There are still a few holiday activities happening in Mount Vernon and Lisbon, as well as closures for the weeks of Christmas and New Year’s holidays locally.
Activities locally for the holidays
The Hahn-Howard Post 480 will hold a history presentation at Lester Buresh Family Community Wellness Center on the Christmas Truce of 1914 tonight (Thursday, Dec. 19). The presentation begins at 6:30 p.m., and will be followed by Christmas treats. Snow day for the speech will be Friday, Dec. 20, at the same time.
Mount Vernon Fine Arts Association will be hosting artist Jim McDonogh for a holiday concert tonight (Thursday, Dec. 19), beginning at 7 p.m. Tickets are sold in advance at mvhstheatre.ludus.com, or will be available at the door.
Lisbon’s holiday parade and events will be held Friday, Dec. 20, beginning at 6 p.m. in downtown Lisbon. A lighted holiday parade in downtown Lisbon will kick events off, followed by an opportunity for youth to meet Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus at the Lisbon Fire Department following the parade. Southeast Linn Community Center will also hold a bake sale in Lisbon City Hall chambers beginning at 6:30 p.m. Lisbon Library is encouraging those who want to sing Christmas Carols to be ready at 6:30 p.m. as well to sing to those in line at Lisbon City Hall.
On New Year’s Day, Palisades-Kepler State Park will also be holding a first day hike in the park. Hikers should meet up at the Palisades-Kepler State Park lodge, and the hike will leave at roughly noon. Friends of the Palisades-Kepler State Park will provide refreshments at the lodge following the hike on the day, and a campfire will be going at the lodge.
Closures for the holidays
Mount Vernon and Lisbon Schools holidays begin Monday, Dec. 23, and run through Friday, Jan. 3.
Cole Library’s winter break hours begin Monday, Dec. 23, with hours of 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The library is closed from Tuesday, Dec. 24 through Wednesday, Jan. 1, and then reopens Thursday, Jan. 2 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Lisbon Public Library will be closed Tuesday, Dec. 24 and Wednesday, Dec. 25 for the Christmas holiday and Wednesday, Jan. 1, for the New Year’s Day holiday.
Southeast Linn Community Center will be closed Wednesday, Dec. 25 for the Christmas holiday and Wednesday, Jan. 1, for the New Year’s Day holiday. Mount Vernon City Hall will be closed Tuesday, Dec. 24 and Wednesday, Dec. 25 for the Christmas holiday and Wednesday, Jan. 1, for the New Year’s holiday. Garbage and recycling pick-up dates the week of New Year’s are not impacted by the holiday.
Lisbon City Hall will be closed Tuesday, Dec. 24 and Wednesday, Dec. 25 for the Christmas holiday, and Wednesday, Jan. 1, for the New Year’s holiday. Garbage and recycling pick-up dates will be impacted for both weeks, with pick up dates now being Friday, Dec. 27, and Friday, Jan. 3.
Reminder that if you have extra trash after the holidays, extra bag stickers are available at City Hall and Brother ’s Market for $3 each. These bags should be placed on top of your current trash bin if possible. Questions please call City Hall or Johnson County Refuse before placing your items at the curb.
The Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun will be closed Tuesday, Dec. 24 through Friday, Dec. 27 and Tuesday, Dec. 31 and Wednesday, Jan. 1. The Sun will not publish an issue Dec. 26. Staff can be reached via email or phone lines during the holidays. Linn County governmental offices will be closed Tuesday, Dec. 24; Wednesday, Dec. 25; Tuesday, Dec. 31; and Wednesday, Jan. 1 for the Christmas and New Year’s holidays.
Linn County Public Health will accept water samples on Thursday, Dec. 26, and Thursday, Jan. 2. Samples will not be accepted on other days during the holiday weeks.
The following services will continue to operate:
• Juvenile Detention and Diversion Services
• Mental Health Access Center
• Linn County LIFTS will be running reduced routes in Cedar Rapids, Hiawatha, and Marion on Dec. 24 and 31.
• The Sheriff’s Office will be closed; however, continuous operations will be available for routine and emergency responses. This includes the Patrol Division, the Communications Division, and the Correctional Center. In an emergency, always dial 911.
Vehicle registrations can be renewed online at any time at iowataxandtags.org.