Housing survey highlights affordability concerns in Solon
Natalia Scales Solon Economist news@soloneconomist.com
Solon residents are voicing concerns about housing affordability and availability, as revealed by a recent housing survey initiated by City Council Member Lauren Whitehead. Whitehead launched this independent survey to start the conversation in Solon while Johnson County conducts a comprehensive county-wide housing assessment, a process that could take up to two years. The goal was to initiate dialogue among residents, circulate information, and ensure the community is united in understanding and addressing housing affordability to facilitate meaningful change.
"Each voice matters to me," Whitehead explained, underscoring the importance of immediate community feedback. "We needed to start the conversation now."
Johnson County's June 26 presentation highlighted that the median salary in the county is barely sufficient to afford the median-priced home, emphasizing the need for urgent action. Whitehead’s survey specifically sought to understand local residents' priorities and concerns regarding Solon’s housing market. The survey received 84 responses and provided key insights into how the community views the housing situation.
Nearly half of the respondents (45%) mentioned the need for "affordable housing," illustrating the pressing nature of the issue. However, about 25% explicitly expressed reservations about "low-income housing," highlighting the complex views residents have on affordability.
"The responses didn't shock me," Whitehead noted, "but they show that there's a misconception about what affordable housing is. Affordable housing creates opportunities for teachers, healthcare workers, and young families who want to put down roots here." Whitehead emphasized the importance of
Kade Pieper two-peats at Beef Days Hay Bale Toss
AJ Dolan Solon Economist news@soloneconomist.com
It has become an annual tradition for Iowa football players to put their strength to the test at Solon Beef Days’ esteemed Hay Bale Toss, and this year was no exception, hosting numerous Hawks in the 2025 event.
After offensive lineman Kade Pieper’s victory last year, winning at a bar height of 12 feet, he made it his mission to once again outperform his competition as well as himself.
“I didn’t really change anything from last year,” said Pieper. “I just came to throw it up there.”
And throw it he did. In front of his fellow Hawkeye teammates, Pieper stepped up to the bar and made his bale tosses count, beating his last year height with 13 feet in an overtime battle with opposer Wyatt Seagren.
“It was fun, I enjoyed it a lot. It was great to win and have all these people around, especially my teammates,” said Pieper.
Prior to Pieper’s win, both the women’s and master’s divisions showdowns took place, gathering hundreds to witness the strength and determination of their peers.
In the women’s division, former Hawkeye Track & Field athlete Jamie Kofron took home the Champion belt after a shootout with Cat Kruschke, winning with a bar height of 9 feet, 6 inches.
In the master’s division, Steve McElmeel was crowned the victor, beating the crowd favorite Moose Kueter with an impressive height of 11 feet, 6 inches.
If the annual Hay Bale Toss is Solon Beef Days’ biggest event, then the Kid’s Tractor Pull must be a close second. Starting an hour before the toss, kids in multiple weight classes compete on pedal tractors to a sizeable crowd as Solon’s Don ‘Voice of the Spartans’ Ellis emcee’s the event.
Natalia Scales | Solon Economist
Maddox Stormer, of Solon, chugs along steadily as he competes in the 51–55 lb. group in the Kid’s Tractor Pull Friday, July 18, during Solon Beef Days.
AJ Dolan | Solon Economist
Iowa football lineman Kade Pieper muscles a hay bale at the annual Hay Bale Toss during Solon Beef Days Friday, July 18. Pieper defended his 2024 win with a 13’ toss in a showdown to claim the 2025 Championship.
Below: Master division second place winner Moose Kueter steps up to the bar to throw a hay
Far left: Gracie Hanes, of Solon, rides steady in the 51–55 lb. weight class competition in the Kid’s Tractor Pull Friday, July 18, during Solon Beef Days.
Left top: Landon Saul, from Solon, shows determination during the 36–40 lb. weight class competition in the annual Kid’s Tractor Pull.
Left bottom: Addie Brown, from Solon, competes in the 36–40 lb. weight class in the Kid’s Tractor Pull.
