Participation is key to the return of summertime Solon tradition
Customers gather at the Silver Maple Farms’
during the farmers market Wednesday, July 8 in Mushroom Park as owners Beth (middle) and Tyler stand ready to assist and farmers market organizer Katie Hackert (at left) looks on from her Flour Belly Bakery table. Four vendors in total were at the event, the first in at least two years in Solon. Hackert hopes the market will gain in popularity and once again become a weekly part of summer in Solon.
Chris Umscheid Solon Economist chris.umscheid@soloneconomist.com
There are a number of summertime traditions in Solon.
Beef Days, of course, is the biggest, along with high school and youth baseball and softball, and entertainment through the weekly Music on Mainstreet concert series. One tradition that has been absent for a couple of years, a weekly farmers market in Mushroom Park, is attempting to make a comeback. Four vendors were onsite Wednesday, July 8, for the first market in a trial period to determine viability.
Katie Hackert and husband Quinn own Flour Belly Bakery and were selling teas, lemonade, and specialty sourdough breads. Katie spearheaded the effort to bring back the weekly market.
“We’ve lived in Solon for a long time and it’s growing now, there’s a lot more families here, and we think that we could support a farmers market,” she said. “So, we just wanted to amp it back up. It’s been off for a couple of years now, so we asked the City (City Administrator Cami Rasmussen) if we could give it a try to bring it back, and they were very supportive and said yes.”
SCHEDULE, PARADE & RACE ROUTES INSIDE
Beef Days remembers Scott Kleppe
Longtime Solon servant named honor ary Grand Marshal
Cami Rasmussen Solon Beef Days Committee
This year’s honorary 2026 Beef Days Grand Marshal is Scott Kleppe. Scott passed away in June of this year after a brief and unexpected illness. His impact on Beef Days and the Solon community has been immeasurable.
Scott grew up in Tipton and moved to Solon in 1998 when he accepted a job in Public Works for the City of Solon. He led the Solon Public Works Department for nearly 27 years and oversaw the set up and tear down of Beef Days all those years. Scott also served on the Beef Days Committee as the vice president under Gary Bentrim then later as the committee president.
Scott’s wife Tina, son Josh, and daughter-in-law Jenny will be in the Beef Days parade in honor of Scott and his many years of devotion to Beef Days. When asked what hobbies and interests were, the answer was fishing and fishing. He treasured getting away from the hectic pace of public works from time to time to fish both for leisure and in tournaments. He also made custom fishing rods with incredible one-of-a-kind designs.
Scott’s favorite Beef Days event was the hay bale toss, a signature event of Beef Day that packed Solon Main Street with people to watch how high a hay bale can be thrown. There wasn’t a part of Beef Days that Scott wasn’t involved in some way and while it was a lot of work, he looked forward to Thursday nights uptown when most of the set up was complete and the committee and folks setting up would gather under the big tent and share a
beer and laughs.
Beef Days has grown into a premier eastern Iowa celebration, and Scott’s work is a big part of its success. To our dear friend Scott Kleppe, thank you for your long-time service to Beef Days and our Solon community.
McFarland reflects on a lifetime of service after being named Solon Senior of the Year
Giving back has always been more important than receiving, he says
Ella McEntaffer Solon Economist news@soloneconomist.com
When John McFarland received the phone call informing him that he had been selected as Solon's 2026 Senior of the Year, he said the news came as both a surprise and an honor.
“When I got the call from Sandy Hanson, I knew that I had been selected, and I was honored to be that person this year."
For McFarland, the recognition reflects decades of service, not only in Solon, but throughout a lifetime in the Midwest.
McFarland earned a bachelor's
degree in education and a master's degree in school psychology from what was then Emporia State College in Kansas. After teaching one year at a Kansas high school, he entered the U.S. Army Reserve following his draft notice before returning to complete his graduate degree.
Over the years, McFarland has devoted countless hours to community organizations. He has been a member of the American Legion for 47 years, the United Methodist Church for nearly five decades, and served nine years on the Solon school board from 1976 to 1985. He has also been active with the Optimist Club for more than 50 years, volunteered with The Arc of Southeast Iowa, served as a Mason for 67 years, and helped with the Solon
Solon Beef Days is a great festival which has been going
since 1971 — and it is TOTALLY
Chris Umscheid | Solon Economist
table
“We talked to her, let her know what we wanted to sell, why, where we would be setting up because before it was in the parking lot and they closed it off. For several years it was only one vendor, so she said there just wasn’t much of a following and people really weren’t interested in being vendors.”
That lack of participation ultimately led to discontinuing the farmers market, she said.
While green lighting the return of the farmers market, Rasmussen told Hackert the City did not want to use the parking lot for it due to the previous lack of interest and participation. Instead, the vendors set up on the grass near the gazebo.
Tyler and Beth Bird, owners of Silver Maple Farm (located near Solon) brought a variety of fresh produce with carrots piled high on one end of a table. The Birds are frequent participants in a weekly farmers market in Iowa City, and their farm is one of several CSA’s (Community Supported Agriculture) in the Solon area, which enables consumers to purchase locally grown seasonal food directly from a farmer through “shares (AKA: a subscription or membership),”
and receiving a weekly box or bag of items straight from the farm.
“I’m thrilled,” said Tyler at the prospect of weekly farmers markets returning to Solon.
Along with baked goods and vegetables, attendees could also avail themselves of farm fresh eggs courtesy of young Sawyer Frazier.
