• 1pm Get Fit, Don’t Fall with Amy S. Thursday, April 17
• 8-11am Playgroup
• 9am Focus Group
• 12:30pm TAI-CHI for Arthritis
Friday, April 18
• 7pm Patty Richards Country Show
GriefShare session Saturday
First Reformed Church in Prairie City will host GriefShare from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Saturday. If you have experienced the death of a loved one and are looking for support, healing and hope, you are welcome.
PCM Food Pantry
The PCM Food Pantry at the Monroe Presbyterian Church, 113 S. Main St. in Monroe, is open 9 a.m. to noon and 6 to 7 p.m. Mondays and 9 a.m. to noon Thursdays.
Good News Club Monday
TOPS Good News Club meets after school Monday, April 14 at the Monroe Elementary Art Room and the Prairie City Elementary Media Room/Library. This group is for Kindergarten through 5th grades and includes games, songs, Bible lesson, snacks on full days of school. Call Jane at 641-891-2733 with question regarding the Monroe location and Sheryl at 641-5213120 for Prairie City.
TOPS 1025 meets at 5:30 p.m. every Monday at the First Reformed Church in Prairie City for weigh-in, with meeting to follow. Go to the north side parking lot at the church and enter in the north door. Call 515-994-2200 for information.
Lighthouse Recovery meetings
Lighthouse Recovery Ministries host a Men’s and Ladies Recovery meeting at 6:30 p.m. each Monday at Grace Alive Church, 703 W. Second St. in Prairie City. Contact Barb at b.miller@lighthouserecoveryia.com with questions.
Remove flowers at cemetery
The City of Monroe requests all flowers placed at Silent Cemetery in Monroe be picked up by Tuesday, prior to mowing season.
PCM Clothing Closet
The PCM Clothing Closet, on the second floor of the Family Life Center at 105 S. Sherman St. in Prairie City, will be open from 3:30 to 7 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday and 2 to 4 p.m. Sundays.
City-Wide Garage Sales in Monroe May 3
Monroe City-Wide Garage Sales are scheduled for Saturday, May 3 and registrations are available at City Hall, Monroe Post Office, Monroe Foods or online at www.monroeia.com. Cost is $5 to advertise on the map and the deadline for signing up is Friday, April 25.
Spring Clean-up in Monroe
Monroe Spring Clean-up day is scheduled for Wednesday, May 7. For a list of unacceptable items, visit www.midwestsanitation.com.
Explorer PCM
Leadership Youth Summit set for June 3-4 at Central College
Central College will host the Leadership Youth Summit June 3-4 for students who will be in grades 7-12 in Fall 2025. The camp will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days, in the Maytag Student Center on Central’s campus.
During the two-day camp, students will embark on a journey of growth, collaboration and skill-building. Various campus leaders and professionals in Pella will help teach students leadership skills they will use throughout their life. With interactive sessions and real-world scenarios, participants will cultivate skills in leadership and communication they will then use in an exciting escape room experience.
“Our Leadership
Youth Summit builds relationships and skills that empower students to make a difference in the world,” Melissa Sharkey, assistant dean of students at Central College said. “I was impressed by the cohort of amazing students at the camp last year. It helps assure hope for the future and student potential.”
Leadership Youth Summit registration fee is $55 and includes lunch
and snack both days. The deadline for registration is Thursday, May 1. For more information and to register, go to central.edu/camps/register/ leadership-youth-summit/.
JCF applications due by April 30
Grant applications for the Jasper Community Foundation’s 2025 grant cycle will be accepted through April 30. All 501(c)3 organizations, 170(c)(1) units of government, and other potentially qualifying charitable organizations operating in or for the benefit of Jasper County should go to the JCF website at www.jaspercommunityfoundation.org for guidelines, applications and additional information.
This grant program is made possible through a contribution to the Foundation by the Iowa General Assembly’s County Endowment Fund Program. In 2024, the Jasper Community Foundation disbursed $125,000 to 25 different organizations throughout the county. These funds were awarded to charitable organizations for educational, civic and public purposes. This will be the only grant cycle of 2025.
Fruit tree grafting presentation in Newton
Spring is a great time for homeowners to start thinking about adding fresh fruit trees to their backyards. For those interested in learning the basics of fruit tree grafting, the Jasper County Extension Office is offering an interactive presentation titled Fruit Tree Grafting for Beginners: Understanding the How and Why at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 12. This interactive class, led by Brandon Robinson, a Jasper County Master Gardener, will teach participants the essential techniques of grafting fruit trees. The presentation will cover both the art and science behind grafting, providing insights into why this practice works and how it can lead to stron-
ger, more productive trees. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a beginner, this class is designed to give you the skills needed to successfully graft fruit trees and create a thriving backyard orchard.
