It has been an extremely difficult year, especially with family not being able to visit with loved ones in person due to the COVID-19 health safety protocols put in place by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) last March.We are pleased to share that we have very recently received revised visitation guidance from CMS that now takes into consideration COVID-19 vaccination.

The one-square "Pluggers" comic is a favorite among Americans, especially among those of us who were born before the first Super Bowl. The characters in that comic express the uniquely old-school way of life and doing things.This week Deb Wilberg's submission made it into the "Pluggers" rotation. It's always exciting when a local resident makes it into a "Pluggers" comic.

Join us for "100 Years of Donna Reed," on March 25, when Reed's daughter, Mary Owen of Iowa City, will share rarely seen family photos from her mother's early days in Denison. Reed's career includes her Academy Award-winning performance in "From Her to Eternity" (1953) and "The Donna Reed Show" (1958-1966), for which she won a Golden Globe and four Emmy Award nominations.

By Josh Wiley, Co-ReporterFrom February 22nd through the 26th, the Vinton-Shellsburg FFA Chapter participated in FFA Week along with other chapters around the country. The school dress up days were Monday: Hunting/Fishing, Tuesday: ‘Merica, Wednesday: Blue and Gold/Official Dress, Thursday: Mullets and Flannels, and Friday: Career Day. On Wednesday, participants competing in Leadership Development Events went to Hawkeye Community College and competed against other FFA chapter members in our sub-district to advance to districts in their specific contests.

Join Goldie’s Kids Club. Online programs and at-home activities abound for children and families who want to learn more about Iowa’s colorful past. New content is posted online every month, including Storytime and Innovative Iowans activities focusing on the state symbols, and a video playlist children of all ages can enjoy.Schedule an Iowa trivia program via Zoom for your organization’s next meeting.

Keith Ervin was celebrated for his 60th year of serving with the Vinton Noon Kiwanis Club in Vinton. Tuesday's meeting began with a plaque presentation to Ervin who has been a staple in the Vinton community his whole life. His father started the Ervin Motor Company in the 1930s which opened in what is now Tharp Design's building and then moved to the west side of what is now Pizza Ranch before moving out to what used to be the former Cromer's store in 2000.

Scott E. Hansen, Benton County Emergency Management Agency Coordinator, has been named the recipient of the inaugural 2020 ‘Mitch Nordmeyer Pillar of Community Leadership Award’ due to his continual and exceptionally professional and volunteer achievements in emergency management. This IEMA award program honors the local emergency management (EM) coordinator who most personifies Mitch Nordmeyer by embodying the spirit of the community and through their actions and accomplishments, are an inspiration to others.

Unity Point Health Family Practice had a packed parking lot on Thursday evening. The clinic had received 100 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine produced by Moderna. The clinic said that they have everyone scheduled to receive their second dose in 28 days. The clinic believes that there will be another round of doses available in a few weeks. Check with your health providers if you feel that you need to have the vaccine immediately to find out their suggested plan for you.

Plans are underway for the annual initiative to recognize area students who have beaten the odds to succeed by graduating from high school while living in foster care, living on their own, or facing homelessness. Many of these students would not be able to celebrate their accomplishments without assistance. It is anticipated that Benton-Iowa Community Partnership for Protecting Children (CPPC) will help as many as fifteen graduates this year in Benton and Iowa counties with referrals coming from school counselors as well as staff from the Iowa Department of Human Services and Juvenile Court Services.

Sue Gates was recognized on Tuesday at the Vinton Noon Kiwanis club meeting for her 25 years of service in the Kiwanis Club.Presenting her a plaque in recognition of her service, Tom Husnik said of Gates, "Sue is always one of the first members to volunteer to help with a project.  She is always willing to serve the community whether it’s as an Elementary Principal,  a school board member, or a Kiwanian.