TRACTOR PULL
Photos by AJ Dolan | Solon Economist
Above: Women’s division winner Jamie Kofron’s throw clears the bar at the Hay Bale Toss during Solon Beef Days Friday, July 18.
Right: Women’s division runner-up Cat Kruschke flings a bale at the annual Hay Bale Toss..
Photos by Natalia Scales | Solon Economist
Above: Master division winner Steve McElmeel attempts a 12-foot throw at the Hay Bale Toss during Solon Beef Days Friday, July 18.
bale.
The countdown is on! Just one-week of Summer Reading left.
Turn in your completed slips by Thursday, July 31. And don’t forget—reading earns you small prizes and chances to win grand prizes and unlock new levels of achievement. So, grab your library card, gather your friends, and get ready to Level Up your summer—only at your library!
Library Programs
Test your knowledge at Level Up Trivia Friday, July 25, at 6:30 p.m. This trivia is game themed and will feature four rounds of trivia covering everything from sports, board games, and video games. Register your team online or at the Library to compete. Trivia is intended for adults.
Our final Kids program in Summer Reading is Tie Dye, Monday, July 28, at 11:00 a.m. on the Library lawn. Participants will get a pair of cotton socks to get creative with as they learn the art of tie dye. This program is for incoming 1st-8th graders, caregivers are needed to stay and assist their children with this activity.
We’ve been having such a great time with Storytime this summer we’ll continue with two sessions each Tuesday morning through Tuesday, August 19. Whether you join us at 9:30 or 10:30, it’s the same great Storytime with songs, books, and games designed for preschoolers, siblings, and caregivers. While the sun is shining we’ll also enjoy one more Saturday Splash Pad Storytime Saturday, August 9, at 10:30 a.m. at the Solon Splash Pad, located in Solon Recreation and Nature Area (SRNA).
Please note: Storytime will take a short break Tuesday, August 26, and Tuesday, September 2. We’ll return Saturday, September 9, at 10:30 a.m. with Storytime fun!
To close out our summer of incredible programs and guests, we’re excited to share Dinosaurs at Dusk Friday, August 1, at 6:00 p.m. on the Library Lawn & Patio. We’ll enjoy a large variety of wooden dinosaurs from the Jack Neuzil collection. Friends can read a book with their favorite dinosaur, get creative with crafts, and enjoy sensory play. The Library will close at 5:00 p.m. as usual, we’ll host this spectacular event outside on
SURVEY from 1
preserving Solon’s character, noting that the city's slogan, "A place to put down roots," should reflect real opportunities for residents. She expressed concern that many who wish to live in Solon are currently being priced out. "People are feeling the squeeze," she said. "Residents who want to live here simply can’t make the cut because of rising costs."
Moving forward, Whitehead hopes the data collected will prompt broader community discussions, shape future city policies, and encourage collabora-
the patio and lawn. Restrooms will be available during the program.
Library Access
Regular Library hours are Monday-Thursday, 9:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. and Friday-Saturday, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 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.
We are open Friday, July 25, 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. to allow time for our monthly staff in-service.
Everyone is welcome at the Library and our programs. Please contact us with access needs.
What’s New?
We’re always adding new movies, documentaries, and TV series to the collection. Try one of these new releases this weekend.
Hummingbirds of Hollywood. Amid the glamour of Hollywood, a woman finds herself on a transformative journey as she nurtures wounded hummingbirds, unraveling a visually captivating tale of love, fragility, healing, and the delicate beauty in profound acts of kindness. [A PBS Nature Documentary]
Landman, Season 1. Deep in the heart of West Texas, roughnecks and wildcat billionaires try to get rich quick in the oil business as oil rigs begin to dominate the state. Crisis executive Tommy Norris tries to bring his company to the top during a fueling boom. Starring Billy Bob Thornton, Demi Moore, and Jon Hamm. [TVMA]
Sinners. Trying to leave their troubled lives behind, twin brothers return to their hometown to start again, only to discover that an even greater evil is waiting to welcome them back. Starring Michael B. Jordan. [Rated R]
Snow White. (2025) A princess joins forces with seven dwarfs and a group of rebels to liberate her kingdom from her cruel stepmother the Evil Queen. Starring Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot. [Rated PG]
tions with developers. She also sees the potential for policy changes and new funding opportunities resulting from this project.
