THE NEWSPAPER THAT SERVES ALL DECATUR COUNTY
20 PAGES USPS 310-140 LEON, IOWA, 50144, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2024 P.O. Box 580, 111 NW. 2nd, Leon, IA 50144 E-mail: JRNEWS@GRM.NET VOLUME 95 - NUMBER 44
EveryStep Hospice Team in Mount Ayr Honors Vietnam Purple Heart Recipient Mick McBride
EveryStep veteran volunteers with Mick McBride. (R-L): Connie Doudy, National Guard; Gary O’Daniels, Vietnam (Army); Mick McBride, Vietnam (Marines); and Dennis Abel, Vietnam (Army). Marine Corps veteran Arthur “Mick” McBride III was honored for his military service recently during a “pinning” ceremony arranged by the EveryStep Hospice team in Mount Ayr. EveryStep staff and veteran volunteers, and a houseful of friends and family
gathered in Mick’s Decatur home, where he is receiving care from EveryStep Hospice. “I was overwhelmed — just overwhelmed with joy. It was very emotional. I was humbled and honored and just about every good word you could use,” says Mick. “It was a
Leon Lighting Contest Underway
It's time for the annual Christmas lighting contest sponsored by the Leon Chamber of Commerce and Leon Lions Club! Judging of the home lighting decorations will take place Thursday, December 12, encouraging everyone to help light up the town for the Home For The Holidays/Leon Noel celebrations December 14. Pictures
of the winning homes will be taken anytime between December 12 through December 15, so be sure to have lights on every evening. Prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place. First place will receive $100, second place $60 and third $40. Winners will select a local business, and gift cards will be purchased for them in that amount. Win-
beautiful ceremony. They gave me a nice plaque and a beautiful quilt. All my family was there — all three of my kids made it.” Mick was born in Burbank, California and moved to Iowa when he was 5 years old. In 1966 at age 18, Mick enlisted in the Marines and was
ners will be contacted and the prizes will be awarded by a Lions Club member. You DO NOT have to sign up to be judged. If you don't want to have your lights judged, do not have them turned on during the evening of December 12.
A Look at Chamber's Sponsored Christmas Events
Traditions continue throughout the month of December. Last year’s Live Christmas Show at SCIT was so well attended that they are providing 2 shows, with the first one on Friday, December 13, beginning at 7:00 p.m. and the second one on
Journey for Joy Foundation, Inc
It’s that Time of Year Again!
City Elves, from left Brandon Eastin, Connor Christensen and Dustin Thompson were busy hanging lights around the square making everything Merry and Bright. Way to go guys, thanks for your help in getting the community in the Christmas spirit. In addition to the city crew, James Cornell with Alliant Energy hung the Christmas lights along the corridors of Highway 2 and 69 through town. Cornell has been donating his time for many, many years providing this service for the community.
Journey for Joy Foundation, Inc is a charitable, nonprofit corporation based right here in Decatur County. We are funded through direct donations and various fundraising events. We offer comfort and material assistance to victims of cancer and their families and caregivers with other nonprofit foundations working towards a cure for cancer. Journey for Joy has been providing support for local cancer warriors since 2016. We currently offer assistance to those that live in or receive treatment in Decatur County. What do we do? We've adopted a customized approach to provide each family with support based on their individual
Complimentary Issue of the LJR You are receiving this complimentary issue of The Leon Journal-Reporter, compliments of us. READ ALL ABOUT the many activities that our LJR staff highlights for our community of Leon and county. ….From the nearly monthly activities the Leon Chamber sponsors, to the fun and educational events provided by The Decatur County Conservation Board. If you want to know what’s going on in the City of Leon meetings or Decatur County Development and Leon County Development, in addition to the Board of Supervisors meetings, the LJR is your one source. There are many organizations you can join or pay a membership for from the Leon Lions Club to the Performing Arts Boosters (PAB) to SCIT Theatre to the Decatur County Museum. Check out this issue. Be sure to check out the special edition in this LJR, highlighting the unlimited medical services available by our Decatur County Health Services. If you would like to keep informed about all the above on a weekly basis, subscribe to the Leon Journal-Reporter. For all of Decatur County, start now at the rate of $44/year offered through December 31. Cut this out and mail it to PO Box 580, Leon, Iowa, 50144. *Online subscriptions are available for $54.50 for a year through December 31. stationed at the Marine Corps Air Station in