The Solon Community School District (SCSD) announced Friday, October 24 that Director Jami Wolf will be moving outside the district and has submitted her resignation to the Solon Community School District effective November 15th, 2024.
In a press release issued by the district, Dr. Tim Brown, Board President, speaking on behalf of the Board expressed his thanks for her dedicated service, "Jami has been a valued member of our Board team and her dedication has helped to move the district forward particularly as it relates to facilities improvements. We will miss her contributions at the Board table."
Superintendent Davis Eidahl expressed his appreciation for Director Wolf's contribution to the students in the District, "Jami was always willing to throw herself into making the district a better place for our students; whether volunteering or vocally speaking on behalf of our students and families at the Board table."
Director Wolf will still continue to live and work in the area and plans to remain involved in the community. The District has posted a notice of intent to fill the vacancy by appointment.
CITY OF SOLON
Fire hydrant flushing begins
Monday, Nov. 4
Begin ning on Monday, November 4, the Solon Public Works will begin flushing fire hydrants starting at 9:00 a.m. It is anticipated that this will last two weeks. This work is necessary to ensure the proper operation of the hydrants and to draw water through the water mains at a faster than normal rate to remove any iron sediment in the pipes.
During the flushing operations, you may experience fluctuations in pressure and/or discolored water. This condition is temporary and does not pose a health risk. Run your cold-water tap until it clears. During periods of discoloration, postpone washing clothes and limit your use of hot water until the cold water clears.
For the updated information on this and other happenings and events within the community, visit the City of Solon’s website at http://www.soloniowa.com or the City of Solon Facebook® page.
o nsterMash Bash
Annual Trunk or Treat event at the SRNA brings out large crowd
Solon Economist
SOLON — Solon’s annual Monster Mash Bash trunk or treat event returned to the Solon Recreation and Nature Area Sunday, October 27.
City Administrator Cami Rasmussen estimated about 1,200 participants and noted the event started in 2019 with approximately 100 kids.
“The Recreation Dept. leveled up the event last year by adding pumpkin painting, bouncy houses, and food trucks,” Said Rasmussen. “Brodie and his Rec staff have done a great job carrying on this Halloween tradition in Solon.”
Chris Umscheid Solon Economist chris.umscheid@soloneconomist.com
SOLON — What happens when ordinary teenager Percy Jackson finds out he’s a demigod (the offspring of a god, Poseidon, in this case) and is tasked with an epic quest to find Zeus’ missing lightning bolt, thus preventing a war among the gods? You can find out this weekend as the Solon High School Drama Department presents their fall musical “The Lightning Thief"
“We wanted to pick a show that would highlight the talent of many of our SHS students,” said Director Sami McAtee. “We also wanted to focus on a show that was contemporary and highlighted tech and all they do to make the show possible. I had past musical students share with me how cool this show was, so it has been on my short list of options for the last few years! This was a focus on more lights, sounds, flying, and set building. This was a fun show would encompass all of
Chris Umscheid | Solon Economist Allison Hedge (Hades/Mrs. Dodds) is one of five performers who take flight in the Solon HS Drama Department’s production of “The Lightning Thief” this weekend. The actors and tech crew worked closely with a professional for the stunts; the first since the 2017 production of “Mary Poppins.”
our needs, challenged students musically, and allowed for a "rock band" kind of experience.”
An epic quest demands epic and dramatic effects. Among the technical highlights of the show is having five performers flying, a stunt McAtee said is an amazing experience to bring back to the Solon stage. “The last time we had flying was in 2017 for “Mary Poppins,” when Jessica Frerich was directing. We have such an amazing space and it would be a shame to not use it to its full potential,” said McAtee. “Not to mention the amazing learning opportunities it creates for the students.”
The Fly Team is led by Technical Director Norah Fischer with Fly Captain Olivia Bonnema and Fly Operators Natalie Arthur, Brayden Baker, and Bella Nerad. A professional theatrical flying company was consulted with a representative on-site to train the crew and cast.
McAtee also wanted to put the spotlight on the set crew – the ones who erected, dismantled, rebuilt, disassembled again, and then reassembled the set under the guidance of professional carpenter Shane Merrick. “We want to send a special shout out to Shane and his crew for all of their expertise, knowledge, flexibility, and extra time dedicated to making this show come together!”
McAtee pointed out the set had to be removed
for a choir concert, and then had to be moved back to provide a clearer and safer flight path for the flying actors.
The show is the 14th musical production in the Solon Center for the Arts. “This show,” said McAtee, “involves many talented and dedicated students in a dynamic musical adaptation (book by Joe Tracz, music and lyrics by Rob Rokicki) of Rick Riordan’s best-selling Percy Jackson and the Olympians series.” The show first opened on Broadway in 2019. “I am so proud of the hard work and dedication of this cast,” she said. “Watching them learn, grow, and step out of their comfort zone on stage has been such a joy and I cannot wait for them to share their talents with you!”
Photos by Chris Umscheid | Solon Economist
Showtimes and tickets
All tickets will be purchased online at https:// sc4a.ludus.com for $7, $10, or $12 depending on seating location. If any tickets are still available, they can be purchased at the door the day of the show.
Showtimes are:
Saturday, Nov. 2 – 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 3 – 2:00 p.m.
Cast
Percy Jackson – Brady Evers
Annabeth – Madi Kleppe
Grover – Parker Beck
Luke – Deacon Waddell
Sally Jackson/The Oracle/Charon – Lucy
Miller
Mr. Brunner (Chiron)/Poseidon – Zander
Bishop
Gabe Ugliano/Ares/Kronos – Kardyn Huynh
Clarisse – Ella Pressler
Katie Gardner – Ashley Farnsworth
Left: Jayden Merrick and Abby Kramer assemble the set of the Solon HS Drama Department’s production of “The Lightning Thief” under the watchful eyes of professional carpenter Shane Merrick.
Below left: Lucy Miller (Sally Jackson/The Oracle/ Charon) and Brady Evers (Percy Jackson) share a mother-son moment.
STAFF
The cast of “The Lightning Thief” rehearses a scene. The fall musical, presented by the Solon High School Drama Department, takes the stage this weekend for two shows Saturday, Nov. 2 and one Sunday, Nov. 3 and stars Brady Evers (standing) as Percy Jackson.
