Et Cetera

 Once again, Benton Soil & Water Conservation District (Benton SWCD) will be recognizing two students interested in conservation and agriculture by offering scholarships. Benton County High School Class of 2024 students pursuing programs of study in any field of conservation or agriculture are eligible for the Conservation Scholarship. While many college majors qualify, preference will be given to students pursuing programs of study in conservation.

 The following students graduated from Mount Mercy in December.  Located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Mount Mercy University is the regional Catholic, Mercy University that promises students of diverse backgrounds, ages, and faiths a challenging, practical education that inspires them to discover knowledge, build community, and live their values.

The Boy From the Woods by Harlan Cobin "Did you hear about the little boy that they found in the woods behind the Crimstein house?" "The doctors say he's six to eight, but the kid doesn't remember anything before the woods- no name or birthday, even!" "Yeah, he's been playing with David Crimstein for 'a long time', and Hester says she's heard David talking; he said it was an imaginary friend, and she never checked!" "Guess he's been breaking into summer cottages and cabins and stealing food and supplies!" "Says he learned to talk from watching TV in the cabins!" "I heard he's staying with the Crimsteins until they find out who he is!" Can you just imagine all of the talk in town? The curiosity, the questions, the search for answers? But the town never found out who he was.

Aspen Ahrenholz of Vinton made the Dean’s List at Luther College for the Fall 2023 semester. To be named to the Dean's List, a student must earn a semester grade point average of 3.5 or better on a 4.0 scale.Luther College’s Fall 2023 Dean’s List includes 570 students; 107 first-years, 106 sophomores, 143 juniors and 214 seniors.About Luther CollegeAt Luther College in beautiful Decorah, Iowa, students explore big questions and take action to benefit people, communities and society.

Valuable resource for arborists, industry professionals, students and educatorsThe Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Shade Tree Short Course will be held Feb. 21-22 at the Scheman Building on Iowa State’s campus. This is the 68th year for the course, which began in the mid 1950s and has grown to become one of the most popular and well-attended tree care conferences of its kind in the country.

United Way Now Taking Appointments for Critical Community ServiceScheduling for VITA, a free tax preparation program, now available United Way of East Central Iowa (UWECI) opened its free service; Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) to the public on Thursday, Jan 18. by taking appointments online and over the phone. Tax preparation can be a confusing and expensive process for many individuals and families.

Oh. My. Goodness! Recommended to me by a friend, this is hands-down the chillingest, twistiest, can’t-put-it-down book I’ve read in a long time! (I don’t even know if a couple of those words are actual words, but they should be!)I just finished ‘The Only One Left’ by Riley Sager, and I am an instant fan! Most of you have probably heard the story of Lizzie Borden and you may have even sung the little ditty.

We're excited to let you know that a student(s) from your area has made the Iowa Central President's or Dean's list for the fall 2023 semester! President's List (4.0 GPA, minimum 6 credit hours)Dean's List (3.5-3.99 GPA, minimum 6 credit hours)Dysart Dean's List - Ava CorpmanPresident's List - Ava CorpmanCenter Point President's List - Kara PerryV

Applications are available online for the Wallace Winkie Foundation. To find the application, click on the following link:  https://www.parkitvirtualmuseum.com/scholarships-for-nontraditional-students.htmlThe scholarships/grants are available to nontraditional students in the four-county area (Benton, Iowa, Powesheik, and Tama) but will consider applications from outside this area.

VPL Note: We have 'The Vacation' by John Marrs available in regular type. It currently has 4/5 stars on Goodreads.How far would you run to escape your past?For eight strangers in a Los Angeles backpacking hostel, even the other side of the world isn’t far enough.The craving for a new identity and the chance to start again is something they have in common.