Features

Yandas, Wolken honored at MACC Banquet

Published by admin on Wed, 01/23/2019 - 10:14am

     The Monticello Area Chamber of Commerce (MACC) held its annual banquet on Jan. 15, honoring several local businesses, organizations, and community members for their support and dedication to the chamber.

     This year’s Lifetime Membership Award was presented to husband and wife duo Mary and Jay Yanda.

     “They both have been vital members of our community,” chamber board president Mark Spensley said of the Yandas. “They have served the chamber and the city for many years.”

Catholic Schools Week, Jan. 27-Feb. 2

Published by admin on Wed, 01/23/2019 - 10:06am

     Sacred Heart Catholic School in Monticello will celebrate National Catholic Schools Week, which runs Jan. 27 through Feb. 2.

     This year’s theme is “Catholic Schools: Learn. Serve. Lead. Succeed.”

     CSW actually started nationwide in 1974 as a way to celebrate Catholic education in the United States.

     The week is typically observed with special Masses, open house events, and other activities involving the students, families and church parishioners, and community members.

KCC president praises higher education at chamber banquet

Published by admin on Wed, 01/23/2019 - 10:05am

     Dr. Lori Sundberg, Kirkwood Community College’s first female president, was the guest speaker at this year’s Monticello Chamber Banquet on Jan. 15.

     The event was held at the Eagles Club.

     Sundberg spoke about the importance of education and the many positive things Kirkwood has done for the State of Iowa.

Murray-Zimmerman sees firsthand how technology impacts education

Published by admin on Wed, 01/23/2019 - 10:04am

     Panther Professionals is a weekly series highlighting educators, administrators, staff and aides who are dedicated to the future of the Monticello Community School District.

     A change in career choices, both working with youth, brought Morgan Murray-Zimmerman to her 15-year career with the Monticello school district. For the past nine years or so, she has provided technology assistant district wide.

     “We’re a tight-knit group,” Murray-Zimmerman said of the MCSD technology staff of herself, Curt Tauke and Michael Robertson.

Jones Co. Moms lend a hand at Ronald McDonald House

Published by admin on Wed, 01/23/2019 - 10:03am

     Earlier this month on Jan. 7, members of the Jones County Moms group took the time to volunteer in the Ronald McDonald Family Room at St. Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids.

     The moms took part in the Family Meal Program in which they prepared a hot meal on site for the families staying at the Ronald McDonald House.

     “We spent an afternoon giving back to the St. Luke’s Ronald McDonald Family Room,” shared Jones County Mom April Isaacson.

Monticello train show set for this weekend

Published by admin on Wed, 01/23/2019 - 10:01am

     While only in its third year, the Monticello Train Show & Swap Meet attracts people from all over.

     This year, the event is booked solid with almost 30 vendors from four different states.

     The event will take place on Sunday, Jan. 27 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Monticello Berndes Center (fairgrounds).

     Admission is $5 for adults. Children 12 and under are free.

     “It’s a variation of businesses and collectors selling their collections and parts,” explained Train Show organizer Ron Ackerman.

Monticello library hosts Soup Cook-off event

Published by admin on Wed, 01/23/2019 - 9:59am

     The Monticello community (businesses, organizations, families, individuals) is invited to not only take part in the Monticello Public Library’s upcoming Soup Cook-off, but to enter their best soup in the contest.

     On Wednesday, Feb. 13 from 4 to 7 p.m. (or when the soup runs out) the public can stop in the library and taste test the different varieties of soups.

     Anyone can enter one soup in each of the three categories at no charge:

     • Broth Base Soup

     • Cream Base Soup

     • International Recipe

‘Best fair in history’

Published by admin on Tue, 01/22/2019 - 2:18pm

     “This was the best fair in our 166-year history! And we’re really proud of that!”

     Those words were spoken by John Harms, Great Jones County Fair manager, as he presented the 2018 fair profit/loss statement and 2019 fair budget to the Jones County Supervisors during the Jan. 8 meeting. Lucas Gobeli accompanied Harms. Gobeli is the new concessions manager of the fair, taking over for Diz Edwards.

     The GJCF came away with a profit of $265,730 after last summer.

Broadbent praises MCSD for encouragement, support

Published by admin on Tue, 01/22/2019 - 2:13pm

     Panther Professionals is a weekly series highlighting educators, administrators, staff and aides who are dedicated to the future of the Monticello Community School District.

     Teaching is in the family for first-year teacher Megan Broadbent.

     “I’ve known since I was 6 years old that I wanted to be a teacher,” she said.

     Broadbent’s mom is an English teacher in the Western Dubuque School District. In fact, both women teach 12th grade English. And her maternal grandfather was also a teacher.

‘Winter Escape’ showcases women, businesses in Monticello

Published by admin on Tue, 01/22/2019 - 1:41pm

     W.E. (Winter Escape)

     It also stands for “Women Excite,” “Women Enliven,” “Women Explore,” and “Women Exceptional.”

     This new group for women is geared toward helping women brush off the winter blues and to promote all the great women-owned and operated businesses in Monticello.

     “We are so fortunate to have so many female entrepreneurs in this area,” said Gunther. “This has been a labor of love and exploration as we got to know women business owners and operators.”

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