Silena Beauregard – Madyn Hahn
Mr. D – Toby Kleinsmith
Mrs. Dodds/Hades – Allison Hedge
Minotaur/Wolfgang Mozart – Evaan Freerks
Aunty Em/Medusa – Ashley Farnsworth
Bianca – Chloe Benjamin
Thalia – Madyn Hahn
Echidna – Sophia Miles
Squirrel – Aly Bulechek
Train Conductor – Annie Bovenmeyer
Newscaster – Landree Buch
Farmer – Zoee Netolicky
Greyhound Passenger #1/James Brown –Merrick Gravert
Left: Flying Captain Olivia Bonnema launches Madi Kleppe (Annabeth) during a rehearsal of the Solon HS Drama Department’s production of “The Lightning Thief.” Kleppe is one of five performers who take flight in the Solon HS Drama Department’s production of “The Lightning Thief” this weekend. The actors and tech crew worked closely with a professional for the stunts; the first since the 2017 production of “Mary Poppins.”
Avove: The cast of “The Lightning Thief” rehearses a scene.
Rita Brannaman
Rita Ann Brannaman, 95, of Solon, passed away on Friday, October 25, 2024, at the Solon Care Center. Visitation will be 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, October 29, 2024, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Solon. Funeral Mass will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, October 31, 2024, at St. Mary Catholic Church. Burial will be in St. Mary Cemetery. Brosh Chapel and the Avacentre in Solon will be assisting the family at this time.
Rita was born on April 10, 1929, in Solon, the daughter of Lovell and Geneva (Holland) Randall. She graduated from Solon High School, class of 1947. Rita was united in marriage to Don Brannaman on May 11, 1948, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Solon. She worked as a school secretary at Solon High School for many years. She enjoyed working on the farm, raising chickens, planning family gatherings, especially on Labor Day and spending time with her family. Rita was an active member of the Solon community.
Rita is survived by her children Sue (Ed) Dvorak, Randy Brannaman, John (Nancy) Brannaman and Jan (Tom) Krall; eight grandchildren; eighteen great-grandchildren; her sister-in-law Mary Brannaman, as well as her cousins, nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, an infant son, and her sister Mary Jean Randall. Memorials may be directed to the family. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.broshchapel.com
Solon Firefighters want to help you
‘Battery Up’
Captain John Studt
Prevention Captain, Solon Fire Department
It’s that time of year when you should change out the batteries in your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. Your Solon Firefighters offer a Battery Up program to our senior and disabled individuals within our service area. We will come to your residence and change out the batteries in your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. We will be providing this service on Saturday November 9, starting at 8:00 a.m.
If you are in need of this service please contact the Solon Fire Department via e-mail at john.studt@ solonfire.com with your name, address, and contact info. If you do not have access to email call 319624-2386 and leave us a message with your name, address and a good phone number we can call you back at.
Card Game Day Thursday, November 7, from 4-5:00 p.m.
You’ll be able to meet, challenge, and trade with other players while enjoying snacks & drinks. No experience required, we’ll have decks on hand for anyone ready to learn!
The next Fun For All Night is Saturday, November 9, at the Solon Community Center. This free night of fun for allages is sponsored by the Solon Public Library and Solon Recreation Department. We’ll enjoy gym games at 6:00 p.m. and then the movie Trolls Band Together [PG] with popcorn at 7:00 p.m. Don’t forget to bring lawn chairs or blankets to get comfy in the gym for the movie.
Learn how to transform simple paper bags into stunning snowflakes at DIY Night Tuesday, November 12, at 6:30 p.m. Registration is required, as space is limited.
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. As we approach the holiday season and winter weather, please always refer to our website calendar or call to check hours.
We will be open Thursday, October 31, 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. to allow staff and community members time to safely travel home before trick-or-treating begins.
The Library will be closed in observance of Veteran’s Day on Monday, November 11.
Left: Brooklyn, winner of the kid’s category, pictured with her Root beer Float pumpkin.
The Great Pumpkin Decorating Contest brought out so much creativity and joy! Independent judges from our community used their critical eyes to assess the entries for originality, ingenious use of inexpensive materials, suitability of the title, and quality of work in light of the participant’s age. This year we added a patron favorite category, and we had overwhelming support from everyone visiting to place votes for their favorites. Congratulations to the winners and thank you to all for participating!
Election Day is Tuesday, November 5! The Library is a polling site for City of Solon residents, the polls are open 7:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. If you are unsure of your polling location, please contact the Johnson County Auditor's office, or visit their website for full details.
The Library will be open our regular hours, 9:00 a.m.7:00 p.m. Please note that Storytime and Switch & Social are both canceled on November 5th due to the election taking place in the community meeting room.
Library Events
Our November book for KNIT-LIT is The Knitter's Book of Socks by Clara Parkes. We'd love to have you join us Wednesday, November 6, at 6:30 p.m. to work on fiber art projects and talk about our crafts.
Early-out Thursdays at the Library are all about the kids! BAM POW activities begin at 1:45 for 1st through 8th graders, walk over to the Library after school to Build and Make, Play or Watch with us! On Thursday, November 7, it’s painting day! This library program is offered as a service to our community, it is a drop-in program, no registration. Supervision is provided during the Library program in the meeting room. All children in 1st-3rd grades MUST attend the program and be picked up by a caregiver at 2:45 p.m. Older children may enjoy the rest of the Library. There is no adult supervision outdoors at any time. We recommend parents and caregivers discuss these expectations, pick-up plans, etc. with their children. Library staff are sharing these programs for participating children but this does not provide the need for supervised childcare.
Teens (6th-12th graders) are invited to join us for Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh, or Magic: The Gathering at Trading
Don’t forget, the digital library is always available! Find an eBook, eAudiobook, magazines and more with Bridges, or with the Libby app on your favorite smart device. You can even stream classic films, discover new favorites, and more with Kanopy on your favorite smart device.
Everyone is welcome at the Library and our programs. Please contact us with access needs.
What’s New?
Make your popcorn and get ready for movie night! These are a few of the new release movies available at the Library. Deadpool & Wolverine. Deadpool's (Ryan Reynolds) peaceful existence comes crashing down when the Time Variance Authority recruits him to help safeguard the multiverse. He soon unites with his would-be pal, Wolverine (Hugh Jackman), to complete the mission and save his world from an existential threat. [Rated R]
Despicable Me 4. Gru welcomes a new member to the family, Gru Jr., who's intent on tormenting his dad. However, their peaceful existence soon comes crashing down when criminal mastermind Maxime Le Mal escapes from prison and vows revenge against Gru. [Rated PG] Harold and the Purple Crayon. Inside his book, adventurous Harold (Zachary Levi) can make anything come to life simply by drawing it. After he grows up and draws himself off the book's pages and into the physical world, he soon learns his trusty crayon can set off more hilarious hijinks than he thought possible. However, when the power of unlimited imagination falls into the wrong hands, it will take all of his creativity to save both the real world and his own. [Rated PG]
A Quiet Place: Day One. When New York City comes under attack from an alien invasion, a woman (Lupita Nyong’o) and other survivors try to find a way to safety. They soon learn that they must remain absolutely silent as the mysterious creatures are drawn to the slightest sound. [Rated PG-13]
Twisters. Haunted by a devastating encounter with a tornado, Kate Cooper (Daisy Edgar-Jones) gets lured back to the open plains by her friend, Javi (Anthony Ramos), to test a groundbreaking new tracking system. She soon crosses paths with Tyler Owens (Glen Powell), a charming but reckless social-media superstar who thrives on posting his storm-chasing adventures. As storm season intensifies, Kate, Tyler and their competing teams find themselves in a fight for their lives as multiple systems converge over central Oklahoma. [Rated PG-13]
Solon Public Library contributed photos
Above: Adia, winner of the Teen category pictured with her prizes. Adia’s pumpkin was titled Pumpkin Spice Latte.