When asked what led him to sell at the farmers market, he shrugged and said, ““It’s a local area where I might find people that are interested in buying them,” and added, “we’ve had people tell us store (bought) eggs aren’t as good.”
Frazier and Spartan Forge 3D also brought a touch of the contemporary technology to the market in the form of 3-D printed toys, fidget spinners, and other trinkets.
Cole, with Spartan Forge 3D, saw Katie Hackert’s Facebook post about the farmers market and reached out to her to be a part of the event.
“It’s been a bigger turnout than I expected,” he said of the crowd. “I really didn’t know what to expect with it being such short notice.” As for the future of the market, Cole said, “If it’s here, I’ll be here.”
For Michele Machula, who moved to Solon about a year ago, last week’s even was her first Solon farmers market, and it did not disappoint.
“I saw in Facebook, somebody said they were
going to be selling teas and sourdough bread. I retired recently and bought a condo right downtown here, and so I’d love to see the town reinvigorated and have things like this. So, I’m super pumped. I’ll be here to support every week if you keep coming by,” she said to Hackert. “It’s unbelievable!”
After getting word out regarding the first market via social media postings, Hackert said she has received several inquiries about joining the next market, scheduled for Wednesday, July 22.
“I think that in the next few weeks we’ll have more vendors and I’m really hopeful that it’ll be a positive sign and that next year we can have a full-on farmers market, and its advertised; people actually know about it other than from one Facebook post.”
Hackert said she was hopeful that at least a dozen people would come by, “…so we’d have something to show for it. This is way more than what we expected and I’m really, really excited about it.”
To become a vendor contact City Administrator Cami Rasmussen at City Hall (100 Cedar St.).
“She said that she’s OK with people doing a ‘trial week,’ and after that, if they like it, if it goes well, they can apply and pay a $5/week fee,” Hackert said.
Callie Levin named 2026 Solon Beef Days Celebrity Grand Marshal
Cami Rasmussen Solon Beef Days Committee
Callie Levin, a lifelong Solon resident, is the daughter of Nathan Levin, an attorney with F3 Law Firm, and Tara Levin, a psychologist at Cross Roads Psychology. She has four siblings: MaKinley, a University of Iowa graduate; Tenley, a sophomore at Solon High School; Mayley, an eighth grader at Solon Middle School; and McGuire, a fifth grader at Solon Intermediate School.
A standout athlete at Solon High School, Callie became the school's all-time leader in career three-pointers (209) and holds the single-season three-point record with 73, set during the 2023–24 season. Her many accomplishments include being named the 2024 Miss Iowa Basketball, 2024 USA Today Iowa Player of the Year, 2024 SBLive/Sports Illustrated Iowa Player of the Year, and a 2024 McDonald's All-American nominee. She was also a four-time First Team
All-State selection, four-time All-Region, fourtime All-District, four-time Conference Player of the Year, and four-time Unanimous First Team All-Conference honoree.
In addition, she earned four Des Moines Register All-Iowa Team selections, including the Elite Team in 2024, was a four-time Cedar Rapids Gazette All-Area selection, and was named the 2024 Gazette All-Area Player of the Year. Callie helped lead Solon to the 2024 Class 3A State Championship, earning All-Tournament Team honors and the State Tournament Top Producer Award. She also led all Iowa freshmen and sophomores in scoring during her first two high school seasons and was ranked the No. 1 point guard in Iowa's Class of 2024 by Prep Girls Hoops. She spent her first two years at the University of Iowa before transferring to the University of Northern Iowa.
Beef Days has always been one of Callie's favorite community traditions, and she enjoys creating memories with family and friends each
Shirley and Steve Knight named 2026 Solon Beef Days Cornerstone Grand Marshals
Shirley and Steve Knight have been chosen as this year’s Solon Beef Days Cornerstone Grand Marshals of the 2026 Celebration. This special recognition is awarded for their involvement in community activities that have made a positive impact on the Solon community and surrounding area. Thank you for giving your time and care to our community.
Steve's Background: Steve was raised in Iowa City and after graduating from City High he went into the U.S. Navy and was a radioman on the USS Muliphen AKA61. After he returned home, he continued his service in the reserves for six years and worked for Roadway Express for 32yrs.
Shirley's Background: Shirley was born in Sigourney, IA and raised on a farm in Webster. She worked for several years before working with college students in advising and admissions while proudly claiming her dream job was becoming a grandmother to four grandchildren.
Family: Shirey and Steve were married in Sept.1969 and this year we will celebrate their 56th wedding anniversary this year. Their family includes two children: their daughter, Stephanie, and a son, Chris (Bubba). Stephanie and her husband, Mike, have two children, Cormac and Keegan and live in Olathe KS. Chris and his wife, Sarah, have two children, Austin and Gable, and live in Solon.
Solon became their home in 1977 when their daughter was 4yrs old and son was 2yrs and they are thankful to have met so many wonderful people, and glad that many are in Solon today.
Steve’s involvement over the years: Board of Adjustments and P&Z, Library Board, member of the Solon American Legion, took stats for Solon Football for 32 years watching his son, Chris and grandson, Austin, play, coached both their kids in youth basketball for YMCA League, past Solon Athletic Booster Club President, coached boys Babe Ruth League with Charles Whetstine, played on a Softball team at Legion Field with other Solon residents, participated in the Sunday Basketball Team at the old H.S. in Solon with Denny Gruber and Jerry Linderbaum, PEO election official for 20 plus yrs and have worked the late shift at the Beef Days Beer Tent for several years.
