Community Invited to Experience “The Room Upstairs” – A Unique Passover/Seder Feast Dinner Theatre on April 17

By Hayden Douglas · Tuesday, April 8th, 2025 at 7:55 am CDT

On the evening of April 17, 2025, the community is invited to attend a moving and educational experience titled The Room Upstairs, a full dinner theatre production held at 6:30 p.m. This special event, hosted at First United Methodist Church in Mount Pleasant, offers a unique opportunity to step into the scene of the Last Supper and explore how Jesus’ final meal with his disciples may have fit into the traditional Passover celebration.

Hosted as a Passover/Seder Feast “Dinner Theatre,” The Room Upstairs invites audience members to take on the role of guests at the Last Supper of Christ. Through storytelling, fellowship, and a traditional meal, attendees will gain insight into the customs, actions, and words of Jesus during that sacred evening. The event is described as both educational and spiritually enriching—a time for reflection and togetherness.

There is no fee to attend the event, but tickets are required to help organizers track attendance. Freewill donations will be accepted during the evening. Tickets can be picked up at First United Methodist Church or Brown’s Shoe Fit in downtown Mount Pleasant. Those who obtain a ticket but later find they are unable to attend are asked to return their ticket to the First United Methodist Church (FUMC) so it may be reissued to someone on the waiting list.

Don’t miss this opportunity to reflect on one of the most powerful moments in Christian tradition, shared in the spirit of community and discovery. Apri 17th at 6:30pm at First United Methodist Church.

The Henry County Heritage Trust Meeting Update

By Hayden Douglas · Tuesday, April 8th, 2025 at 7:54 am CDT

The Henry County Heritage Trust (HCHT) held its annual and regular monthly meetings on April 2, 2025, at the museum in Mount Pleasant. Officers elected for the coming year are: Patricia Richenberger, president; Sheila Allender, vice-president; Waunita Gibbons, secretary; and Patricia White, treasurer.

Highlights from 2024 included remote work with UNI student interns, weekly meetings with local volunteers, and major renovations to the Saunders School and Van Allen House—adding energy-efficient windows, solar shades, a new bathroom, mini-split units, and fresh paint. HCHT also hosted popular programs and events such as tag and book sales, historical talks, and artifact showcases. Dozens of donations were received, including a Henry Clay Dean painting and documents from the David L. McCoid Estate. Grant support came from the Enhance Henry County Community Foundation, the Hoaglin Foundation, and the Pennebaker Foundation.

A full 2025 calendar is set. Regular Saturday hours (1:00–4:00 PM) begin May 3, with the Van Allen House open the first Saturday of each month. The Iowa Wesleyan Archives remain open Mondays, 10:00 AM–2:00 PM. The next HCHT board meeting is Wednesday, April 23 at 10:00 AM at the museum, 403 W. Madison St., Mount Pleasant. The public is welcome.

Sports, April 8th

By Slaten Swords · Tuesday, April 8th, 2025 at 6:30 am CDT

High School Track

Mt. Pleasant will compete in the Williamsburg Co-Ed invitational tonight.

The Fairfield girls’ team will host their relays tonight with Central Lee making the trip, while the Trojan boys’ team will participate in the Dennis Anderson relays.  

Mediapolis will host the Dave Aamodt Relays tonight with Danville, Wapello, West Burlington/Notre Dame, and Winfield-Mt. Union making the journey.

The WACO relays are scheduled for tonight with New London, Van Buren County, and Columbus competing.

High School Tennis

The Mt. Pleasant girls’ team had their home opener spoiled by Keokuk last night, losing a tight meet 5-4. Lila Cook collected her first Varsity win in singles over Elizabeth Stanbaugh 8-1 and Hannah Villaplaza won her singles match 8-2. The pair of Cook and Villaplaza also won their doubles match 8-5. Hali Crane and Zoey Carlsen combined to win a 9-8 nailbiter, which ended in a 12-10 tiebreaker in the favor of the Panthers. 

The boys’ team executed their second sweep of the season over Keokuk on the road last night. Mt. Pleasant will compete against Fort Madison on Thursday, April 10th, with the boys at home and the girls on the road.