OPINIONS
The eerie evolution of Halloween
Food for Thought
Milli Gilbaugh
It's really spooky the way Halloween has changed from generation to generation. We know that Halloween began as a religious festival of sorts. Probably an early Celtic harvest festival called Samhain, it was also believed to be the date when the veil between the living and the dead was thinnest and the spirits of the dead could easily return to their old homes on that night. To ward off or to confuse the spirits, people dressed in disguises, believing that if the spirits couldn't recognize them they would be safe from any of their mischief. The observance was adopted by the Catholic Church about 1,200 years ago (for a long time, known as All Saints Day) and was little related to today's Halloween.
Contrary to what some people believe, the holiday is not related to any Satanic church or ritual, nor was it originally considered a holiday that included special activities for children. Apparently, as fewer and fewer people came to believe in the return of spirits on that day, some of the more interesting and enjoyable features were retained as pleasant traditions. Children delighted in the fantasies, the costumes and the fun of pretending.
Begging for treats probably began with the ancient practice of making offerings to the spirits in hope of appeasing them. Eventually, it evolved into what became known as Beggar's Night and was celebrated the evening before Halloween when “beggars” demanded treats as a deterrent to any mischief they might commit the following night. The jack-o-lantern is a result of the once common practice of using hollowed-out turnips as a means of carrying lighted candles safely – a primitive sort of lantern.
Each generation seems to have made its own changes to the holiday's traditions. Even just the changes I've witnessed during my lifetime amaze me at how fast and dramatically such practices evolve.
My Aunt Agnes took delight in telling tales of her youngest brother (my dad) and some of the ones I remember best are of Halloween pranks he and his friends committed during their teen years. She told of them removing the wheels of farm wagons, letting livestock out of barns and pens, hoisting hay-wagons onto barn roofs or up into trees. One of their more notorious escapades involved leading a milk cow up into the bell tower of the schoolhouse. The culprits were found out, though, and made to remover and return her to her home pasture – leading her down the stairs proved to be a much more difficult process than it had been to lead her up. Tipping over outhouses was a common Halloween stunt nearly nationwide during those days, as few people in small towns and rural areas had any sort of indoor plumbing.
My generation was not so much concerned with Trickor-Treat as we were with soaping windows, making eerie noises and tipping over garbage cans before running away to watch from a distance to see how the home owner reacted. Costumes were optional and homemade. We collected a few treats from houses where we knew the occupants. Treats at that time were mostly homemade goodies such as popcorn balls, cookies or fudge. The few store-bought treats included chewing gum and regulation-size candy bars, as manufacturers had not yet begun turning out bite-size candies specifically for Halloween. Some people interpreted Trick-orTreat to mean the beggar must perform some sort of entertainment to earn a treat. We didn't buy that idea and avoided houses where we might be required to sing a song, recite a poem or turn cartwheels.
When we lived in Iowa City, we were overwhelmed by carloads of kids being hauled all over town to collect hundreds of dollars’ worth of store-bought candy from total strangers. When we moved to the country in the early 1970's, no beggars came to our door on our first Halloween, so we began having parties for friends and neighbors. Much less trouble; much more fun.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Bohannon vs. Miller-Meeks
A friend of mine was a development economist and worked all over the world helping countries solve problems. I asked what he thought was the most serious problem in the world. Without hesitation, he said, “Corruption, in every country including our own.”
Republicans vote against gun control and alternative energy measures because of the massive donations they receive from the NRA, gun manufacturers and the oil and gas industries. Republican tax cuts from 1980 to 2009 gave the top 5% an additional $15 trillion in income, equal to the increase in federal debt.
Miller-Meeks has taken over $250,000 from big pharma, over $200,000 from the insurance industry, over $150,000 from the oil and gas industry. She voted against letting Medicare negotiate for lower drug prices, against capping the price of insulin for our seniors, and
Veteran nonprofit to auction Caitlin Clark, Lisa Bluder signed basketball
Jack Moore The Daily Iowan
In the dappled sunlight of Solon’s forests, Navy veteran Paul Austin sat in stillness, waiting for the perfect moment. Paralyzed seven years ago after a service injury contributed to a fall that broke his back, he now held a crossbow, a buck in his sights. With each breath he aimed not just for the hunt, but for the opportunity to show what he was still capable of.
Austin had traveled from North Carolina with his wife Brandi Austin to meet with fellow veterans at the nonprofit called Iowa Veterans Outdoor Experience. The organization has worked out of Solon for six years with the goal of bringing veterans together in the outdoors to help with post traumatic stress and suicide ideation.
The nonprofit pays for veterans expenses during scheduled events including a bow hunt, a ruck walk, and fishing trips. The organization also holds a silent auction each year to fund these trips because the organization is entirely funded through donations.
against holding the oil companies accountable for price gouging.
She has taken more than $160,000 from the oil and gas industry, and then, she voted against providing resources to protect farmers from the effects of climate change; and against investing in renewable energy to create good jobs and make the United States more energy independent.
Bohannan will fight to enhance Iowa’s agricultural and renewable energy economy, and make America more energy independent through renewable energy. Bohannan will also work to expand Medicare to cover dental, vision, and hearing care and save seniors and taxpayers money by allowing Medicare to negotiate for lower prices on more drugs so they pay less for their prescriptions.
which they said is often a barrier for them.
Once they arrived, they spent several days in the woods with the group of veterans before they saw the buck following a doe.
“I was just kind of waiting, and then I had a grunt call, and the buck comes shortly after that, and Brandi, it was kind of funny, because she whispered ‘dear,’ and so I turned over and said ‘what?’” Paul Austin said.
“The next thing you know, this deer is starting to run, because it’s looking for the doe, and he shoots it with the crossbow,” Brandi Austin said. “It was so incredible, we grab each other and we’re like ‘oh my gosh, you got it…’ I’m grinning ear to ear because it was so magical.”