The program will be at the Jasper County Extension Office, 550 N. Second Ave. W., Newton. Due to limited class size, pre-registra-
tion is required. To reserve a spot, call 641-792-6433.
This program is provided by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, Jasper County and the Jasper County Master Gardeners. There is no fee to attend the event and it is open to the public. In the case of inclement weather, the event will be postponed. For updates or to confirm if the event is still scheduled, please visit the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach-Jasper County or Jasper County Master Gardener Facebook pages, or check the website.
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to learn how to grow your own fruit trees this season.
Jasper County Hunger Relief Meal Packaging event
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church will host the Jasper County Hunger Relief (formerly Jasper County Take Away Hunger) meal packaging event starting at 9 a.m. Saturday, April 26.
The Jasper County Hunger Relief Board has partnered with The Outreach Program and has packaged a variety of new meals. Each team participates in an assembly line that package simple nutritious meals
IS HERE!
With the nice weather approaching the City of Monroe would like to encourage residents to use the brush site located on East Washington Street. Tree branches and leaves are welcome at the site however, trash bags are not. If you are using the site, please take your bags with you. Burning on city streets is not allowed.
City Wide Clean-up Day
The City of Monroe and the Monroe City Council continues to be committed to city wide clean up. Please note that the City Council and Mayor of Monroe have declared Monroe’s clean up day to be May 7th This is your opportunity to relieve yourself of any excess or unwanted items. Again this year Monroe will have a dumpster located at the city shop for all unwanted computers, monitors and TV’s for your convenience.
following safety and health guidelines.
Volunteers are asked to form a team of 12 people for one hour of time and a donation of $35 per person or $420 per team. Each team will package enough to serve 288 local families with food insecurity. All donations will help cover the costs for the ingredients of the meals packaged. Everyone is encouraged and invited to participate in this community service event, including youth groups, service clubs, businesses, church groups and individuals. Contact Bill Bennett by email at jaspercohunger@gmail. com or phone at 515-2576460 to reserve a onehour time slot for your team. The deadline to register is Sunday, April 20.
SM-NE2318380-0410
Metro Creative
With interactive sessions and real-world scenarios, participants at the Leadership Youth Summit will cultivate skills in leadership and communication they will then use in an exciting escape room experience.
Metro Creative
Safeguarding American elections
America’s elections should be decided by American citizens—period. Yet under the weak progressive policies of the Biden Administration and Democrats, our voter rolls are vulnerable to illegal immigrants and non-citizens. That’s why I proudly joined Rep. Chip Roy in supporting the SAVE Act, a commonsense bill that strengthens election integrity by requiring proof of citizenship before registering to vote in federal elec -
tions. The principle is simple: if you are not a U.S. citizen, you should not be voting in federal elections. But for years, Democrats have resisted efforts to secure our federal elections, leaving loopholes that allow non-citizens to cast ballots which erodes public trust in the system. They claim voter ID laws are unnecessary, yet they have no problem requiring identification for everyday activities like boarding a plane or purchasing cold medicine.
Chicken Noodle Soup x 2
When it rains it pours. Ginnie and I went through the ringer with her hysterectomy, and me being sent to the emergency room with Influenza A while trying to care for her.
But it wasn’t over. It got worse. After a few days and I wasn’t getting better, I called my oncologist in Iowa City and told him about my bloody “trots,” the colitis, nausea, sore throat, dizziness, chest pounding and that I could hardly breathe. He told me to get to the ER in Mt. Pleasant. I didn’t want to go because I’d just been there. (“Oh, you again?”) But I went anyway because I knew the oncologist would ask me if I went. I’m glad I went. The ER did a CT scan and informed me that I had a small pulmonary embolism (blood clot in my lung). Boom, I was admitted to the hospital.
It’s sort of a blur. There were all kinds of tests, blood work, medications, nebulizers (breathing treatments), and being woke up every half hour. But I knew I was where I was supposed to be and was being taken good care of.
