, 2-0.
Artists galore
Lincoln Highway Arts Festival highlights multiple arts in uptown
Nathan Countryman
Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun
nathan.countryman@mvlsun.com
More than 31 art vendors were uptown Mount Vernon for the annual Lincoln Highway Arts Festival Saturday, Sept. 21.
The festival, held by Mount Vernon Area Arts Council and the Mount Vernon -Lisbon Community Development Group takes numerous volunteers to assist.
Bands Laid Back Band and Asking for a Friend provided live music at the festival during the morning and afternoon.
Cornell College’s Cole Library started the morning off with a craft at the kids table of butterflies. Children would color their butterflies on sheets of paper and cut them out. Grace Chamberlain-Rowray, director of the library, helped then mount them on a straw and wooden pedestal. Children would hold the wooden stick and then slowly pull down on the plastic straw to give the butterflies up top the illusion of flight.
Sue Coleman and Sarah Fitzgerald helped children design and decorate their own flags as the craft for the noon
to 2 p.m. hour.
Kim Wolfe with Fairy Under the Moon had a craft exercise of making fairy wands from 2 to 4 p.m.
Mount Vernon art students were among the booths selling items at the festival on Saturday. Ellia Oesterle, a first year student with the program said she loved the vibe of the whole festival.
“There’s great live music and people out here supporting artists,” Oesterle said.
The arts club was selling some of their artwork to help offset costs for a coming trip to visit galleries over in Omaha, Neb.
Oesterle said her favorite medium to work with is acrylic paints, with a second being graphite pencil.
Dance Arts Iowa students held a brief performance outside of First Street Community Center in uptown Mount Vernon.
Also roaming about during the day were life-size puppets of a cat and troll.
The day kicked off with Mount Vernon’s poet laureate reading a poem as well about the Lincoln Highway that she read at the dedication of the panels at Lincoln Highway last year.
Photos by Nathan Countryman | Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun
Above: The Laid Back Band performs Saturday morning at Lincoln Highway Arts Festival in uptown Mount Vernon.
Left: Agnes and Genevieve Poduska work on coloring their butterflies at the children’s art zone Saturday afternoon at Lincoln Highway Arts Festival.
Above: Megan Dietsch gets a brush ready to paint Aurelia Pearson’s face. Aurelia was most excited to get her face painted at the event again this year and was one of the first kids in line.
Left: Asking for a Friend performs at the festival Saturday, Sept. 21.
Above: The cat puppet wandering the Lincoln Highway Arts Festival.
Center: People browse the glicees and paintings that Sarah Rieger created in her booth in uptown Mount Vernon.
Dancers with Dance Arts Iowa perform Saturday, Sept. 21, in uptown Mount Vernon.
Attendees visit with the artists at Three Goblin Art about their products Saturday, Sept. 21.
the District. All ayes motion carried (5-0).
Board Member Baker gave a facility plan update to include: HVAC in the Lions Den is now up and working; Concession stand will have new roller doors installed soon; Lobby and Weight room finishing touches are being added; Red paneling is going up on the Weight room addition and the sign is up; Overhead lights in the Old Gym have been replaced and they will be working on repairing the flooring.
Board Member Caspers spoke about the positive feedback on the air conditioning in the Lions Den.
Secondary Principal Leighty reported on the following: The positive impact of the Bell Schedule change and moving Pride time to the end of the school day; the addition of using adaptive scheduler for Pride time scheduling and attendance; FAST testing; DCAP funding for additions to the Business and Finance Curriculum; XELLO usage and Kirkwood visits for students; Parent/Teacher Conference planning. Elementary Principal Brown reported on the following: FAST testing;Intervention groups; Navigating Changes with the AEA; Attendance Policy Changes; Dismissal times; Communication through Social Media; Expressed appreciation to the Lion Pride Boosters for a donation of playground equipment. Athletic Director Horman reported on the following: Fall Sports; growth of Strength & Speed Camp and Class; Moving into the new Weight room space and the need to update some of the weight room equipment.
Superintendent Pino reported on the following: Expressed appreciation
Board
CLASSIFIEDS
Garage Sale
708 S Washington St Lisbon, Friday & Saturday 8-5.
Multi-family Sale. Lots of misc brand new and gently used items, including Fall clothing (all sizes) and so much more!
For Rent
Help Wanted
Salon 30, A full service salon and spa located at 941 Highway 30 in Lisbon, has a chair rental available immediately for a licensed Cosmetologist. $450/month includes utilities and laundry facility. Contact suejnelson02@ gmail.com for information.
Miscellaneous
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Test drive to help raise funds for MV Booster Club
Lynch Ford-Chevrolet and Mount Vernon Booster Club will be holding a test drive fundraiser Friday, Sept. 27.
To pre-register for the Drive 4 Ur School event, go to https://d4urs.com/#/pre/KQ4WY.
