Et Cetera

Pastor Mark and LuAnn Urlaub will host an eleven day tour in France September 4-14, 2013. Reservations are needed soon, and remaining space is very limited. The tour is provided by Group Travel Directors. Janet Tollund, a vice-president of the GTD, will accompany and guide the group. She has led many tours in France and studied there as well. The tour will include a first stop in Paris and a city tour with visits to Notre Dame and the beautiful la Sainte Chapelle.

By Moses Sunbeam On Saturday, March 2 a pair of National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) FEMA Corps teams, in partnership with an AmeriCorps New Jersey Watershed Ambassador, organized a community trail clean-up in New Jersey’s Palisades Interstate Park. The group of service-oriented young adults and community volunteers spent the late morning and early afternoon on Palisades Interstate Park’s State Line Lookout Trail cleaning out trash and debris from Hurricane Sandy.

  Try the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt Iowans encouraged to check to see if they have unclaimed property waiting for them Iowans who are yearning to see something green after the long winter do not have to wait until St. Patrick's Day or for the spring weather to roll around. According to State Treasurer Michael L. Fitzgerald, a visit to the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt's website, greatiowatreasurehunt.

  By: Rebecca Bigler Name: Erica Ratner Hometown: Beachwood, OH Erica arrived in Vinton on January 8, 2013 to begin her 11-month service as the Maple 7 Team Leader for NCCC’s Class 19. She is leading a team of 10 members on a number of service projects throughout the North Central Region starting March 11. “I believe that the best way to help ourselves grow and learn is to serve others,” says Erica.

  Upper Iowa University has released the winners of the Presidential and Trustee Scholarships for 2012-13. Receiving these prestigious scholarships are: Nikki Lown of Belle Plaine, IA receiving a Presidential Scholarship in the amount of $14,000; Mitchell Moser of Atkins, IA receiving a Presidential Scholarship in the amount of $14,000; About Upper Iowa University Founded in 1857, Upper Iowa University is a private, not-for-profit university providing undergraduate and graduate degree programs and leadership development opportunities to some 6,200 students-nationally and internationally-at its Fayette campus and learning centers worldwide.

  By: Krista Eichhorst Name: Carolina Giraldo Hometown: Chicago, Ill. Carolina is serving as a member of the NCCC FEMA Corps team Hickory 5 at the Vinton Campus. She chose to participate in AmeriCorps NCCC FEMA Corps because she wanted to take a year off from school to do meaningful work. She says that through this program she is able to help her community while enjoying a break from the studying routine.

  Last year we started a local bicycle group and we’ve had some good rides in and around Vinton and Benton County.  Some were training for RAGBRAI and others for triathlons and some just wanted to get out and get some exercise. If anyone is interested in joining in on the upcoming season, just email us at the address below and we’ll add you to the group emailing for any upcoming rides.

  Schools across the state are invited to participate in Prepare for the Basics. State Treasurer Michael L. Fitzgerald is offering free pencils to schools across Iowa for use in Kindergarten Round-Up through the Prepare for the Basics program. "Our schools know inviting families to check out their school before a new school year begins will help kindergarteners prepare for their big transition," Fitzgerald said.

Benton County is continuing our promotion of conservation in the Cedar River watershed, with a series of articles written by Larry Stone focused on the Cedar River Watershed Coalition’s efforts.     ---   “The Cedar is, in my judgment, the finest stream in Iowa,” wrote pioneering ichthyologist Seth B.

The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point honored 2,719 undergraduate students for attaining high grade point averages during the fall semester of the 2012-2013 academic year. Full-time undergraduates who earned grade points of 3.90 to 4.0 (4.0 equals straight A) are given the highest honors designation. High honor citations go to those with grade point averages from 3.