Features

‘Chocolate on Main’ returns for second year

Published by admin on Wed, 02/05/2025 - 12:22pm

     Monticello Main Street is offering a sweet treat in downtown Monticello just in time for Valentine’s Day.

    The second annual “Chocolate on Main” will be held Saturday, Feb. 8 throughout the downtown.

   “The goal is to get people to Monticello to shop in our businesses,” said Main Street Director Brian Wolken. “This time of the year, post-Christmas, tends to be slower for retailers.”

MMA starts planning for VBS, seeks financial assistance

Published by admin on Wed, 02/05/2025 - 12:21pm

     It’s never too early to starting thinking about warmer weather, gathering with friends, and spending time outdoors…

   Despite taking place in July and August, the Monticello Ministerial Association (MMA) is already busy planning for the third annual MMA VBS (Vacation Bible School). The theme this year is “True North,” referring the Jesus Christ being that true north, that rock-solid foundation.

   Mark your calendars because VBS will take place July 28 through Aug. 1 at the Jones County Youth Development Center.

Jones Co. students plan to attend Day on the Hill

Published by admin on Wed, 02/05/2025 - 11:55am

     On, Thursday, Feb. 13, the Alliance of Coalitions for Change (AC4C), a state-wide collaboration unifying Iowans to address substance use, will be meeting with state legislators to discuss their concerns about alcohol use and other substance use in Iowa, along with education about how youthful marketing and inexpensive liquor affects youth in Iowa. Jones County Safe and Healthy Youth Coalition members, including youth from the schools in the county, will be among the many community coalitions, representing a mixture of Iowa’s rural and urban populations at this event.

Starlighters’ YPT to perform ‘Blame It on the Wolf’

Published by admin on Wed, 02/05/2025 - 11:46am

     Starlighters II Theatre’s young people’s group, YPT (Young People’s Theatre), will perform “Blame It on the Wolf” on Saturday, Feb. 8, at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, Feb. 9, at 2 p.m.

   The approximately 45-minute show is a comedy with a good moral and perfect for people of all ages.

   “This great group of kids has been practicing during their monthly YPT time for the last several months, and they cannot wait to share the show with everyone,” said YPT Chairperson Colin Heeren.

   The cast includes:

Sacred Heart celebrates Catholic Schools Week

Published by admin on Wed, 01/29/2025 - 10:10am

     This week, Sacred Heart Catholic School in Monticello is celebrating Catholic Schools Week (CSW), which runs Jan. 26 through Feb. 1.

   Schools typically celebrate CSW with Masses, assemblies, events, and other activities for the students, their families, church parishioners, and the community.

   The theme for CSW is “Catholic Schools: United in Faith and Community.”

New Life Nazarene Church welcomes new pastor

Published by admin on Wed, 01/29/2025 - 10:09am

     After a few weeks of residing and working in Monticello, the Shallenberger family is enjoying a slower-paced lifestyle than they were used to.

   “We’re realizing that life is a little slower here coming from the big city,” shared Pastor Chris Shallenberger, the new pastor at New Life Community Nazarene Church. “I have served little towns before; we enjoy the quiet that brings.”

Library News

Published by admin on Wed, 01/29/2025 - 10:04am

Library hosts ‘Valentine’s Celebration’

   There are many upcoming events for everyone at the Monticello Public Library.

   On Saturday, Feb. 8, from 9:30 to 11 a.m., the library will host an early Valentine’s Celebration. Bring the family and join for some fun with crafts, activities, games, and snacks set up throughout the library.

   This event is free and sponsored by the Friends of the Library.

 

‘Master Crafter’ series, Feb. 18.

Monticello shines in conference, district speech contests

Published by admin on Wed, 01/29/2025 - 7:26am

   Plenty of highlights for Monticello came out of the River Valley Conference and District large group speech contests Jan. 18 and 25, respectively.

   At districts, Monticello qualified seven entries to the state contest. In the conference event, six groups placed, and 12 groups earned Division I ratings.

   Results follow.

 

District meet

Becker announces new role at Camp Courageous

Published by admin on Wed, 01/22/2025 - 7:14am

     It was announced on Jan. 15 that Charlie Becker, CEO of Camp Courageous for the past 45 years, is not retiring, but will transition to the full-time job of CEO of the Camp Courageous Foundation.

   The announcement was made inside Durgin Pavilion at Camp, with media representatives present, as well as the Camp Courageous Board of Directors (BOD) and dozens of Camp staff.

   Becker honored the dedicated volunteers who have served on the BOD for several years.

GJCF announces final act of 2025

Published by admin on Wed, 01/22/2025 - 7:11am

     The fourth and final Great Jones County Fair entertainment announcement is here…

   The headliner on Thursday, July 17, will be GRAMMY-nominated country music star Sam Hunt! Opening for him will be Dylan Marlowe.

   Tickets go on sale Friday, Jan. 24, at 10 a.m. on the fair’s website, www.greatjonescountyfair.com.

   Tickets for this show, which kicks off on the stage at 8 p.m., are $60 for all seating options: track, amphitheater, and hillside bleachers.

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