Community

SOLON– “We’re the Solon speech and debate program,” Jesse Miller announced.
Miller and teacher/coach LeeAnn Gilroy stood in front of the Solon school board members at a March 11 meeting.
“We used to be the program,” the Solon senior clarified. “It’s grown. I guess you could say it’s doubled over the course of a year.”
The two were there to spotlight the young debate program as part of a regular agenda slot for celebrating achievements.
Miller qualified for the National Speech and Debate Association National Championships each of the last two years.

NORTH LIBERTY– Nearly double last year’s total.
Liberty High’s second annual Dance for a Difference managed to accomplish it in just a few hours Sunday, March 3.
The school’s “Difference Makers,” a student-run organization, started the Liberty High tradition last year in an effort to raise money to help the sickest kids: those battling cancer or other life-threatening illnesses.

SOLON– The snow came late, but it was still a banner year for the Iowa Snowdrifters.

The area snowmobile club was the 2018 Club of the Year for the American Council of Snowmobile Associations (ACSA).

“I just want to thank club members, landowners, our sponsors– everybody, in terms of the award, made that happen,” said Bill Hogan of rural Solon, the current club president. “I’m just happy to be part of the club.”

Hogan said the club was recognized for outstanding achievement in fundraising, community projects and the dedicated efforts of the members to manage and maintain the trails.

NORTH LIBERTY– Two friendly, furry creatures were spotted at the annual Breakfast with Santa event at the North Liberty Recreation Center on Saturday, Dec. 8. One was the North Liberty Lions Club’s mascot; a six-foot tall lion who greeted kids and adults alike, freely dispensing hugs and posing for pictures. The other was a ten-year old German Shepherd named Katie who, despite being on the job and in her uniform (service dog vest), graciously accepted petting and pats from complete strangers.

NORTH LIBERTY– On Monday, Nov. 19, the North Liberty Community Fund (NLCF) presented a sizable donation to the North Liberty Community Pantry.
The charitable gesture was not the first of its kind, and one the organization wants to spread further throughout the community.

Supportive stewardship

The NLCF was established in 2007, as an affiliate of the Community Foundation of Johnson County, to help support the unmet needs of local organizations and to maintain a safe, vital, healthy quality of life for the community.