They said everyone from the hunting party gathered and congratulated Paul Austin. For him, he said it was an incredible experience.
“He always said, ‘I can’t do this, I can’t do that,’ and then, so we say, ‘I can’t,’ became ‘I can,’ and then we advanced it to an ‘I did,’ Brandi Austin said.
Austin served in the Navy from 2003 to 2007. After his fall, Austin’s spinal cord was severed which permanently put him in a wheelchair. Brandi Austin said the largest blow was that her husband felt he would not be able to enjoy the outdoors again.
“Directly after surgery, one of the very first things was that he kept saying over and over again, ‘I’ll never be able to hunt again. I’ll never be able to be on my four wheeler again. I’ll never be able to do these things again.’ Everything dealt with being outside,” Brandi Austin said.
Paul Austin said his wife discovered Iowa Veteran’s Outdoor Experience and signed him up to go to explore the new opportunity. They said the nonprofit paid for all their travel costs from North Carolina to Iowa, including a stay at handicap accessible hotels,
Scott Storck, president of Iowa Veterans Outdoor Experience, said that for veterans having a space in the outdoors therapeutic for veterans and provides them a chance to know they are not alone, which has saved lives.
“Since we started, we’ve had 16 veterans, both male and female, that have before they left out event, said that because of the group and the camaraderie that they get with all their fellow veterans, knowing they’re not alone, we’ve actually saved their lives, and that suicide is now off the table,”
According to data from Veteran Affiairs, an estimated that 22 veterans commit suicide each day, which leads to totals of more than 8,000 veterans each
“That's 16 more lives,” Storck said. “We stay in contact. You know, we try to reach out. Everybody's that participates is in our phones, and so we tell them before they leave, ‘you can call us 24 hours a day, someone's gonna answer.’”
The bow hunt this year starts next weekend, it is preceded by their silent auction, which has a special contribution from the Iowa Women’s Basketball team.
Doug Thompson, one of the nonprofits board members, contacted the University of Iowa telling them about the organization and what they do. Storck said the women’s basketball team got a basketball and put it in the team's locker room last year.
He said the entire team signed it, including Caitlin Clark and former head coach Lisa Bluder.
“It shocked us all. For them to kind of step back and take a look at that and something like that, for us, it’s really incredible,” Storck said.
The basketball along with other items will be up for auction starting Nov. 2 at 222 East Main St. in Solon. The auction will end at 9 p.m. Saturday night.
Doug Korty Iowa City
A new season begins for Solon Robotics
Home tournament this
Saturday
Joel
Kellar
Solon Economist joel-kellar@uiowa.edu
SOLON — As the calendar turns into November, the longest high school season begins its journey. Solon Robotics has already spent countless hours in the preseason building their robots. The foundation for the more complex robots they will have at the end of the season in late spring. With competitions every two weeks, the robotics team has plenty of time to learn more and continuously upgrade their robots.
“It’s cool seeing them advance. A lot of them will come in and they don't understand how to put a nut and a bolt together,” said Solon Robotics Head Coach Bill Mattaliano. Solon robotics hosted their first competition of the year Thursday, October 24, at the Solon
Community Center. The 16-team scrimmage provided an opportunity for the kids to compete without having to care about the final score.
“This is a chance for them to find out what the game is actually about,” said Mattaliano, “How they're going to interact with other teams, and how they're going to interact with their own team." The Solon Robotics team encompasses three teams: Organized Chaos, Deductive Thinkers, and Duckasauras. Every year the Game Design Committee publishes the new challenge for the season. This year’s challenge involves moving samples into areas in the corners of the arena, placing those samples in baskets hung above those corners, parking the robot in a marked spot, and hanging a specimen on a structure in the center. Robotics brings an interesting challenge for the athletes. Unlike many other sports, there is no playbook or scheme given by the coaches. “We give them the rule book and say, here's the rules. Interpret the rules, build the robot. You know, come up with ideas,” said Mattaliano. This freedom to make creative decisions allows for the players to learn more about the game, the process of experimenting, and building their visions in real life.
Solon Robotics will host a ten-team tournament Saturday, Nov. 2 at the Solon Community Center. Competition is scheduled to begin between 10:3011:00 a.m. with 15 competitions slated and an anticipated completion time of 1:30 p.m. There is no charge for admission and concessions will be available.
Joel Kellar | Solon Economist
Rene Meza, a member of Solon Robotics, observes the arena seconds before a scrimmage competition begins Thursday, October 24 at the Solon Community Center.
Fall Vendor Market in Shueyville is Saturday
Event to raise funds for All God’s Children
Preschool and Childcare
SHUEYVILLE — Over 45 vendors will be on-site Saturday, Nov. 2 at the annual Fall Vendor Market sponsored by All God’s Children at the Shueyville Church, 1195 Steeple Lane NE in Shueyville.
Among the offerings available are - permanent jewelry, honey, resin items, signs, candles, wax
melts, skin care products, baked goods (including all-organic and glutenfree), dried tea, books (and an author), dog/cat treats, dog antler chews and elk meat, baby clothes, gift baskets, sound healing, mini-massages, oils, home décor, sourdough items, fresh made healthy smoothies and teas, cheesecake, hydroponic planters, plants, sunbathers, a mobile stuffed animal unit, a photographer with miniphoto sessions (come early to get your fall pics taken!), Tye Dye apparel, unique handmade metal art, Plexus Worldwide, handmade wood items of all kinds, freeze dried goods, and more.
In addition, Zoetic Coffee (Solon) will have coffee, apple cider, and hot chocolate available, 8-11:00 a.m. and Jimmy John’s sandwiches, chips, and a drink will also be available for $6. Proceeds benefit the ongoing All God’s Children playground project.
SOLON ECONOMIST
There are Democrats & Republicans in my friend circle and my family, in my profession, and with me on the Williamsburg fire department.
I see us all as Iowans. I'm committed to finding common ground and enacting sensible policies.
I'm running to promote education and conservation, and increase affordability.
I’m grateful for your vote.
by Chris Umscheid | Solon Economist
Photos
Front: Solon Parks & Recreation Dept. hosted their annual Monster Mash Bash trunk or treat event this past Sunday at the SRNA.
Below: Uncle Howdy (Tommy Miller) from WWE Wrestling greeted trunk or treaters at the Solon Parks & Recreation Department’s annual Monster Mash Bash Sunday, October 27 at the SRNA.
