News : Remembering 2012: RAGBRAI was highlight of July

A fishing rod was among the gifts Gary Simnacher received upon his retirement from Fareway in July.

Crews set up a large bicycle model to welcome RAGBRAI riders.

Vinton Cruise spectators met Fluffly, Melissa McBride's 1965 Ford, at the 2012 event.

2012 Fair Queen Felicia Hertle, left, and Princess Natalie Hanson ride the Ferris Wheel.

More than 10,000 people pedaled through Vinton, Garrison and Shellsburg in July as the RAGBRAI bicycle ride wound through Benton County. Committees in all three towns worked for nearly a year to welcome the riders and help area groups set up booths and concession stands.

On July 11, many people remembered the previous July 11 wind storm, even as property owners and city leaders continued working on removing trees damaged by the 130 mph winds (and stumps of those trees)..

Another piece of local history that came to an end was the 43-year career of waterball participant Paul Schellhase; he and his brother won many championships in Garrison in the 1970s, and Paul continued to participate until 2011. But in Vinton, in July 2012, he stood on the curb, watching many firemen who were born during his four decades of waterball fights.

Another decades-long career came to an end when Gary Simnacher retired from Fareway after a half century of working for the Vinton grocery store.

Sharon Rhinehart also retired from the Vinton library, where she had been children's librarian for more than 18 years.

Another milestone gave Vinton residents cause to celebrate when Amanda Jertson became the first member in the 100-year history of Bethlehem Lutheran Church to be ordained into the ministry. The church will celebrate its Centennial this year.