Et Cetera

Meet Barrett! He stopped by the library to return a book—and not just any book. He told the Children's Librarian how much he loved reading 'A Work in Progress' by Jarrett Lerner. Barrett liked it so much, he said every kid should read it!So, we had an idea: “Barrett, want to write a book review?”He gave a big smile and said, “Yes!”Here’s what he wrote.

 Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs (IDVA) has posted entry applications for the Aug. 11th Veterans Day at the Iowa State Fair Parade on the departmental website at dva.iowa.gov.All veterans and supporters are invited to participate with an application.   This year's theme is the 50th Anniversary Commemoration of the Vietnam War, and Vietnam veterans will be at the heart of the parade.

George and Diane Kristjanson will observe their 50th anniversary this month.The couple were married June 25, 1975 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Marion, Iowa.They are parents to four children and seven grandchildren.A family dinner will be held later this summer.Please help them mark this milestone by sending cards and good wishes to2824 64th St., Shellsburg, IA 52332.

I recently read two books by Kevin Wilson, and he really surprised me as an author. With ‘Nothing To See Here,’ I anticipated a quirky and colorful appetizer of a book. It ended up being so interesting, so unique, and so satisfying that I lingered and savored it as a main course. He starts out with an unbelievably bizarre premise: a young woman without any better alternatives agrees to babysit for siblings that are known to spontaneously catch on fire.

Loras College has announced the names of students who earned a bachelor's degree or master's degree in 2025. Of Shellsburg, Madi Atkinson

In college, I was mesmerized by 'Lolita' by Vladimir Nabokov—it was the late '90s, and it struck me as a dark, twisted romance. But after reading 'My Dark Vanessa' by Kate Elizabeth Russell, my view has shifted sharply. Russell's novel tells the harrowing story of 15-year-old Vanessa Wye, an outsider and only child who is drawn into a manipulative, abusive relationship with her much older teacher at a prestigious boarding school.

Hawkeye Community College announces the Dean's List for the spring 2025 semester. The Dean's List is an official recognition of outstanding academic accomplishment by full-time students. To make the Dean’s List, an individual must be a full-time student and successfully complete 12 or more credits in the fall or spring semesters with a semester GPA of 3.

More than 11,300 Iowa State University students have been recognized for outstanding academic achievement by being named to the 2025 spring semester Dean's List. Students named to the Dean's List must earn a grade point average of at least 3.50 on a 4.00 scale while carrying a minimum of 12 credit hours of graded course work. Atkins, Iowa Steven Micheal Block, Supply Chain Management, B.

The following students graduated from Mount Mercy in May.  Located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Mount Mercy University is the regional Catholic, Mercy University that promises students of diverse backgrounds, ages and faiths a challenging, practical education that inspires them to discover knowledge, build community and live their values. Mount Mercy provides a forward-thinking, future-focused education, offering baccalaureate and graduate education to 1,400+ enrolled students and uniquely blending a quality liberal arts education with career-focused professional preparation.

Hawkeye Community College is excited to announce a new Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in Business Administration, designed specifically for working adults looking to advance in their careers or pivot into new opportunities in the business world.This flexible, career-focused program offers online, hybrid, and in-person class options, allowing students to tailor their education to fit their busy schedules.