Mackenzie Spears of Byfield, Mass.,  is serving as a member of the NCCC FEMA Corps team Hickory 1 at the Vinton Campus. She chose to participate in AmeriCorps NCCC FEMA Corps because she wanted to grow as a person and to have the opportunity to change lives for the better.

  By: Nicholas Meyers   Cedar 5 was met with rolling hills, green trees and a sky of blue as they arrived in Custer, South Dakota.

Melody Jones, from Berlin, Wis., is a member of Oak 7 in NCCC’s Class 19. She arrived in Vinton on February 5, 2013, to start her 10-month service term on a team of people between the ages of 18 and 24.

To celebrate its 100 years Bethlehem Lutheran Church is giving to different organizations a $100 gift.  Each month a different organization or group is selected and presented a check.

The following students were named to the spring 2013 Central College dean's list: Amy Andrews of Shellsburg, majoring in communication studies and enviromental studies, is the daughter of Kenton and Pamela Andrews Alyson Garwood of Dysart, majoring in sociology, is the daughter of Scott and Leann Garwood Samantha Retz of Newhall, majoring in biochemistry, is the daughter of Drew and Carmel Retz Christian Rich of Vinton, majoring in business management, is the son of Kurt and Jane Rich Alicia Rieck of Blairstown, majoring in communication studies, is the daughter of Jeffrey and Rebecca Rieck The honor is awarded to full-time students who achieve a 3.

By Ilexis Elba & Maryann Walbert Cedar 2 arrived in Rapid City, South Dakota on May 3 for a stay of two months. They are functioning as an extension of staff at Black Hills Works (BHW), a multifaceted facility for individuals with disabilities.

Kimberly Walker of Lawrenceville, Ga., is serving as a member of the NCCC FEMA Corps team Pine 6 at the Vinton Campus. She learned about AmeriCorps NCCC from her college mentor who was an alumnus of the program and she chose to participate in NCCC FEMA Corps because she wanted to help others and challenge herself by venturing outside of her comfort zone.

By Tarsis Gotay & Heather Whitney For the second project, the AmeriCorps NCCC team Maple 6 is serving with a local non-profit neighborhood development organization, Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation (YNDC) in their efforts to revitalize the city of Youngstown, Ohio through multiple projects.

Are you an avid gardener, but would like to know more about gardening, plants and horticulture?  Would you like to meet people who share your interest in gardening?  If so, you may be interested in becoming a MASTER GARDENER.

Greg Carlson of Bainbridge Island, Washington, is serving as a member of the NCCC FEMA Corps team Spruce 3 at the Vinton Campus. He chose to participate in AmeriCorps NCCC FEMA Corps because he wanted to spend some time serving his nation and giving back to the community.