Shirley’s involvement over the years: Solon PTO, classroom mom for holiday parties at Lakeview when their kids attended school there, Rock ‘n Read at Solon Elementary when their grandchildren were in kindergarten and 1st grade, read to children at Play and Learn where their granddaughter attended, Solon Women’s Club.
Both Steve and Shirley have sold tickets since the early 1980s for the Beef Days Steak Dinners, were youth group sponsors Solon United Methodist Church when their kids were young teens, were members of the Solon Athletic Booster Club throughout their kids’
school years, working many events at the Carver Hawkeye Arena, and have worked the Legion fish fries in recent years.
Favorite Beef Days Memory: When their kids and extended family surprised them for their 25th wedding anniversary by building a float and riding in the Beef Days parade. They were coming down the street past their home on Dubuque St. and couldn’t believe it was really them! They stopped and climbed upon the hayrack and rode together the rest of the parade route. Steve and Shirley still have the T-shirts made for the occasion!
Volume
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The Solon Economist 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@soloneconomist.com.
STAFF
Publisher Jason Brummond jason.brummond@dailyiowan.com
Editor Chris Umscheid chris.umscheid@ soloneconomist.com
Production Manager Heidi Owen heidi.owen@dailyiowan.com
Advertising Director Juli Krause juli.krause@dailyiowan.com
Interns
year, especially watching the Hay Bale Toss and enjoying a funnel cake.
Cami Rasmussen Solon Beef Days Committee
Contributed photo
Contributed photo
SOLON PUBLIC LIBRARY NEWS
Looking for a break from the summer heat? Cool down at the Library! At the end of the month, we’ll be wrapping up Summer Reading with our FOAM PARTY, Thursday, July 30, at 2:00 p.m.! Wear a swimsuit or active-wear clothing that can get wet, and please bring a towel. Goggles are also encouraged to keep foam out of little eyes.
July 31 is the LAST DAY for the Library’s Summer Reading Program! Get your slips and tickets turned in for a chance to win one of our grand prizes! Small prizes and t-shirts will be available while supplies last! Already finished slips 1-5? Visit the Library to pick up a half-sheet of extra slips! Can’t attend Library programming to earn SECRET CODES? The Library has plenty of activities ready for patrons who drop in! Heads up! The Library will have reduced hours for Solon Beef Days! On Friday, June 17, we’ll be open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and we’ll be closed Saturday, June 18. But don’t worry! Our staff will be enjoying the festivities and walking in the Beef Days Parade on Saturday at 10 a.m. Children and families are also welcome to join our Youth Services Librarian, Lily, during their Kid’s Corner event later that afternoon!
Library programs
Storytimes at the Library are going strong with two available times every Tuesday at 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. Join us
MCFARLAND from 1
for singing, dancing, reading, and playing games. We encourage families to pick the most comfortable time to attend. These events will be identical. Don’t worry about missing either one!
Looking to meet new people and talk about exciting books? Join the Solon Book Club Tuesday, July 21, at 6:30 p.m. Discover next month’s book and meet the Book Club! This month the Book Club has been reading Code Name Hélène by Ariel Lawhon. The story centers on Nancy Wake, an Australian expat living in Paris during German occupation, as she becomes one of the most powerful leaders of the French Resistance. Intended for adults, no registration required.
Want to have fun using technology in new and interesting ways? Join us for a Radio Scavenger Hunt, Wednesday, July 22, at 3 p.m. Teens will be participating in a Foxhunt using radios! Radio transmitters will be scattered throughout the Library, and participants must use radio receivers to find them! This program is intended for teens (incoming 6th - 12th graders), no registration required.
Missing the ocean vibes this summer? Join us with Ocean Odyssey: Stingray Touch Tanks Friday, July 24, at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. The National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium’s traveling touch tank is bringing live ocean animals to the Library! Attendees will learn how these critters survive, their importance to the
senior dining program, where he has spent recent years calling bingo and visiting with fellow seniors.
Rather than listing accomplishments, McFarland prefers to focus on the people he has met through those organizations.
"I've just had a loving, wonderful family that cared and loved," he said. "I've tried to teach my three daughters, six grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren to be active and do what you can with your life."
McFarland credits much of his outlook to the example set by his family and to the friendships he has built through years of community involvement.
One story he especially enjoys sharing is how he reunited with his late wife, Kay.
The two grew up across the street from one another in Hutchinson, Kansas, before her family moved away when they were children. They saw each other only a handful of times over the next 11 years.
Years later, before McFarland left for military training, a chance encounter with a woman from Burlington who knew Kay prompted her to write a letter to his parents. When his parents brought the letter to his basic training graduation, the two reconnected through letters and phone calls. After graduation, McFarland traveled to Burlington, Iowa, to see Kay,
Two men with guitars: Dean and Bob bring an evening of music to Main Street
Chris Umscheid Solon Economist
The weekly Wednesday evening Music on Main Street concert series continued last week with local favorite Dean Manternach and his partner Robert “Bob” Otting, otherwise known as the “Dean and Bob Duo” performing a variety of popular hits with a pair of guitars.
As of this publication’s date four shows remain (weather permitting). This year’s free concerts are dedicated to the memory of Scott Kleppe.
ecosystem, and how you can help with conservation efforts. Attendees will also have the opportunity to get their hands wet! For all ages, registration is required.