A $20 donation will be made to the Mount Vernon Booster Club for every test drive made that evening between 4 and 6:30 p.m., up to $6,000 (or 300 total test drives taken).
The cars available for test drive will be parked in front of the main gate to the football field.
Drivers must be 18-years or older and have a valid driver’s license and valid automobile insurance. Limit of one $20 donation per household.
Drivers will need to fill out a pre and post survey.
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, Sept. 26
Story Time, Cornell Public Library Byerly Room, 9:30 a.m.
Fiber Friends, Southeast Linn Community Center, 10:30 a.m.
LBC Adult Speaker Series “What is a Public Library?” by Elizabeth Hoover de Galvez, Lester Buresh Family Community Wellness Center, 1 p.m.
Jessica Monier Fall Faculty Recital “An Evening of Soviet Era Piano Music,” Cornell College Armstrong Youngker Hall Recital Studio, 7 p.m.
Mount Vernon Homecoming Parade and festivities, Mount Vernon Martha Parsons Activities Complex, 6 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 27
Mount Vernon Alumni Hall of Fame induction ceremony, Mount Vernon Performing Arts Center, 9 a.m.
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.
Saturday, Sept. 28
Red Cedar Chamber Orchestra concert, Lisbon Heritage Hall, 11 a.m.
Ensemble Yeon, Cornell College Ringer Recital Studio, 2-4 p.m.
Mount Vernon Homecoming Dance, Mount Vernon High School, 9 p.m.
Monday, Sept. 30
Zadar! Cow From Hell screening, Bijou Movie Theater, 7 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 9:45 a.m. Sun.: 9:45 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 Jack Ray 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
Tuesday, Oct. 1
Lego Club, Cornell college Room 108, 3:30 p.m. Yarn squad, Cornell College Cole Library Room 326, 6:30 p.m.
Mount Vernon Fine Arts Association Meeting, Mount Vernon High School, 7 p.m.
Learn to play Bridge, Cornell College Cole Library room 108, 7-9 p.m.
Mount /Vernon Middle School Parent Teacher Organization meeting, Mount Vernon Middle School, 8 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 2
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, 1-3 p.m.
Mount Vernon Booster club meeting, Mount Vernon High School, 5:30 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 3
Story Time, Cornell Public Library Byerly Room, 9:30 a.m.
Fiber Friends, Southeast Linn Community Center, 10:30 a.m.
Cornell College HAIG Talk Richard Wagner’s Parsifal and the Religious Problem by Professor James Martin, Cornell College West Science Room 110, 11:10 a.m.
LBC Adult Speaker Series “Food Insecurity in Eastern Iowa“ by Kim Guardado, Lester Buresh Family Community Wellness Center, 1 p.m.
Body Convos: A Dance Concert, Cornell College Armstrong-Youngker Hall Kimmel Theatre, 7:30 p.m.
Across
1 Confident claim
5 Tootsie treat?
9 Enclosed rhyme scheme
13 Stone measure
15 Modern-day home of Persepolis
16 Godsend
17 MEDALS
19 “Cheers” bartender Woody
20 Crafty inits.
21 Baseball pitcher’s feat, informally
22 Irritated
23 They work through a lot of baggage, for short
24 GOBI DESERT
27 Quite some time
29 Source of the Golden Fleece
30 What doesn’t look the best naked?
31 Choir section
33 Not so loud
36 “SAY WHAT?”
40 Acting unconsciously
41 Prevailing spirit
43 Game piece in Mastermind
46 Legislative subject of the 2020 miniseries “Mrs. America,” for short
47 Spain’s longest river
48 NEOLITH
54 “Scientia potentia ___” (“Knowledge is power”)
55 Lassie’s owner on old TV
56 Premier couple’s retreat?
57 Furtive laugh
58 Troll’s lookalike
59 RUMMY
62 Land that split from Zanzibar in 1861
63 Medicinal form
64 Word with screen or space
65 Self images?
66 Sleep restlessly
67 Something passed down the line
Down
1 Cold beverage popularized at the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis
2 Sleeveless top
3 Small marching band?
4 Vote in opposition
5 Word that can precede or follow “player”
6 Flynn of Hollywood’s Golden Age
7 41, to 43
8 Popular crowd
9 Top of the order?
10 Foot warmer
11 Young male lover, informally
12 Foul shot following a basket, in hoops lingo
14 Blue reef fish
18 Heartache
22 Reproductive cell
25 Lover of Euridice, in opera
26 Scratching post scratchers
28 Middle-of-the-road
32 With a clear head
33 Zippo
34 Sound asleep
35 Formal ceremony
37 About 2 1/2 pints of beer
38 Catchphrase for moviedom’s “International Man of Mystery”
39 Vikings, e.g.
42 “That’ll show ya!”
