Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: How a surprise at Marion Hy-Vee changed one family’s year
Make time for Junior Varsity Boys Swimming - Cedar Rapids Washington vs Iowa City High on the Marion Patch calendar

Greetings Marion! We’re your go-to source for what’s happening in town. Read on to get plugged in! ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- How a surprise at Marion Hy-Vee changed one family’s year
- How Marion-connected runners stacked up in Iowa’s early indoor meets
- Marion-born community leader Larry Swann remembered for a lifetime of service
📸 Have a great pic of holiday decorations from around Marion? Post it to Marion photos of the day! ☃️ 🟢-🟠-🟣-🔴-🟡-🔵 ☃️
Find out what's happening in Marionfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Today's riddle: The doctor told me to drink carrot juice after a hot bath. - Did it help? 🤔 (Answer below!)
Find out what's happening in Marionfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Wednesday: Freezing fog in the morning, with a high of 35 and low of 31 degrees.
- Thursday: Strong winds developing, temps: high: 39, low: 4. ⛄️ Brr!
- Friday: Times of clouds and sun, with a high of 26 and low of 23 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
• Eastern Iowa family receives car through ‘Miles of Smiles' program (kcrg.com) — A local family just received a donated car at the Marion Hy-Vee through the Miles of Smiles program, which helps Eastern Iowa families in need. Recipient Monica Sniegowski, now rebuilding her life in Cedar Rapids after losing her car, also received groceries, gas cards, and insurance, turning months of walking everywhere into a fresh start for her and her kids.
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• Mile posts: Items on Mallory Lindaman, Millie Hill, Mike Jasa, Chase Knoche, Julia Gehl, Dylan Grandon, Courtney Sporrer (desmoinesregister.com subscription) — Marion runners get a nod in this statewide college track roundup, including Linn-Mar alum Nicholas Gorsich and former Marion High standout Kyra Cordes winning the mile at Central’s Dutch Holiday Preview. The story highlights record-setting performances and strong early-season times from Iowa-connected distance runners and middle-distance athletes across several December meets.
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• Larry Swann (soloneconomist.com) — Marion natives may remember Larry Swann, born in Marion in 1934, who went on to become a pillar of nearby Solon through the American Legion, Solon Beef Days, and many civic projects. His funeral Mass and visitation are set for December 23 at St. Mary Catholic Church in Solon, with memorials directed to the Solon American Legion or the church.
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📸 Around Marion
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Marion
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
- Junior Varsity Boys Swimming - Cedar Rapids Washington vs Iowa City High
Mercer Park
6:00 pm - Varsity Boys Wrestling - Wamac Triangular
Independence High School , Independence
6:00 pm - Varsity Boys Swimming - Cedar Rapids Washington vs Iowa City High
Mercer Park
6:00 pm - Junior Varsity Boys Basketball - Marion vs Center Point-Urbana
Center Point-Urbana High School
7:30 pm - Varsity Boys Wrestling - Fort Madison Wrestling Invitational
Fort Madison Junior and Senior High School Competition Gym
4:30 pm
Thursday December 18
Friday December 19
📣 Marion Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- Expressive Arts for Teens
Hiawatha Public Library , 150 W Willman St , Hiawatha
4:00 pm - Varsity Boys Wrestling - Wamac Triangular
Independence High School , Independence
6:00 pm - Junior Varsity Boys Swimming - Cedar Rapids Washington vs Iowa City High
Mercer Park
6:00 pm - Varsity Boys Swimming - Cedar Rapids Washington vs Iowa City High
Mercer Park
6:00 pm - Hiawatha Public Library Comic Book Club
Hiawatha Public Library , 150 W Willman St , Hiawatha
7:00 pm - Junior Varsity Boys Basketball - Marion vs Center Point-Urbana
Center Point-Urbana High School
7:30 pm - Varsity Boys Wrestling - Fort Madison Wrestling Invitational
Fort Madison Junior and Senior High School Competition Gym
4:30 pm
Thursday December 18
Friday December 19
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- I'm just curious as to where all the stained glass windows went from the church that are being converted into condos in Marion?
It's across the street from Farmers State Bank. I was just wondering if they kept them in town or they went off to Chicago or somewhere. (Nextdoor Barrington Hills)
- Taco Bell posted a job opening for Shift Manager TB37053-MARION - Now Hiring! in Marion. Apply here.
- Premium Retail Services, Inc. posted a job opening for Seasonal Walmart Merchandiser in Marion. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Marion here.
🗞 Nearby News
Hiawatha
- Medal of Honor Monday: Salvatore Giunta's Korengal Valley Stand (sofrep.com)
Cedar Rapids
- Historic Sykora Bakery building gets new life in Cedar Rapids' Czech Village (kcrg.com)
- Christmas cheer filled the Sharon Center United Methodist Church in Kalona on Sunday (thenews-ia.com)
- Lillie Spicer's big finish sends Jefferson past Linn-Mar, 50-43 (thegazette.com)
Ok Marion! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don’t know. I can never finish drinking the hot bath!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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