Fairfield will face off against Burlington on Thursday with the boys on the road and the girls at home.

High School Golf

The Central Lee girls’ team lost a close match against Mediapolis last night 257-267. Marie Young led the Hawks with a 9-hole score of 62. The boys’ team had better luck against the Bulldogs, coming out on top 165-177 as Carson Morrison and Mylan Lowenberg each carded a 40 for the course. Central Lee will travel to Holy Trinity Catholic on Thursday, April 10th. 

Mediapolis will square off against Louisa-Muscatine on Friday, April 11th, at home.

The New London girls’ team outdueled Danville yesterday 206-254 as Karlee Furnald tabbed a 60 for the Bears. The Danville boys’ team carded a score of 208 against the Tigers with Mattix Furnald shooting a 42. New London will host Central Lee on April 15th. 

The Mt. Pleasant boys’ team traveled to Fairfield yesterday for their first SEC meet of the year and finished in 2nd place with a score of 163 with Washington taking home a team score of 153. The Panthers were led by Brody Engle and Merrick Lamm as the duo shot a 38 and 39, respectively, through nine holes. Fairfield finished in 3rd place as Archer Kreuter carded a 41. Washington’s Drew Conrad paced the field with a 36.

The next boys’ SEC meet will take place on Thursday at Fort Madison. 

Wapello split their matchup against Hillcrest Academy yesterday with the girls’ team winning 211-248 and the boys losing 170-192. The girls were led by Emma Gerhardt’s 46 and the boys’ team had Barrett Garrison card a 44. Wapello will take on Highland on Thursday on the road.

Burlington Notre Dame will host the Nike Invitational with Danville, Central Lee, Van Buren County, Mt. Pleasant, and Winfield-Mt. Union competing today.

Columbus will take on Lone Tree today at home. 

WACO will travel to Hillcrest Academy on Friday.

High School Soccer

Central Lee swept Keokuk last night as the girls’ team snuck past the Chiefs 2-1 and the boys’ team walloped Keokuk 9-2 as Colton Taft nabbed two goals and three assists in the win for the boys. The Central Lee girls’ team will host Mid-Prairie tonight at 5 pm.

The Burlington Notre Dame boys’ team withstood Burlington’s second half comeback attempt to win 3-2 in the road showdown. The Burlington Notre Dame girls’ team lost to the Grayhounds 3-0. The Burlington Notre Dame girls’ team will take on Monmouth-Roseville on the road on Thursday, April 10th, at 5 pm, while the boys’ team will travel to Solon on Friday, April 11th, at 5:30 pm.

Mt. Pleasant took care of business against Columbus last night with the girls’ team winning 10-0 and the boys’ team crushing the Wildcats 9-0. Dylan White, Akbar Wilson, and Samuel Schaapen each netted two goals as White added two assists in the winning effort. The Panthers will square off against Fairfield on Thursday with the boys’ team making the trip west at 5 pm and the girls’ team playing at home at 4:30 pm.

The WACO boys’ team fell to Fairfield last night 4-1 with Chaz Wohnoutka scoring a goal and totaling three assists in the win for the Trojans. The Warriors will hit the road to face off against Central Lee tonight at 7 pm.

The Mediapolis girls’ team will square off against Fairfield tonight on the road. 

Wapello will travel to compete against Cedar Valley Christian tonight with the girls’ team playing first at 5 pm.

The Danville boys’ team will take on Mediapolis on Thursday at home with gametime at 5:30 pm.

Southeastern Community College                                                     

The softball team will face off against Indian Hills Community College tomorrow, April 9th, in a doubleheader.

The baseball team will host Ellsworth Community College today at 4 pm. The Blackhawks moved up the NJCAA Division II Baseball ranks to #4 in this week’s poll. The squad is currently on a 13-game win streak, winning their contests by an average of 8.6 runs per game.

March Madness

The KILJ bracket challenge, sponsored by The Press Box and Wiley’s Interior Furnishings and Design, is officially over as Florida claimed their program’s third national championship after defeating Houston last night 65-63. Walter Clayton Jr. was named Most Outstanding Player. 

