News
FFA Members Strengthen Leadership Skills through IAT Conference
By: Co-Reporter, Izzie BirkerThe first annual IAT Conference took place on the 11th of November. The Vinton-Shellsburg FFA got the chance to take fourteen members to the FFA Enrichment Center for a fun day full of games, dancing, music, making new friends, and great messages on how to be a strong leader from the state officers. To start the conference, the students who attended were split up by grade level. New member added to the Kidsight Screening Team
In 1925 Helen Keller spoke to the Lions Club International Convention asking them to become involved with supporting the blind and visually impaired. We continue that today. The Vinton Lions Club through Iowa Kidsight at the University of Iowa does eye screening of children between 6 months and 5 years of age at public schools, preschools, daycares, and special events. Raegan’s Relief Veterans Christmas December 15, 2023
It will be the 12th year for Raegan Junge's annual Christmas party just for veterans. The now 17-year-old will host "Raegan's Relief Veterans Christmas" welcoming veterans to a time of celebrating not only the season, but each veteran. When Junge was just six years old, she began a nonprofit and held the first Veteran's Christmas. The event brought 30 veterans for the then six-year-old. Lights, camera, sibling rivalry at Christmas
It's that time of the year. The lights are pulled from the attic, the Christmas tree is up and the sibling rivalry kicks off. Well, not for everyone, but in Vinton it is! In a Facebook post, Kord Sellers poked at his brother Dakoda in a bit of Christmas fun. He said in his post about his light display at 1307 B Ave. "Fun facts about the lights:- There are about 2500 individual LEDs in my show, each fully and individually programmable. Salvation Army bell ringers continue to help Benton County
Thank you to all those who are ringing the bell for the Salvation Army. You are doing a great job!It's just fun to look at pictures. We can't get pictures of everyone ringing, but here are a few.And here is some great news...... We received a 1 ounce gold coin in the kettle on Saturday, Dec 2nd!!We are grateful for the generosity of this unknown donor. Week 2 winner of the Holiday Lights Punch Card drawing is Doug Schneider!
Doug shopped locally in Vinton and won $50 in Vinton Value Dollars! Every week between now and Christmas, Vinton Unlimited will be drawing a winner in their Holiday Lights Punch Card Buy Local shopping incentive. Cards can be picked up at any of the participating businesses, shoppers will receive one punch on their card for every $10 they spend at those stores, when they fill in a card (10 punches) their card is placed in the weekly drawing. Vinton Lions Club makes presentation to VS Booster Club
Each year the Vinton Lions Club teams up with the Vinton/Shellsburg Booster Club to provide concession food at the VSHS varsity football games. All proceeds from the Vinton Lions Club concession trailer at the games go directly to the Booster Club. Despite bad weather and only four games, the Vinton Lions Club presented a check for $2000 to the Booster Club. Benton County 4-Hers Excel on National Stage
Four 4-H members from Benton County recently represented Iowa on November 14 the National 4-H Livestock Quiz Bowl competition, placing third in the nation.Team members Steiger Manson, Olivia Hanson, Josh Wiley, and William Kroneman qualified for the contest by winning the state 4-H competition in April. They traveled to Louisville, Ky. for the national contest, which was held in conjunction with the North American International Livestock Exposition. Kirkwood’s Workplace Learning Connection speaks to Lions Club
Kirkwood’s Workplace Learning Connection (WLC) presenter, Laura Miner, the Work-Based Learning Coordinator, spoke to the area Lions Club about WLC’s mission, purpose and impact in our region. WLC, a department of Kirkwood Community College, works to serve as the central connection piece between schools and businesses for real-life, in-time, workplace experiences. VFW Presents Stephenson with Voice of Democracy Certificate
The Veterans of Foreign Wars members Dale Henry and Jerry Huffman presented Grace Q Stephenson (Senior at Vinton-Shellsburg High School) with a Certificate for her Voice of Democracy essay and a monetary award.She has entered an essay for the competition the last two years. Last year Grace placed fourth place at the Department of Iowa Voice of Democracy out of ten Districts.