Library access
Regular Library hours are Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. and Friday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Closed Sundays. Please always refer to our website calendar or call to check hours as weather may impact our ability to be safely open.
Special hours Friday, July 17 - 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, July 18CLOSED FOR SOLON BEEF DAYS Friday, July 24 - 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Everyone is welcome at the Library and our programs. Please contact us with access needs.
New books in the collection
Here are some new materials in the Library collection!
The Black Girl Survives in This One by Desiree S. Evans and Saraciea J. Fennell. Celebrating a new generation of bestselling and acclaimed Black writers, The Black Girl Survives in This One makes space for Black girls in horror. Fifteen chilling and thought-provoking stories place Black girls front and center as heroes and survivors who slay monsters, battle spirits, and face down death. Prepare to be terrified and left
and the pair were engaged shortly after. They were married on April 6, 1963.
"If I hadn't stopped there, I wouldn't be talking to you," McFarland said with a smile.
Looking back across nearly nine decades, McFarland believes staying active has been one of the keys to a fulfilling life.
"I'm very concerned about taking care of myself, keeping good health, keeping happy and keeping the brain going," he said. "Love yourself, love others, and treat people the right way."
He also hopes younger generations recognize the value of becoming involved in their communities.
"My motto is it's better to give than to take," McFarland said. "Try to be involved in the community as much as you can. Even after retirement, you can still do these things. Try to give back to people."
As this year's Senior of the Year, McFarland will ride in the Beef Days parade, an experience he said he is eagerly anticipating.
"I'm still honored," he said. "Looking forward to the parade. It's going to be fun."
For McFarland, however, the award is less about individual recognition than the community he has spent decades serving.
"I've known many of the other people who've been selected," he said. "I thought, 'That's very good company.' You never know if you'll be chosen. I'm just honored."
Upcoming shows
July 22 – Westwood, featuring Meric Gabrielson
July 29 – “King Bruce,” an Elvis Presley tribute featuring Bruce Wright
August 5 – AM and FM Players, featuring Jeff Allen
August 13 – Jake Rebman and the Waitin’ Rounders, featuring Chase Samek
breathless by the pieces in this anthology. Candy Apple Kisses by Amy Clipston. Artist Emily Carmichael has always considered Splendid Lake her home, but she never imagined she would ever return. However, when she learns her childhood best friend, Jake Hughes, is struggling to save the beloved Hughes Family Orchard, she doesn't hesitate to pack her bags and head back to the North Carolina mountains--even if it means battling a corporate giant and resisting the temptation of too many candy apples.
The Tuxedo Society: a novel by Paul Rudnick. When Andrew Birnbaum, a struggling actor making ends meet by working in a candle shop, gets invited to have dinner with the exclusive Tuxedo Society by his best friend, Brock, his life takes an unexpected turn. What seems like a group of wealthy socialites gathering for gossip and cocktails quickly spirals into a world of espionage, danger, and hilarity.
History of the Solon Public Library – Part 16
The new library was built with an interior wood trim that came from over 1,500 board ft. of quarter-sawn, white oak from the Lake Macbride area. With the help of Dick Schwab, the wood was dried, planed, shaped, sanded and installed by numerous volunteers.
OPINIONS
Hot summer nights without AC and TV
Food for Thought
Milli Gilbaugh
Roughly the first twenty percent of my life was spent without the benefits of television and air conditioning. Oh, the drug stores and the movie theaters were air conditioned, but they offered only sporadic and limited relief from sweltering summer heat. As toddlers and preschoolers, we were treated to numerous leisurely tepid baths in the big bathtub, followed by cooling breezes from two oscillating rubber-bladed electric fans blowing over us as we lay on cool sheets spread over the carpet in the shadowy living room. Mother kept us occupied with coloring books and other low-energy pastimes, minimum clothing consisting of underpants and bath powder. Sometimes she would read to us or play music from recordings by Benny Goodman and Burl Ives on the wind-up Victrola.
When we were a little older, we were allowed to soak unsupervised in a washtub filled with cool water and placed in the afternoon shade on the north side of the garage. Sometimes, we were given tin cups or empty pop bottles and invited to dip water from the tub to fill the birdbath or water the flowers that grew beside the backyard fence. Quite often that activity evolved into spirited water-fights, an activity that survived well into our adulthood and had no rules. Everyone was fair game when it came to water fights; no matter who they were or how they were dressed. If you didn't want to get splashed, you stayed in the house until everyone else was soaked and comfortably cooled down.
As children, we were not permitted to use the garden hose without permission and supervision. The hose was wielded almost exclusively by Mother. After supper on hot summer evenings, she would kick off her shoes, hook up the hose, and wash down the south side of the house. She squirted the cooling spray along the outside walls of the kitchen and the narrow back porch, the wooden steps, the concrete walk and the bed of blooming moss roses that led from the porch to the driveway. Then she'd hose down the board fence that separated the back yard from public view, giving the climbing morning-glories and bed of marigolds, zinnias and snapdragons a misty drink in the process.
The air temperature didn't seem to always matter when it came to neighborhood after-supper games. If enough kids showed up looking for fun and games, something always developed. It might be a simple session of Simon Says, Red light-Green light or Mother, May I? But everybody joined in, from toddlers to teens. Hide and Seek became Sardines, more popular as we discovered it was more fun if we told that “special” person where we planned to hide, or gave someone else a false hint as a practical joke. After the adoption of Daylight Savings Time during WWII, those active twilight games usually ended before it was totally dark, and we often found ourselves trying to fall asleep while the sky retained a rosy glow.