I’m really impressed with our Mt. Pleasant hospital (HCHC), which is part of the Great River Medical System. The emergency room as well as the hospital communicated directly with my cancer team and oncologist in Iowa City. They figured things out. Normally for a blood clot in the lung they use a blood thinner. But with my bloody “trots” they didn’t want to risk more bleeding. So it was a conundrum. But they did come up with an applicable solution that everyone, including me, was happy with. They determined that my breathing problem, nausea, colitis, etc. was caused from side effects of the cancer treatment, not the small blood clot, which my body may dissolve on its own. They sent me home with a nebulizer and my breathing problem and chest pounding has lessened. I go back to my oncologist in a week. I’m in good hands. The real miracle of healing, however, came from chicken noodle soup. Yes! Ginnie made me homemade chicken and noodles, and did it the Iowa way — over mashed potatoes. Oh boy, takes me back to the days of baling hay and farm lunches. That was chicken-and-noodles x 1.
The next day, Sunday (I spent two nights in the hospital), both Ginnie and I were too wiped out to go to church, which disappointed me. There was a knock at our door. One of my creative writing students was there with her chicken noodle soup and homemade bread. How nice! It was lunch time, and Ginnie and I sat right down for chicken noodle soup and bread and dove in. Oh, man, it doesn’t get any better than that! So, I am feeling better and I’m crediting my recovery to homemade chicken-and-noodle soup x 2. Sometimes it’s the old fashioned way that still trumps modern medicine and high-tech equipment.
I want to give a big shout-out to HCHC. We were treated in a friendly, professional manner by everyone, without exception, from the emergency room door, all the way through to when they wheeled me out of the hospital. The doctors, nurses, and aides, even the food were outstanding. We are fortunate to have such high quality medical care here in Mt. Pleasant.
I celebrated by installing a medicine cabinet in my bathroom. Ginnie and I have our own bathrooms, and mine didn’t have a medicine cabinet. Why? I dunno. This necessitated the myriad of pill bottles and pill boxes (I have three) to be on display on the bathroom vanity. I was embarrassed to let someone use my bathroom. That problem is fixed now, so no one knows how many pills I take. Ha! Chicken and noodles works good over bread, too.
Contact Curt Swarm at curtswarm@yahoo.com
SHARE YOUR VIEW
Letters to the PCM Explorer will be edited for libel, grammar and length and should not exceed 400 words. We reserve the right to shorten letters and reject those deemed libelous, in poor taste or of a personal nature. Include your full name, address and a daytime phone number for verification.
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The hypocrisy is astounding.
The SAVE Act takes a crucial step toward restoring faith in our elections by mandating states verify proof of citizenship before registering voters. It also requires states to remove non-citizens from existing voter rolls, ensuring that only eligible American voters are deciding our future. In Iowa, election integrity laws have been met with increased voter turnout, not less.
This issue is more urgent than ever.
The Biden administration’s failed border policies have allowed millions of illegal immigrants to pour into our country, and without proper safeguards, our election system is at risk.
The American people deserve secure elections — elections that are free,
fair, and determined by those who have a stake in our nation’s future.
Last Congress, this bill passed the House with bipartisan support, only to be blocked by Senate Democrats. But with President Trump back in the White House, we now have the opportunity to make real election security reforms a reality. House Republicans are committed to ensuring this vital legislation reaches his desk and is signed into law.
Protecting the sanctity of our elections should not be a partisan issue. The right to vote is a privilege of citizenship, and it must be safeguarded at all costs. I will continue fighting for strong election integrity measures, because every legal vote must count— and only legal votes should count.
In celebration of Iowa agriculture
In Iowa, agriculture connects us all. Those of us who live on farms, in rural communities, and even in cities across our great state are fortunate to have a deep-rooted understanding of all our farmers do to make sure folks have food on their tables, gas in their tanks, clothes in their closet, and so much more.
Growing up walking beans and feeding hogs on our family farm in southwest Iowa, I had a front row seat to both the joys and hardships of life in farm country. That’s why I am so proud to celebrate Iowa Agriculture Week in recognition of our hardworking farmers and all those involved in the industry.
They keep Iowa number one in corn, pork, egg, ethanol, and biodiesel production and make our state a top producer of soybeans, dairy, beef, turkey, and more.
In coordination with this statewide celebration, I was proud to lead my colleagues in the Senate in designating March 27, 2025, as National Women in Agriculture Day. Together, we highlighted the vital role of more than 1.2 million female producers in the United States who are essential to the agriculture community.
To ensure the next generation of agriculture is strong, I also re -
YOUR VIEW
Pharmacy
cently partnered with Senator Amy Klobuchar on an effort to promote and encourage STEM education. Our National STEM Week Act will elevate access to STEM opportunities to prepare students for the workforce of tomorrow. STEM education goes hand in hand with the future of agriculture by preparing today’s students to be tomorrow’s leaders and innovators.