You can find the updated standings here: KILJ Bracket Challenge Standings

This Day in Sports History

1974 – Hammerin’ Hank Aaron hits his 715th home run off of L.A. Dodger Al Downing, breaking Babe Ruth’s record in Atlanta.

1975 – Cleveland’s Frank Robinson debuts as the first African American baseball manager. He also batted second, belting a home run as his club defeated the New York Yankees 5-3. 

2014 – Mike Babcock wins his 414th career game as head coach of the Detroit Red Wings, becoming the winningest coach in Red Wings history. He passed Jack Adams, who the coaches award is named after.

David Franklin Brown,

By Hayden Douglas · Tuesday, April 8th, 2025 at 6:03 am CDT

David Franklin Brown, 78, of Danville, died Monday, March 31, 2025 at Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice House, West Burlington.  He was born in Burlington on November 7, 1946 to Virril Franklin and Exxa Lou “Peggy” Garland Brown.  He was a 1965 graduate of Wapello High School and then joined the United States Marines, serving in Vietnam from 1965 – 1968.

In 1967 he married Susan Small; they later divorced.  On May 7, 1998 he married Kathryn Gerst at City Hall in Mt. Pleasant.  Dave was the assistant manager of the New London Coop for many years; manager of the Danville Coop; and retired as head of maintenance for Raider’s Precast Concrete.  He was a member of the Marine Corps League in Burlington and a life time member of the New London VFW #7641.  Before his declining health, he enjoyed attending events at Memorial Auditorium and Fairfield Arts and Convention Center; loved dancing with his wife; and enjoyed watching sports, especially football.

Dave is survived by his wife Kathy of Danville; son Shannon (Heidi) Brown of La Vernia, Texas; three stepsons, David Fletcher of Cedar Rapids, Robert Fletcher of Morning Sun and Kenny Fletcher of Wapello; granddaughter Courtney Lynn Fletcher who he helped raise; grandson Jonny Salvador; great-granddaughter Thea Jordan Salvador; one brother Jerry Brown of Winfield; two sisters Louanne Whitehair of Burlington and Jane Armstrong of Loveland, Colorado; and several nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his father Virril; his mother and step-father Peggy and Forrest Hunt; daughter Letha Brown; and two brothers, Danny and Jim.

A Celebration of Life for David and his daughter Letha Brown, who died December 3, 2024, will be held June 7, 2025 at the New London VFW Post #7641; 802 E. McKinley, New London; from 2:30 – 4:00 pm.  The Hamilton-Walters Marine Corps League will present military rites at 4:00 pm.  Memorials to honor both David and Letha have been established for the Hamilton-Walters Marine Corps League or Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice House.

Elliott Chapel, New London, is assisting the family with arrangements and online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.

Merle C. Unkrich

By Hayden Douglas · Tuesday, April 8th, 2025 at 5:24 am CDT

Merle C. Unkrich

Merle Clement Unkrich, 92, of rural Winfield, died Thursday, April 3, 2025, at the University of Missouri Hospital in Columbia, MO.

Memorial services for Mr. Unkrich will be at 10 AM Saturday, April 12, at the Olds United Church of Christ. Pastors Carl and Elaine Vass will officiate.  Burial will be in the Asbury Cemetery, rural Olds, with a flag presentation by the Iowa Military Funeral Honors Detail. Visitation will be from 4-7 PM Friday at the church. The Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 North Main Street, Mt. Pleasant, is in charge of the arrangements.

Merle was born September 12, 1932, in Henry County, IA. He was the youngest child of Harold Henry and Alice Grace (Canby) Unkrich. Merle graduated from Olds High School in 1950 and then attended Iowa Wesleyan College, where he met his future wife, Betty Arlene Wait. Merle graduated from Iowa Wesleyan in 1954, where he was a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity.  He was a lifelong supporter of Iowa Wesleyan, serving as the chapter advisor for the Phi Delta Theta fraternity for many years as well as establishing the Betty and Merle Unkrich Scholarship.  In later years Merle received an honorary doctorate degree from Iowa Wesleyan.

