Features

EMS Week, May 18-24

Published by admin on Wed, 05/07/2025 - 8:32am

     EMS Week is May 18-24. The Monticello Ambulance Service will be kicking EMS Week off with an open house for the public.

   On Sunday, May 18, from 1-5 p.m., take the family to the Public Safety Building (201 E. South St.), which houses the ambulance and police departments, for the open house and bake sale.

   Bake sale items will be sold via free-will donations. If you would like to contribute toward the bake sale, items can be dropped off at the ambulance garage on May 17 from 4-8 p.m. or May 18 from 8-11 a.m.

JRMC Infusion Center nurse honored with DAISY Award

Published by admin on Wed, 05/07/2025 - 8:31am

     “Mollie’s smile will light you up. She instantly puts you at ease when you arrive at the Infusion clinic. She answers any and all questions you may have and is always teaching you about good health habits. The world needs more compassionate and friendly nurses like Mollie.”

   This was the anonymous DAISY Award nomination, submitted by a patient of Mollie Pegorick, RN. Pegorick is one of the staff nurses who works in UnityPoint Health-Jones Regional Medical Center’s (JRMC) Infusion Center.

Walker works with former professor to illustrate children’s book

Published by admin on Wed, 05/07/2025 - 8:29am

     A local graphic artist can now add children’s book illustrator to her list of accomplishments.

   Faith Walker, of Monticello, worked with her former college professor, Susan Dolter, of Dubuque, to illustrate her children’s book “Wuzzy and Doe.”

   “Children’s book illustration has been on my bucket list since I was a child,” reminisced Walker. “This opportunity turned into such a blessing!”

   Walker and Dolter met at Clarke University in Dubuque when Walker was a student. She graduated in 2015.

MCSD staff take part in Day of Action

Published by admin on Wed, 05/07/2025 - 8:28am

     Monticello Community School District (MCSD) middle school and high school teachers and staff and former educators took to the streets last week on May 1 as part of National Day of Action in honor of International Workers Day.

   The local walk-in took place before the start of the school day. MCSD staff stood in solidarity on the sidewalk along E. Oak Street/Highway 38 and talked about the importance of public education and how Medicaid supports public school students and funding.

‘Every Brilliant Thing’ normalizes mental health issues

Published by admin on Wed, 05/07/2025 - 8:25am

     You have just one weekend to catch a powerful one-woman show at Starlighters II Theatre!

   “Every Brilliant Thing” will hit the stage Friday, May 9, and run through Sunday, May 11.

   The show is directed by Steve Clemmons, and assisted by Presley Tapken (a 2109 graduate of Monticello High School). Tiffany Zarifkar, owner of Mount Vernon Family Counseling, is the one and only charter. (Tapken is also an intern at Mount Vernon Family Counseling.)

   The show has its highs and lows, comedic moments and drama.

‘Cruisin’ for Camp Courageous’ taking place May 18

Published by admin on Wed, 05/07/2025 - 8:20am

     Camp Courageous will host the 38th annual “Cruisin’ for Camp Courageous” on Sunday, May 18, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

   Presented by the Cedar Valley Street Rods, Cruisin’ for Camp Courageous is one of Iowa’s largest charity car shows featuring hundreds of show cars, vintage vehicles, motorcycles, and trucks. Once again, Taylor Concessions food truck will be parked on the grounds serving treats including fried Twinkies and funnel cakes.

EISF offering free pickleball lessons

Published by admin on Wed, 05/07/2025 - 7:56am

     Grab a friend or your neighbor and come and learn the ins and outs of the game of pickleball in a relaxed indoor environment.

   Bud Johnson is an accomplished player with five years of experience and wants to share his love of the game with you. He will be offering FREE 90-minute sessions to learn the rules, basic skills, and scoring of the game. Equipment will be provided. Group size will be one to four players per session, located at the new indoor court at the Eastern Iowa Sports Facility (EISF) on John Drive in Monticello.

Camp Courageous delights with trip to Paris

Published by admin on Wed, 04/30/2025 - 9:30am

     Every year, Camp Courageous plans an international trip, taking campers of all ages around the world to explore sights many of their campers might not otherwise get the opportunity to see.

   Earlier this month, Camp took 13 campers and five staff members to Paris, France! Among the many must-sees were the Eiffel Tower and Disneyland Paris.

   “We plan these trips a year in advance,” said Rogelio “Ro” Hernandez, assistant travel director.

Three Camp Fire girls to receive WoHeLo Award

Published by admin on Wed, 04/30/2025 - 9:20am

     The Camp Fire USA Monticello Council will hold its annual Camp Fire Ceremonial and WoHeLo Award recognition on Sunday, May 4. The ceremony will be held in the Monticello High School auditorium beginning at 6:30 p.m.

   The WoHeLo Award recipients will have their reception following the ceremony at First Presbyterian Church in Monticello.

   This year, there are three young ladies receiving their WoHeLo Medallion: Brynn Schmit, Skylar Christensen, and Emee Himes-Leunsman.

MinnTex Citrus marks 40 years of service and business

Published by admin on Thu, 04/24/2025 - 8:32am

     “I came from a small town, smaller than Monticello. I believe in small towns.”

   MinnTex Citrus celebrated 40 years in business last fall.

   The business, co-owned by husband-and-wife team Bud and Georgia Johnson, has three full-time employees and 60 to 70 seasonal employees.

   When asked if he thought MinnTex would still be going strong 40 years later, Johnson laughs.

   “It’s such a unique business. It wasn’t a business to get into. We were just trying to survive at the time.

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