Et Cetera

 Scholarships now available for new students pursuing a bachelor’s or master’s degree in 2023With the New Year approaching, many individuals are making resolutions to change or improve their lives in 2023. One of the resolutions adults often make is going back to college to earn their degrees and advance their careers. Since taking the steps to go back to school can be daunting, especially for those who have not been to school in years, Western Governors University (WGU) has put together a list of tips to keep in mind to help with choosing the right college and degree path.

On December 12, Mount Mercy University pinned over 50 nursing graduates at the Nursing Pinning Ceremony. Graduates Madison Lambert '22 and Amery Barbee '22 were featured as student speakers at the event and read the class poem.  The following nursing student received their pins at the Nursing Pinning Ceremony: Vinton,  Emily FisherCongratulations nursing graduates! 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.

A Trio of Children's Books          Reviewed by Connie Bennett                  Sophie's Masterpiece                 By Eileen Spinelli                                               Children's Fiction                                                AR  3.

Parents Entered in Drawing After Receiving College and Career Planning Information for Their StudentsThirty-eight Iowa parents and guardians each received $250 in college savings deposits after their entries were randomly selected in a quarterly drawing sponsored by Iowa Student Loan Liquidity Corporation®. The winners were among 849 eligible participants who entered after receiving free college and career planning information for their middle and high school students.

 Burn                       Patrick Ness                                                    Young Adult                                                    Science Fiction                                                    Reviewed by                                                    Connie Bennett          Jump into the Wayback Machine, Ladies and Gentlemen,  as I spin a tale of a dragon with a prophecy, in the far-off world of a "universe almost our own", in the year 1957.

Dashing Through the SnowBy Debbie MacomberReviewed by Connie Bennett, Vinton Public Library ClerkFiction (Trending)ContemporaryRomanceThis wildly popular author currently has several new books at Vinton Public Library. This particular one is available at VPL as an audiobook on CDs, as well as two copies of the book itself. In addition, the Libby app has one copy available in eBook form, and has one audiobook.

  Finding Winnie                      By Lindsay Mattick                              Children's Easy Picture Book                              True Story of Winnie the Pooh                              Photographs Included                              Reviewed by Connie Bennett                                        I know that some of you will see this as "cheating", since it a children's book, and only one book at that, but I sincerely hope you read and enjoy this book and then share the story!  It truly is "for all ages"!           I'm assuming that everyone is familiar with Winnie the Pooh, who has been a children’s favorite for decades.

Roll the Wagons                    William Heuman                                                 Large Type                                                 Western                                                 Reviewed by                                                 Connie Bennett          Readers of Westerns, I have a new offering for you, and as an added bonus, it's a large type edition!  After reading this review, I'm sure you'll want to grab up this one!          It all starts out on a sweltering hot day at 2:09 PM, on a trip with a freight-hauling company, Rocky Mountain Freighting.

 Lending a Paw                      By Laurie Cass                                                Large Print                                                Fiction                                                Mystery                                                Reviewed By                                                             Connie Bennett          This time around, I looked for something light-hearted and easy to read.

Christmas BellsBy Jennifer ChiaveriniHistorical Fiction/BiographyReviewed by Connie Bennett         Although this book claims to be a work of fiction, it has so many references to the very thoughts and attitudes of world-famous writer and poet, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, that I would personally consider it more of a biography.