Events And Activities

Concordia University, Nebraska celebrated the Christmas season with its annual Christmas at Concordia concerts Dec. 5-7 at St. John Lutheran Church in Seward. Christmas at Concordia weekend also included the 20th annual Scholarship Parade of Homes and a community reception. Students participating in the concerts include: Wesly Williams, a senior from Vinton, Iowa, Bass I in Male Chorus Morgan Eggert, a freshman from Atkins, Iowa, Alto II in Women's Chorale Kenzie Woltemath, a junior from Atkins, Iowa, Alto I in Women's Chorale "The concerts have been a cherished tradition for decades," said Concordia Director of University and Alumni Relations Adam Hengeveld.

The Vinton Garden Club member of National Garden Clubs, Inc., District II, and Central Region met at 1:00 pm, October 29, 2014, at the Benton County Conservation Center with Susie Hansen as hostess. A program on “Preparing for Disasters” by Scott Hansen, Benton County Emergency Management Agency. President Fran Stueck called the meeting to order at 2:20 p.

The Cooling Dancers will present their annual winter concert this weekend at the Vinton-Shellsburg High School Auditorium. Performances will be Saturday Dec. 13 at 7:00 p.m., and Sunday Dec. 14 at 1:00, 4:00, and 7:00 p.m. The children and teens will perform ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, musical theatre, and toe ballet routines to a variety of holiday music.

Blessed Hope Church, will hold the Children's Christmas program this Sunday morning beginning at 9:30 a.m. The children will share a program entitled, "Christmas is the same Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow." There will be no Sunday School following the program. The annual Christmas Eve service will begin at 7:00 p.m. at  Blessed Hope,  The community is welcome to attend and share the Christmas season with us! Blessed Hope is located at 1507 M Ave.

The Benton County Extension Service is offering a "Reclaim Your Holidays" event next Monday, December 15, from 6-8 p.m. at the Vinton Skate Center. Topics of discussion include making and eating healthier snacks, games for kids, green entertaining, creative gift ideas and stress relief. This new event that will help our community learn different ways to celebrate and enjoy the holidays.

Sacred Heart, Walker         Christmas Day - 8:00 a.m. St. Mary, Urbana         Christmas Eve - 6:30 p.m.         Christmas Day - 10:00 a.m. St. Mary, Vinton         Christmas Eve - 4:00 p.

The 2nd Annual Vinton-Shellsburg Alumni Basketball tournament takes place Saturday, Dec. 20.  Several teams have formed, representing players from the past four decades.  The event starts at 10 a.m. Cost is $5 for adults, $3 for kids five and over, and under 5 free. Concessions will be available.  

PEO Chapter MZ will meet Monday, December 8, at 1:30 P.M. at the home of Brenda Hackbarth assisted by Marilyn Mehlhaus.  Brenda will present the program.

"Christmas Celebration" is the message Dorothy Smith from Moline Illinois will be speaking on at the Vinton After 5 club on Tues Dec.9 at 6:15 at the Fourth Street Diner on 202 E fourth. Diana Whitson will be sharing her collection of Santa Clauses . Anyone with a Santa that has a special meaning please bring and share with us. For Reservations and cancelations call Bev Citaniq at 472-2171.

Starting with today's Holiday Open House all day at Farmers Savings Bank-Vinton, there are many Christmas season events throughout the area.  Santa will arrive at 3:30 to visit children at the bank today.  Then tomorrow, at 10 a.m. the Garrison Christmas event for children takes place at the Emergency Services Building. There will be crafts and more opportunities for photos with Santa.