Et Cetera

Tilford students celebrate PJ Day; pig-kissing set for next Friday

Friday was a normal day for Tilford Elementary students. They recited the Pledge of Allegiance; took some tests, and worked on reading. But they students -- along with teachers and even cooks and office staff -- did it in their pajamas. Friday was PJ Day at Tilford, a fun prize for the students to honor them for achieving one of the goals for their fund-raiser for custodian John Scriven, who is battling cancer.

AmeriCorps NCCC FEMA Corps Class 19 Member Spotlight: Bryan Adams

  By: Krista Eichhorst   Name: Bryan Adams   Hometown: Lisbon, Conn.   Bryan is serving as a member of the NCCC FEMA Corps team Spruce 1 at the Vinton Campus. He chose to participate in AmeriCorps NCCC FEMA Corps because he is committed to service and wanted to be part of a brand-new program. Prior to joining Bryan served a summer term as an AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) member at School On Wheels in Indianapolis, helping run a summer arts program for homeless youth.

AmeriCorps NCCC FEMA Corps Class 19 Member Spotlight: Patrick Houston

  Name: Patrick Houston   Hometown: Philadelphia, Pa.   Patrick is serving as a member of the NCCC FEMA Corps team Hickory 4 at the Vinton Campus. He first learned about AmeriCorps NCCC from his sister who served at the Denver Campus in 2008. He chose to participate in the NCCC FEMA Corps program because of his longstanding interest in disaster response and recovery work.

AmeriCorps NCCC FEMA Corps Class 19 Member Spotlight: Amelia Rubin

  Name: Amelia Rubin   Hometown: Winston Salem, N.C.   Amelia is serving as a member of the NCCC FEMA Corps team Hickory 7 at the Vinton Campus. She chose to participate in AmeriCorps NCCC FEMA Corps she wanted to help people who have survived a disaster.   Amelia graduated from Lincoln High School in 2008 and graduated from Forsyth Technical Community College with an associate’s of applied sciences degree in horticulture in 2012.

AmeriCorps NCCC FEMA Corps Class 19 Member Spotlight: Amanda Chavez

  By: Krista Eichhorst   Name: Amanda Chavez   Hometown: Boston, Ky.   Amanda is serving as a member of the NCCC FEMA Corps team Pine 7 at the Vinton Campus. She says that her faith led her to consider the national service path and she chose to participate in AmeriCorps NCCC FEMA Corps because she wanted to dedicate her time to helping people recover from disasters.

Vinton Garden Club News

The Vinton Garden Club member of the National Garden Clubs, Inc., Central Region, Federated Garden Clubs of Iowa, Inc. and District II met at the Bricklynn Cafe and Blacksmith Boutique in Dysart for lunch and for the program on “Garden Art”. After the lunch President Fran Stueck called the meeting to order.  Members recited the Pledge of Allegiance and Conservation Pledge.

Two beagles found in area

Two beagles have been found in the area recently. Can you help them get home? Found: beagle in rural Benton Co (pictured) and another one (not pictured) found in the city of Vinton. Please call the Vinton/Benton Co. Animal Shelter at  319-472-4623 if you are the owner of either one. Thank you.

Edwards makes Ellsworth Community College Fall Dean's List

One hundred forty-nine students have been named to the Fall 2012 (August to December) Dean's List at Ellsworth Community College. To be eligible for the Dean's List, students must have taken 12 or more credit hours during the semester (a full-time class load) and have earned at least a 3.5 grade point average while attending ECC classes in Iowa Falls or online.

Local Coe College student earns athletic letter in Football

Wes Anderson of Newhall earned an athletic letter for outstanding participation on the Coe College Football team during the fall 2012 season. Anderson, a 2010 graduate of Benton Community High School, is the son of Douglas and Helen Anderson. Currently a junior at Coe, Anderson is a second-year letter winner in Football. Wes Anderson was a Second Team All-Iowa Conference selection.

AmeriCorps NCCC FEMA Corps Class 19 Member Spotlight: Sarah Kubishta

    Name: Sarah Kubishta   Hometown: Helix, Ore.   Sarah is serving as a member of the NCCC FEMA Corps team Hickory 6 at the Vinton Campus. She chose to participate in AmeriCorps NCCC FEMA Corps because she wants to pursue a career in nonprofits and enjoys working with other like-minded young people to benefit the greater good.