Above: A wide assortment of costumes were seen at the SRNA during the annual Monster Mash Bash trunk or treat event Sunday, October 27 sponsored by the Solon Parks and Recreation Department. Left: Kids dig into a bowl full of candy at the Solon Fire Department’s table at the annual Monster Mash Bash trunk or treat event last Sunday at the SRNA.
The Solon Parks and Recreation Department’s annual Monster Mash Bash trunk or treat event drew a steady crowd Sunday, October 27 at the SRNA.
Above left: Among the various T-Rex’s roaming about the SRNA at last Sunday’s Monster Mash Bash was Noah Adler. Above right: This salty vet was manning an outpost for the Solon American Legion during the Solon Parks and Recreation Department’s annual Monster Mash Bash this past Sunday at the SRNA. Left: The Invisible Man (Jack Strandberg) and his Invisible Dog were among the attendees at the annual Monster Mash Bash trunk or treat event this past Sunday at the SRNA.
A young girl looks in disbelief and shock at the length of the line to get into the Monster Mash Bash while another wave comes in behind her. The annual event drew a large crowd to the SRNA this past Sunday.
GFWC/Iowa Solon Women’s Club Holiday Decorating Contest starts soon
Sandra Phillips, GFWC/Iowa Solon Women’s Club
SOLON — The GFWC/Iowa Solon Women's Club is sponsoring the annual Holiday Decorating Contest for tree, wreaths, or garlands at the Solon Public Library.
Participants would obtain a 4 1/2-6 ft. artificial Christmas tree to decorate in one of the following categories:
• Creative/Artistic
• Nature
• Seasonal/Holiday
• Book/Movie/Game
• Sports
The winner of each category will be awarded a prize. Bring the decorated tree, garland or wreath to the Solon Public Library after Thursday, Nov.14, fill out an entry form and pay the $5 entry fee.
The entrees will be judged, displayed, and put up for silent auction at the Solon Public Library. Thus, get busy, complete the project by yourself or with a group of friends and have fun!
November Solon Senior Advocates News
Senior Advocates team up with Towncrest Pharmacy for Flu Clinic
A flu and COVID-19 vaccination clinic was held Tuesday, October 15 as your Solon Senior Advocates partnered with Towncrest Pharmacy in the fellowship hall of the Solon Methodist Church.
Sandy Hansen, with the Senior Advocates, said the clinics began during the COVID pandemic in 2020.
“As soon as the vaccine came out I contacted Towncrest in Iowa City and asked if we could collaborate and do a vaccination clinic here in Solon, and they agreed.” Hansen reached out to Solon’s seniors in the hope they would be able to get both initial inoculations in Solon rather than having to travel. The response was overwhelming with doctors and nurses volunteering along with many others for the first clinic, which was held in the Solon Methodist Church’s Family Life Center. “1,100 people were vaccinated that day,” she recalled. “It was wonderful. And subsequently as the years passed by, I’ve scheduled with Towncrest to do the boosters with the seasonal flu vaccines, and I am glad they do this for us.”
Advocate Trips
The Advocates have been arranging day trips for seniors for almost 17 years and have visited many cities, theaters and other places of interest. In looking toward 2025 trips we are asking for your input into where you would like to go, what you would like to see or experience.
Class of 1962 holds reunion
The Solon High School Class of 1962 held a reunion Saturday, October 19 at Frida Kahlo Mexican restaurant in Solon.
Middle row - Ed Osborn, Barry Beuter, Cheryel Reyhons, Nancy (Koss) Heathman, Bill Gleason.
Back row - Tony Ulch, Joe Miller, Mark Heathman, Bill Miller, Don Kabela, Larry Leonard, Jim Fencl.
Submitted by Darlene Brant
Our trips are taken within one day leaving the Solon Recreation and Nature Area (SRNA) in the morning hours and returning by 5:30-6:00 p.m. at the latest. We have been engaging Windstar Lines for many years, who provide competent drivers and wellappointed buses.
Also, check out the proposed 2025 trips and mark your calendar so that you can join us on those dates! Watch the monthly Senior Advocates News for date confirmation and details!
2025 Proposed Advocate Trips
All trips leave from Solon Rec Park, call 319-430-8655 for reservations
Thursday, May 15 – Kalona, leave Rec Park at 11:00 a.m.
Illa Miller’s homecooked meal, Golden Delight Bakery, String Town Community Store, South West Valley Greenhouse (Perry Bender’s).
Wednesday, June 11 – Circa 21/ Rock Island, “Chicago,” The Musical.
Thursday, July 10 – Newton Art Tour/Neil Smith Wildlife Area. Citywide bronze sculptures, wildlife museum, and buffalo sightings.
Thursday, August 14 – Villages of Van Buren County Breakfast in Birmingham, glass
blowing demonstration and artisan market, Amish farm/horse drawn wagon rides, Amish lunch, Yoder’s Furniture, and Dutchman’s new improved store.
Thursday, Sept. 18 – Breitbach’s, Gays Mills.
Restaurant Runs
Thursday, Nov. 14 – Midtown East, 200 Scott Court, Iowa City. 12:00 Noon, personal cars. Sign-up sheet Wednesdays at Senior Dining or call 319-430-8655.
Solon Senior Transport –Provides volunteer transportation for seniors to medical appointments. For information and to enroll please call Cindy Jensen at 319-360-3279.
Senior Advocates Board
Art Tellin 319-626-2816, John Lamantia 319-621-6887, Sandy Hanson 319-430-8655, Barry Byrne 319-354-8757, Larry Meister 319-6242516, Don Burch 319-624-4054, Cindy Jensen 319-360-3279, Larry Brecht 319-624-2925, Ivan Hasselbusch 319-670-9105, Phyllis Fiala 319331-7447, and Mark Hollinrake 319-551-2811.
Sandy Hansen | Contributed photo
The Solon Senior Advocates hosted a trip to Breitbach’s Restaurant Friday, October 18. From their the group toured the Gays Mills apple orchards and rode the Cassville (WI) ferry back to Millville, Iowa before returning to Solon.
A card shower for Sandy!
Solon Senior Dining honored Sandy Hansen during in-house dining October 2 with a surprise appreciation “card shower.”
Sandy has been the inspiration of numerous programs in Solon benefiting not only seniors but the Solon community.
Her dedication and energy have touched many lives through these programs and projects; Solon Food Pantry, Solon history book “Solon Snapshots,” Senior of the Year, and countless restaurant and event trips, just to name a few.
Thank you Sandy!
NOVEMBER HAPPENINGS ••••
Wednesday, Nov. 6 – November birthdays
Wednesday, Nov. 13 – Sponsored mealSolon American Legion/Steve Hirl
Wednesday, Nov. 20 – Cindy Jensen, Solon Senior Transport
Wednesday, Nov. 27 – Celebrate Thanksgiving
Thursday, Nov. 28 – Happy Thanksgiving!
