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Labor Day closures slated for community Lisbon Fire Department’s pancake breakfast scheduled for Sept 7 Nathan Countryman Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun
nathan.countryman@mvlsun.com
Lisbon and Mount Vernon City Halls will be closed Monday, Sept. 7, in observance of the Labor Day holiday. Area banks, Cole Library, Lisbon Public Library and Mount Vernon and Lisbon Schools will also be closed for the day. The Lisbon Fire Department will be hosting its annual pancake breakfast Monday, Sept. 7, from 6:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Pancakes, eggs, sausage, juice, milk and coffee are on the menu. Proceeds from the breakfast will help purchase needed equipment for the department. This year, the department had presold t-shirts as a fundraiser for the annual breakfast. The Mount Vernon City Council meeting originally scheduled for Monday, Sept. 7, has been rescheduled to Wednesday, Sept. 9, 6:30 p.m. at the Mount Vernon City Hall. The Mount Vernon swimming pool will hold lap swim from 11:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., open swim from 12:30 to 5 p.m., and water aerobics from 5 to 5:45 p.m. The annual dog swim will take place Tuesday, Sept. 8, from 3:30 to 7 p.m. Cost is $5 per dog, with one dog allowed per adult. No children under 10 years old will be allowed in the pool area. Dogs are allowed to swim, not humans. Owners must provide a paper copy of rabies certificate from their veterinarian. Funds raised benefit the Nancy Doreen Huffman Dog Park. The last day of operation for the Lisbon Splash pad was Monday, Aug. 31. Linn County Solid Waste Agency will be closed Monday, Sept. 7, due to Labor Day. Trash pick-up in Lisbon will be delayed until Friday, Sept. 11 due to the holiday. Those who utilize dumpsters in Mount Vernon will also have pick-up delayed by one day due to the Labor Day holiday. Most Linn County governmental offices will be closed on Monday, Sept. 7, in observance of Labor Day. • The following services will continue to operate: • Juvenile Detention and Diversion Services • Mental Health Access Center • The Sheriff’s Office will be closed; however, continuous operations will be available for routine and emergency responses. This includes the Patrol Division, Communications Division and the Correctional Center. In an emergency, always dial 911. Vehicle registration renewals and property taxes can be paid online at any time at iowataxandtags.org.
Pleasant Grove Heritage Park receives grants for restoring barns The Pleasant Grove Heritage Park has been the recipient of two grants to help with preserving barns in the Meyers Farmstead Historic District at the park. A $26,043 grant was awarded through the Historic Resource Development Program from the State Historical Society of Iowa. Grant funds will support Phase 2 of the preservation of the banked barn and include roof repair, a new roof, and exterior paint. The grant requires $13,015 in matching funds, and a campaign to raise those funds will be launched in the coming months. The Historic Resource Development Program supports efforts to preserve and educate the public about Iowa’s historical assets. A grant from the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation, Altorfer Inc. Non-Endowed Donor-Advised Fund has been received for Phase 2 preservation efforts on the hog house/ corncrib. The $3,000 grant will partially fund a new concrete floor for the building and exterior painting. Altorfer supports historic preservation and community development projects through its competitive donor-advised fund administered through the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation. “We are grateful for the support of the State of Iowa, Altorfer, and private donations as we work toward the total restoration of the barns,” noted Steve McElmeel, President of the non-profit that owns Pleasant Grove Heritage Park. “Phase 1 work is well underway, and these grant funds will allow us to move forward with Phase 2 work.” Phase 1 work has included work on the footings and foundation of the barns. Workers with Hardwood Construction began work on the corn crib barn this spring, lifting the old barn from its
Nathan Countryman | Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun
A worker with Hardwood Construction works on the barns Phase 1 Friday, Aug. 28. foundation and adding a more firm foundation under said barn. In Sun reporting earlier this year, Steve McElmeel said that stabilizing the barns is the top priority for the historic district. The restoration effort gained additional urgency in 2024 when concerns about the barns’ condition
threatened the historic district’s future. Preservation advocates worked to keep the structures standing while developing plans for rehabilitation. The Meyers Farmstead Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2021 because of its significance to Iowa’s agricultural history.
Lisbon City Council discuss end-of-summer details Financial decisions made
within the community. “I’ll tell you what: it’s been an honor news@mvlsun.com The Lisbon City Council unanimously to have those guys in town. [...] They try voted to approve a payment of $50,000 to get out. I mean, not just the Lisbon Following a weekend full of Sauerkraut over a term of 15 years to Fareway Stores community, but Mount Vernon, Solon. I Days festivities, the Lisbon City Council Inc. through the use of TIF funds. mean, they’re everywhere. I’m glad they’re discussed finances and official documents After approving the payment, mayor in town; I really am,” O’Connor said. at the Aug. 24 meeting before turning their Doug O’Connor expressed happiness with attention to department head reports. the presence and performance of Fareway CITY COUNCIL | 2 Cadence Dighton Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun
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