News

In October, Clipper Corner held a raffle to raise money for the Gift of Hope program that offers help to those facing a breast cancer diagnosis. Clipper Corner raffled a pink purse full of over $300 worth of products at this event.  The winner of the raffle was Kelly Lokenvitz. Money raised through this raffle, in the amount of $725 was presented by Mary Barkdoll the owner of Clipper Corner, to Robin Martin from Virginia Gay Hospital.

The Vinton Lions Club held their chili supper at the fire station on the night of the Patriotic Christmas Parade in an effort to raise money to donate to the Eastern Iowa Honor Flights. Raising $3,100, the club made it possible to send 6 veterans to Washington D.C. The Eastern Iowa Honor Flights is a non-profit organization that relies fully on private, public and corporate donations in order to make these trips happen for our WWII, Korea and Vietnam War Veterans.

Written by Melody Snow On Behalf of the BCHS This isn’t going to be one of my usual articles that I write on behalf of the Benton County Historical Society (BCHS). It’s not an article trying to spark an interest within your soul. Nothing to pique your curiosity. This is going to be an “in your face”, forget the niceties, and “tell it like it is” article.

The 9th Annual Tree Walk is now in the books. Thanks to the Sole Corporate Sponsor, Farmers Savings Bank and the generous folks in the community, Virginia Gay Hospital was able to raise $11,295. The lobby was filled with many donations from the area from trees, to wreaths and other items kindly donated to the effort. The display is something that needs to be put on your annual "must see" at Christmas time! The following list includes the name of the person or business donating the item, followed by the name of the item and the purchaser.

The annual Koop's Sales and Service Christmas Toy Drive is under way. Jeremy Koopman and his staff at the auto dealership have begun collecting donated toys for distribution through Horizons. All the toys will stay here in Benton County, says employee Beckie Hobbs. "I love doing this," says Beckie. "Each year we collect more and more toys, and I wish I could see the faces of the kids that get them.

It will be a year or so before Jesse Santiago Munoz-Crane's doctors determine just how effective the bone marrow transplant from his brother will be in helping him overcome his Severe Combined Immune Disorder (SCID). And while his family faces a very long journey with their infant son, they saw on Sunday just how many people are willing to be part of that journey.

While most of us are driving to our family's house for Thanksgiving, there are folks running the gas station, like Emily at John's Quick Stop. She was there today with a smile and greeting the customers. And let's hope none of us need to call these two, Chief of Police Ted Paxton or Ben Parmeter, one of our Vinton Police Officers who are working today, but if we do, just know that they are there and happy to serve.

I know some will ask, it happens every year, and the answer is, "Yes!" Yes, the Kersten light display will go on as usual this year. Yes, it starts tonight, Thanksgiving night and will run through December 27th. YES, PLEASE leave Shorty with a healthy snack to help cover the cost of the display! Have a Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Located at 314 North K Ave. (the old Bright's Piano Building), in Vinton, is a new store called, "Bright's Toys and More" The store is offering a selection of new toys and household items for sale. They are only able to accept cash at this time. Their store hours are Monday-Tuesday, 1:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. and Wednesday-Saturday 10:00 a.

 As we prepare to celebrate Vinton’s 150 years, plans have been made to celebrate and honor 150 women making a difference in the Vinton area.   We are asking for your help in identifying these special women of our past and present day. Perhaps someone you knew or heard about in the past. Perhaps someone who impacted you or your family in a special way.