Et Cetera

  The annual meeting and educational program of the Northeast ISU Research and Demonstration Farm will be Tuesday March 27 at the Borlaug Learning Center, Northeast ISU Research Farm, Nashua. The program begins at 9:30 a.m. Topics include an address from Steven Leath, President of Iowa State University; Roger McEowen from the Center for Agricultural Law & Taxation will discuss his Top Ten Ag Law Issues Affecting Iowa Farmers; and Ken Pecinovsky farm superintendent will present results from many of the 2011 Research Farm Trials.

  Kevin Kraus, Luther College vice president for academic affairs and dean of the college, has announced that 858 Luther College students were named to the 2011 fall semester Dean's List. Luther junior Addy Rickels of Vinton, Iowa was named to Luther's Dean's List. Luther junior Audrey Tran Lam of Vinton, Iowa was named to Luther's Dean's List.

  Rep. Dawn Pettengill (R-Mt. Auburn) and Speaker Kraig Paulsen (R-Hiawatha) welcomed Andrew Novotny of Walker to the Capitol on this week. Andrew job shadowed ep. Pettengill for the day.

Irene Geiger will celebrate her 90th birthday with an open house from 2 to 4 pm. Saturday, Feb. 18, at the Wesley United Methodist Church Fireplace Room, at 516 2nd Ave., Vinton. Hosting the party are Irene's descendants, which include three children, six grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren.  Everyone is welcome; no gifts, please.

  The following students were named to the fall 2011 dean's list at Central College: Amy Andrews of Shellsburg, a freshman , daughter of Kenton Andrews and Pamela Andrews Kathryn Manternach of Watkins, a junior mathematics major, daughter of Stephen and Barbara Manternach Jackie McMahan of Newhall, a senior computer science major, son of Don and Nancy McMahan Samantha Retz of Newhall, a senior biology and biochemistry major, daughter of Drew and Carmel Retz The honor is awarded to full-time students who achieve a 3.

  Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is offering a course for folks who want to reconnect with the land, grow food for their own use and create a sustainable landscape. Homegrown Lifestyle will be offered by ISU Extension at both Linn & Johnson Counties on Thursday evenings from 6-9 p.m. beginning March 29 and ending June 14.

    Name: Emily Ostroff Hometown: Dedham, Massachusetts   Emily is the Class 18 Team Leader for Fire Team Maple 4 at the NCCC campus. This is her third year of service in AmeriCorps. She previously served two years at City Year Boston, her first year as a Corps Member and a second year as the Team Leader on the Civic Engagement team.

  Name: Dania Munnigh Hometown: Sahuarita, Arizona   Dania began her second term with NCCC in January 2012. She is currently the Team Leader for Cedar 7 at the Vinton campus and will lead a team of Corps Members on four to seven projects through November 2012. Her team will start serving on projects starting March 12, 2012 after completing four weeks of training in Vinton.

  Name: Courtney Miskell Hometown: Auburn, New York   Courtney graduated from Auburn High School in 2006 and Marist College in 2010 with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication, Concentration in Public Relations. Prior to joining NCCC in 2011, Courtney worked in an internship in Washington D.C.   Courtney served as a Class 17 Corps Member at the Perry Point, Maryland campus in 2011.

  The Central College music department welcomed over 75 students from 14 high schools across Iowa Jan. 26 for Bandfest 2012, with the day culminating in the Bandfest Concert in Douwstra Auditorium. The following local students participated: Jessie Simpson, Belle Plaine High School, clarinet Mason Stull, Belle Plaine High School, tenor saxophone Mily Coover, Belle Plaine High School, clarinet Molly O'Brien, Belle Plaine High School, flute The performance paired visiting student musicians with the Central College Symphonic Wind Ensemble to perform music from Leonard Bernstein's "West Side Story," as well as from Frank Ticheli's "Shenandoah," Jay Chattaway's "Spanish Fever," Jari Villanueva's arrangement of "Amazing Grace" and Percy Aldridge Grainger's rendition of Irish Tune from County Derry.