Yuma, Arizona. He met his wife, Brenda, in March of 1968 and they married just a month later. Shortly after their marriage, Mick was sent to Japan and then Vietnam where he was a member of a “crash crew,” responsible for putting out the flames when jets would catch on fire while landing on the runway. He spent Saturday, December 14, beginning at 3:30 p.m., with a Hot Cocoa Bar available both shows. Everything is a Free Will Donation. The celebrations continue the next day, on December 14, with the Leon Noel jumpstarting the full day of events, beginning at the Central Decatur High school from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. The Live Christmas Show at SCIT Theatre begins at 3:30 p.m. followed by a Hometown Holidays event around the square with vendors starting at 5:00 p.m., fun free crafts for kids and lots of fun for families to enjoy on Main Street, a lighted parade at 6:00 p.m. and tree lighting following in front of the courthouse. All participants are encouraged to help light up the town and bring
requests and circumstances. A few examples of things we have done to help ease the burden on those fighting and their families: • Supply Decatur County Hospital with care packages for newly diagnosed cancer patients • Donated thousands of dollars in gas and grocery gift cards helping over 100 people receiving treatment every year • Arranged for a construction crew to finish a remolding project for a hospice family • Covered cost of meals and housekeeping assistance to cancer families • Paid utility and other bills for families • Helped fund weekend getaways for terminal patients • Funded new tires or brakes for vehicles to assist in getting to appointments • Provided family photo session for terminal patient • Many, many, other customized requests of support
time near the Vietnam Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) in Denyong, Quang Tri and Dongh. Mick served from June to September. During those months, he was exposed to Agent Orange and suffered the injury that earned him the Purple Heart. Mick was traveling in an Otter, a tank-like vehicle used by the Marine Corps during the war because its light weight and 20-inch-
wide track allowed it to go into the soft soils surrounding the rice paddies of Vietnam. “The Otter ahead hit a mine,” remembers (continued on page 13)
Savanna Hills Sweetheart Dinner
Save the date! The annual Savanna Hills Sweetheart the spirit of Christmas Dinner will be Saturthroughout. Contact day, February 8, 2025 Amber Hill at Main at the Decatur County Street Brick House for Fairgrounds in Leon. additional questions at Editor's Note: The incorrect ad was inad(continued on page 2) vertently placed in last week's issue.
Leon Noel and Holiday Celebration Mark your calendar to attend this year’s Leon Noel, a Christmas Show at SCIT Theatre and Hometown Holidays that includes vendors, parade and a tree lighting in the courthouse lawn Saturday, December 14. The day begins at 11:00 a.m. at CD High School where the Central Trail FFA will be offering lots of Christmas activities, pictures with Santa, petting
zoo, carriage rides, vendor fair and a holiday meal. At 3:00 p.m. there will be a Christmas Show at SCIT Theatre with a free hot cocoa bar. Vendors will be set up on Main Street from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. The parade will start at 6:00 p.m. followed by a tree lighting in the courthouse lawn.
What are people saying about the support they have received? - “A very appreciative thank you for the gift sack full of thoughtful and useful items.” - “Thank you for the t-shirt, hooded sweatshirt, hat, scarf, all the gift cards and books! I appreciate all the love, prayers and support very much! All of you are awesome!” - “I have benefited from your generous program helping cancer patients. Thank you for the welcome bag, throw, mini-pillow, cap and Casey’s gift cards. The support received during each treatment is very much appreciated.” - “We think what you ladies are doing is a great thing! Turning your focus to people in your own community is an awesome idea! You are all a true asset to our little community!” - “God bless you for your kindnesses.” - “Thank you for the several gift cards and thanks a bunch for all you do. God bless
you in this ‘journey’.” - “I want to thank you so much for the Casey’s gas cards and the outstanding WalMart gift card. It made my Christmas.” - “I wanted to express my gratitude for all you have done for me. I can never fully express how thankful I am for your assistance.” How can you donate or request support? Visit our website at http://www.journeyforjoyfoundation.org to learn more, donate, or request support! Donations can be mailed to: Journey for Joy Foundation, Inc., P.O. Box 135, Leon, Iowa 50144. LOVE IS HERE.
Leon City Council Meeting
The regular monthly meeting of the Leon City Council will be held Monday, December 9 at 6:00 p.m. in the council chambers at the city hall.