Morning Sun, IA

Joan Bausch is a woman with a plan. After attending the Horizons spotlight in Ollie last year Joan decided that Morning Sun needed a sign at the city’s entrance. Joan had attended the spotlight session that asked memebers to develop the ideal sign for their town that would describe their town to newcomers. This started Joan thinking about a sign for Morning Sun. She was able to work with the City to have land donated and the design was created by a local graphic designer. The sign is nearing completion and it is indication of the leadership in the community.

>The next big fundraiser for the Morning Sun Community Center is the “Get On The Bandwagon” event on Saturday, May 31^st.   Bring your lawn chair and find a seat “inside” the painted outline of the new community center.  (On Main Street, the site of the old Delzell Shop.) In the morning donuts from Casey’s will be available.  Then there’s music, music, music thru the day!  Walk-ons invited!!  Stage, Electric Piano and Sound System provided!A great lunch of Maidrites, hotdogs, chips and cookies will be served up by the staff of Iowa State Bank.  All proceeds from food and other donations made that day will go toward the monies currently being raised to match the Vision Iowa Grant that the Community Center Committee has been awarded.A $5,000 challenge match for the day has been announced – meaning all the money donated that day, up to $5,000 will be matched by another donor.  In addition, Mr. Graber has agreed to match the first $100 in change raised by the school children and Music and Spanish Teacher Mrs. Nancy Martin has agreed to match the 2^nd $100 in change from the kids.  Look for the big bottle of change to fill up during the day!All children who come to the event during the day will be invited to put their handprints on a banner that will show how many people have worked on the wonderful musical event!Bring your The next big fundraiser for the Morning Sun Community Center is the “Get On The Bandwagon” event on Saturday, May 31^st.   Bring your lawn chair and find a seat “inside” the painted outline of the new community center.  (On Main Street, the site of the old Delzell Shop.) In the morning donuts from Casey’s will be available.  Then there’s music, music, music thru the day!  The line up includes the following:·         10am-11am - MS Elementary vocal and instrumental solos·         11-11:30am - Smooth Harmony, the Famed Barbershop Group from Mediapolis High School·         11:30am-12pm – The Morning Sun Elementary Spring Program·         12-12:30pm- Valentin Ruiz with Hispanic Music·         12:30-1pm - Various community solo performances including Miss Louisa County!·         1-2pm – Mediapolis High School  instrumental performances ·         Walk-ons invited!!  Stage, Electric Piano and Sound System provided!A great lunch of Maidrites, hotdogs, chips and cookies will be served up by the staff of Iowa State Bank.  All proceeds from food and other donations made that day will go toward the monies currently being raised to match the Vision Iowa Grant that the Community Center Committee has been awarded.A $5,000 challenge match for the day has been announced – meaning all the money donated that day, up to $5,000 will be matched by another donor.  In addition, Mr. Graber has agreed to match the first $100 in change raised by the school children and Music and Spanish Teacher Mrs. Nancy Martin has agreed to match the 2^nd $100 in change from the kids.  Look for the big bottle of change to fill up during the day! All children who come to the event during the day will be invited to put their handprints on a banner that will show how many people have worked on the wonderful musical event!Bring your change, or your checkbook and a chair and enjoy the day of musical entertainment and community fun on Saturday in Morning Sun!  (In case of inclement weather, the event will be held inside the Morning Sun Elementary School.)

Horizons have clearly helped people in Morning Sun stand up and take leadership. Through the Horizons project the town held a town meeting regarding co-ops and grocery stores. The meeting was a terrific success and with more than 60 people in attendance. The community clearly took leadership of the process. A committee has stepped forward to tour co-ops, buyer partnerships, limited liability partnerships, and other small town grocery options. The committee is will also create a feasibility study to determine local grocery needs and shopping habits. Prior to the Horizons project the town might not have come together to explore the options. Horizons provided the framework for the community to come together and take action to solve their problems instead of just accepting them