"This survey wasn't designed to call people out," Whitehead clarified. "It was meant to gather information, hold a mirror up to our community, and illuminate what changes are needed. If we create space for affordable housing, we create space for amazing people to join us."
Whitehead is optimistic about community support, emphasizing that housing solutions are crucial not only for current residents but for future generations of Solon.
are seen deconstructing stuffies at our recent FrankenToys program. Participants dismembered stuffed animals and reassembled them in unexpected and sometimes monstrous ways, like a cuddly Dr. Frankenstein’s laboratory. Above: A Teen poses with creations assembled after deconstruction of stuffies.
Solon Public Library contributed photos
Top: Teens
OPINIONS
Swimming; the pool, the pond, the lake
Food for Thought
Milli Gilbaugh
My hometown of Knoxville had a lovely swimming pool, built by the Works Progress Administration sometime during the 1930's. The project included a separate wading pool for small children and a shaded gazebo for mothers and caregivers to shelter against sunburn while they kept a watchful eye on their youngsters. The WPA, as it was known, also produced other types of infrastructure in many towns and cities, such as hospitals, bridges and parks. In addition to the pool and the accompanying bathhouse, was an adjoining football stadium, the bathhouse serving as showers and lockers for the football teams.
During those same years of Franklin Roosevelt's presidency, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) produced many similar projects aimed toward conservation of natural resources including building dams to control flooding and create lakes and state parks for recreation. Two such parks were constructed not too far from Knoxville. Lake Ahquabi (an Indian word meaning 'resting place') was located south of Indianola and Lake Keomah was east of Oskaloosa. Both included swimming beaches with bathhouse facilities, refreshment stands, lifeguards, picnic areas and boat docks.
My dad, having grown up near a lake in northern Wisconsin, was accustomed to swimming in natural waters and shunned the opportunity to swim in the city pool. He objected to the chemicals added to the water in public pools (although he understood the necessity) and did not like the thought of sharing such a small amount of water with so many other people. He did, however believe that his daughters should know how to swim and insisted we take swimming lessons at the local pool each summer. As a result, we always had season tickets to the pool and went swimming nearly every day during hot weather. Dad did not entirely give up swimming just because there was no lake handy enough for a quick swim after work on sweltering weekdays. He had hunting access to a farm belonging to a friend and there were twin ponds on that farm. The ponds, separated by a wide dirt dam, were spring fed and the water was always clean and cold. The lower pond was for the cattle and other livestock and was surrounded by low hills of clay with no trees except a few elms and willows growing on the dam. The swimming pond, on the other side of the dam boasted a small beach of fine, pale sand and a steady supply of clean, cold water tumbling through a thicket of berry bushes and grasses from a natural spring hidden somewhere in dense timber. Swimming privileges went with the hunting arrangement. It was only a twenty minute drive from our house to the twin ponds and, on many hot days, Mother would have a picnic supper packed and ready to go. When Dad got home shortly after the town whistle sounded at 5:30 signifying the end of the business day, it didn't take long for us to all be in the car and on our way to a chilly swim.
I can't remember a time when I couldn't swim. It seems I always knew how. I was never an expert swimmer, but I was very buoyant, floated effortlessly and had no fear of water. Dad swam with an easy sidestroke and I had apparently learned from him, for that was my choice also. In spite of all those swimming lessons I could never do an acceptable Australian crawl.
On weekends, when hot weather made the thought of a swim irresistible, Dad was happy to forget the gardening and yard work for an afternoon at one of the man-made lakes. Lake Ahquabi was the largest of the two lakes but the beach was rocky and we wore rubber bathing shoes to protect our feet. There was a tall diving tower which I dared myself to dive or jump from but always chickened out. Lake Keomah, located on the border of Keokuk and Mahaska counties, was shallower and featured a fine sandy beach and raft with a low diving board. The beach there was less crowded than at Lake Ahquabi which, being close to Des Moines, attracted considerably more people.
Q&A: Organized retail crime costs families $500 annually
With U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley
Q: How does organized retail crime impact Main Street businesses and customers?
