News | The Mapleton Press

The home of Trent and Shari Clausen was named the Charter Oak Yard of the Month for June. The Clausen’s yard is beautiful all around the house with flowers, bushes, and treat which gives it an … more

6/25/25

Updates to the Charter Oak City Park

The Charter Oak city crew worked hard to prepare the playground for the new Ortner Memorial Playground equipment. The crew and a team of volunteers will do the installation very soon. Volunteers are … more

6/25/25

July Schedule at the Soldier Library

Here is a schedule of events planned for July at the Soldier Library. Tuesday, July 8: Library Board Meeting, 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 9: Library Coffee, 9-11 a.m. Monday, July 21: Book Club, 10 a.m. … more

6/25/25

These students reached special point levels on the AR reading system this quarter and earned a free book. Front Row: Brextyn Hieber, Ryker Christianson, Baylee Griffin, Violet Petersen and Brecken Wenger. Back Row: Vivian Scholl, Layla Kuehn, Addison Schrader, John Sass, Joanna Gain and Morgan Comes. .

4th Quarter Reading Celebration at Mapleton Elementary

The Mapleton elementary students attended the final reading celebration of the school year this week. The Kindergarten classes kicked off the assembly with readings that they shared with the student … more

6/25/25

Coast-to-coast charity bike ride hits Onawa June 26

A cross-country bicycle ride to raise money and awareness for The Fuller Center for Housing’s efforts to eliminate poverty housing will arrive in Onawa on Thursday, June 26, after a 69-mile … more

6/25/25

Nearly 450 people attended the benefit dinner for the new ambulance service held at the Maple Valley High School. Ed Maier, Tom McNamara and Lawrence Nelson view the ambulance made by Woodke Enterprises, Inc., of Schaller, Iowa.

Years Ago for June 26

Mapleton Press 10 Years Ago June 25, 2015 Robert Christiansen, of Schleswig, receives his 60 year Continuous Membership Certificate from the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. LaWayne Gronau … more

6/25/25

Business owners Bernadine Fick and Micheal Amosson pose in their Mapleton store. As they prepare to retire from their passion for antiques, collectibles, glassware, coins and more, they hope to find a buyer who understands and appreciates the quality and value of their collection. Each piece has a story to tell.

End of an Era: Antique collectors to retire and pass along treasures of a lifetime

 After nearly half a century spent gathering, curating, and lovingly sharing the stories behind some of the most unique antiques and collectibles around, a local couple from Soldier, is ready to … more

By Tammy Sue Hane | 6/18/25

Double the Catch

A fish tail or two! Wednesday, June 11, Ryder Meseck was out fishing at a farm pond near Ute. He was trying out the new top water lure he got for his birthday. Ryder was sure he hooked a big one. As … more

6/18/25

Lights Camera Action

The MVAO-Mapleton Elementary presented “Lights! Camera! Action!” for their spring concert. more

6/18/25

After a long hard fought tournament, it was decided all the RAMS would share the championship as both finished the day with one loss. It was pretty awesome to see so many Ram softball players together celebrating. The future looks bright for Ram softball.

A View from the Hill....Softball Tournament as a Mom - Take Two

Two years ago I wrote” A View from the a Hill” about my first softball tournament as a mom (Morgan's first Minis tournament) and now I am writing about Brooke’s first Minis … more

By Jenna Comes | 6/18/25

Public meeting to discuss ongoing drought conditions at Blue Lake

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will host a public meeting on Thursday, June 26 at 5:30 p.m., at the Onawa Community Center, 320 10th Street, to discuss Blue Lake low water levels. … more

6/18/25

Front Row: Benjamin Meseck, Samantha Sorensen, Hannah Peitsch, Joanna Gain, Brady Splitter, Vera Gorham, Nora Gorham, and Lydia Gorham. Middle Row: Gavin Amunson, Dane Gorham, Micah Peitsch, Jenna Rosener, and Rose Dirksen. Back Row: Clara Gorham, Isabel Jepsen, Sara Rosener, and Lynette Thies.

