The first Benton County Community Health and Wellness Fair will be held at Vinton’s Skate and Activity Center tomorrow (October 4th) from 10am to 2pm.

The Eastern Iowa Orchid Society in cooperation with the Cedar Rapids Parks and Recreation Department is pleased to announce The Third Annual Eastern Iowa Orchid Show and Sale on October 18 & 19th, 2014, at the Noelridge Park Greenhouse, 4900 Council Street NE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52402.

The Vinton Public Library is hosting author Linda McCann on October 9th, at 6:30 p.m.  Linda will be speaking about her newest book, Prohibition in Eastern Iowa which  looks at the 13 year span of time known as "Prohibition" through the lens of Eastern Iowans.

On Sunday, October 5, the Presbyterian Church of Vinton will hold a Blessing of the Animals service at 4 p.m. on the church steps.   A Blessing of the Animals Service is a celebration of pets and animals and their importance in people’s lives.

PEO Chapter HG will meet at the home of Connie Ogier on Oct.13, 2014 at 7:00 PM. Please note the change in time.

On October 11th, the Vinton-Shellsburg FFA Chapter is going to hold their first Fall Festival! The festival will start at 2 pm and end at 7 pm. The purpose of this festival is to raise money for Operation Backpack, which gives nutritional food to those students who don’t have enough at home, while having fun with the whole family! The FFA members are planning a lot of different activities for community members to do throughout the day such as; a corn maze, a hay rack ride, a costume contest (6 pm), a pumpkin carving/decorating contest (6 pm), an apple bobbing contest (6 pm), a pie eating contest (5 pm), a hay bale toss contest (3 pm), and a relay race (4 pm), plus games and a bake sale! Tickets will be sold for 50 cents a piece and are usable at all contests and activities.

Garrison residents are inviting the public to two upcoming events.  Fire Department/Emergency Services breakfast Start Fire Prevention Week off with a full stomach and help a good cause too! SUNDAY MORNING, OCTOBER 5 the Garrison Fire Department and the Emergency Services Auxiliary invite you to a hunger pleasing breakfast of: PANCAKES,  EGGS,   SAUSAGE,   HASH BROWNS andBISCUITS & GRAVY Serving from 7:30 AM—Noon at the Emergency Services Building.

As a fund raiser, the  Vinton American Legion Post 57 will be offering grilled hamburger and pork-burgers in the Fareway parking lot Saturday October 4 from 11AM to 2PM.

A Fall Field Day has been scheduled for Oct. 2, at the Valley Lane Farms near Dysart. Details are below: Fall Field Day October 2nd, 2014

Vinton After 5 club's featured speaker on  Tuesday, Oct. 14 at 6:15 p.m. will be Melissa Gieger. She will be sharing more about her experiences on the two trips she made as a nurse on the Mercy ship to Africa.