Iowa Agriculture Week is a meaningful reminder of my commitment to advocate for our farmers and bring their voices to the highest levels of government. Just as they work so diligently to put food on tables around the world, I am tirelessly fighting on their behalf.
Whether it’s championing homegrown biofuels, protecting our precious farmland from foreign adversaries, or standing up for Iowa farmers when it comes to trade issues, I will continue to push for policies that help our producers succeed.
In the past year, I have been
Benefit
Managers
on the front lines of securing the resources Iowa farmers need to recover from natural disasters and have worked to cut the red tape to ensure impacted communities can access federal recovery tools.
Foreign animal disease is another issue that is top of mind. With the continued rise in highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), I’ve been working closely with the Trump administration and Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins to get critical relief for Iowa poultry farmers while simultaneously moving forward a strategy to drive down egg prices for consumers. I was also proud to pass legislation last year to support the Beagle Brigade, a critical line of defense against diseases and pests that could devastate the agriculture community.
These are just a few of the many efforts I’ve taken up to support our farmers and producers when they need it most and ensure they can continue their critical work.
This week and every week, we owe a debt of gratitude to all those who work day in and day out, rain or shine, to feed and fuel our world.
So, thank a farmer – after all, it’s not too hard to find one in Iowa.
Joni Ernst, a native of Red Oak and a combat veteran, represents Iowa in the United States Senate.
are the real culprits behind high prescription drug costs
I recently came across this article from KCCI, which clearly demonstrates how Pharmacy Benefit Managers are the real culprits behind high prescription drug costs, so much so that Iowa leaders are finally taking notice. A bill to stop Pharmacy Benefit Managers from paying pharmacies less money than it costs to fill prescriptions has advanced through the Iowa House Commerce Committee.
With this growing awareness of who is actually behind our high drug costs, Congress should take another look at the Inflation
Reduction Act’s pill penalty that aims to bring down out-of-pocket drug costs but instead penalizes innovation and research and plays favorites with prescription drugs.
The pill penalty amounts to simple government price-setting. It allows the government to decide what diseases get new treatments and whether those treatments come in convenient pill form or more cumbersome injections and IV medications, which require a trip to a medical facility. Because it favors one type of medication over another, the pill penalty could also drive up prices and put life-saving
treatments out of financial reach for people suffering from serious conditions.
I was glad to see Iowa take steps on Pharmacy Benefit Manager reform. I hope state lawmakers will continue to focus on the real reasons behind high medical costs and take measures that help patients while preserving pharmaceutical innovation. It’s time for Congress to do the same. It must push for Pharmacy Benefit Manager reform and repeal the Inflation Reduction Act’s pill penalty.
Karey Pineda Des Moines
PCM Girls’ Track has a Sprinting Start to the Season
Libby Winters & Peyton Lathrum
Staff Writers
The PCM Girls’ track has started their outdoor season! The first meet was located in Perry on April 3. Perry hosted the event, which four teams attended. West Marshall, PCM, Nevada, and Woodward-Granger. The girls’ team ended with 127 points, which landed them tied for first alongside Perry. Medals are awarded to the person/team that gets the top 3. For PCM, (number) were rewarded with medals. 800-meter run, Abi Teeter placed second. First place in the 1500-meter run, Darbey DeRaad. Sprint Medley placed third overall: Lillian Humpal, Tori Lindsay, Kyra Naeve, and Katelynn Fagg. Ryan DeVore, Peyton Lathrum, Addison Shannon, and Lillian Humpal placed third for the 4x100 relay. Third place 4x200 relay with Addison Shannon, Peyton Lathrum, Kyra Naeve, and Libby Winters. Second place 4x400 relay with Tori Lindsay, Lila Milani, Katelynn Fagg, and Paiten Rumbaugh. In first place in the 4x800 relay, Lila Milani, Abi Teeter, Bailey Wheeler, and Darbey DeRaad. Ila Keuning won second place in discus, Lexi Fagg got first in long jump, Peyton Lathrum jumped second place, and Libby Winters third. Come support the whole PCM team, boys and girls, as they host a home meet on Tuesday, April 8.
2025 “A Night at Vegas” Prom Info
Piper Clark Website Editor
PCM’s 2025 prom theme is a Night in Vegas, decorated in an abundance of golds, blacks, and reds. Junior and senior students will be able to attend prom, and underclassmen will have to be accompanied by an upperclassman. The dance has been moved back to the high school commons after Sacred Willow Farms hosted the event last year. The walk-through will begin at 7 p.m. on Saturday, April 12, and is open for the public to attend to see their favorite Mustang students all dressed up for this special day. The dance for attendants will begin at 8 p.m. An after-prom event will be held after the dance from 11 p.m. on April 12 to 4:30 a.m. on April 13. After prom, we will have food, a hypnotist, a casino, pickleball, crafts, bingo, wipeout, cornhole, and more. Be sure to be able to support your Mustangs at the walk-through on April 12.