In summer, Mother and Dad moved us all to the screened-in front porch for sleeping rather than suffering in the stuffy heat of the upstairs bedrooms. The porch was divided into two rooms. The smaller room was most easily accessed by climbing through a dining room window. This became our parents' summer bedroom and was separated from the other room by a waist-high wall and an incongruous screen door. The other room was entered through the front door, stretched the width of the house and provided ample space for our summertime beds as well as providing room for quiet games and a few visiting playmates in hot or rainy weather. This part of the porch had half-walls topped by wide screens and heavy canvas shades mounted on the inside so that they could be easily and quickly lowered to keep out rain and wind from sudden showers or fierce summer storms.
On many airless evenings, we would be in our pajamas, relaxed on cool sheets that covered the scratchy upholstery of the back seat of the car. The windows were rolled down, and Dad drove just fast enough to create a breeze as we went east of town, across the river, up the Bellefontain hill and back, falling asleep just as we headed back across the river.
Q&A: Secure America Act
With U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley
Q: Why did you push for passage of the Secure America Act?
A: The disastrous open border policies of the Biden Administration weakened our national security and created a humanitarian crisis by empowering criminal networks to exploit tens of thousands of vulnerable migrant children and emboldening drug cartels to push their poison into the country, including along Iowa’s major highways. Lax enforcement of our immigration laws under the previous administration paved unprecedented illegal migration into the country, further exacerbated by the Biden administration’s abuse of the federal immigration parole system.
During the Biden presidency, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) calculated a net entry of more than seven million people illegally entering the United States, nearly doubling legal immigration from fiscal years 2021 to 2024.
The Republican-led Congress and the Trump administration are fixing the mess created by the Biden administration’s open border policies. The CBO examined how the illegal immigration surge strained social services and local budgets, calculating it resulted in a direct net cost of more than $9 billion in 2023.
As chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, which has jurisdiction over matters related to immigration and law enforcement, I led passage of the Secure America Act, signed into law in June.
The nearly $70 billion package boosts border security and immigration enforcement funding, strengthening the ability of the executive branch to faithfully execute the laws of the land. As America celebrates 250 years since our nation’s founding, we’re called to recognize how we got
West Branch PFI Field Day
Ken Fawcett of West Branch will be hosting a Practical Farmers of Iowa (PFI) field day. The event is free to attend and open to the public.
Conservation in action on a multigenerational family farm
Ken Fawcett has been part of Fawcett Family Farms for decades. The operation, in Cedar County, Iowa, is now run by Ken's son, Thomas, and nephew, Kent Stuart. But though retired, Ken is still passionate about the legacy and stewardship of the family ground. Over the last 50 years, Ken and his family have adopted a range of conservation practices, such as no-till, riparian buffers, prairie restoration and cover crops.
here and where we’re headed. That includes upholding the founding principles to defend our sovereignty and adhere to the rule of law, such as protecting our borders, enforcing immigration and trade laws, and respecting immigrants who obey our laws to come to America.
Q: How will the Secure America Act improve public safety?
A: This law fully funds federal law enforcement officers and U.S. border security personnel, the men and women who risk their lives to keep our streets safe, keep dangerous drugs out of our communities, and keep counterfeit products off our shelves. It’s downright reckless that my Senate Democrat colleagues blocked funding for federal law enforcement officers and intentionally undermined the appropriations process that led to government shutdowns of federal agencies that serve and protect the American public, from border security to security screenings at airports.
The Secure America Act ensures federal law enforcement officers will be paid for their work.
As always, I’m proud to shape public policy that backs the blue and supports measures to protect public safety, including keeping violent criminals, illicit drugs, and contraband off our streets.
By all accounts, the Trump administration has reversed the disastrous open border policies of the previous administration and is delivering historic border security, upholding our nation’s sovereignty, and enforcing federal trade, immigration, and agriculture laws. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security recently announced 13 consecutive months of zero releases of illegal immigrants into the country. At the same time, federal agencies continue robust enforcement of illicit drug trafficking, counterfeit goods, and prohibited plant and animal products from entering the country.
The Secure America Act gives American families peace of mind that this vital mission of law enforcement is fully funded through 2029.
Encouraged by soil health benefits and decreased soil erosion, they strive to improve their land and stay profitable while preserving the environment for generations to come. Join Ken and his family at this field day to see their conservation efforts in action. They'll share how they implement and manage practices, and how they strive to work with the Iowa landscape to maintain a successful operation.
Date: Wednesday, July 22
Time: 10 a.m. to noon
Location: Fawcett Family Farms | 459 290th Street, West Branch
RSVP: Attendees can RSVP by visiting the event page or calling PFI at (515)-232-5661.
For more information about PFI field days, visit our Field Days webpage. COLLEGE NEWS
Bumsted graduates from Iowa Lakes Community College
ESTHERVILLE — The accomplishments of 335 Iowa Lakes Community College students, including Grant Bumsted (Associate in Applied Science, Powersports & Power Equipment Technology) of Solon, were celebrated during the College's Spring 2026 Commencement Ceremony on Friday, May 15, as graduates crossed the stage to receive degrees, diplomas, and certificates marking the completion of their academic journeys.
Held at 3 p.m. on the Estherville campus, the ceremony brought together graduates, families, friends, faculty, staff, and community members to recognize the dedication and perseverance that led each student to this milestone. Graduates represented a wide range of career and transfer programs, reflecting the commitment Iowa Lakes has to preparing students for success in the workforce and beyond.
