In Brief

Tiger Food Pantry Holiday Hours

The Tiger Food Pantry will be closed on Christmas, Thursday Dec. 25 and New Year’s Day, Thursday, Jan. 1. Saturday, Dec. 27 and Jan. 3 the pantry will be open the regular hours of 9-11 a.m.

Dec. 19: Early Dismissal at New London Community School District

1 p.m. Students will be dismissed from school to begin Winter Break. School resumes Jan. 5

Dec. 20: New London’s Public Library hosts Storytime.

9:30 a.m. Visit the library and listen to “Santa Claws” After Storytime, Santa will visit the library from 11 a.m.-1p.m. Begin Winter Break with this enjoyable preview of the Holiday season. Plan to take photos with Santa as well.

Dec. 21: Winter Solstice

11:28. a.m. The Winter Solstice is not really a day but a time. It occurs on the shortest day of the year and the times vary from year to year. The solstice happens when the sun hovers directly above the Tropic of Capricorn. The sun begins to move north again, lengthening the days.

Dec. 21: Swedesburg Lutheran Church presents “Mirth, Majic and Marley”

3 p.m. The Swedesburg Lutheran Church invites everyone to its second organ concert for the 2025-2026 season. Christmas music new and old with a nod to Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” will be presented. The concert is free with a free will offering. The church with its newly renovated organ is located north of Mt. Pleasant on Highway 218.

Dec. 23: Pennebaker Grant applications due

Present-Dec. 23: The Pennebaker Foundation will be accepting applications until Dec. 23 for grants and gifts that it will make. The Pennebaker Foundation was founded in 1986 for the purpose of promoting the welfare of Henry County citizens and charitable organizations organized in Henry County. Grants and gifts can be made to nonprofit Henry County organizations. Grant requests may be mailed to: Pennebaker Foundation in care of Stephanie Nelson, 2332 Racine Avenue, New London, IA 62645. All applications must be tax exempt as determined by the Internal Revenue Service and must include the tax-exempt federal ID#.

Dec. 25: Merry Christmas to all

Dec. 27: New London V.F.W. Post 7641 serves Catfish or Chicken Dinners

5-7 p.m. Take a break from holiday cooking and enjoy catfish or chicken dinner at the V.F.W. Post 7641. Dinner includes a roll and your choice of two sides: French fries, baked beans, and coleslaw. Catfish is $13 per person, chicken or all-white chicken is $9 per person.

Dates to Note

28 December 2025-2026 Iowa America 250

Iowa is joining the national celebration of America 250, honoring the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, and the Revolutionary War. To celebrate, Iowa is launching its own initiatives to mark the milestone and honor our nation's history and values. Visit the Secretary of State’s Iowa America 250 page for details.

Jan. 8-March 25: Henry County Conservation “Nature Nerds Book Club”

5:30-6:30 p.m. keep warm this winter with bold books and thoughtful conversation about the plants, animals, and world around use. The second and fourth Wednesdays of the month, January through March at the Mount Pleasant Public Library meeting room. Register at apacha@henrycountyconservation.com