Et Cetera

  Jamie Schoch, originally from Missouri, moved to Iowa to attend Kirkwood Community College where she received her Associates in Landscape Management. She is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Mount Mercy University.   Jamie currently resides in rural Vinton with her husband and two children. She is actively involved in many community organizations including the Shellsburg Parent Teacher Organization, Shellsburg Cub Scouts, Shellsburg Girl Scouts, Center Point United Methodist Church as well as singing in a Praise Band.

  NCCC’s Cedar 4 Prepares for the Summer By Jerome Frey   AmeriCorps NCCC Team Cedar 4 completed their tornado relief project in Henryville, Indiana. After meeting many incredible people, both volunteers and survivors, the team was sad to go. Still, they were excited and ready to move on to their next project.   Cedar 4 is now stationed in Loretto, Minnesota working for the YMCA of Metro Minneapolis.

  A Place to Call Home   By Rebecca Bigler, Oak 7   When Oak 7, a National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) team, came to Columbus, Ohio seven weeks ago to assist Habitat for Humanity of Greater Columbus, they received a shock driving to their housing for the first time. On nearly every street were boarded up houses, vacant from what looked like a few weeks to a few years.

  Ceremonies held at Prairie High School   Kirkwood Community College will soon honor more than 2,750 students taking positive steps for their futures. The college will hold commencement ceremonies for its college credit and GED/adult high school programs this week. Both ceremonies will be held at Prairie High School in Cedar Rapids.

  The Sartori Memorial Hospital Auxiliary is pleased to announce the recipients of their 2012-13 scholarship program.  Recognition was given at the Auxiliary’s 73rd Annual May Breakfast on May 8, 2012, and the $1750 scholarships will be paid directly to the institution where the students will be enrolled full-time this fall.    Tess Noeller of Vinton has been awarded the Sartori Auxiliary Scholarship for the 2012-2013 academic year.

  Alicia Rieck, a native of Blairstown and student at Central College, was accepted to Central College Abroad's study abroad program in London, England, for the fall 2012 semester. Central College Abroad is a university-based study abroad provider for undergraduate students from colleges and universities throughout the United States.

"She was smiling the whole time! She wouldn't stop saying, 'This is awesome!'" That is how one area Girl Scout described another Girl Scout's reaction on Saturday, when Scouts from the area gathered at the Vinton Airport for a Fly Iowa and Young Eagles event. After a weather delay, the girls flew with members of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) in a variety of planes, including the Long-EZ.

  The Iowa Braille swimming and forensics teams traveled to Faribault, Minnesota, April 27-29 to compete in the North Central Association of the Blind’s conference meet. Eleven states were represented in this competition. Students competing in swimming were Lauren Berglund, Breanna Sheridan, Alexis Long, Adam Morgan, Terrance Hughes, and Alex Gillaspie.

  There is a new application for smart phones which will help those who want to volunteer to find places that need help. The ap, which is believed to be the first of its kind in the United States, is free to download and allows users to map volunteer opportunities in Cedar Rapids.   For more and a short video click HERE:    The app was developed by Karl Becker, an Eastern Iowa developer.

  The Vinton area Girls Scouts will continue their 100th anniversary celebration on Saturday, May 5, at the Vinton airport. "As long as the weather cooperates with us , there will be a gathering of Young Eagles sponsored by EEA Chapter 33 with experienced pilots bringing in their crew of planes to give introductory flights to boys & girls, age 8-17, provided a parent or guardian is available to sign the registration giving them permission for take-off," says Scout leader Judi Scheiner.