Celebrating the People and Businesses Who Go Above & Beyond
Each year, the Mount Vernon-Lisbon Community Development Group (CDG) has the honor of recognizing individuals and businesses who exemplify the best of our community. These are the people who give their time and energy because they care deeply about making our towns better places to live, work, and gather.
This year’s honorees represent that spirit in every way. Please join us in celebrating the recipients of the 2025 CDG Awards:
Above & Beyond Award: Gary’s Foods
Pictured: Denny & Pete Dietrich
Gary’s Foods has been a locally owned family business since 1971, and today, it’s led by the third generation, Pete Dietrich, alongside his father, Denny.
Gary’s has long gone above and beyond for the community. From a $25,000 donation to Washington Elementary’s library to regular partnerships with the SELCC food bank and support for dozens of local fundraisers, the store shows up for our community in big ways.
Their standout effort is the Round Up program, which allows customers to round up their purchases to support local nonprofits like the MVL Ambulance Service and Friends of the Palisades. Gary’s then adds even more, rounding donations up to the nearest $100 and beyond. It’s raised thousands for close to home projects. Behind the scenes, Gary’s quietly helps provide food “at-cost” for local fundraisers and has supported the booster club with providing grills.
With loyal customers, a tight-knit team, and a deep love for feeding the community, Gary’s continues to prove what it means to go “above and beyond.”
Business of the Year: Yock’s Landing
Pictured: Kelly & Duane Yock and their two sons
Yock’s Landing has been under the ownership of Kelley and Duane Yock since 2018. The building has been a long-time drinking establishment since the 1950s under various names – C&D Lounge, Joe’s International Airport, and Southside International. Fun fact: Kelley worked at Joe’s from 1996-2000 and C&D’s from 2004-2018.
Since the Yocks took over, this local favorite has seen a transformation. With a fresh coat of paint inside and out, a back deck, new floors, upgraded seating, exposed brick, and a party space in the basement, Yock’s Landing is now one of the cleanest and most welcoming hometown “dive bars” around.
The Yocks are deeply community-rooted—Duane is a Mount Vernon grad, and Kelley a Cornell alum. They support nearly every festival and fundraiser, partner with other local businesses to boost the whole area, and work hard to make everyone who walks in the door feel at home. They are a vital contributor to the Mount Vernon Chili Cookoff.
From hosting Heritage Days concerts to cheering on Mount Vernon sports on TV, Yock’s is truly your hometown bar. Thank you for always putting the people and community first, Kelley and Duane!
Volunteer of the Year: Amy Hall-Haney
After retiring in 2015, Amy joined the CDG’s Organization Committee and quickly stepped into a leadership role, chairing the group from 2016 through 2024. In that time, she helped plan and support nearly every major event: Magical Night, Chalk the Walk, Chili Cook-Off, Cold Turkey, and Home Town Teams.
Amy loves a party and celebrating others, so she led the planning of the annual Volunteer Awards Party, complete with creative themes like Aliens & Outer Space and The Roaring ’20s (for which she practiced the Charleston).
Beyond CDG, she’s active in her church, a women’s group, and Camp Tanager’s diabetes camp. She’s a proud local shopper and a consistent cheerleader for Mount Vernon wherever she goes. Volunteering has introduced her to so many wonderful people, and she encourages others to also get involved.
Citizen of the Year: Mary Evans
Mary Evans may have retired in 2012, but her commitment to service has only grown since then. This year’s Citizen of the Year award honors not just her tireless volunteerism, but also her humble and joyful spirit.
From volunteering at the Community Health Free Clinic to leading educational presentations for the African American Museum, Mary’s reach goes far beyond Mount Vernon. She’s participated in Habitat for Humanity builds (both locally and in Nicaragua), served on the Iowa Office of the State Archaeologist board, and co-authored children’s history programming.
Locally, she’s been a board member of CDG, chair of Magical Night, and the driving force behind the Lincoln Highway Nitty Gritty Festival. She also serves on the Historic Preservation Commission and now chairs the Cemetery Commission.
Following in the footsteps of her locally engaged parents, Mary says she simply loves seeing the smiles the work brings. We are so grateful for her tireless commitment to our community!
Outgoing Board Members: Brenda Langenberg & Lisa White
Board Members Pictured: Casey Krall, Brenda Langenberg, Lisa White, Ashley Dunford
Brenda Langenberg has been a steady and passionate presence in the Mount Vernon-Lisbon Community Development Group since its inception—serving on the board for all but 2.5 years since the organization began. Whether leading as Vice President, chairing major events like RAGBRAI and the Smithsonian exhibit, or supporting long-running initiatives like the Ambassador program and Cornell’s Meet Your Community night, Brenda has left her mark on just about every corner of the CDG. Even before the CDG existed, she gave over a decade to the Heritage Days committee.
Lisa White has served as President of Mount Vernon Lisbon Community Development Group for the past three years, including during the executive director transition, and she has been involved with Mount Vernon Main Street district from the beginning.
Under Lisa and Brenda’s leadership, Mount Vernon’s downtown district was twice named a finalist for The Great American Main Street Award – a national award.
Although Lisa & Brenda are stepping off the board, they’re not going far—you’ll still see them at Cornell/ Hills Bank, volunteering, and supporting the local businesses. Thank you, Lisa & Brenda, for your tireless leadership!
Lisbon Sesquisentenial- Project of the Year
The following individuals have put in countless hours of volunteer time to make the Lisbon Sesquisentenial celebration one to remember: Jerry Dietsch, Jerad Boots, Marc Mohn, Nicole McAlexander, Molly Cart, John Bardsley, Michelle Zaruba, Drayton Kamberling, Becky Bunting, Austin Edwards, Nikki Sporrer, Kyle, Sporrer, Sydney Abodeely, Elizabeth Hoover de Galvez
Numerous events are planned around Sauerkraut Days to celebrate 150 years of Lisbon’s History– a Community Breakfast by Southeast Linn Community Center, Community Church Service at City Park, 18 Hole Golf Tournament, History Walk, Tour of Hills Bank, Scavenger Hunt, Library events, Golf Cart/UTV Poker Run, Wrestling Tournament, Movie in the Park, and more.
Thank you to the committee of community members who are leading the charge on celebrating Lisbon’s history!
