News : Area Students begin the holiday festivities by hanging the Greenery

It's always fun to see the town begin to get ready for Christmas, (I know we haven't had Thanksgiving yet) and part of that is the annual hanging the greenery Area Vinton-Shellsburg students decorated local businesses greenery on Saturday, preparing the city for its first Christmas events of the season. The greenery project is a fund-raiser for GOVS, the VS scholarship program. Organized by Sandy Hamilton the students went to work! Pictured are:Brianna Lundvall, Zanda Graves, Jordan Pattee and Catie Steele. Several events and promotions begin this week. Holiday Open House The Vinton Unlimited Holiday Open House takes place from noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 18, when many stores will offer exceptional deals, samples, tastings and music. Beginning November 18, many stores will be open Sunday afternoons through Christmas. Santa’s mailbox will also be available in front of LaGrange Pharmacy starting on November 18 through December 21. Holiday Punch Card program Back by popular demand, Vinton Unlimited is offering a ‘holiday lights‘ punch card to be used during the holiday shopping season! For every $10 spent, receive one punch. Completed cards will be entered to win weekly prizes of Vinton Value Dollars and one grand prize. DOUBLE PUNCHES will be available on the Holiday Open House and Small Business Saturday. Promotion runs November 18, 2018 thru December 24, 2018. 2018 Participating Businesses include: Arnold Motor Supply Cameron Clothing Cedar River Ink Henkle Creek Mercantile Jessy’s Gem Gallery Kromminga Motors LaGrange Pharmacy McDowell’s Michael & Dowd Nature’s Corner Nick’s TV & Appliance Shopko SpecWar Tactical Three D Kitchens Tootsie’s Ice Cream & More Unique Metal Artwork by June Stein Viking Sewing Completed cards can be entered into weekly drawings for Vinton Value Dollars and one grand prize. . Parade set for Thursday; Santa to visit children after arriving at Courthouse The Eigth Annual Veterans Patriotic Christmas Parade takes place Thursday, Nov. 15, at 6 p.m. The last vehicle in the parade is a Vinton fire truck, with Santa on board. He will then visit children at the Courthouse after the parade. See more details about the lighted parade HERE. Zero Percent Holiday Loan Program To continue our efforts to promote shopping in Vinton, we are again offering the 0% Holiday Loan Program. This program allows shoppers to borrow money from Farmers Savings Bank at 0% interest until May 1, 2019 to make purchases at participating businesses. The bank participating in this VU promotion this year is Farmers Savings Bank. The process is easy as 1 – 2 – 3! Stop into Farmers Savings Bank and fill out the paperwork. A $10 application fee per person will apply and is due at the time application. You do NOT need to be a current customer at the bank to participate. Start shopping at any of the participating businesses! Pick up your Christmas gifts! Need a new snow blower? Been putting off buying that new couch? Now is the time! Repay your loan by May 1, 2019 and pay NO INTEREST! Any loans not paid off by May 1, 2019 will start to accrue standard bank interest. Participating businesses include Arnold Motor Supply, Cameron Clothing, Ervin Motor Company, Henkle Creek Mercantile, Jessy’s Gem Gallery, Koop’s Automotive, LaGrange Pharmacy, McDowells, Michael & Dowd, Nature’s Corner, Nicks TV & Appliance, Rabe Home Comfort, SpecWar Tactical, Theisens, Viking Sewing, Three D Kitchens, Unique Metal Artwork by June Stein. The 0% Holiday Loan Program runs November 1, 2018 through December 31, 2018 but don’t waste any time! Head down to the bank today to get signed up!