43 Buns
44 Tough nut to crack
45 Fitness fanatic, in slang
49 What seers read
50 University of North Carolina team, to fans
51 Pastoral poems
52 Keanu Reeves role
53 Stampeders in “The Lion King”
59 Spot-on
60 Birthplace of bossa nova
61 Joke
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.
Cornell Homecoming and Reunion weekend is Oct. 4 through Oct. 6
Cornell College is excited to welcome back Cornellians and their families as we host Homecoming and Reunion Weekend Oct. 4–6, 2024.
Director of alumni engagement Zoe Russell and the team in Alumni and College Advancement are finalizing preparations.
“Homecoming and Reunion Weekend is a great time for our alumni and friends to meet current students, reconnect with each other, and see our historic campus. Our office is thrilled to welcome Cornellians home to the Hilltop!” Russell said.
There’s a full schedule of events, and here are some you won’t want to miss. Events that are open to the public are noted.
Friday, Oct. 4
• 9–11 a.m. and 1–3 p.m. Classes Without Quizzes, various locations. A limited number of academic classes will be available to alumni and families. Registration is required.
• 6:30–7:30 p.m. All-Alumni Kick-Off Dinner, Smith Dining Room, Thomas Commons. Buffet dinner served from 6:30–7:30 p.m. in Smith Dining Room. Doors open at 6:15. Reserved tables for each reunion class.
• 8:30–9:30 Homecoming Pep Rally Get pumped up at the pep rally held at Van Metre Field at Ash Park
Saturday, Oct. 5
• 8–10 a.m. C Club Breakfast and
Hall of Fame Inductions, Smith Dining Room, Thomas Commons.
• 9–10 a.m.
Pre-Law Breakfast, MLK Room, Thomas Commons. Join pre-law students and members of the Cornell Mock Trial team for breakfast.
• 10:30 a.m.–Noon Homecoming Convocation, Mount Vernon United Methodist Church. This ceremony celebrates tradition and presents success stories from some of Cornell’s most decorated alumni. Awards are presented and 50th reunion alumni are honored. Open to the public.
• 2–4 p.m.
The Cornellian in Retrospect: Memorable Pages from 1880 to 2020, Cole Library. Former Cornellian staff and enthusiasts are invited to celebrate The Cornellian by viewing old issues and sharing stories. Refreshments will be provided.
• 2 p.m.
Football Game vs. Ripon College, Van Metre Field at Ash Park. Cheer on the Rams as they battle Midwest Conference
rival Beloit College. Hall of Fame recipients will be recognized during halftime. Open to the public.
• 3–5 p.m.
Homecoming Art Show Reception and Gallery Talk, Luce Gallery, McWethy Hall. The Department of Art and Art History is pleased to invite you to the reception of Sandy Dyas’ retrospective, “Tangled Up in Time.” Dyas will give an artist talk at 4 p.m. Refreshments and hors d’oeuvres will be served. Open to the public.
• 5–6:30 p.m. Cornellians of Color Reception, Russell Science Center. Meet the Alumni of Color Association, learn about upcoming initiatives and ways to get involved, and get to know fellow Cornellians of color across generations, including current students. Light refreshments will be served.
• 8–9:30 p.m. Hilltop Lounge, Thoms Commons Lobby. Enjoy a cup of hot chocolate or cider, and connect with fellow Cornellians in the lobby.
Eddie Piccard Jazz returns Saturday, Oct. 5
Eddie Piccard Jazz is coming back to Mount Vernon. The group will be at the Uptown Theatre in the First Street Community Center Saturday, Oct. 5, at 7 p.m. The show will feature favorite jazz and pop tunes as well as Dixieland jazz.
Eddie Piccard grew up in Norway, Iowa, and attended Cornell College. He played gigs in Cedar Rapids and near-by communities before leaving for Chicago, the west coast, and Florida. He’s a jazz legend in eastern
Iowa and all over the Midwest.
Eddie Piccard returned to Iowa and opened a jazz club on Mount Vernon Road with his wife Dallis in the 1990s. Wellknown jazz musicians, such as guitarist Russell Malone, traveling in Iowa made a point of jamming at the club with Eddie.
“We closed the club and played until three in the morning,” Eddie recalled.
“People were always astonished to find a thriving jazz club on Mount Vernon Road,” Eddie
recalls. When the city of Cedar Rapids widened Mount Vernon Road the club had to close. Eddie’s group plays regularly in Cedar Rapids, as well as the Chicago area.
“Playing for the Mount Vernon audience is like coming home,” Eddie says. “We always enjoy seeing familiar fans and we love introducing this classic American art form to new listeners.”
Tickets for the performance can be purchased at Bauman’s Clothing Store. Patrons are wel -
come to bring a favorite beverage and purchase a Community Center cup.