On March 13, 1953, Merle and Betty were united in marriage at the Olds Congregational Church. They were married for 65 years until Betty’s death in 2018.

Merle was a veteran of the United States Army, serving in Germany during the Korean War.  After the Army, Merle started farming with his father and two brothers.  The three brothers also started Unkrich Feed and Grain in 1956.  Throughout his farming career, Merle was active in various farming related organizations, including serving as a director with the Iowa Corn Growers Association and serving on the Iowa Corn Promotion Board.  Merle was especially proud when the farm where his parents settled and where he was born was recognized in 2017 as a Century Farm.

Merle loved spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren as well as spending time at his condo in the Lake of the Ozarks.  He also enjoyed working at the Olds Church food stand at Old Threshers, never missing a year.

Merle leaves behind four children and their spouses – Merle Ann Unkrich and Brad Davis of Mediapolis, IA; Wallace and René (Gray) Unkrich of Winfield, IA; Amy and Peter Philipp of Green Bay, WI; and Micki Unkrich of Thousand Oaks, CA; 11 grandchildren – Diana (Kelly) Nichols, Philip Davis, Brent Unkrich, Alicia (Alex) Haas, Kerry (Hannah) Unkrich, Lauren Philipp, Chloe (Brennan) Davies, Grace Philipp, Rachel Philipp, Margaret Teegarden, and Laura Teegarden; and 9 great grandchildren – Davis, Simeon, Leah, and Bo Nichols; Nile and Wray Unkrich; Blake Slater; and Grayson and Isla Davies.

His wife Betty, his parents, his 2 brothers – George Unkrich and Clarence Unkrich – and his grandson Marc Davis precede Merle in death.  Those considering an expression of sympathy may direct memorials to Wounded Warrior Project, Operation Hope Medical Mission (volunteer surgical mission to Honduras), or Hope House of Miller County, Missouri (food pantry).  Online condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfuneralhome.com.

Nancy J. Longwell

By Hayden Douglas · Tuesday, April 8th, 2025 at 5:22 am CDT

Nancy Jane (Brown) Longwell, 82, of Mount Pleasant, IA, passed away peacefully on April 3, 2025.

Nancy was born on November 20, 1942, the daughter of Donald and Edith Brown. She was a 1960 high school graduate of Mount Pleasant Community Schools. She married Dale Longwell at St. Alphonsus Church on August 20, 1966.

Nancy started her career at Insurance Plan Savings & Loan in 1960, where she met Dale. She spent several years as the plant secretary for Metromedia and Scientific Applications, Inc. prior to starting at Lomont Molding in 1981, where she provided 36 years of service in the accounting department before retiring in 2017.

A lifelong resident of Mount Pleasant, Nancy was a member of St. Alphonsus Church, the Mount Pleasant Golf & Country Club, the Moose Lodge, and the VFW. She was blessed with several close friends she often traveled with or, most recently, gathered to discuss ‘old times’ and trips to the casino. She also enjoyed watching her grandchildren grow into adults.

Nancy is survived by two sons, Jim (Julie) Longwell of Lakewood, CO, and Mike (Dawn) Longwell of Ely, IA. Four grandchildren: Ashley Longwell, Brandon (Anna) Yale, Aaron (Catherine) Longwell, and Adam Longwell. A sister, Margaret Cimeley of Paducah, KY, and two sisters-in-law, Patricia Wera-Longwell of St. Paul, MN, and Lorraine Longwell of Marion, IA, and five nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Donald & Edith Brown, her husband, Dale, and brother-in-law, John Wera.

Friends may call from 12 Noon to 7 PM on Tuesday, April 15 at the Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 N. Main St., Mount Pleasant. The family will be present to receive friends from 4-6 PM on Tuesday evening. The funeral service for Nancy will be 10:30 AM on Wednesday, April 16 at the St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, 607 S. Jackson Street, Mt. Pleasant, with Father Ross Epping, Pastor of St. Alphonsus, officiating. Burial will be in the St. Alphonsus Cemetery, Mt. Pleasant.