A: Organized crime syndicates are rampaging retail stores and cargo fleets across the country through sophisticated criminal schemes. It’s costing businesses and consumers billions of dollars a year. We’re not talking about a kid stealing a candy bar or pack of gum near the checkout counter. These schemes include cybercrime, fraud and other complex cons that have surged in recent years, with the average loss per cargo theft incident exceeding $200,000. Transnational criminal organizations target U.S. shippers, retailers and the supply chain with aggressive tactics overwhelming local law enforcement. Cargo theft costs the supply chain up to $35 billion each year, contributing to higher consumer prices and driving up insurance costs.
According to the National Retail Federation, more than 73 percent of retailers report shoplifters are exhibiting more violence and aggression than the previous year, putting their employees, customers and law enforcement and security personnel at risk. These orchestrated crimes plunder large quantities of merchandise from retail stores, warehouses and the supply chain. Then criminal enterprises turn around to resell the stolen goods online or through other illicit channels for profit. As chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, I held a congressional hearing in July to hear from retailers, shippers and others impacted along the supply chain by these crimes. An executive with the American Trucking Association c alled for a coordinated federal response to address this dangerous and costly criminal activity and backed my bipartisan bill, the Combatting Retail Crime Act, to establish a multi-agency response, giving law enforcement new tools to respond to the surge in cargo theft across the country.
At the hearing I brought up recent efforts by the U.S. Department of Justice that indicted 11 defendants, including nine illegal immigrants, with stealing nearly a half-million dollars of Nike shoes from rail cars.
Even more serious is when criminals steal from the food supply chain, like from a pallet of groceries or infant formula, since they break the safety seal of the shipping container and ruin the entire cargo container of goods. I also brought up another investigation that connected thefts at a mall in Katy, Texas to a cartel that’s believed to be responsible for over $100 million in theft across the country. It’s a sweeping problem that demands swift justice. Homeland Security Investigations estimate the average American family will pay more than $500 in additional costs each year due to organized retail crime.
Q: How would your bill combat these crimes?
A: A few years ago, I convened a roundtable in Cedar Rapids to hear concerns and learn from local retail leaders and law enforcement about the rise in organized retail crimes. Since then, I’ve pushed for a coordinated response at the federal level. The Department of Homeland Security has found that cartels, terrorists and human traffickers facilitate organized retail and supply chain crime and use the proceeds to finance other crimes. It’s a criminal hamster wheel that spans the globe and demands an informed and beefed up response from the nation’s counterterrorism and intelligence agencies. At the Senate hearing in July, I asked the District Attorney for San Diego County why it’s important for prosecutors to aggregate the value of stolen goods. She explained that aggregation distinguishes between someone who shoplifts food to eat from the repeat criminal offender who goes into a store with a calculator to stay under a $950 threshold so that the criminal would only be subject to a misdemeanor. That misguided policy led to retail stores locking up merchandise, instead of prosecutors locking up the perpetrators stealing the merchandise. I was pleased to hear California changed this poppycock policy to allow prosecutors to aggregate stolen merchandise in the pursuit of justice. I’ll continue pu shing in Congress for criminal action to be met with criminal punishment.
Scorching the pavement on a hot Saturday
The Solon Beef Days Kid’s Corner hosted a number of events throughout the weekend including the annual Big Wheel Races for ages 3-6. Intern Natalia Scales was there to capture all the action.
Hoping for a ringer, not a leaner
Horseshoe throwers gathered at Randall Park Saturday afternoon for the Solon Beef Days Horseshoe Tournament, and intern Natalia Scales was there to capture the action from ringers, to leaners, live shoe, dead shoe, and everything in-between.
Spartan Archers showcase their talent during Beef Days Tournament
The Solon Spartan Archery Team held their annual Beef Days Tournament Saturday, July 19 at the Solon Middle School. Flights of archers took aim at the top of each hour during the afternoon event. Archery is a highly disciplined sport where safety is paramount, and every move carefully orchestrated with Solon students in grades 6-12, male & female, eligible to participate. For more information call 319-621-5267 or email solonarcheryteam@gmail. com.