Boys’ and Girls’ Golf Swing into the Green
Another spring sport starting up is girls and boys golf. The girls team consists of seven girls: seniors Brelee Burger and Meredith Chipps, juniors Seriah Nolin, Gretchen Uitermakt, and Emilyn Davis, sophomore Kayla VanderLinden, and freshman Annie Ford. The boys, on the other hand, have 18 on their team: seniors Finn Wilson, Kaleb DeVries, Easton VanVeen, Pete Kiernan, Jeffery McDanel, and Tate Tangeman; juniors Kevin Thomas, Charlie Ford, Trent and Nickelson; sophomores Abe Kiernan, Brayden Breckenridge, Parker DeHaai, Landon Ridgway, Gus Nolin, and Wyatt Schuburt; and lastly freshmen Bryson Karr, Easton Morris, Mason Hjortshoj, and Austin Burns . They will have a varsity and junior varsity team. Coach Harrison said they will try to make sure all boys have a chance to play at a meet at least once. The girls had their first meet on the 3rd, and the boys on the 8th of April. The girls’ placed second at their meet. Seniors Brelee Berger and Meredith Chipps reflected on their last first meet. Berger was all about positivity. “Overall, I think we did very well for the first meet. I can see us possibly winning some meets here in the future. So I am excited for how the season is going to go.” Chipps was also bringing in the positive mindset: “I am really excited for the rest of the year, and I think our first meet we did really well.” Along with that, girls golf coach Dylan Dunn stated his goals for this season. “As a team, I’d say one of our goals should be to win at least five meets, and then I would like to qualify past the first round of regionals.”
Soccer Kicks off the 2025 Season
Kenna Grier Staff Writer
The 2025 PCM soccer season is looking to improve from last year’s 4-10 record. Losing nine seniors, there were some big holes to fill as they look to have a successful year. Four freshmen made the starting varsity roster this year: Colby Vriezelaar, Ben Mueller, Ryker Clark, and Holly Wood— the lone girl on the varsity lineup. Varsity lost on Thursday last week with a score of 8-1 versus Pella Christian, making their record heading into this week 1-2. Sophomore Dylan Beyer had the only goal for PCM. Beyer spoke on a few things the team is aiming to improve on this season: “connect more passes and play throughout back more.” Beyer then shared what he was most excited for this year: “To get closer with my teammates and build friendships.” Sophomore Kolby Clark shared the team’s goal for this year, “To win some games and get better over the season.” Fans are encouraged to come out and support the team as they continue their season. The Mustangs next play Tuesday, April 15, at Nevada High School starting at 7pm.
With prom being a short days away here if some of my favorite things and advice for the big day! As a junior in high school, prom can feel like an exciting, faroff event that’s both thrilling and a little bit intimidating. It’s something you’ve heard about for years—seen in movies, heard stories from older friends, and even caught glimpses of stunning photos on social media. Now, as the event closer, you find yourself anticipating the night, even though you’re not in the spotlight yet. As prom approaches, the excitement of being so close to it all is unbelieveable. For juniors, prom is like a preview of what’s to come. Sure, it’s the seniors who are the main focus this year, but that doesn’t mean you aren’t getting caught up in the energy of it all. Watching your friends plan their outfits, share promposals, and chat about their excitement for the big night gets your heart racing too. It’s like you’re on the edge of something magical, and you can already feel the exictment building. One of the most exciting parts of the lead-up to prom is the dress hunt. You get to see your friends picking out their gowns and suits, each more stunning than the last. Should you go for something bold, with lots of sparkle, or perhaps a more classic, style? The excitement of planning for a night like this the makeup, the hair, the shoes feels like a dream come true. Another element that makes the junior year excitement for prom so unique is the sense of community. It’s the anticipation of the evening that brings everyone together, even if you’re not the ones wearing the corsages and boutonnières yet. There’s a sensation that builds as everyone shares the excitement of the season. The group discussions about transportation, dinner plans, and which songs will be played create a sense of friendship. So, as the excitement builds and the countdown begins, let yourself feel the magic of it all. Prom is just around the corner, and though you may not be the star this time, next year, you will be. The thrill of it all is infectious, and it’s your turn to enjoy it soon enough.
Scan here to learn more about newspaper editor Rylee Parsons!