A memorial has been established in her memory. Proceeds will support the Mount Pleasant Fellowship Cup and St. Alphonsus Church.

Thoughts and memories may be shared with her family and friends at www.kimzeyfh.com.

 

2025 KILJ Bracket Challenge Final Standings

By Slaten Swords · Monday, April 7th, 2025 at 11:49 pm CDT

March Madness- What a game, what a tournament, and what a finish. The 2025 men’s basketball national champion has been crowned along with KILJ’s Bracket Challenge winner as 15 brackets (33%) accurately predicted this year’s titleholder.

What Happened

Florida had last been a national champion in 2007, which capped off consecutive years of finishing atop the mountain. For Houston, it was an opportunity for the Cougars to reign in their first championship in program history as they hadn’t been to the dance since the mid-1980s.

In a matchup of Houston’s dynamic defense and Florida’s unstoppable offense, it was the Cougars that controlled the tempo. Houston limited the Gators to just 28 first half points, resulting in a three-point lead at the break for the Cougars.

A J’Wan Roberts jumper even had Houston holding on to a 42 to 30 lead five minutes into the second half. Yet, Florida clawed their way back into the game, tying the game on a Walter Clayton free throw with 7:54 remaining in the game.

Then the two heavyweights traded blows until Houston grabbed a 63 to 62 lead with 2:05 to play in the game and that lead stuck for over a minute. Then Alijan Martin made both free throws to take the lead with Will Richard nabbed the ball back for the Gators, leading to Denzel Aberdeen nailing one free throw to give the Gators a 65 to 63 lead with 19 seconds remaining.

Again, it was the Florida defense that slammed the door, causing a turnover at the buzzer as Houston could not generate a last-second shot opportunity. The Gators are champions for the third time in their program’s history and the first time in 18 years, taking down Houston 65-63.

For the KILJ Bracket Challenge, Karen Brimhall is the champion with Terry McWilliams taking second place and Zoey Freeman, who was in 15th place before the Final Four, nabbing third place.

Brimhall was always near the top of the list as she went on an absolute tear from the second round to the National Championship game, accurately predicting 27 of the final 31 games. McWilliams nabbed 25 of the final 31 games, while Freeman went 13 of the final 15.

The most impressive climb belongs to Allie Liechty-Hultman as her bracket went from 40th place after the first two rounds to being one of just four brackets to collect at least 300 points this year.

KILJ would like to thank The Press Box and Wiley’s Interior Furnishings and Design for sponsoring our bracket challenge this year and we would like to thank all of you for participating! You have a year to study up for KILJ’s Bracket Challenge in 2026!

Standings

  1. Karen Brimhall: 346
  2. Terry McWilliams: 340
  3. Zoey Freeman: 324
  4. Allie Liechty-Hultman: 318
  5. Josh Moon: 298
  6. Tim Liechty: 296
  7. Julie Liechty: 296
  8. Jeff Broeg: 292
  9. Depot Divas: 292
  10. Abbie Leichty: 290

NJCAA Baseball: Streaking Blackhawks Placed at #4 in Latest Poll

By Slaten Swords · Monday, April 7th, 2025 at 3:38 pm CDT

West Burlington, IA- The Southeastern Community College (SCC) baseball team’s 13-game winning streak moved the Blackhawks up one spot to #4 in week five of the NJCAA Division II Baseball Poll.

Sporting a 28-6 record, the Blackhawks could not stop scoring over their past five games of their streak, averaging 12 runs per game and winning by at least five runs in every contest. Two of their five wins came against previously ranked #12—now #19—Kirkwood Community College.

The Blackhawks have been on a different level at the plate, smacking 14 doubles and hitting 11 home runs over their past two series. Of course, their pitching has kept up to task, allowing two runs or less in three of the five contests.

Since losing four consecutive games in early March, SCC has gone 18-1 over the course of the past month. The Blackhawks will host Ellsworth Community College tomorrow, April 8th, at 4 pm.