Mount Pleasant Area Chamber Alliance Hosts Holiday on Main Parade

By Hayden Douglas · Tuesday, November 26th, 2024 at 9:40 am CDT

Get Ready for a Whirlwind of Holiday Magic at the Annual Holiday on Main Parade! Thursday, December 5th | Parade Begins at 5:15 PM

[Mount Pleasant, Iowa] — The most magical time of the year is almost here, and it’s about to get a whole lot more festive with the return of the beloved Holiday on Main Parade! On Thursday, December 5th, join us for an unforgettable evening of twinkling lights, festive floats, and a jolly good time as the parade makes its way through downtown, kicking off at 5:15 PM sharp.

The parade will start at the corner of Adams Street and Madison Street, where a wave of holiday cheer will begin its merry journey down Madison Street, turning onto Jefferson Street for a quick jaunt south before making a delightful turn east onto Monroe Street. The parade will conclude at the corner of Adams Street and Monroe.

This year’s parade is extra special with the introduction of our Grand Marshal, Bob Griffiths, our Citizen of the Year! Bob’s outstanding contributions to our community have earned him this well-deserved honor, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to have him lead the parade. Be sure to give him a wave and a cheer as he makes his way through the streets!

And, as if that weren’t enough, the parade will bring a special guest—Santa Claus himself! The big man in red will make his grand entrance, bringing a sleigh-load of joy and holiday spirit to the crowd. Don’t forget to bring your wish list and snap a photo as he waves from his festive float.

But the fun doesn’t stop there! Immediately following the parade, we invite everyone to Holiday on Main, an after-parade celebration packed with family-friendly activities, live music, delicious treats, and all-around festive fun. Whether you’re enjoying the sparkle of the lights or sipping on hot cocoa, this is the place to be to kick off the holiday season in style.

Details:

Date: Thursday, December 5th

Parade Start Time: 5:15 PM

Parade Route: Starting at Adams & Madison Streets, continuing to Jefferson Street, turning South for one block, and ending at the corner of Adams & Monroe Streets.   Holiday on Main: Immediately following the parade.

This event is brought to you by the Mount Pleasant Area Chamber of Commerce and Main Street Mount Pleasant.

VOLUNTEER NEEDED: Let Your Littles Shop New London, 12/7

By Allison Jacobs · Tuesday, November 26th, 2024 at 7:54 am CDT

The Holiday Stroll Committee is seeking volunteers for the Let Your Littles Shop on Saturday, December 7th from 10 am to 1 pm in the Clark Elementary School Cafeteria. This is a great way for your child to give back to their community and earn Silver Cord hours. You must be 7th grade or older and you must be able to help kids shop and keep track of how much the child is spending. Dressing as an elf is not required but encouraged. If you would like to sign up, follow the link below.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdBUrqnVsUrfsHWnhjYONuEsNfoqNP5s1f408B9pPBVaFOZhw/viewform?fbclid=IwY2xjawGyqw1leHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHT6K1sObTyULSPxh_Cmtho4N0qWyKyS2CtN98C3EBgwdB2hox77qyeTXLA_aem_ARUvotNcqDkKrBJSqQxCMw

Sports, November 26th

By Slaten Swords · Tuesday, November 26th, 2024 at 6:32 am CDT

High School Basketball

The Danville girls’ team was steamrolled by Burlington last night in their season opener 73-37. Reagan Henklevig led the Bears with 13 points, followed by Alaina Gourley with 11 points. Danville will face off against Mediapolis on December 3rd at home with tipoff at 7:30 pm.

The Mt. Pleasant girls’ team will tip off tonight at 7 pm for their home opener against Pella. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will be on the call with the pregame show at 6:45 pm. Head coach Curt Watson believes his team has taken a step in the right direction all across the board,

“I’ve seen a lot of growth. I mean, the girls seem to be a lot more confident. I know Abby Carthey played for the Iowa Preps this year, and you can see a lot of improvement in her. Myah Starr, Kynlee White, they all improved. Our three seniors have really worked hard at getting better. Plus, Paityn Ensminger has worked really hard and Keagyn Coleman. We’re really excited about the growth they’ve made since last year. We took our lumps last year, but hopefully we learned from it. And I think we’re going to be a lot more experienced this year. So hopefully we can compete every night in and night out. So we’ll hopefully have a good season.”

The New London girls’ team will hit the road to face off against Davis County tonight at 6 pm. 

The Winfield-Mt. Union girls’ team will host Pekin tonight at 6 pm for their home opener. 

The WACO girls’ team will travel to Wapello tonight for the first game of the season with tipoff at 6 pm. 

The Mediapolis girls’ team will face off against West Burlington tonight at 6 on the road. 

The Columbus girls’ team will take on Louisa-Muscatine in a road matchup tonight at 7:30 pm.

 The Winfield-Mt. Union boys’ team will participate in a scrimmage at West Liberty tomorrow, November 27th, at 5:30 pm. 

The Mt. Pleasant boys’ team will travel up to Iowa City tomorrow to scrimmage Liberty and Regina Catholic. 

