Enjoy story time with local author Beanna Stephenson. On Tuesday, August 6 beginning at 10:00 a.m. she will be reading her book, "Twisty the Fly and I go to a Garage Sale.

The Benton County Historical Society is hosting the First Annual Benton County Historical Society Expo on Saturday, August 10th at the Vinton-Shellsburg High School from 10:00am — 4:00pm! There will be 46 vendors, special guests and speakers throughout the day, including four special guests! Admission is $5 and you have access to all vendors, special guests and speakers! Opal & Hazel’s Wood Fired Pizza will be serving lunch, for an additional cost, from 11:00am to 1:00pm in the parking lot.

Join the Campfire Talk about Remarkable Reptiles on August 16, 7:30-8:00 p.m. at Rodgers Park in the Enclosed Shelter.The event is FREE! Join the Naturalist Intern for a presentation about reptiles native to Iowa.

The Cedar-Mt. Auburn Fire Department will be holding a fundraising event on Friday, July 26 from 5-7:30 p.m. at the Mt. Auburn Fire Station. Bring the whole family and enjoy visiting with friends to support your volunteer fire department.

Taste of the Wild Camp will take place on August 15th, from 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. at Benton County Nature Center.The cost is $30 per camper.Have you ever eaten cricket cookies or sipped sumac-ade? This camp is a day for “wild” snacks and a foraged lunch.

Whether you are a naturalist, an artist, a feminist, a mental health advocate, a nonconformist, a history lover, a judicial reformer, or just an amateur student of human nature, Lulu Berry’s story is a lulu.

Natural Inks & Dyes August 10th, 10:00 -11:30 a.m. at Benton County Nature Center$5 per person Come learn about and use natural inks and dyes. Participants will take a brief walk around the nature center to collect plants that can be used to make inks and dyes, learn about the process of making inks and dyes, and then have a chance to dye a canvas tote bag and paint with the inks.

The annual Ice Cream Social at the Lutheran Living Communities will be this Sunday, July 21st, from 2-4:00 p.m. The public is invited to come and show their support while enjoying pie, ice cream, sloppy joes, musical entertainment, children’s area, cake walk, raffle drawing, much, much more.

Toddler Time: Colors in Nature August 9th, 10 a.m. at Benton County Nature Center Free Our smallest nature explorers will observe their environment to search for as many colors as they can find.

Mark your calendar! Iowa State University Insect Zoo will be at the Vinton Public Library on July 23 from 1-2pm! This visit is made possible thanks to a generous patron donation during our Red Carpet Party!!Join the Iowa State University Insect Zoo as we showcase over 100 living arthropods.