Students of Lynette Thies present recital

The music students of Lynette Thies presented a recital on Wednesday, June 4, at the Soldier Lutheran Church in Soldier. In addition to piano performances, there were also violin and guitar … more

6/18/25

Maple Valley Class of 1965 holds 60th Reunion

The Maple Valley High School Class of 1965 will hold their 60th reunion the weekend of June 27-29. Anyone who has not registered should contact Ed Maier in Mapleton so arrangements can be made. The … more

6/18/25

4-H scrapbook and old hats on display at Moorhead Culture Center

Any exhibit of the past can not overlook women’s fashions and this one is no exception. Diann Iversen of Moorhead, has brought in her collection of 48 hats, from the past. Maybe you are one … more

6/18/25

The Charter Oak-Ute Kindergarten class started the Spring Concert with "If You're Happy and You Know It."

Photos from the COU Spring Concert

6/18/25

Father Joseph Hemmerle (center) who teaches at Trinty High, Louisvile, Kentucky, and two of his students, Alan Bladwin and Greg Panis are bicycling from Billings, Montana to Louisville. The three were guests of Father Bruch in Mapleton. They are on a three week vacation and drove to Billings, they are taking turns, with one driving and two riding bikes on the 1700 mile return trip. Thursday they covered 130 miles of the trip before arriving in Mapleton.

Years Ago for June 19

Mapleton Press 10 Years Ago June 18, 2015 Rebuild and Recover Mapleton is again helping kick-off the 4th of July activities in Mapleton with a “Firework of Color Fun Run/Walk.” A … more

6/18/25

A new public cabin has been placed at Peters Park near Rodney. The cabin is now available to rent for campers. The cabin offers a wide variety of amenities that will allow visitors a comfortable stay. .

New Cabin at Peters Park

There is a new addition to Peters Park as a public cabin has been placed. Josh Schaben, Monona County Conservation Director, said there had been lots of public interest in providing a cabin for the … more

By Jenna Comes | 6/11/25

Guardian of the Charter Oak Arboretum

Wayne Neumann, Charter Oak resident, has taken it upon himself for a number of years to care for the plants in the arboretum which beautifies the main entrance to Charter Oak. He is tireless, … more

6/11/25

Local educators honored for years of service

As the end of the 2024-2025 school year wraps up, local educators were honored for their years of service. Three staff members at MVAO were recognized on May 30 during a staff lunch. Deanna Adler a … more

6/11/25

A View from the Hill-School Field Trips

As the school year came to an end, April and May were full of field trips for local students. I feel field trips are important for students. Students might ever get to experience these places … more

6/11/25

New Officers - Front Row: Jenna Rosener (Sentinel), Emma Pithan (Reporter), Claire Smallwood (Treasurer), and Sam Schrunk (Vice-President). Back Row: Lincoln Gotto (Secretary), Claire Schumacher (Chapter Recruiter), Olivia Pithan (Officer at Large), Alex Wonder (President), Nina McMillen (Historian), and Cole Benson (Chaplain).

2024-2025 MVAO FFA Banquet

On Sunday, April 27 the MVAO FFA Chapter held their annual FFA Awards Banquet. There were 85 members and guests present at the banquet. The banquet started off with the Opening Ceremonies and … more

Submitted by Emma Pithan MVAO Chapter Reporter | 6/11/25

MVAOCOU Spring 2025 Honor Roll

Kyle Adkins, Khloe Alioth, Kaydee Allen, Kylee Allen, Hayden Armstead Maximillian Babl, Olivia Beeson, Madison Behrens, Cole Benson, Aubrey Berning, Will Berning, Teagan Blume, Jacob Bottjen, Kaitlyn … more

6/11/25

Memorabilia of the past

Measuring spoons, a button tree, an Old Home owl and a very nice cigarette lighter are the picks of the week for this issue of the paper. You have heard of “money growing on trees”, but … more

6/11/25

Work Progressing on First State - Construction on the remodeling of the First State Bank is now well underway. The building that was rented formerly by Scoles Barber Shop, has now been renovated to the alley. The front has been bricked and the opening shown, wll be glass. When the remodeling is completed it will be all one building.

Years Ago from June 12

Mapleton Press 10 Years Ago June 11, 2015 Two former residents of the Ute area participated in the sixth annual Relay Iowa Run last weekend, June 5-7. Nathan Burbridge and Kasey Meseck Ruff were … more

6/11/25

Dick Fredericks and Jim Streck presented the Memorial Wreath during the Memorial Day service at Morgan Cemetery.

Memorial Day...in honor of our heroes

Here is a photo gallery from Memorial Day services around the Mapleton Press area. more

6/4/25