Et Cetera

SCOUT PACK 27 DONATION OF $2000 TO EASTERN IOWA HONOR FLIGHT

And now (for those of you who remember Paul Harvey) for the rest of the story. About a month of so ago, we were invited out to St Pius in Cedar Rapids to talk to the school about Honor Flight. The grades range from kindergarden to 5th grade. It was a whole school assembly. While there, a young man read a story he had written about his Grandfather who had gone on one of our flights.

Mount Mercy University recognizes May graduates

The student(s) listed below graduated from Mount Mercy University this May. A commencement ceremony was held Sunday, May 17, 2015, at the U.S. Cellular Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Founded in 1928, Mount Mercy University offers students a personal, practical and faith-inspired education that distinctly blends professional career preparation and liberal arts with a strong curriculum grounded in leadership and service.

Kelsey Kankelfitz Presents at Buena Vista University's Scholars Day

Buena Vista University's (BVU) eleventh annual Scholars Day was held Friday, April 24. The event provided students from all disciplines an opportunity to present their best presentations, original research, academic posters, artistic creations and performances to their peers, professors and the public. This year's Scholars Day event featured 43 presentations from 86 students, exploring topics from art and business to science and history.

AmeriCorps NCCC Team Gets Down and Sandy in Nebraska

Cedar 7 member Kyla Russell assisting in painting the Education Center at the Nebraska State 4H Camp By Maria Vaughan AmeriCorps NCCC team Cedar 7 left Vinton on April 30, excited to serve on their second project with the Nebraska State 4-H Camp in Halsey, Nebraska.             Over the past two weeks Cedar 7 has assisted campers in various activities such as zip lining, high and low ropes courses, and initiatives.

NCCC Team Performs Restorative Burns in Wisconsin

Maple 1 after completing a day of field training to become type 2 wildland firefighters By: Steven Pisacrita AmeriCorps NCCC (National Civilian Community Corps) team Maple 1 is serving with the Necedah National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) in Necedah, Wisconsin. Their goal is to perform prescribed burns to between 2,500-5,000 acres of land in order to restore wild lupine, a plant that is necessary for the survival of the endangered Karner blue butterfly.

Eastern Iowa Honor Flight Receives Grant

On May 6, 2015, the Eastern Iowa Honor Flight received a grant of $10,000.00 from the Washington County Riverboat Foundation during their spring awards meeting.  This grant will  significantly contribute to continuing our mission of honoring our veterans with a trip to Washington, DC.   A 501(c)3 federally recognized charity, the Eastern Iowa Honor Flight depends on donations from individuals, organizations, and businesses to fund and support flight operations.

NCCC FEMA Corps Class 21 Team Leader Spotlight: Octavia Johnson

Octavia Johnson from Richmond, Virginia is serving on team Cedar 5 in AmeriCorps NCCC Corps Class 21. She arrived in Vinton in February of 2015 to start her 10-month service term with the program. Cedar 5 is made up of seven people from across the country who serve together around the Midwest. Before her term of service, Octavia graduated from the University of Tennessee as a Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism major and Business minor.

NCCC Corps Class 21 Spotlight: Bailey Kovall

By: Marilyn Ponce   Name: Bailey Kovall Hometown: Clearwater, MN   Bailey Kovall from Clearwater, Minnesota is a Team Leader serving on team Oak 4 in AmeriCorps NCCC Corps Class 21. She arrived in Vinton in January of 2015 to start her 10-month service term with the program.    This is not Bailey’s first experience with national service and NCCC.

Purple and Old Gold awards presented at UNI Commencement

Purple and Old Gold awards, were given recognizing meritorious scholarship or conspicuous achievement. They were presented to 56 seniors during the University of Northern Iowa's Commencement ceremonies Saturday, May 9, in the UNI-Dome.  Named after the university colors, the traditional awards were first presented at Commencement ceremonies on May 29, 1939.

Conservation Poster Contest Winners Announced

Second Place Winner Hanna Hansen, Commissioner Harold Cassens, and First Place Winner Shakayla Lamer             The Benton Soil & Water Conservation District Commissioners are happy to announce the 2015 Poster Contest Winners for Benton County.  This contest is open to students K-12 who live in Benton County.  Entries were judged in March by the Benton SWCD Commissioners.             This year’s contest Theme was “Local Heroes – Your Hardworking Pollinators”.