Author: Theresa Rose

The Mount Pleasant Fire Department, along with ambulance, police and sheriff’s department, responded to a call from the 700 block of south main Sunday night.  The call came in just after 9 pm.  KILJ news is working on getting details.

The Old Threshers Miss Sweet 17 is Ava Fisher of Altoona, Iowa.  She is the daughter of David Fisher and Susie Fisher.  The First Runner-Up is Kaitlyn Lee of New London, the daughter of Jens and Denise Lee, Second Runner-Up is Abby Blint.  She is from Mount Pleasant and her parents are Angie and Anthony Blint.  Miss Volunteer honors went to Emma Harvey of Argyle and the daughter of Leonard and Tonya Harvey.

Iowa Wesleyan University and the Friends of the Harlan-Lincoln House are excited to welcome professional writer and biographer, C.J. King, to campus for a special presentation entitled “The Spirited Lincoln Women.” The event will be held on October 14 at 5:00 pm in the Iowa Wesleyan Chapel and is open to the public. No registration is necessary. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, masks are required inside campus buildings.

King will present a talk on the Lincoln women, with a special focus on Peggy Beckwith, the great-granddaughter of Abraham and Mary Lincoln and James and Ann Harlan. Throughout her presentation, King will pose as the last female Lincoln, reflecting on the Lincoln women’s spiritual connection to Christian Science, as well as on their individual, spirited personalities, and their family and community relationships.

Her book Four Marys and a Jessie: The Story of the Lincoln Women, includes extensive research conducted in many of the places where the Lincoln women lived, including Iowa, Chicago and Springfield IL, Washington, D.C., and Manchester, VT. Copies of King’s book will be available to purchase at the event. A reception and book signing opportunity will follow the presentation.

A professional writer for 40 years, King is a Vermont resident and a native of Hoosier. She holds a B.A. in Journalism from Ball State University and an M.F.A. in Writing from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst. King has a family connection of her own to the Lincoln women; she is a distant cousin of Mary Harlan Lincoln, the President and First Lady’s daughter-in-law.

Free walk-in tours of the Harlan-Lincoln House will be available from 1:00-4:00 pm the day of. For more information, visit https://harlanlincolnhouse.org/ or email hlhouse@iw.edu.

Mark your calendars now for the 2021 Southeast Iowa Symphony Orchestra Pops Concerts –
Saturday, September 18, 2021 at 7:30 PM at Ottumwa’s Bridge View Center and Sunday,
September 19, 2021 at 4:00 PM on N. 3rd Street outside Burlington’s Capitol Theater. The
Burlington concert will be held inside the Capitol in the case of inclement weather.
The theme comes from the Beatle’s hit, Come Together, which will be one of the featured works
in a medley of Beatles hits. “These are the first POPS concerts that we have been allowed to
“Come Together” for in two years and we are really looking forward to it” according to SEISO
Music Director Robert McConnell.
In addition to the Beatles, there will be movie music from To Kill a Mockingbird, Back to the
Future and The Magnificent Seven along with a Hooray for Hollywood medley arranged by John
Williams. Several other stunning fanfare works by John Williams will also be featured.
Guest Artists for this year’s concert are Voices Electric, which will present music of The
Carpenters along with their soloist Kelsey Madsen. The Mt. Mercy based show choir is under the
direction of Washington, Iowa native Kent Keating who also arranges for both his group and the
SEISO.
The Pops concert can be enjoyed one of two ways. First, concert and dinner. Second, concert
only. Tickets for the dinner and concert are $50 in Burlington and $55 in Ottumwa. Adult tickets
for the concert only are $20 in both locations. Students and children are free. Concert-only
tickets can be purchased on our website, www.seiso.us, or at the door. To make dinner
reservations in Burlington, call Sydney Gerst at 319.759.6915. To make dinner reservations in
Ottumwa, call Christine Bergan at 319.530.7469.
If you have questions, please email the SEISO office at seiso@iw.edu

Mount Pleasant, Iowa, [September 2, 2021] – September is National Suicide Prevention and Awareness month and Henry County Health Center’s Senior Life Solutions is working to raise awareness and educate the community on the risk factors and warning signs of suicide. Talk of suicide should never be dismissed. If you, or someone you know, are thinking of suicide call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.

The Suicide Prevention Lifeline states that knowing these warning signs may help determine if a loved one is at risk for suicide:

• Talking about wanting to die or to kill themselves
• Looking for a way to kill themselves, like searching online or buying a gun
• Talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live
• Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain
• Talking about being a burden to others
• Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs
• Acting anxious or agitated, behaving recklessly
• Sleeping too little or too much
• Withdrawing or isolating themselves
• Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge
• Extreme mood swings

Suicide prevention starts with recognizing these warning signs and taking them seriously. If you think someone you know may be feeling suicidal, the best thing to do is ask. These conversations may feel difficult and uncomfortable, which is entirely normal. If you are uncertain of how to be there for someone in need, here are five action steps you can take according to the National Institute of Mental Health:

1.  ASK: “Are you thinking about killing yourself?” It’s not an easy question, but studies show that asking at-risk individuals if they are suicidal does not increase suicides or suicidal thoughts.
2. KEEP THEM SAFE: Reducing a suicidal person’s access to highly lethal items or places is an important part of suicide prevention. While this is not always easy, asking if the at-risk person has a plan and removing or disabling the lethal means can make a difference.
3. BE THERE: Listen carefully and learn what the individual is thinking and feeling. Research suggests acknowledging and talking about suicide may reduce rather than increase suicidal thoughts.
4. HELP THEM CONNECT: Save the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline’s (1-800-273-TALK (8255)) and the Crisis Text Line’s number (741741) in your phone, so it’s there when you need it. You can also help make a connection with a trusted individual like a family member, friend, spiritual advisor, or mental health professional.
5. STAY CONNECTED: Staying in touch after a crisis or after being discharged from care can make a difference. Studies have shown the number of suicide deaths goes down when someone follows up with the at-risk person.

The Suicide Prevention Lifeline reminds us that suicide is not inevitable for anyone. By starting the conversation, providing support, and directing help to those who need it, we can prevent suicides and save lives.

If you or someone you know is in an emergency, call 911 immediately.   If you are in crisis or are experiencing difficult or suicidal thoughts, call the National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273 TALK (8255).

 Henry County Health Center’s Senior Life Solutions is an intensive outpatient group therapy program designed to meet the unique needs of older adults suffering from symptoms of anxiety and depression often related to aging.  For more information, or if you know an older loved one who is in need of help, contact us at 319-385-6552.

Congratulations to the 2021 WMU Homecoming King and Queen Anden Gipple and Carlee Sloan.  The rest of this year’s court includes Annabelle Loveless, Morgan Grelk, Jobey Malone, Gabriela Magalhaes, Lane Scorpil,  Konner Wade and KILJ’s own Griffin Humphreys.