Business : VU leaders review 2014, discuss 2015 events during annual meeting

VU Director Melissa Schwan speaks to the Pedersons before the annual meeting.

With a new web site and a new director, Vinton Unlimited marked its 30th year with words from Vinton native and former Iowa Lt. Gov. Sally Pederson on Thursday evening.

Director Melissa Schwan, who took over for Nathan Hesson last fall, summarized the year 2014 with a variety of numbers:
17,636: The number of Vinton Value Dollars printed for use in participating businesses.

541: Tourists who visited in several groups who came by busses from a variety of areas.

192: VU members

103: Business members

Schwan also discussed the re-vamped VU web site, which long-time member Dan Engledow helped design. The new site will allow VU leaders to more quickly update the community with news and other information, she told the group.

After the business meeting, Schwan introduced Peterson, who was accompanied by her parents Gerald and and Wineva Pederson of Vinton. Pederson and her husband, Jim Autry, recently co-authored a book entitled "Choosing Gratitude 365 Days a Year."

Since leaving office in 2007, Pederson has been involved in several organizations, including Justice Not Politics.

Among the events VU plans in 2015 include Boomtown/Boomfest in late August, a Thursday evening concert series and Arts in the Park at Celebration Park in June, as well as special events during the Christmas shopping season.