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Cemetery commission projects moving forward Nathan Countryman Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun
nathan.countryman@mvlsun.com
The Mount Vernon Cemetery Commission has a number of projects slated for this spring and summer. A group of commission members presented at Mount Vernon City Council Monday, May 5. Mike Woods, American Legion commander, said one of the projects they have been working on this summer is refurbishing and correcting veterans graves. As part of that project, they have discovered there are two veterans of the 1812 war who are buried in the Mount Vernon Cemetery. “We are submitting paperwork to the Veteran’s Administration to have proper grave markers for those veterans,” Woods said. “We’ll also be putting together a service to dedicate and honor those people with proper military rites.” Ruth Horton said that there will also be plans to have a grave site restoration holding a one-day workshop at the cemetery in June. The Masonic Lodge and American Legion will also be working on resetting 13 grave stones. Horton recommended people pay attention to announcements for that workshop for opportunities to help out and preserve stones at the cemetery. Machelle Pelkey said that the commission is also looking to create a portion of the cemetery that will allow for green burials (minimal environmental impact including biodegradable containers). In order to do that, the cemetery will need to conduct a LIDAR survey of the cemetery to make sure there are no unmarked graves in the area of the cemetery this is looking to be installed. “Because we’ll need to do aerial imaging to do this, we’re looking to either do this quickly this spring or wait until the fall,” Pelkey said. Mary Evans thanked public works director Eldon Downs for his work in removing trees and shrubs that had outlived their usefulness and were damaging some areas of the cemetery. Mayor Tom Wieseler commended the work of the commission thus far, and noted it was one of the fastest filling commissions the city has ever had.
INSIDE
Caught in the middle: Families struggle as childcare desert persists in Mount Vernon-Lisbon Community With limited provider and rising costs, parents juggle work, family, and uncertainty—while local advocates fight for sustainable solutions. Natalia Scales For the Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun MOUNT VERNON, IA— Catherine Vavricek never expected her mornings to begin with a flurry of last-minute texts, scrambling to find someone to watch her kids. But for the mom of three—Korbin (10), Colton (6), and 15-month-old Cheyenne, who still doesn’t have steady childcare—it’s become part of her daily routine. “I would say it’s almost daily, or at least three to five days a week, where I’m getting a message at 6 a.m. saying our sitter is sick or closed,” Catherine Vavricek said. “Then we’re scrambling, calling friends, hoping someone can help, or I have to call into work.” Catherine and her husband both work full-time. She splits her time between working on the family farm and her remote job with the University of Iowa—but balancing that with full-time caregiving has become overwhelming. Their story is far from
Natalia Scales | For the Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun
Catherine Vavricek and her kids Colton (6), Cheyenne (15 months), and Korbin (10). The family enjoys a nice sunny afternoon together at Davis Park, Mount Vernon. unique in the Mount Vernon and Lisbon, a region now classified as a “childcare desert.” With a few licensed providers, long waitlists, and rising costs, local families are left patching together care wherever they can. From Facebook parent groups to informal babysitting swaps with friends, it’s a system built on improvisation and stress. “Honestly, it’s been exhausting, our pre-
vious sitter had to leave because she needed better health insurance. And now we’re paying more than $200 a week for parttime care, if we can even find it,” Vavricek said. Cheyenne’s name has been put on multiple waitlists, including the Lisbon Early Childhood Center (LECC). But getting in CHILDCARE | 2
Lisbon students preparing for commencement Nathan Countryman Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun
nathan.countryman@mvlsun.com
Editor’s note – This is a roundtable that the Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun newspaper holds with seniors ahead of graduation. Lisbon’s graduation ceremony is Sunday, May 18, at 1 p.m. in the Lisbon Lions Den.
impact, hopes for the school and community and more.
Favorite activities
Sadler was a member of the baseball, wrestling, cross country and track team during his time at Lisbon. “My favorite activity was definitely the wrestling duals where I placed at state,” Sadler said. Students in this year’s senior Holub was involved in football, roundtable include Gage Holub, wrestling, track, student council, Kayla Ries, Maddie Flockhart, National Honor Society, and Wesley Sadler and Tyler Sauser. Business Professionals of AmerTopics covered include favorite ica.. activities, favorite memories of “My favorite has definitely been Nathan Countryman | Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun their time at Lisbon, advice to football,” Holub said. “Just that Members of this year’s senior roundtable are (from left) Gage Holub, younger classmates, teachers Wesley Sadler, Tyler Sauser, Kayla Ries and Maddie Flockhart. and coaches who have made an SENIORS | 2
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