"Commencement is one of the most meaningful days of the academic year because it celebrates the determination, resilience, and accomplishments of our students," said Scott Stokes, President of Iowa Lakes Community College. "Each graduate has worked toward a goal that will create new opportunities for themselves, their families, and their communities. We are honored to celebrate this achievement with them and look forward to seeing the impact they will make in the years ahead."
The Spring 2026 graduating class joins more than 30,000 Iowa Lakes alumni who are making a difference throughout Iowa and across the nation. Whether entering
the workforce, transferring to four-year institutions, or advancing in their current careers, Iowa Lakes graduates leave with the knowledge, technical skills, and hands-on experience needed to succeed.
Grimm named to Minnesota State Mankato’s 2026 spring semester Dean’s List
MANKATO, Minn. — The Academic High Honor and Honor lists (Dean's lists) for the past spring semester at Minnesota State University, Mankato have been announced by Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs David Hood.
Zoey Grimm, of Solon, was named to the Honor List. Among 4,065 students, a total of 1,300 students qualified for the High Honor List by achieving a 4.0 straight "A" average, while 2,765 students earned a 3.5 to 3.99 average to qualify for the Honor List.
To qualify for academic honors, undergraduate students must be enrolled for at least 12 credit hours for the semester.
Upper Iowa University announces Spring 2026 Dean's List
FAYETTE — Upper Iowa University has announced that Mallory Bennett of Ely and Alexis Sorensen of Solon have been named to the Dean's List for the 2026 Spring Semester. To be honored, a student must have earned a minimum 3.50 grade point average and be enrolled as a full-time student.
BEEF DAYS
race route
PARADE ROUTE
2026 Beef Days Scholarship winners announced
The Solon Beef Days Committee has announced the recipients of the 2026 Beef Days scholarships.
Bob Stinocher Scholarship –Awarded to Tripp Johnson. Bob (who passed away in 2016) was a founding member of Beef Days starting in 1971 with his wife Jean and a 57-year member of the Solon American Legion Stinocher Post 460 with 40 years on the Color Guard.
Larry Meyers Scholarship –awarded to Teague Williams. Larry (who passed away in 2009) was also a long time Beef Days Committee member and was on the Johnson County Board of Supervisors at the time of his death.
Kris Brown Scholarship –awarded to Ashley Farnsworth. Kris retired from three decades as the Solon Library Director and was named Solon Senior Advocates’ Senior of the Year in 2021. She also has served as the Beef Days secretary for many years and continues to enjoy her retirement here in Solon.
“These named scholarships reflect the memory or dedication for some special folks that have been involved with Beef Days over the years,” noted City Administrator Cami Rasmussen.
Beef Days Scholarship –awarded to Piper Stahle.
SOLON SENIORS
DINING ••••••••••••
FYI – Senior Dining is funded by donations only. THANK YOU donors for supporting Solon Senior Dining in it’s mission to serve seniors!
In-House Dining - Wednesdays only at 11:30 at the Solon Methodist Church and are provided by the Solon Retirement Village Kitchen. Reservations for Wednesday dine-in are required two days in advance of meal by calling 319-624-2251 Mondays 10-11:00 a.m. No meals Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Home Deliveries - Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Meals cost $5.00. Call 319-624-2251 for reservations (required) two days in advance of meal.
Bingo Wednesdays AM/PM
Cards Wednesdays PM
Senior Dining will call clients personally if we need to cancel meals.
JULY MENU •••••••••
Friday, July 17
Solon Beef Days Friday & Saturday
Honey Butter Biscuit
Pollack
Macaroni & Cheese
Broccoli Bread
Fresh Fruit
Monday, July 20
Country Fried Steak
Mashed Potatoes
Cream Gravy
Honey Buttered Carrots
Fresh Fruit
Wednesday, July 22
Smothered Pork Chop
Baked Potato Green Beans
Blueberry Crisp
Across
1 Word before baked or naked
5 Pinnacles
10 Thousand ___, city that’s part of Greater Los Angeles
14 ___ Sea, body of water that lost 90% of its volume to irrigation
15 Not secured
16 Arm part
17 It might have many sides
18 “Yes, sir!,” to an ancient Roman?
20 Like photons, but not protons
22 Passes out
23 Sarcastic laugh syllable
24 Yea or nay
25 Sailor’s bearings, to an ancient Roman?
30 Flu-fighting org.
33 Met someone?
34 “Begone!”
35 Milky Way explosion
36 Live
38 Many a commencement speaker, in brief
39 Had the answer
40 Your mind’s eye?
42 “To be,” in Iberia
43 Certain Microsoft Office files, to an ancient Roman?
45 Destination for 2025’s ESCAPADE satellites
46 “Cobra ___” (Netflix series)
47 Chicken
50 Something you might keep tabs on?
55 Prestigious group of schools, to an ancient Roman?
57 Lack of friction
58 A wine (with an accent), or a flower (without one)
59 Farm measures
60 Genetic communicator, for short
61 Lyrical works
62 Bare amount
63 Gym units
Down
1 Jon of “Top Gun: Maverick”
2 Integral calculation
3 Setups for some routers, in brief
4 Poker holding of four cards of the same suit
5 Clark Kent has one
6 Barnyard producers of 7-Down
7 Sounds produced by 6-Down
8 Key next to a Touch Bar on some Mac laptops
9 Ocean mist 10 Convex physical feature
11 EGOT-winning composer Menken 12 Furrow, as one’s brow 13 Without 19 Gillette Stadium team in the N.F.L., to fans
TV journalist Spencer
Truth 25 Traffic jam cacophony
Word on either side of “say”
People one might meet at a drive
Bargain hunter’s targets
Most perilous
Country that forms a tripoint
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.
