Et Cetera

This is one of the features I've been wanting to add to our site, but wasn't sure when we'd get the chance. This week we did. While out at the Theater, we were watching the ads roll by for the local business and heard the folks in the row behind us commenting on them. It was all general chatter, but then we heard a bit more loudly, "Hey, I talked to that guy, he is a really friendly guy.

Tom Engledow of rural Vinton inspects tomatoes on one of his nearly nine foot tall tomato plants.

Bryan, Natalie and brother Tanner Rodman, Dysart, are proud to announce a new addition to their family.Axel Wayne Russell Rodman was born Monday, June 28, 2010 at Covenant Medical Center, Waterloo. He weighed 7 lbs 11.8 oz. and measured 20 1/2 inches long.  Tanner and Axel's grandparents are Russell and Kristy Haefner, Dysart, and Dave and Sue Rodman, Brooklyn.

New staff members  at the Vinton-Shellsburg School District include: V-S High School: Aaron Zuspann, Special Education Teacher Louise Fleming, Agriculture & FFA Sheryl Schafer, Special Education Associate Jim Mochal, Alternative Program Teacher Jessica Butikofer,  Family & Consumer Science Eric Mohlis, Vocal Music   V-S Middle School: Kristin Hallberg, Special Needs Nurse   Shellsburg: Kelsey Blattler, 3rd Grade Katelynn Harms, Half-time Kindergarten Megan Even, Special Education BLC Teacher   Tilford Elementary: Denise Wiley, Library Associate  Angela Sagan, TAG and Guidance.

This summer, Mike and Carolyn Hibbs of Vinton grew this large tomato in their garden. Carolyn said, "It's only takes one slice for a sandwich!" There's nothing like a homegrown tomato!

As you've probably all figured out, I came into this aspect of the "newspaper" business hesitantly. I love what you can do with technology when you can get it to do what you want, and that's where the problem probably lies. But when you learn a new trick with this technology it's almost as thrilling as teaching your child to read.

Every month we draw from all of our e-mail subscribers for a winner of a gift from one of our area businesses. In June L Marie's owner Lisa Holten kindly donated a $10 gift certificate to our winner Judy Renken of Vinton.  Congratulations Judy! If you haven't yet, sign up for our daily e-mail and you could be our next

Now this isn't really something we'd normally do, but I bet there is someone out there that is related to or just loves the combination of the look and history of this picture of a gal in 1882  from Vinton!  Here's the link it is through the Australia Ebay...we of course are not responsible should you lose money on this auction and for some reason this is a scam.

Dillon Brummer, Canton Upstreamers, and David Wrage, Benton County Farm Bureau Federation President, stand by the front of the Benton County Farm Bureau office at 1105 West 9th Street in Vinton.  The 4-H Club Canton Upstreamers recently did a landscape project that will be submitted for judging at this year's Benton County Fair.

The Garrison Betterment Committee has currently been working on securing funds to renovate the city park. Yesterday they received notice that their project is in the running for a $50,000 grant through the Pepsi Refresh Project. They are trying to spread the word for people to vote and vote daily throughout July.  www.refresheverything.