As Thanksgiving arrives once again, I find myself filled with deep gratitude for the amazing community we share here in Muscatine. This special holiday gives us the chance to pause, reflect on our many blessings, and give thanks for the people and values that make our city so unique.
I am especially thankful for the brave men and women who serve in law enforcement, fire and rescue, the military, and all who keep our community, state, and nation safe. Your selfless dedication allows the rest of us to gather with loved ones in peace and security. My deepest appreciation also goes to our outstanding city employees and community partners. Day in and day out, your hard work and commitment help build the vibrant, safe, and sustainable Muscatine we all cherish. Together, we continue making this a wonderful place to live, work, plan and invest.
This year, let us hold close those who are missing a chair at their table. We lift up every family who has experienced loss, including those still grieving in our own Muscatine family, and we offer them our love, prayers, and support during this season that can be both beautiful and bittersweet.
Thanksgiving also reminds me of the countless acts of kindness I’ve seen throughout 2025: neighbors helping neighbors, businesses giving back, volunteers stepping up, and strangers becoming friends. That generous spirit of togetherness is what makes Muscatine truly special, and I am proud to serve a community that cares so deeply for one another.
On behalf of the City Council, city staff, and my family, we wish you and your loved ones a warm, joyous, and safe Thanksgiving. May your homes be filled with laughter, your tables overflowing with good food, and your hearts overflowing with gratefulness.
Take a moment this week to look someone you love in the eye and tell them how thankful you are for them. Hug a little tighter, forgive a little quicker, and love a little bigger; because in the end, it’s the people around us who make life worth celebrating.
God Bless and Be Your Best!!!
Dr. Brad Bark
Mayor of the City of Muscatine
bbark@muscatineiowa.gov