Medallion hunts, Monday laughs, and library gems
Monday, May 18, 2026
Preheader: Your Monday briefing for Iowa City, Cedar Rapids, North Liberty, Coralville, Marion, and nearby (all times Central).
Good morning, Eastern Iowa. Today is a nice “pick your pace” Monday: a low-key grounds wander at Brucemore, a Freedom Festival treasure-hunt kickoff, a few solid library options (career + computer skills + book club), and a late Twin Peaks-style nightcap at FilmScene.
Featured
Outdoors
Brucemore’s Grounds Are Open All Day
Explore the Landscape is on the calendar today (Monday, May 18) at Brucemore in Cedar Rapids, listed 8:00 AM-4:00 PM.
- Where: Brucemore, 2160 Linden Dr SE, Cedar Rapids (grounds hours).
- Price: Listed as a free activity; hours are subject to change for special events/holidays.
Community
Freedom Festival’s Medallion Hunt Starts Today
Medallion Hunt runs May 18-27 across the Cedar Rapids Metro area, with a $100 prize plus two 2026 Freedom Festival buttons for the finder.
- How it works: The hunt begins with 10 clues; the medallion is hidden outside on public land (no digging).
- Geography: The Freedom Festival page notes “Cedar Rapids Metro” includes Marion, Hiawatha, Ely, Palo, and Fairfax.
Comedy
Monday Unscripted (Comedy + Storytelling) At CSPS Hall
Monday Unscripted is listed as a weekly Monday-night show in Cedar Rapids, with showtime at 7:00 PM.
- When: Monday, May 18, 7:00 PM (doors listed as one hour before showtime).
- Price: Ticketed; price not listed on the CSPS page (ticketing link requires JavaScript).
Film
FilmScene’s “Twin Peaks” Finale Double-Episode Screening
FilmScene’s Now Playing schedule lists TWIN PEAKS: THE RETURN - PART 17 + PART 18 tonight (Monday, May 18) at 9:00 PM at The Chauncey in Iowa City.
- When + where: Monday, May 18, 9:00 PM at FilmScene (The Chauncey), Iowa City.
- Tickets: FilmScene lists regular ticket pricing at Ticketing (Adult Evening $13; members $8).
Libraries
Cedar Rapids Public Library: WOW Workshop + Computer Skills + Book Club
Cedar Rapids Public Library’s events list includes three May 18 options split between the Downtown Library and Ladd Library.
- Midday + afternoon (Ladd Library): Goodwill Career Services World of Work (WOW) Workshop (11:00 AM-noon) and Computer Skills Training (2:30-4:30 PM).
- Evening (Downtown Library): Steeped in Books book club (6:30-7:30 PM; bring your favorite mug).
Eastern Iowa Daily Picks
- North Liberty Library Social Hour: North Liberty Library (520 W Cherry St), North Liberty, Monday, May 18, 10:00-11:00 AM, price not listed (library program).
- Goodwill Career Services WOW Workshop: Ladd Library (Opportunity Center Classroom), Cedar Rapids, Monday, May 18, 11:00 AM-noon, price not listed.
- Computer Skills Training: Ladd Library (Opportunity Center Classroom), Cedar Rapids, Monday, May 18, 2:30-4:30 PM, price not listed.
- Steeped in Books: Downtown Library (UnConference Room), Cedar Rapids, Monday, May 18, 6:30-7:30 PM, price not listed.
- Sitting with Impermanence: Iowa City Zen Center, Iowa City, Monday, May 18, 7:00-8:30 PM, price not listed.
- Monday Unscripted: CSPS Hall, Cedar Rapids, Monday, May 18, 7:00 PM, ticketed (price not listed).
- FilmScene: Mad Bills to Pay: FilmScene (The Ped Mall), Iowa City, Monday, May 18, 7:00 PM, $13 adult evening per FilmScene ticket pricing.
- FilmScene: Twin Peaks: The Return - Part 17 + Part 18: FilmScene (The Chauncey), Iowa City, Monday, May 18, 9:00 PM, $13 adult evening per FilmScene ticket pricing.
- Explore the Landscape: Brucemore (2160 Linden Dr SE), Cedar Rapids, Monday, May 18, 8:00 AM-4:00 PM, free.
- Freedom Festival Medallion Hunt: Cedar Rapids Metro area, Monday, May 18 (runs through May 27), prize listed as $100 + two 2026 buttons.
Coming Up
- Teen Maker Club at Downtown Library (Technology Classroom), Cedar Rapids, Tuesday, May 19, 4:00-5:30 PM, price not listed.
- Death Cafe- Cedar Rapids at Illumination Studio, Cedar Rapids, Wednesday, May 20, 7:00-8:30 PM, price not listed.