Friday, Nov. 29 – CLOSED for Thanksgiving holiday, NO MEAL DELIVERIES
CALENDAR & PUZZLES
DINING •••••••••••••••••••••
Home Deliveries
Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Call 319-6242251 for information.
In-House Dining
Solon Methodist Church, Wednesdays only at 11:30 a.m. Meals cost $5.00, call 319-624-2251 for reservations (required) Monday between 10-11:00 a.m.
Bingo – Wednesdays AM/PM Cards – Wednesdays PM
NOVEMBER MENU • • •••••••••
Friday, Nov. 1
Catch of the Day
Mini Baked Potatoes
Vegetable Blend
Sherbert
Monday, Nov. 4
Dijon Maple Chicken
Cornbread Stuffing
Hot Spiced Beets
Orange Poppyseed Cake
Wednesday, Nov. 6 - Birthdays
Ginger Caramel Pork Loin
Candied Sweet Potatoes Buttered Peas Lemon Meringue Pie
Thank you Solon Senior Dining volunteers! “Volunteers do not necessarily have the time, they just have the heart.”
SCHOOL BREAKFAST
The Solon Community School District is an equal opportunity provider.
Menus will vary to accommodate the Federal Nutrition Guidelines. Please understand that menus are subject to change as needed. Please check your lunch account balances, purchases, and deposits online at solon. total.k12.com.
Nutrition office: 319-624-3401, Ext. 1120 or bwest@solon.k12.ia.us.
Student breakfast is FREE again this year
The Solon Community School District (SCSD) is once again able to offer free breakfast to students for the academic year. Becky West, Nutrition Director, explained the Nutritional Department’s financial situation, based on standard practice and guidance from the state, makes it possible to offer this important service to the students.
SCHOOL LUNCH
For information on the free and reduced program, and an application, go to www.solon. k12.ia.us/page/nutritionprogram and scroll down to Nutrition Documents & Links.
STUDENT LUNCH PRICES
High School - $2.70 Middle School - $2.60 SIS/Lakeview - $2.55 Reduced - $.40 Adult/Guest lunch: $4.70
Thursday, October 31
MS/HS Alt: Taco Bake
Cheesy Potatoes & Ham, Dinner Roll (MS/HS)
Peas, Apple Juice (MS/HS)
Dragon Punch (SIS/LV)
Bug Bites
Peaches (MS/HS)
“I believe that eating breakfast fuels the kids and teaches them how to eat a healthy breakfast to start your day,” said West.
Adult/Guest breakfast: $1.75
Thursday, October 31
Egg Scramble w/ Hash Brown (LV/SIS)
G&G Bag (LV) Muffin
CC French Toast w/ Sausage Links or Egg Scramble w/ Hash Brown
Fruit, Juice Crackers & Milk
Friday, Nov. 1
Muffin Top (LV/SIS)
G&G Bag (LV) Oatmeal Bar
Breakfast Pizza or Cinnamon Doughnuts Fruit, Juice Crackers & Milk
Monday, Nov. 4
Muffin (LV/SIS) G&G Bag (LV) Muffin
Friday, Nov. 1
MS/HS Alt: Cook’s Delight Chicken Parmesan Garlic Noodles, Garlic Knot (MS/HS) Steamed Broccoli Trees Zucchini Poles, Pears of Paradise
MS/HS Alt: Lasagna Roll-up Chicken Drumstick Baked Beans, Celery Stalks Melon Fruit Salad, Sun Chips Biscuit & Honey (HS)
22 Civil rights leader ___ B. Wells
23 Maximum
25 Something found near a trap
26 Currency of 20 countries
28 Got the word out?
30 Bygone Apple products
32 Command to a getaway driver
34 Reality TV staple
35 Three-time nominee for Best Director (1994, 2009, 2019)
37 Nation to which the island of Tortuga belongs
39 Rescues
43 What has posts all around a site
44 Band dates
45 Impose, as a tax
46 Foundation, e.g., for short
47 Bareilles of Broadway
49 Palindromic family nickname
50 Smell
52 Period preceding a big event
55 Name suffix that can combine with “Henri”
56 Unit of explosive power
58 Final circuit in a track race
60 One whose mentality begins with M-E?
61 They take marks off at school
62 With 63-Across, tricky football play ... as represented by this puzzle’s shaded squares?
2 Film that lasts a while?
3 Sudden riser in status
4 Civil War and Reconstruction, e.g.
5 Longtime college basketball coach Kruger
6 Makes a note of
7 Not many
8 Kind of radiation
9 Body part just below the philtrum
10 ___ exam
11 Biblical figure whose name is repeated in a Faulkner title
12 Dish with a crispy tortilla shell
13 They’re often sugarcoated
15 Like some goons
20 Advanced H.S. course taught by a professoressa, say
24 Russian ballet company
27 Related to vision
28 “Wake word” for an Apple device
29 Raggedy ___
31 Group of cable news talking heads
33 Author Joyce Carol ___
34 Burn, so to speak
36 Playground game
37 Announcement before taking a leap
38 She recited her poem “On the Pulse of Morning” at Clinton’s first inauguration
40 More forgiving
41 Game faces?
42 Point of contact between neurons
43 Like lightning and some tongues
44 Powerlifter’s sound
48 Materialized
51 Hoda of morning TV
63 See 62-Across Down 1 Kooks
53 Transportation app banned in Denmark, Hungary and Thailand
54 Parisian patriarch
55 Conditional word in programming
57 Up to, briefly
59 Loo
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.
Caesar
Cucumber Coins
emphasized the group’s tight-knit bond.
“(Teamwork) is such a big thing in this sport… we’re always so happy to see each other run great races.”
Sydney followed up by looking ahead to the state meet with excitement and optimism.
“I’m nervous because it’s my senior season so it’s my last shot… I’m also excited to see how the freshmen do. We’ve got three freshmen on our varsity team and I think that’s very exciting.”
