Et Cetera

     The Vinton-Shellsbur Jazz Band went to La Porte City for its first contest of the year, the IHSMA State Jazz Band contest. They received a Division 1 rating. This continues the string of Division 1 ratings the band has received in Marching Band and Jazz Band events. The Jazz Band earned a trip to the Iowa State Jazz Band Championships last year.

  The following students were named to the spring semester dean's list at Northwestern College in St. Paul, Minn. The dean's list includes full-time students with a grade point average (GPA) during the semester of 3.65 (out of 4.0) or higher. Rebecca J Scheil, daughter of Wade & Kathleen Scheil of Vinton.

[VIDEO] It used to be if you had a memory of a time in your childhood, you had that, and maybe a few pictures. Now if you have a memory, google it! Today I was thinking about Dr. Max and Mombo, and remembering all the happy feeling I get at the thought of them. I remember Mombo came to visit our Sunday School and the picture that I have of him.

Back in the day...waaaaay back...here are some pictures of the "future" class of 1981 when they were in the 5th grade! Seemed time appropriate.  The class shown performed in a skit called the "Life of Santa", which they wrote.  This was the class of Doris Richardson. Enjoy a walk down memory lane! 1st Ph

Today we had a surprise visit from our neighbors, the Geigers...the ones who lost their home in a fire earlier this month. For the most part they are doing as well as you possibly can after a loss like this. Their kind daughter has opened their home for them, and it looks like they are all managing as best as they can. They were very appreciative of the donations that have been sent in for them!  They have already started replacing all the paperwork that they lost and have found out that it's pretty expensive just to buy copies of those documents, their advice, "Get a lock box.

Blessed Hope Church celebrated the birth of Christ with the Sunday School children performing a short play. Photos courtesy of Sarah Pohlmann.

The children of the Vinton Presbyterian Church performed their Christmas program, playing the roles of the angels, wise men and others in the story of the birth of Jesus. Photos courtesy of Jeff Holmes, thank Jeff!

  Our sons, Alex, 23 and Elliot, 17, began living in a group home in Marion during October. The opportunity came up for them to live together and be closer to their school and day program.   Their adjustment has been easy and they continue to be as happy as always.   We would like to say “Thank You” to family, friends and our community for loving our boys, saying Hi to them, shaking their hand and just letting them know they are thought of.

  Aaron Koppen of Shellsburg, Iowa was named to the President's List and recognized for outstanding academic accomplishments for the Fall 2010 semester. LeTourneau University Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Robert W. Hudson said being named to the President's List is a significant academic achievement and honor.

As many of you read, Lester and Donna Geiger of Rural Brandon, lost their home and all their belongings in a house fire on Wednesday. If you would like to help this couple out, we will be passing on donations to them. Just address your envelope to: Vinton Today "Geiger's" P.O. Box 7 Vinton, IA 52349 Send wh