Mount Vernon-Lisbon
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Mount VernonLisbon CDG launches new summer shopping event to boost local business Summer shopping kickoff begins Saturday Nathan Countryman Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun
nathan.countryman@mvlsun.com
With the familiar Chocolate Stroll taking a break this year, Mount Vernon and Lisbon small businesses are stepping into summer with a fresh and festive alternative. The Mount Vernon-Lisbon Community Development Group (CDG) is introducing the “Hello Summer Shopping Kickoff” on Saturday, June 21, as the first of two new events designed to support local retailers during the slower summer months. The second, a community-wide Sidewalk Sale, will follow on August 9. “In past years, the Chocolate Stroll brought great foot traffic and helped businesses connect with new customers,” said CDG director Jessie Thurn. “We didn’t want the summer to feel empty without it. So, we asked, what can we do to keep the energy alive and encourage people to continue shopping locally?” The result is a summer-long shopping incentive featuring a punch card system that rewards shoppers for spending locally. Participating businesses will provide a punch for every $10 spent. Once shoppers hit 10 punches — a $100 total — they can turn in their card to the CDG or a sponsor participating business for a chance to win over $500 worth of prizes, including gift cards and “CDG Community Cash” usable at local shops. While June 21st and August 9th are the anchor dates, the promotion runs all summer giving shoppers nearly seven weeks to browse, support businesses, and complete their punch cards. SHOPPING | 2
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Flight Night
based bat education group founded in 1996 by Dan and Sharon Peterson. Incredible Bats does hundreds of live bat shows and presentations like the one at the library every year, all across Ella McEntaffer the Midwest and into Canada. Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun “We were so happy to have such a great turnout for Kim LISBON — Kim White of White and her bats, who came to Incredible Bats visited the Lis- visit us from the Chicago area,” bon Public Library last week, and said Elizabeth Hoover de Galbrought with her several exotic vez, Lisbon Library director. animals to showcase to excited “Kim shared so many fascinat- bats at just over an inch long to ing facts--I never knew that bats flying foxes with wingspans up visitors. Incredible Bats is a Chicago range in size from bumblebee to 6 feet!” Visitors were treated to an educational presentation filled with myth-busting facts, entertaining videos, and lots of trivia questions. After the presentation wrapped up, White walked around Heritage Hall holding one of the bats, allowing the community the opportunity for a safe “meet and greet” with an Egyptian Fruit Bat. White also
Incredible Bats present at Lisbon Public Library
brought an African Straw-colored Bat with her to the library, the second variety of bat that Incredible Bats works with. Along with bats, White also brought along a variety of reptiles and other animals, such as a bearded dragon and armadillo. At the end of the hour-long session, visitors were able to touch a ball python named Lucille. Lisbon Library will host Prairie Patch Farms llamas at Lisbon City Park June 25 from 6-7 p.m.
Ella McEntaffer | Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun
Top: An attendee is wowed by seeing the Egyptian Fruit Bat up close and personal held by Kim White of Incredible Bats. Left: The crowd reacts to one of the animals being presented at Lisbon’s Heritage Hall.
New principal will begin at Washington Elementary this fall Nathan Countryman Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun
nathan.countryman@mvlsun.com
Washington Elementary School has a new principal this school year. Kendra Parker was hired by the Mount Vernon School Board Monday, June 9. Superintendent MatParker thew Leeman said there were 31 applicants for the open position, and the district had more intense interviews with six of those candidates, including a combination of staff and board members. “I was very impressed with the candidates we had, and thought the interview process was a very insightful procedure,” said board president Rick Elliott.
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Parker has most recently served as a facilitator at College Community School District. There, she led initiatives in social-emotional behavioral health (SEBH), managed school-wide attendance improvement efforts, supported special education programming, and helped drive meaningful change through data-driven, student-centered practices. Her leadership played a critical role in reducing chronic absenteeism and strengthening systems of support for diverse learners. Parker said that she has worked with many colleagues who are residents of Mount Vernon and gotten to know and appreciate the community, including invites to events like Chalk the Walk, Magical Night and Fuel Coffee. “Every time I visited, I was struck by how warm, welcoming, and kind everyone was,” Parker said. “Annie Hawker, a Mount Vernon resident, has always spoken so highly of the town and the deep
sense of connection she feels there. “When I saw the opening for the principal position at Washington Elementary, it immediately stood out to me. I knew this was an opportunity not only to lead in a school with strong values but also to be part of a truly special community. I’m excited about the chance to contribute to a district that values relationships, collaboration, and student-centered learning.” Parker and her husband, Robert, and daughter, Mira, and their two beloved cats, Biscuit and Peter, live in a 103-yearold home. Robert plays as a trombonist with Orchestra Iowa, Quad City Symphony and the Des Moines Symphony Orchestra. He’s also a professor of low brass at Kirkwood Community College and Drake University. Mira will begin first grade at Washington Elementary school this fall. PARKER | 2
11 | Public Notices - 12-15
Mount Vernon-Lisbon
Farmer’s Market
Saturdays 9am-12pm May-September
Farm Store
Fresh Flowers, Produce, Herbs, Pasture-Raised Meat, Eggs, Grains & More!
For open hours, events, and more details, visit
rhubarbbotanicals.com