By Gene Schipper, Monticello Lions Club

Opening at the Great Jones County Fair and Food Fest, July 18 through 22, will be the newly renovated Monticello Lions Club kitchen and pavilion. We welcome all fair-goers to come and see our new facility. The kitchen area is now double its former size, and the pavilion is extended an additional 40 feet over the original size. The new extended pavilion is a wonderful addition for families and picnickers to the Monticello City Park and fairgrounds. The Monticello Lions Club thanks the following for helping make this project a reality:

Thank you to the Jones County Endowment Fund of the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation for the original grant.

Other contributors included: the City of Monticello, Monticello Rotary Club, John Bader Masonry-brick work, Curt and Cory Moats-brick work, Randy Rickels of 7^th Street Stone-stone sign, Dr. Richard Wolken-steel on gable ends, Welter Storage Equipment-shelving, Russell Buscher-architect, Art Kromminga-scaffold lift, Staner Heating and Plumbing and Kraus Plumbing and Heating.

Builders and suppliers also included: Spahn and Rose Lumber Company, Accent Construction, Monticello Bard Concrete, Precision Framing and Finish, Ray Manternach Construction, Monti Home Improvements, REM Electric, Premier Brick and Stone and Fawn Creek Homes.

“Many Monticello Lions pitched in with 950 volunteer hours supervised by project chair, Lion Ron Buscher,” said Past President of the Monticello Lions Club, Rev. Gene Schipper. “The total cost of the project was $25,710.20. This project came together in such a wonderful way with the cooperative efforts of Monticello Lions and leaders and companies in the Monticello community. It is a pavilion we hope will benefit the Monticello area community for years to come.”

The Monticello Lions extend a cordial welcome to all 2012 fair-goers to stop by and see us. Come and have a dinner or a snack and say hello. We look forward to seeing you.

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PHOTOS: Top: The completed Lions Club stand at the fairgrounds is ready to serve plenty of people during fair week, July 18-22. The new addition includes a larger kitchen and 40 extra feet for seating. (Photo by Kim Brooks) Middle: Lions Club members volunteered numerous hours to complete the food stand expansion project. Some of the members who put in their time include, from left, Ron Buscher, George Walters, Kevin Adams and Dennis Joslin. (Photo submitted) Bottom: Jerry Eggiman and John Bader show off the newly installed Lions Club sign at their food stand at the fairgrounds. The sign was done by Randy Rickels with Seventh Street Stone. (Photo submitted)