High School Girls’ Wrestling

Mt. Pleasant and Wapello traveled to West Liberty for an invitational last night and here’s how the two squads fared. Wapello’s Kenadee Helscher finished 2-0 on the night in the 100-pound weight class with a major decision victory in the championship match. 

In the 110-pound weight class, Mt. Pleasant’s Quintrie Lee went 1-3, picking up 6th place, which included a loss to Wapello’s Clara Ball by major decision. Ball would eventually capture second place, losing by an 8-6 decision to Audra Coss of Wilton. 

Zenlynn Lee of Mt. Pleasant has continued her dominant return to the mat with a 4-0 showing at the 145-pound weight class last night. Her first three wins were by fall before taking down Peggy Miller of Washington by a 1-0 decision for the gold. 

Bryn Wiley of Wapello finished the night 1-3, where she fell in the 5th place match of the 170-pound weight class to Jaylah Gardner of Keokuk. Lastly, Mt. Pleasant’s Olivia Gordy scored 3rd place with a 3-1 record on the night with all three victories coming via fall in the 235-pound weight class. 

Mt. Pleasant will compete in the Fort Madison Tournament on December 2nd. 

Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union will host a tournament tonight with Mediapolis, Wapello, and WACO in attendance. 

Southeastern Community College

The men’s basketball team will host the Broadway Classic on Friday, November 29th, at 7 pm against Lincoln Trail College. 

College Football

#17 Iowa State will punch their ticket to the Big 12 Championship game with a win against Kansas State this Saturday, November 30th, at 6:30 pm at home. 

Iowa will take on Nebraska at home at 6:30 pm on Friday, November 29th. KILJ 105.5 FM will have the call.

College Basketball

In a top-5 matchup, #5 Iowa State could not fend off #4 Auburn as the Tigers tipped in a last second shot to win 83-81. The Cyclones had four players finish the game in double-figures as Keshon Gilbert led the team with 23 points. Iowa State will take on Dayton tonight at 7:30 pm. 

The Iowa men’s team’s will compete against USC Upstate tonight at 7 pm at home. 

The #15 Iowa State women’s team will participate in the Fort Myers Tip-Off on Thursday, November 28th, with game one at 12:30 pm against #4 South Carolina. 

The Iowa women’s team will start off the Cancun Challenge on Thursday at 5:30 pm against Rhode Island. 

This Day in Sports History

1917 – The National Hockey League (NHL) was founded. The teams included were the Montreal Canadiens, Montreal Wanderers, Ottawa Senators, Toronto Arenas, and Quebec Bulldogs. Frank Calder was elected as the first NHL president. He served from 1917 to 1943.

1982 – Howard Cosell called his last boxing match.

1998 – Barry Sanders (Detroit Lions) became only the second running back in NFL history to run for more than 15,000 career yards.

Ann Morehouse

By Allison Jacobs · Monday, November 25th, 2024 at 2:07 pm CDT

Ann Morehouse, 86, of Mt. Pleasant, IA, died Friday, November 22, 2024 at Savannah Heights in Mt. Pleasant

Antionette Louise (Bailey) Morehouse was born July 1, 1938 in Mt. Pleasant, the daughter of Bernard Bailey and Marjorie (Donald) Bailey.

Ann attended grade school in Newton, KS and Mt. Pleasant. She attended High School in Mt. Pleasant where she met her husband-to-be of almost 68 years. Ann and William Henry “Bill” Morehouse were married on November 14, 1954. She was a member of Girl Scouts and Rainbow Girls. While in Junior High, Ann was confirmed into membership of the old Mt. Pleasant First Methodist Church through baptism and confirmation class.

After helping to raise their three sons, Ann continued her education from Ottawa University and St. Paul School of Theology in Kansas City, MO. As an Ordained Deacon in the Missouri West Conference of the United Methodist Church, she served several pastorates in Missouri until her retirement in June, 2000. Her Bachelor of Arts degree was in fine arts and she produced many beautiful quilts now belonging to her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Ann spent many years itinerating with her husband as the pastor’s spouse. As a liturgical artist, she illustrated her husband’s messages on canvas before many congregations. In retirement she served as co-pastor with her husband, William at the former Congregational Church of Mt. Pleasant and Faith United Methodist Church in Libertyville, IA.

Ann is survived by her sons: Mark W. (Rebecca) Morehouse of Lamoni, IA, Michael J. (Maureen) Morehouse of Winterset, IA and David (Caroline) Morehouse of Mason City, IA; grandchildren: Spencer (Jenny) Morehouse, Marissa (Justin) Jenkins, Josiah D. (Tiffani) Morehouse, Nicole (Zachary) Adams, Sue Ellen (James) Green, Kelly (Colton) Clark, John (Krista) Kern; great-grandchildren – Kevin, Paiton and Creighton Morehouse; Aria and Nellie Kehm, Sipher and Davi Skye Adams; Aleesia, Malaki, Kingsley, Christian and Uriah Morehouse; Oliver, Oaklee and Hazel Grace Clark; Donald Green and Kate Kern and one great-great-grandchild, Zolla. She is also survived by one sister, Tanya (Donald) Cox of Oklahoma City; sister-in-law, Jean Bailey of Grand Island, NE and many nieces and nephews.