Photos by AJ Dolan | Solon Economist
Above: Chloe Madura readies her bow before taking a shot during the Solon Spartan Archery Team’s Beef Days Tournament at Solon Middle School Saturday, July 19. Right top: Morgan Baker prepares to fire an arrow during the Solon Spartan Archery Team’s Beef Days Tournament at Solon Middle School Saturday, July 19. Right bottom: Thomas zeros in his arrow for a shot during the Solon Spartan Archery Team’s Beef Days Tournament at Solon Middle School Saturday, July 19.
Photos by Natalia Scales | Solon Economist
Far left: Mable pulls ahead to win a heat of the annual Big Wheel Races Saturday, July 19 in the Solon Beef Days Kid’s Corner.
Center: A young rider cruises down the lane in the annual Solon Beef Days Big Wheel Race.
Left top: Brantley flashes a smile while riding down the track during a heat of the annual Big Wheel Races.
Left bottom: Hailey cruises confidently down the race lane.
Photos by Natalia Scales | Solon Economist
Above: Brandon launches a horseshoe during Saturday’s tournament at Randall Park during Solon Beef Days, Saturday, July 19. Center: Allison smiles mid-throw. Right: Dustin stays focused while throwing.
Wet fun on a hot day
Solon firefighters host waterball fights
Seven women’s teams and a dozen men’s teams competed in the Solon Fire Department’s firefighters’ Waterball Fights Saturday afternoon during the annual Beef Days celebration.
Solon Firefighter Robin Siddell took third place in the Men’s Division behind Champion Brad Malatek of the Ely Fire Department), and Dillin Rogers from the Brandon Fire Dept. Dalton Kirk with Key West Fire was fourth. Ely Fire’s Kayla Malatek was the Women’s Division Champion followed by Riverdale Fire’s Kari Tenborg, Ely’s Jade Carter, and Brandon’s Abby Rogers.
Sometimes referred to as “Water Application Drills,” waterball fights are a fire service tradition pitting teams of three firefighters against each other and attempting to push a barrel suspended overhead with hose streams.
Music
Photos by AJ Dolan | Solon Economist
Above: Solon firefighters Dean Stange (at left) and Wes Platz control the water hose during the Solon Fire Department’s annual firefighter’s waterball fights during Beef Days Saturday, July 19.
Natalia Scales | Solon Economist
Right: Molly Shannon, a Solon favorite, performed in the beer tent Saturday, July 19 for two hours during the annual Solon Beef Days and was one of six musical acts to perform throughout the weekend.
Ella McEntaffer | Solon Economist
Below: Spirit Awake performed for two hours Saturday, playing a mix of originals and old classics as one of six acts during the Solon Beef Days weekend on the Main Street stage.
AJ Dolan | Solon Economist Guitarist Tom Grubb and percussionist Chris Sawyer of Sugar & Spice get in a groove at the Main Street bandstand during Solon Beef Days Friday, July 18.
Chris Umscheid | Solon Economist Barbie Johnson performs with Sugar & Spice on the Main Street stage Friday, July 18 to kick off the live entertainment for Solon Beef Days.
Top: Solon firefighters (at left) battle Ely firefighters during the Solon Fire Department’s annual firefighter’s waterball fights. Above left to right: Solon firefighters Dean Stange (at right) and Wes Platz control the water hose during the Solon Fire Department’s annual firefighter’s waterball fights. Firefighters Robin Siddell and Jordan Siddell of Solon team 1 work together during the Solon Fire Department’s annual firefighter’s waterball fights.
A Beef Days photographic smorgasbord
Thanks to interns Natalia Scales, AJ Dolan, and Ella McEntaffer, our cameras were in a lot more places and able to capture more moments this year than ever before. In addition, our first social media intern, Katie Henry, was also constantly on the hop throughout the weekend. To see Katie's work check out our Facebook page, website, and Instagram page.
Here is a selection of some of our ‘side orders’ from the main menu of the weekend.
