Et Cetera

In today’s slang flexing has nothing to do with going to the gym and showing off your muscles. To “flex” is simply bragging about things that you think are cool. Social media and the internet have made our world smaller and have given people a platform to flex about all kinds of weird, unusual, bizarre, or even questionable things. But one thing we shouldn’t be flexing on is when someone texts and drives.

I might just be Alison Espach's #1 fan. 'Notes on Your Sudden Disappearance' is a dark, coming-of-age character study on how grief shapes us. Enter: young Sally Holt. Sally narrates life after a traumatic car accident that kills her older sister, warps her parents lives into something almost unrecognizable, and leads her down a path that forever connects her to the boy driving the car that killed her sister.

Vinton Shellsburg Class of 2022 graduate Graham Henkle was recently welcomed into the University of Iowa School of Pharmacy during a ceremony held in Hancher Auditorium.  On August 24, 2024, 115 first year pharmacy students received their white coats and recited the oath of a pharmacist.  Graham is the son of Luke and Kelly Henkle, and grandson of Lowell and Sherri Henkle, John and Deb Ketchen, and Jerry and Kathy Blank, and the great-grandson of Keith Elwick, all of Vinton.

 Concordia University Wisconsin officials have released the Spring Honors List for the 2023-24 academic year. To be eligible for the honor, students must achieve a minimum 3.60 GPA and complete at least 12 undergraduate credits. Among the area students named to the list were: Hannah Woodley, of Atkins, Sophomore, Early Childhood and Elementary Founded in 1881, Concordia University Wisconsin, 12800 North Lake Shore Drive, Mequon, offers over 70 undergraduate majors and is affiliated with The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.

Hello western fans! I'm back with a brand new book (sort of), first published in 1964 but now republished by Golden West, Inc.In a tale almost as old as time, we have the story of a young, impetuous boy who made some mistakes that landed him in prison for five years. Now he wants to go straight, having paid his debt to society. Unfortunately for him, trouble is brewing in the valley where he was raised, and a quick stop to put to rest some ghosts from the past turns into an all-out war with the same ruthless gang that sent him away and who are only too anxious to do it again!Soon there is gunplay, engineered by the self-appointed 'Boss' of the town, and the weak, crooked sheriff.

Did you know that most of the pedestrian fatalities in Iowa are not people getting hit as they cross a city street? In 2023, 22 of the 30 pedestrian fatalities were on roadways with a speed limit of 55 or higher when they are doing things like walking “amuck” outside of their car tending to a breakdown.No matter how good of a shape you keep your car in, at some point, you may find yourself stranded along the side of the road with a flat tire, engine troubles, no gas, or a myriad of other issues.

I'm a big fan of the thriller/suspense genre.  When I found out Blake Likely will be starring in this page-to-screen adaptation on Netflix of 'We Used To Live Here' by Marcus Kliewer, it was the icing on the cake! Eve and Charlie are house flippers and recently purchased a house away from the cities. While Eve was working on the house, she got an unexpected knock on the door from the previous owner who wanted to give his family a quick tour.

We are pleased to welcome Cheryl as a library volunteer! Cheryl is an avid reader and quilter and is helping lead our library's Community Quilt Project this Fall. Here is her review of the second book in the 'Boys of Tommen' series by Chloe Walsh titled "Keeping 13."Every girl should have a guy who is so devoted to her. I could believe the harsh storyline as I've known families like the Lynches.

By Christine HensleyIowa Student Loan Liquidity Corporation Board MemberFor many families, the plan of how to pay for college is uncertain. And trying to figure out that plan can be intimidating.But college can be within reach, even for those with modest incomes, as long as saving begins early. Reasonable, small monthly savings, if started when kids are young, can benefit from compound interest and earnings.

Review of 'Glass' by Kathryn LaskyAlthough this book has "A Cinderella Tale" printed on the cover, it really didn't have that much in common with the classic. There was, of course, the ubiquitous glass slipper, but not exactly as it appeared the first time. Bess does have a father, and instead of the wicked stepmother and wicked stepsisters, we have "Grannie Craft," a wand and a witch!Beautiful young Bess is a member of a family of glassblowers, renowned for their exquisite work.