News

One of the lessons that Vinton-Shellsburg Middle School 8th graders most eagerly anticipate each year took place on Thursday, when history teacher Alex Vasquez again put on his Civil War uniform. Each year, Mr. Vasquez wraps up his Civil War unit with an outdoor marching demonstration. He teaches the students how a century and a half ago, new enlistees learned how to stand shoulder-to-shoulder, from tallest to shortest.

The giant stone for the Benton County Freedom Rock has been chosen and is in place next to the Ray & Virginia Boyer American Legion Post 166 in Shellsburg. Before any decisions or progress can be made, the Freedom Rock Committee needs countywide input. Committe memers are lookign for need, and suggestions for possible fundraising ideas, landscaping and referrals for services to make this project happen.

Area veterans invite all local residents to celebrate Memorial Day with them this Monday, May 25. The schedule of events are: 8:00 AM Military Honors at Maplewood Cemetery, in honor of the veterans buried there. 8:15 AM Military Honors at St Mary's Cemetery, in honor of the veterans buried there. 8:30 AM Military Honors at Evergreen Cemetery, in honor of the veterans buried there.

The Vinton Public Library will be closed on Monday, May 25th in honor of Memorial Day. Be sure to stop in and check out a few books to get you through the long weekend!

     Just 3 years ago, Vinton had the honor and pleasure to host the thousands of RAGBRAI riders for some much needed rest and relaxation as they stopped for lunch on their way through to Cedar Rapids for their overnight stay.  It was a hot and sunny afternoon ~ perfect for parking bikes downtown and taking full advantage of the many things that we had planned in order to make their brief stay as enjoyable as possible!   And enjoyable, it must have been, because those 10,000 (+) RAGBRAI riders are coming back to see us again this July 23rd!    The route for our guests will be much like it was in 2012.

The era of artificial turf is in progress in Vinton, where workers have taken the first steps toward replacing the grass with an artificial turf, along with resurfacing the track and other improvements.  The work is expected to be completed in time for the first football game of the 2015 season.  The contribution of local donors and sponsors was a key part in allowing the district to move forward with this project at this time.

The Vinton-Shellsburg Middle School students displayed their musical and artistic talents Monday during Fine Arts Night. Band and choir members in grades 6-8 performed a variety of music in the gym. In the lunch room, hundreds of art projects were on display for students to show friends and family.  See the video of concert on the school's Cube page HERE.

Even though the Friends of the Shelter Shoe campaign was over May 15, the members of the organization have not yet received word on when the truck will arrive to pick up the rest of the shoes. So, the effort to collect used shoes will continue a few more days. The shoes may be dropped at the FOTSI adoption center on 4th Street, across from the Palace, when they aren't open or brought in Thursdays from 1-7 p.

On May 9th, 2015 the Vinton-Shellsburg FFA Chapter hosted the annual FFA Awards Banquet at the Vinton-Shellsburg High School. The meal was served at 7 with the ceremony following dinner. At the ceremony, many FFA members and community members received multiple awards. The awards and recognitions that were presented at the awards banquet include the top corn yields, sub-district awards, district awards, state awards, Iowa Degree recipients, the Academic Achievement Awards, State Chapter Awards, CDE Awards, Star Awards, Leadership-Merit Awards, Fruit Sale recognition, Proficiency Awards, State Proficiency Awards, SAE Awards, Chapter Scholars, Outstanding Classmen Awards, Dekalb Winner, Senior Service Award, Scholarships, Honorary Degrees, and Appreciation Awards for the contribution of the chapter’s Crop Plot, help with CDEs and labor auction’s, as well as contributions through various other ways for the chapter throughout the year.

On May 13th, 2015 four Vinton-Shellsburg FFA Chapter members went to Iowa Falls for the District Horse Judging contest. The members who  attended the CDE included Logan Grabin, Wes Haefner, Sadie Novotny, and Meranda Sanders. While at Horse Judging the members judged horses based on body type, muscle tone, coats, lameness, and scars upon the horses body.