Photos by Ella McEntaffer | Solon Economist
Above: A line forms outside of the ticket booth for the amusement park rides Saturday, July 19, ahead of a hot afternoon after the parade was rained out in the morning. Above
right: An employee of Sam’s Amusements Carnival prepares the funnel cakes on Main Street Saturday morning. Sam’s, from Shawnee, Oklahoma, has brought a carnival to Solon Beef Days for many years. Far right: The Solon themed Herky displayed in front of the carnival area during Beef Days stood through the wind and rain of Saturday morning before basking in the sunshine of the afternoon and evening. Right: Mille Phab rides a carnival ride on Main Street Saturday morning during Beef Days.
Photos by Chris Umscheid | Solon Economist
Above left: Karen McFarland-Miller, President of the Optimist Club of Solon, works the pit calling letters and numbers in the Optimist Club’s Bingo stand Friday, July 18 during Solon Beef Days. As usual, empty seats were virtually non-existent at the popular attraction. Above right: Norm ‘Squirrel’ Ziskovsky is as much a Solon Beef Days tradition as the steak he grills for the weekend’s steak sandwiches. Ziskovsky started grilling for Beef Days in 1976 has been a mainstay ever since grilling over 300 tons of meat for the hungry masses.
Photos by Chris Umscheid | Solon Economist
Left: Main Street was packed shoulder to shoulder during the annual Solon Beef Days Hay Bale Toss Friday evening. The jam-packed crowd watched history being made again as U of I football player Kade Pieper defended his 2024 Championship and survived a final showdown against Wayne Seagren with a 13’ toss to retain his title in a ‘two-peat.’ Right: Don ‘The Voice of the Spartans’ Ellis emceed the Solon Beef Days Kid’s Tractor Pull Friday evening. Ellis was to have continued his Beef Days tradition of announcing during the Saturday morning parade, however, heavy rains and a threat of severe weather canceled the popular event.
SOLON COMMUNITY
Voting
Dr.
Dr.
The
Motion
Voting:
CLASSIFIEDS
For Rent:
3 bedroom, 1 1/2 bath home for rent just outside of Solon and in the Solon School District. Unfinished basement for storage and on a black top road. Attache 1 stall garage. Nice deck with an amazing country view. No pets. Call Lou at 319.624.2912.
Condo For Sale
CONDO for SALE Meadowbrook, 341-12th Ave SW, Mount Vernon. Open floor plan, extra windows, 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, sunroom, laundry room (main level), deck, patio, gas fireplace, marble: entry, master & guest baths, & fireplace surround. Open concept, covered front porch, walkout patio doors lower level, 2 car garage, other amenities. PRICE: $309,000. Appointments: 319-206-3847. Original Owner since 2004.
Wanted
WANTED: JUNK APPLIANCES. Will pick up for free. Farm clean-up, batteries. Will buy junk cars. 319-331-8122.
Miscellaneous
Prepare for power outages today with a Generac Home Standby Generator. Act now to receive a FREE 7-Year warranty with qualifying purchase. Call 1-855-9545087 today to schedule a free quote. It’s not just a generator. It’s a power move.
Does your basement or crawl space need some attention? Call Thrasher Foundation Repair! A permanent solution for waterproofing, failing foundations, sinking concrete and nasty crawl spaces. FREE Inspection & Same Day Estimate. $250 off ANY project with code GET250. Call 1-866-554-1730.
Miscellaneous
Safe Step. North America’s #1 Walk-In Tub. Comprehensive lifetime warranty. Top-of-the-line installation and service. Now featuring our FREE shower package and $1600 Off for a limited time! Call today! Financing available. Call Safe Step 1-844-3764154.