Antionette was preceded in death by her husband William H. Morehouse, her parents, Bernard and Marjorie Bailey, great-grandson Christian Eric Morehouse and brothers, Ronald Bailey, James Bailey and sister-in-law, Margaret Bailey.

The funeral service for Ann will be Friday, November 29 at 12 Noon at the First United Methodist Church, 309 North Main Street, Mount Pleasant. The Reverend Court Fischer, Senior Pastor, will officiate. Burial will be in the Oakland Mills Cemetery, rural Mt. Pleasant. Visitation with the family will be from 11 AM until 12 Noon on Friday at the church

Those considering an expression of sympathy may direct memorials to the Oakland Mills Cemetery.

The Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 North Main Street, Mt. Pleasant, is assisting Ann’s family with the arrangements.

Online condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfh.com

Child Passenger Safety Technician in Fort Madison

By Allison Jacobs · Monday, November 25th, 2024 at 1:45 pm CDT

Exciting news in Fort Madison, Fort Madison Fire Department Backup Engineer JD Coakley is now a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician. Starting January the program will include a registration process which will be accessible on the Fire Department section of the Fort Madison City Website. Before then, you can call the Fort Madison Fire Station for inspections at 319-372-6472.

New London Library Wrapping Presents to Support Programs

By Allison Jacobs · Monday, November 25th, 2024 at 1:45 pm CDT

Love the holidays but don’t feel the same about wrapping your presents? The New London Public Library is once again wrapping the presents for you! Sunday December 15th from 1-5 walk ins are welcome. Simply drop the gifts you would like wrapped and your own wrapping materials and boxes upstairs in the library and make sure you leave your contact information. You will be notified when your wrapped gifts are ready for completion. There’s a flat rate of $2 per gift but additional donations are welcome. The New London library will use these funds to purchase needed materials throughout the year as well as upgrade and maintain programs. Sunday December 15th from 1-5 not work? Call 319-367-7704 to schedule an appointment.

Lorie Lynn VanAmerongen

By Allison Jacobs · Monday, November 25th, 2024 at 10:46 am CDT

Lorie Lynn VanAmerongen, 61, of Winfield, died Saturday, November 23, 2024 at her home surrounded by family.  She was born July 11, 1963 in Charleston, Illinois to Robert Ray and Patsy Joan Cutright Blunk.  She was a 1981 graduate of New London High School and earned a degree in horticulture at Southeastern Community College.  She was of the Methodist faith.

On April 15, 1983, she married Bill VanAmerongen in New London.  She worked at Metromail, Motorola/Celestica, and as a SMT operator at Winegard.

Lorie enjoyed working with her plants and gardening; antiquing and going to flea markets; motorcycle riding; camping with her husband; anything to do with the outdoors; and all animals, especially her cats.  She loved being with her family and everyone else was always her first priority.

Survivors include her husband; her children Robert “Beau” of Winfield, Wilson “Will” of New London, and Lillian “Lily” of Winfield; three grandchildren, Hadley, Carson and Stella; sister Tena (Roy) Dixon of Burlington; brother Mike Blunk of Milton, Iowa; nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her parents Robert Blunk and Patsy Isle; her brother Tony, and sister Anna.

According to her wishes, her body has been cremated and a Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.  Elliott Chapel, New London, is assisting the family and online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.

Terrill “Terry” K. Wright

By Allison Jacobs · Monday, November 25th, 2024 at 9:45 am CDT

Terrill “Terry” K. Wright, 85, of Mt. Pleasant, previously Danville, died Friday, November 22, 2024 at The Jackson Ridge Health Care Center in Maquoketa, Iowa.

He was born March 5, 1939 in Princeton, Illinois to Russell William and Helen Howard Wright.  He was a graduate of Princeton High School and a member of New London Presbyterian Church.

Immediately following high school, he joined the United States Air Force.  He was stationed at Barksdale Louisiana Air Force Base where he met his soon to be wife, Marlene Kay Jones.  They were married May 29, 1958 at the Swedesburg Lutheran Church, Swedesburg, Iowa.

Terry worked as a draftsman and did architectural drawing for New London Spahn and Rose and Standard of Beaverdale in West Burlington.  He enjoyed drawing house plans and loved being at home.

Survivors include his wife Marlene of Mt. Pleasant; daughter Tammy (Greg) Smith of Burlington; and sons Patrick Wright of Gulfport, Mississippi and Jeffrey Wright of Boxelder, South Dakota; four grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his parents and several siblings.

A graveside service will be held at 1:00 pm, Monday, December 2, 2024, at the Cambrian Welsh Cemetery, rural Columbus Jct., with Rev. David Mixon officiating.   Military rites will be presented by the Henry County Honor Guard.  A memorial has been established.

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