Solon head coach Emy Williams praised her freshmen
Solon freshman phenom qualifies for State
Jonah Frey For the Solon Economist
SOLON — Anders Holmes stood alongside his teammates behind the starting line as he had done for every race this season; only this time, the stakes were much higher for the freshman. The race official made sure every athlete was behind the line and ready to go, then commanded: “On your marks…”
The gorgeous fall day at Solon’s home course was now overshadowed by sheer determination and adrenaline coursing through Anders’ body. The only thing that mattered to Anders now was qualifying for state. As the starter’s gun went off, Anders Holmes was off to make his dream of racing at state come true. Anders’ season to this point had been nothing short of terrific. He had emerged as the Solon’s #1 runner on varsity and was coming off of an outstanding performance at the WaMaC conference championship meet, placing 11th overall and earning 2nd Team AllConference honors (one of three freshmen to earn all-conference honors). The stakes at this meet were higher, however, as it would require a top 15 individual
Spartans roll S. Tama Trojans 54-6
Solon makes the playoffs, will face Benton Community again Friday
Solon Economist
TAMA — The Spartans closed out the regular season by rolling over the South Tama Trojans 54-6 Friday. Eddie Johnson started the rout with a 41-yard dash for a touchdown in the first quarter, which was followed by Eli Kampman taking a Ty Bell pass 38-yards to score for a 12-0 lead. Owen Einwalter scored on a five-yard pass from Bell with a PAT kick from Collin McKie to make it 19-0 in the second quarter. Johnson picked up his second score of the game on a 20-yard rush to make it 25-0. McKie again split the uprights making it 26-0. Johnson got his third score on a fumble recovery and McKie struck again for a 33-0 lead at halftime.
Owen Einwalter took a one-yard pass from Bell in the third quarter with a McKie PAT for a 40-0 advantage. With the continuous clock running, Brady White scampered nine yards to score with McKie’s kick putting the Spartans up 47-0. White struck again in the fourth quarter on a threeyard rush with McKie splitting the uprights for the sixth time and a 54-0 lead before the Trojans scored in the closing minutes on a two-yard rush.
“I was pretty pleased with our execution against South Tama with the exception of our PAT/FG operation early in the game,” said Head Coach Lucas Stanton. “Sometimes vs lesser competition it's easy to just glide by but I was proud of the guys' response last week. We again were able to get a lot of guys in the game, which is always a good thing.”
The win put the Spartans on a collision course with Benton Community in the Round of 16 this Friday in Van Horne. It’s a familiar destination and team as Solon and the Bobcats tangled on October 4 with Benton pulling out a 21-20 win.
“We are very excited about seeing Benton again,” said Stanton. “They are obviously a good football team and we have enjoyed the games we have had with them the last two years. Our boys felt like we let one slip away last time and are ready for the challenge and the opportunity. It's not often you get a chance at redeeming yourself against a quality opponent.”
For Stanton and his Spartans, making the postseason has
after the race and shouted out the leadership of Sydney and fellow senior Ella Sheeley as well.
“We’ve had great senior leadership with Sydney and Ella who’ve welcomed the freshmen in on the team. We’re super lucky to have them.”
Solon will be up against the state’s best on Friday at Kennedy Park in Fort Dodge with a 10:30 a.m. start. Powerhouse Pella and familiar foes Mount Vernon-Lisbon lead the headlines as the teams to beat in class 3A. Sydney Dee will lead the Spartans from the starting line one last time after a terrific last 4 years.
Tickets are available online at www.gobound.com/ia/ ihsaa/boyscrosscountry/2024-25/tickets.
finish out of the freshman in order to qualify to run at the state championship meet. Anders proved he was up for the challenge.
With about a mile to go, Anders found himself running around 20th place, just outside of that qualifying range. With his coaches and family scrambling all around the course to support him, they helped him become aware that he needed to make up some ground in order to extend his season. With some sweat and a whole lot of grit, Anders made that happen.
With a finish that brought chills to each and every one of his supporters’ spines, Anders finished in 15th place, earning his individual qualification. He was immediately surrounded by congratulations from his friends, teammates, and family.
“I wasn’t sure I could get it until the last hundred or so,” admitted a short-winded Anders after the finish. “The last 50, I was mostly celebrating already.”
Anders earned the right to celebrate after that race.
“It was an awesome race for him,” remarked a proud Emy Williams, head coach of the Solon boys and girls cross country teams. “He showed some real grit today.”
When asked about his thoughts heading forth in preparation for the state meet, the freshman showed no nerves or fear, leaving us with a simple yet confident response: “I’m very excited.”
Anders Holmes will be competing at the IHSAA 3A Boy’s State Championship meet representing Solon on Friday, November 1, in Fort Dodge. 3A boys race at 11:15 at Kennedy Park. Tickets are available online at www.gobound.com/ia/ihsaa/ boyscrosscountry/2024-25/tickets.
become an expectation.
“It takes a lot of hard work to do it consistently. Hard work by the players, coaching staff, managers, supportive parents and a supportive community. We are lucky to have all that here. The work the players put into this starts in the weight room and playing multiple sports. People forget winning is hard and it takes a lot of special people working together.”
The Round of 16 is set
Round of 16 games for all classes are scheduled for Friday, Nov. 1 at 7:00 p.m.
Pod A – Clear Lake at Humboldt, Solon at Benton Community
Pod B – MOC-Floyd Valley at Sergeant Bluff-Luton, Bishop Heelan, Sioux City at Nevada
Pod C – Assumption Catholic (Davenport) at Wahlert Catholic (Dubuque), Williamsburg at Independence
Pod D – Harlan Community at Algona, Carroll at Mount Vernon
A look to the rest of the postseason Quarterfinals – 7:00 p.m. Friday, Nov. 8. Brackets will be set after the Round of 16.
Semifinals, at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls – Saturday, Nov. 16, 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
Finals, at the UNI-Dome – Friday, Nov. 22, 1:00 p.m.
Final Class 3A District 5 standings
Little Hawks fifth in MVC
Swimming Championship
Solon’s Grace Hoeper brings home two more gold medals
Solon Economist
IOWA CITY — Cedar Falls took the team title with 475 points Saturday, October 26 in the Mississippi Valley Conference (MVC) Swimming Championship tournament hosted by Iowa City High School at the Mercer Park Aquatic
3, Sydney Dee, 19:05.2. 8, Kinley Mai, 19:42.2. 17, Addison Seamans, 20:23.0. 18, Livya Nelson, 20:23.3. 21, Ella Sheeley, 20:33.9. 24, Falyn Svalstad, 20:53.7. 34, Ava Rolwes, 21:35.9.
Umscheid |
Freshman Anders Holmes leads a pack of runners in the Class 3A State Qualifier Meet last Wednesday at the SRNA. Holmes’ 15th-place finish in 17:05.6 advanced him to the State Meet in Fort Dodge.
Passing – Ty Bell 11/17, 116 yards, three TDs. Eli Kampman 7/9, 63 yards. Rushing – Eddie Johnson 101 yards/10 carries, two TDs (longest – 41 yards). Einar Stecher 43 yards/four carries. Kampman 12 yards/two carries. Brady White 12 yards/two carries, two TD’s. Maddox Kelley 11 yards/one carry. Hunter Sonntag 11 yards/four carries. Bell five yards/ four carries.