Class Action Lawsuit
IF YOU HAD KNEE OR HIP REPLACEMENT SURGERY and suffered an infection between 2020 and the present time, you may be entitled to compensation. Call Attorney Charles H. Johnson 1-800-535-5727
Help Wanted-Government
POLICE OFFICER TEST NOTICE! Test Dates: August 22nd & 23rd @ 9am in Milford, IA. Application deadline: August 8th @ 4:00pm. Lakes Area Law Enforcement Employment Co-op is establishing an eligibility list for current and future law enforcement openings in the beautiful Iowa Great Lakes Area! The Co-op consists of: Arnolds Park, Emmetsburg, Estherville, Milford, Okoboji, Osceola County, Palo Alto County, Spencer & Spirit Lake Police Departments. At the time of application, candidates must meet State Requirements for Law Enforcement Employment. Currently certified ILEA applicants are allowed lateral transfer. Applicants without certification are required to pass P.O.S.T. & physical agility exams. Successful applicants are eligible for employment by all agencies. For application details www. LakeAreaLawEnforcementCoop.com
CALENDAR & PUZZLES
SOLON SENIORS
A Big Thank You to our sponsors and donors for their support in Senior Dining’s mission to serve the Solon Community, and especially to those who support Senior Dining by attending the lunches or receive home deliveries.
July Happenings:
Solon Senior Dining is CLOSED Friday, July 4. Wednesday, July 30 – City representative Bingo Wednesdays AM/PM Cards Wednesdays PM
Sponsored Meals in July: Ruzicka’s, Wednesday, July 9
DINING ••••••••••••
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 by calling 319-624-2251 Mondays 10-11:00 a.m.
Home Deliveries - Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Meals cost $5.00. Call 319-624-2251 for reservations Mondays 10-11:00 a.m.
From hay bales to bags, Main Street was busy during Beef Days
JULY MENU •••••••••
Friday, July 25
Seafood Pasta Alfredo Bake
Broccoli
Garlic Toast
Gelatin Crunch
Monday, July 28
Chicken Spaghetti
Green Beans
Garlic Toast
Seasonal Fresh Fruit
Wednesday, July 30
City Representative
Salisbury Steak
Mashed Potatoes w/Beef Gravy
Candied Carrots
Banana Bread Blondie
Thank you Solon Senior Dining volunteers!
“Volunteers do not necessarily have the time, they just have the heart.”
— Elizabeth Andrew
Across
1 Real estate, e.g.
6 First word of “Jabberwocky”
10 Grps. that are often inactive in the summer
14 Frida who portrayed her chronic pain through art
15 Water wheel?
16 The best of the best
17 Acrobat developer
18 “You’re in on this?”
20 Tattle on ... or an instruction for answering 22-Across
22 Proverbial bad thing to have your mind in
23 Back muscle, in brief
25 Sites for mosaics in cathedrals, often
27 ___ of Solomon
28 Some aquarium attractions ... or an instruction for answering 30-Across
30 Like the tail of a stegosaurus
32 On
33 More likely to be marked down, say
34 Diplomacy
37 Comedian Chelsea
41 Close
43 Elected position
44 Informal name for a weather event ... or an instruction for answering 45-Across
45 Precursor to a license
47 NASCAR ___ (demographic group)
48 They keep the wheels turning
50 Teddy bear, e.g.
51 Part of a beer name ... or an instruction for answering 53-Across
53 Certain clergy member
55 In no way
57 Orderly display
60 For all time
61 Podcaster’s need
62 Witherspoon of “Little Fires Everywhere”
63 Forms a union
64 Rock climber
65 Temporary store
Down
1 Stefani Germanotta ___ Lady Gaga
2 “That’s very unfortunate”
3 Weight measurement commonly known by only its second part
4 North ___, N.Y. (home of Lake Placid)
5 Simple exercise often done while standing
6 Country that hosts more intl. students than any other
7 Like Hawaii, among the 50 states
8 Secondary social media acct.
9 Self-congratulatory
10 Silent marching band position
11 Trumpeted
12 Upfront payments
13 Person it should be impossible to surprise
19 Intermediary
21 Nail polish brand with the shade I Just Can’t Cope-acabana
23 Bakery purchase
24 When Elphaba sings “Defying Gravity” in “Wicked”
26 Like a dog in the middle of a bath
29 Creates some opportunities
31 The Cavaliers, on scoreboards
33 “Fulcrum” sculptor Richard
35 Begins to feel real
36 ___ Gonçalo, Brazil
38 Activity for many H.S. juniors
39 Singer Cruz with the 2010 hit “Dynamite”
40 Teensy
42 Stuntperson’s two-wheeler
44 Heavily inked
45 Each
46 F equivalent
47 Had the wheel
49 Makeup of some gloves and paint
51 From the start
52 Prefix with sweet or soft
54 Commercial item sometimes advertised as “twistable”
56 Chest guard
58 Sun Devils’ sch.
59 “Okey-dokey”
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.
