Author: Patrick Fee

The Southeast Iowa Symphony Orchestra is hosting a Kids Symphony with a Halloween theme this weekend.

Kids and parents can wear their Halloween costumes to the concert and take time to meet the performers and their instruments. There will be a costume photo booth, snacks and prizes. The concert will feature music from John Williams.  Tickets may only be purchased at the door. Adults are $5, kids through college-age and season ticket holders for the Performing Arts Series can attend for free.

• 11am – Bridge View Center in Ottumwa-Saturday, 11/1/25
• 2pm – Chapel Auditorium in Mt. Pleasant-Saturday, 11/1/25
• 4pm – Capitol Theater in Burlington-Saturday, 11/1/25
• Sunday, 2pm – Fairfield Arts & Convention Center

The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services began taking applications for Low Income Heating Assistance in October and as winter moves in, Iowa residents can continue to apply through April of 2026.

To be eligible for LIHEAP in Iowa, the total household income for an applicant must be at or below 200% of 2025 federal poverty guidelines.  Applications can be submitted on-line or Community Action of Southeast Iowa is located in Burlington.

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a federally funded program designed to assist qualifying low-income Iowa households in the payment of a portion of their residential heating costs for the winter heating season, to encourage regular utility payments, to promote energy awareness, and to encourage reduction of energy usage through energy efficiency, client education, and weatherization.

We fall back in time at 2am on Sunday morning as clocks turn back an hour for the end of Daylight-Saving Time.

On the first Sunday of November, clocks roll back an hour for most of the U.S. including Iowa. This means the sun will now rise earlier in the morning and set earlier in the evening.  The sun will rise on Sunday morning at 7:37am and set at 5pm.

While you’re changing clocks around the home, fire departments everywhere recommend checking and changing the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

“Operation Front Porch” has officially launched in Mt. Pleasant and is dedicated to supporting the families of our deployed soldiers by fostering a community of care, connection, and encouragement.

Everyone is invited to an organizational meeting scheduled for November 5th, from 6p-8pm at the Mount Pleasant Veterans Hall, 300 W. Monroe Street.   This gathering is to begin to build a database of people that are interested in helping support the community’s miliary families if/when needed. Name, contact information and what areas you would be willing to help is all it takes to help support these very important families. If you are unable to attend the meeting, or if you have questions, please email:  forthetroops67@gmail.com or call Angie Walderbach at 319-931-7434.  Their Facebook page can be found at “Operation Front Porch”.

We are one week away from darkness falling earlier in the evening as daylight savings time ends. Next weekend, on Sunday, November 2^nd, clocks are set back 1 hour (“fall back”), at 2am, gaining an hour.

Daylight Saving Time begins on the second Sunday in March and ends on the first Sunday in November. To remember which way to set their clocks, folks often use the expression “spring forward, fall back.”

Daylight saving time was first established in the U.S. by Congress after the Calder Act, or the Standard Time Act of 1918, was passed more than 100 years ago and was more recently amended with the Energy Policy Act of 2005.

Henry County has six food pantries; they are ready and willing to help if there is a need.  The pantries service many of the communities in the KILJ listening area:

Community Action and The Fellowship Cup in Mt. Pleasant, The Tiger Food Pantry in New London, The WACO Community Food Pantry in Crawfordsville, the Wayland Food Pantry in Wayland, and the Winfield Food Pantry in Winfield.

Please consider donating items such as instant rice, instant oatmeal, instant potatoes, tortillas, and packaged meals like macaroni and cheese.  Canned food items (with pop-top lids), fresh or frozen meat, and treats for children.  Fresh produce is always welcome.

Personal care items are also needed (shampoo, toothpaste/brushes, body wash, deodorant, dish soap, razors, laundry items.)

Community Action of Southeast Iowa
1303 W. Washington St., Mt. Pleasant
319-385-2310
Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:30pm

The Fellowship Cup
203 N. Jefferson St., Mt. Pleasant
319-385-3242
Thursdays 10am-4pm
Delivery to Hillsboro and Salem available

Tiger Food Pantry
106 W. Wilson St., New London
319-367-0512
Thursdays 3:30-6pm, Saturdays 9-11am

WACO Community Food Pantry
United Church of Crawfordsville
105 N. Chestnut St., Crawfordsville
319-461-0532
1st & 3rd Thursdays 2-3:30 for age 60+ or those
needing help, ALL other shoppers 3:30-5:30pm

Wayland Food Pantry
Wayland Mennonite Church
104 W. 2nd St., Wayland
319-591-0961
2nd & 4th Thursdays 4-6pm

MOPS-Winfield Food Pantry
Winfield Methodist Church (current)
Summer 2023 moving to: 107 E. Elm St.
319-217-2655
Wednesdays 12-5pm