Receiving – Kelley 49 yards/four receptions. Kampman 38 yards/one reception, one TD. Charlie Karam 31 yards/four receptions. Johnson 15 yards/two receptions. Cody Milliman 15 yards/one reception. Stecher 12 yards/one reception. Owen Einwalter nine yards/three receptions, two TDs. Karsyn Regennitter five yards/one reception. Nick Gerdin five yards/one reception Defense – Tripp Johnson four solo tackles. White four solo tackles, one for a loss. Eddie Johnson two solos, 2.5 for a loss. Stecher two solo tackles. Sonntag two solo tackles. Colby Myers two solo tackles, one for a loss. Lucas Feuerbach two solo tackles. Oliver Owens three solo tackles, two for a loss. Cody Milliman three solo, one for a loss. Teague Williams three solo. Kelley two solo. Hoeper two solo, one for a loss. Jadyn Lang two solo. Luis Buck two solo. Hunter Sonntag two solo. Colby Myers two solo, 1.5 for a loss. Ryan Locke two solo. Mullen one solo (for a loss). Regennitter one solo. Karam one solo. Johnson one solo (for a loss). Tripp Johnson one solo. Brandt one solo. Nick Gerdin one solo. Eli Cash one solo. Thomsen one solo. White one solo. Stecher one solo. Abe Houtakker one solo. Grant Wilson one solo. Jackson Feuerbach one solo. Mike DeValk one solo. Lucas Feuerbach one solo. . Kelley one solo tackle. Wil Brandt one solo tackle. Milliman one solo tackle. Kaden Hoeper one solo tackle. Ethan Ulch one solo tackle. Kyler Jensen one solo tackle. Grant Wilson one solo tackle. Bradyn Schnoor one solo tackle. Dylan Branscomb one solo tackle. Sacks – White one.
Fumble recovery – Johnson one, one TD. PAT – Collin McKie 6/8.
Center. City’s crosstown rival, the combined team of Iowa City West High and Liberty High, took runner up with 321. The Little Hawks finished fifth in points with 191.
Solon senior Grace Hoeper won the 100-yard freestyle in 51.18 seconds and the 200-yard freestyle in 1:53.08. Sophomore Madelyn Elkins was 18th in the 50-yard freestyle in 27.91 and 20th in the 100-yard freestyle in 1:02.37. The Little Hawks will travel to Linn-Mar Thursday, Nov. 7 for Regional (state qualifying) Diving at 5:00 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 9 for Regional (state qualifying) Swimming at Noon.
The 2024 State Swimming and Diving Meet is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 15 and Saturday, Nov. 16 at the Marshalltown YMCA/YWCA.
Chris
Solon Economist
The season ends for the Lady Spartans
Regional quarterfinal win over Camanche leads to semifinals loss to Monticello
Chris Umscheid Solon Economist
chris.umscheid@soloneconomist.com
SOLON — With tears running down their cheeks and comforting hugs among teammates the net came down for the final time this season after a 3-0 loss to the Monticello Panthers Thursday, October 24 in a Class 3A Regional semifinals match in Solon.
The Lady Spartans entered the postseason with a 27-13 record and were ranked 11th in the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union’s Wednesday, October 9 rankings when the Camanche Storm visited Tuesday, October 22 for the quarterfinal round. Solon rode out the Storm with a 3-0 (25-11, 25-20, 25-13) victory led by Grace Erwin and Kiley Devery with 13 and 11 kills respectively.
Stats
Kills – Grace Erwin 13, Kiley Devery 11, Adelyn Miller seven, Jozie Lahr six, and Gable Knight three.
The win over Camanche advanced Solon to the semifinal round and a visit from the Monticello Panthers Thursday, October 24. The Panthers, 25-8 upset the Lady Spartans 3-0, ending Solon’s season at 28-14 on the season.
Monticello took the first set 25-23. Solon tied the set at 22-all prompting a time out by the Panthers before securing the win. The Lady Spartans found themselves in a 3-0 hole to start the second set. Grace Erwin scored a kill making it 2-4 as Solon battled back. Down 12-18, Coach Ruben Galvan called for a timeout. The Panthers continued to dominate and took the set 25-19.
The Lady Spartans started the third set with a 5-3 lead. An Addie Miller Kill made it 8-4 while a Solon ace serve made it 9-4. Gable Knight scored two kills for 10-5 and 12-5 advantages, the largest leads of the night for Solon. Unfortunately, the Panthers adjusted and cut the lead to 14-12, then 15-14 before Galvan called for another timeout. Monticello took a 19-18 lead and held on for the 25-22 set win to claim the match.
Individual stats were not available as of Sunday night. Solon ended the season at 28-14 overall and 1-4 in the WaMaC standings.
It was the final match for seniors Addie Miller, Grace Erwin, Yasmine Sell, and Izzy Frees.
Top left: Jozie Lahr goes up for a kill attempt during a Class 3A Regional Semifinal match at home against Monticello last Thursday.
Top right: Grace Erwin and Cydney Jaster watch as Yasmine Sell smacks the ball over the net during a Class 3A Regional Semifinal match at home against Monticello last Thursday. The Panthers swept the Lady Spartans 3-0 to end the season.
Center left: Kiley Devery (12) tries to block a kill from Monticello’s Jayden Kuper. Kuper hammered Solon with 21 kills in a 3-0 Regional Semifinals loss last Thursday.
Above: Izzy Frees and Addie Miller watch as Grace Erwin’s kill attempt is blocked by a pair of Monticello Panthers during a Class 3A Regional Semifinal match at home last Thursday.
Left: Addie Miller and Jozie Lahr comfort each other after a 3-0 loss to Monticello last Thursday in a Class 3A Regional Semifinal match at home, ending the Lady Spartans’ season.
getting the job done.
The Lady Spartans faced tough competition from other schools such as Marion, Des Moines Christian, and Center Point-Urbana, who were vowing for a team bid to the state meet as well. After a dominant regular season and a runner-up finish at the WaMaC conference meet, Solon kept the train moving. Finishing comfortably at the top of the podium, the Spartan girls booked their ticket to the state championship meet.
varsity girls’ cross country team competed in their 2024 state qualifying meet. In a meet where pressure looms large over its competitors, the Solon girls had absolutely no fear in
With three of their top four finishers being freshman, senior Sydney Dee’s leadership at the front has been a pivotal element for success for Solon the entire season. Sydney has consistently found herself competing with the lead pack at meets. A personal best time of 19:05 on top of a third place individual finish helped Sydney and the Spartans capture some major momentum heading into this upcoming Friday’s state meet.