Photos by Natalia Scales | Solon Economist Participants enjoyed friendly competition at the Beef Days Bags Tournament Saturday, July 19.
Five Spartans named to 2025 WaMaC East All Conference teams
2nd TEAM
LUKE MERRICK
MADDOX KELLEY
TATE MILLER
A freshman, Miller was selected as a pitcher with a 7-0 record in six starts and nine appearances on the mound for 45-2/3 innings. He gave up 22 hits and 14 runs (five earned), walked 12, and struck out 34 with an
A freshman, was a starter in all 20 games he appeared in this season producing 32 hits including nine doubles and three homers. He scored 24 runs and drove in 21 more with a .305 batting average across 33 games played (starter in 32). Merrick pitched 14-1/3 innings with a 1-1 record giving up 17 hits and 15 runs (12 earned), walking ten, and striking out 17 with a 5.86 ERA. As a leftfielder he made 38 put outs this season.
A sophomore, Kelley was a starter in all 32 games he appeared in this season. He scored 39 runs and produced 46 hits to lead the Spartans with ten doubles, one triple, and three home runs while driving in 22 runs with a .418 batting average. At shortstop Kelley made 42 put outs.
WaMaC RECOGNITION
CARSON KIDWELL
A junior, Kidwell was the Spartans’ primary catcher starting all 33 games he played this season. He led the team in put outs with 171 and helped his pitchers at the plate with a .353 batting average for 36 hits including seven doubles with 25 RBIs.
NOLAN SEAGREN
A senior, Seagren had 29 hits including eight doubles with 15 RBIs and 32 runs scored with a .305 batting average in 31 games played (starter in 30). On base Seagren was a menace to opposing pitchers with a dozen stolen bases in 16 attempts. At second base he made 42 put outs. Seagren also earned a save this season pitching 2-1/3 innings.
Photos by Chris Umscheid & Jessi Kelley
SPORTS
Six Lady Spartans named to 2025 WaMaC East All Conference teams 1st TEAM
KEEGAN KLEPPE
A sophomore, Kleppe produced 43 hits with five doubles and a .387 batting average. She scored 32 runs and batted in 21. Kleppe led the team in stolen bases with ten. As a second baseman and outfielder, Kleppe made 63 put outs and was a starter in 36 games. in 29 more runs, and stole a team high 13 bases. At shortstop she made 32 put outs. Frees pitched 4-2/3 innings for ten hits and 11 runs given up (seven earned), six walks, and three strikeouts.
A senior, Miller led the Lady Spartans at the dish with 44 hits including 13 doubles, one triple and a team high seven home runs. She scored 37 times and drove in 34 runs with a .427 batting average. As a catcher and outfielder Miller made 85 put outs this season and was a starter in 37 games played.
A sophomore, Hinkle knocked 39 hits including eight doubles with a .355 average and was a starter in 36 of 37 games. She dashed across the dish for 28 runs and drove in 22 more. As an outfielder Hinkle made 41 put outs. She spent 53 innings in the circle for a 5-5 record giving up 71 hits and 51 runs (32 earned), walking 19 and striking out 22.
A sophomore, Miller was the
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ADELYN “ADDIE” MILLER
LAENI HINKLE
LIV NELSON
A freshman, Nelson was a starter in 35 of 37 games this season as a utility player. She had 30 hits with eight doubles and a .312 batting average. She scored 18 runs, drove in 17, and stole seven bases. Defensively Nelson made 40 put outs.
EMERSON MILLER
Lady Spartan’s primary pitcher
innings in the circle
6-10 record. She gave
114 hits
runs (68 earned), walked 43, and struck out 68. At the plate Miller produced 33 hits with five doubles and a .375 batting average. She scored six runs and batted in 28. Miller started 32 of 33 games played this season.
Photos by Chris Umscheid | Solon Economist file photos