TIFFIN — The Solon Lady Spartans ended their season with a second round playoff loss in Tiffin July 11 as Clear Creek Amana (CCA) took an early lead en route a 9-3 win. Sophomore pitcher Beckitt Kabela had allowed less than 1.5 walks per seven innings all season, but struggled with control right away putting a pair of Clippers on base and allowing an infield single. Solon almost got out of the inning, but a passed ball plated a run and CCA led 1-0 after an inning. Things got worse in the second as the CCA put three runners on by hits, and two more on walks leaving the bases loaded with two out and a 3-0 Clipper advantage. Kabela would leave and Zoey Melloy would enter the circle. Melloy would get the final out, but not before allowing a two run double and CCA lead 5-0 after two.
Solon would rally, however. Freshman Maddie Bell’s liner to right went under the outfielder’s glove for a triple to lead off the third and she scored on a Beckett Kruse sacrifice fly. The Lady Spartans would score two more runs in fourth after Melloy retired the Clippers in order in the third. Kabela singled and went to third on Chloe Madura’s double. Senior Dillon Ostrander’s infield hit would plate Kabela, and Madura scored as well when Ostrander attempted a steal and the Clippers threw down to second base making the score 5-3. A pair of strikeouts would end the rally, and Solon would not score again in the game. CCA would add four runs in the fifth inning to close the scoring.
Ostrander finished her Solon career with a second hit in the seventh inning and a career high .294 season batting average. She tied for the team lead in hits (35) with Kabela and Liv Nelson. Ashtyn Swancutt (8th grade) had a hit in the game and led the Lady Spartans with a .333 batting average this year. Cleanup hitter Kabela led the team in RBI with 25 and Nelson led team in runs scored with 31.
Solon used four pitchers this season, all posting more than 50 innings. Junior Emerson Miller led the team with eight wins and junior Laeni Hinkle led in ERA (3.61). The Lady Spartans end 2026 with an 18-21 record, but return every starter and key player other than Ostrander, who moves on to Mt Mercy University this fall. CCA moved their record to 26-11 and hosted Xavier in a regional final July 14.
Lady Spartans softball starts postseason with win
Solon 6 Maquoketa 2
Mike Kabela
Solon hosted a first round regional playoff game Thursday, July 9, versus Maquoketa winning 6-2. The Lady Spartans jumped out to a 2-0 first inning lead when Laeni Hinkle walked, Liv Nelson singled and Beckitt Kabela delivered a two-RBI single. Despite a 1-8 season record, Kabela took the circle for Solon and shut down the Cardinals for four innings, allowing only one hit and an unearned run.
Solon added to their lead in the third inning when Ashlyn Swancutt doubled, Nelson advanced her to third on an infield hit, and Kabela’s sacrifice fly made the score 3-0. Maquoketa would answer in the fourth with Hadley Ihrig’s leadoff double. Kabela appeared to work out of the inning, but a two out routine grounder was mishandled, and Maquoketa cut the lead to 3-1.
Zoey Melloy would relieve Kabela in the fifth inning. She would allow Ihrig’s sixth homer of the season in the sixth inning cutting the lead to 3-2, but the Lady Spartans would put the game away in the home half of the inning.
Chloe Madura led off with a single and went to second on Dillon Ostrander’s sacrifice. Pinch-hitter Emerson Miller then delivered an RBI single, and Solon was feeling a win within reach. Laeni Hinkle’s two-run single pushed the lead to 6-2 and essentially slammed the door as Melloy would allow only an infield hit in the seventh and the Lady Spartans celebrated a win in their last home game of the year.
Kabela ran her record to 2-8 and dropped her ERA to 3.77. Melloy picked up her first save to go with her 4-3
Beckitt Kabela throws a pitch in the third inning of a Class 4A Region 7 quarterfinal game between the Lady Spartans and the Maquoketa Cardinals at Solon Softball Complex Thursday, July 9, 2026. The Spartans beat the Cardinals, 6-2 to advance to the semifinals Saturday, July 11, at Clear Creek Amana. Above right: Harlow Meade scores a run in the sixth inning of a Class 4A Region 7 quarterfinal game between the Lady Spartans and the Maquoketa Cardinals at Solon Softball Complex Thursday, July 9, 2026. The Spartans beat the Cardinals, 6-2 to advance to the semifinals Saturday, July 11, at Clear Creek Amana.
record. Solon ran their record to 18-20 while Maquoketa dropped to 13-27.
Solon drops final regular season game to West Liberty
Comets 7 Lady Spartans 3
Mike Kabela
Solon travelled to West Liberty Monday, July 6, wrapping up their regular season with a 7-3 loss to the Comets, ranked #9 in Class 3A. Solon got off to rough start as West Liberty rapped three doubles in the first inning to take a 2-0 lead off Lady Spartan pitcher Laeni Hinkle.
Hinkle would settle down in the second with a one, two, three inning and Solon’s Ashtyn Swancutt walked and scored on Liv Nelson’s sacrifice bunt to make the game 2-1 going into the bottom of the third. West Liberty struck again, however, with a homer, two walks and two singles knocking Hinkle out of the game and leaving a one out bases loaded jam for Beckitt Kabela. The sophomore would get a pop out and strike out to end the inning but not before a passed ball would make the score 5-1 for West Liberty.
Senior center fielder Dillon Ostrander was Solon’s offensive star for the game. She would lead off the fourth inning with a single later scoring on a passed ball and lead off the sixth with a triple and then scoring on Emerson Miller’s sacrifice fly. Ostrander had three of Solon’s six hits for the game.
Kabela would allow a pair of runs in fifth inning and Zoey Melloy would throw a clean sixth inning, but Solon could not score in the seventh. Solon dropped to 17-20, while West Liberty claimed their 17th win against 12 losses.
Spartans open postseason campaign with shutout win
John Charlson Solon Economist news@soloneconomist.com
The Spartans shut out the Keokuk Chiefs in their first game of the IHSAA Class 3A Substate 5 postseason tournament on Friday, July 10. Winning 7-0, the Spartans defended their home field with the first inning ending in two runs for Solon, the first by shortstop Maddox Kelley, followed by right fielder Luke Merrick. The second inning started again with pitcher Luke Deike sending Keokuk’s batters right back to the dugout with two strikeouts. Finishing the inning, Merrick smacked a home run clear past left field, sending Kelley home with him to score the pair ’s second set of runs.
The top of the third was some of Deike’s best, sending all three Keokuk batters back to the dugout for three strikeouts with only nine pitches. Second baseman Michael Bigelow capped off the inning with a triumphant run, first hitting a single, then sneaking to second, and finally coming home on left fielder Sawyer Hansel’s single.
The next two innings resulted in no runs for either team, but Solon’s defense remained strong. A quick pass from first baseman Tate Miller to Kelley to get Keokuk’s runner out at second in the fourth, but the pass back to Miller wasn’t in time for the double play to get the batter out. Maintaining the energy, center fielder Dylan Gorham catches a ball way in outfield to transition into the bottom of the inning.
Moving to the bottom of the sixth inning, Kelley hits another double, only to then trade places with Merrick on his double. The two scoring the last couple of runs for Solon, while pitcher Brady Wick switches in for Miller to pitch the last inning, getting two strikeouts to end the game.
The win advanced Solon to the semifinals and a Monday, July 13 visit from WaMaC West foe Williamsburg (after this edition’s deadline). The winner faced either Assumption Catholic (Davenport) or Mount Pleasant in the Substate 5 state qualifier game Wednesday, July 15.
Spartans go 2-1 to close out regular season play
Solon 17 South Tama County 0
The Spartans’ final WaMaC conference game of the regular season was Monday, July 6 at home against winless South Tama (WaMaC West) for a four-inning shutout. Junior Brody Woolley, eighth grader Gavin Kelley, and senior Caden Bails produced two hits each with a double, a triple, and five RBIs for Woolley. Sophomore Milo Menzel took the win after two innings on the mound giving up no hits, no runs, walking one, and striking out three.
The Spartans also hosted the Mississippi Athletic Conference’s North Scott Lancers last Monday improving to 22-8 overall with a non-conference win. Senior Carson Kidwell produced two of Solon’s six hits with a single, a double, and three RBIs. Sophomore Tate Miller was awarded the win after four innings on the bump giving up two hits and the Lancer’s only run (earned). Miller retired five batters in the contest.
Stats
Hits – Carson Kidwell 2, Maddox Kelley 1, Luke Merrick 1, Luke
Top: Luke Merrick celebrates with his teammates after hitting a home run in the second inning of an IHSAA 3A Substate 5 quarterfinals game between the Solon Spartans and the Keokuk Chiefs at Solon High School Baseball Field on Friday, July 10. The Spartans beat the Chiefs 7-0 to advance to the semifinals against Williamsburg Monday, July 13. Far left: Luke Merrick celebrates with catcher Carson Kidwell and shortstop Maddox Kelley after hitting a home run in the second inning of an IHSAA 3A Substate 5 quarterfinals game between the Solon Spartans and the Keokuk Chiefs at Solon High School Baseball Field on Friday, July 10. Left: Carson Kidwell makes contact in the first inning of an IHSAA 3A Substate 5 quarterfinals game between the Solon Spartans and the Keokuk Chiefs at Solon High School Baseball Field on Friday, July 10.
Liberty High 5 Solon 4
The Spartans closed out the regular season with a visit to North Liberty and the Liberty High Lightning falling 5-4 to the Mississippi Valley Conference, Mississippi Division “Bolts” after a 1-1 tie at the end of the first inning. Liberty plated one run in the second and two in the fourth before two Spartans scored in the top of the fifth to cut the gap to 3-4. Liberty added a run in the bottom of the fifth while Solon’s final run crossed the dish in the sixth. Maddox Kelley, Carson Kidwell, and Michael Bigelow produced Solon’s three hits with a homerun for Kelley and a double for Bigelow. Thomas Lepic was charged with the loss after three innings of work giving up seven hits, three earned runs, and striking out two.
Monday, July 20-Friday, July 24 – Class 3A State Baseball Tournament, Veterans Memorial Stadium, Cedar Rapids IHSAA State Tournament Central –www.ihsaa.org/baseball/state-tournament-central/
Stats Hits - Luke Merrick 3, Carson Kidwell 3, Maddox Kelley 2, Michael Bigelow 1, Brady Wick 1, Sawyer Hansel 1, Dylan Gorham 1, Luke Deike 1
