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Virginia Gay Nursing & Rehab has received Telligen’s Blue Ribbon in COVID-19 Vigilance Award. This award recognizes their commitment to preventing the spread of COVID-19 and places the organization on Telligen’s Iowa 2022 Blue Ribbon in COVID-19 Vigilance Recognition List.“Nursing homes that receive this award have demonstrated their commitment to prevent the spread of COVID-19,” said Sue Stefan, Telligen Executive Director, Federal Health Solutions.

Four Vinton-Shellsburg students took time out of their day to visit Vinton Lutheran Home Assisted Living's Mother/Daughter Tea that was held at the Lutheran Home. On Thursday afternoon the students performed songs that they had previously learned for a singing event that the school had competed in. Michala Martin went along with the students to accompany them on the piano.

Noah Lindauer, ’25 recently won “Best Undergraduate Documentary” at the Wildcat Spirit Student Film Festival at Wayne State College in Wayne, Nebraska. Noah, a New Media major at William Penn University, enjoyed the day-long festival which included workshops with sessions on filmmaking and acting, as well as a screening of the selected films.

So… go put some cash in your mailbox Saturday night and--if you time-travel back to the 1920s and if you know the right people--Sunday morning you’ll wake up to a nice bottle of moonshine.Of course, it might not be real nice, Linda Betsinger McCann, author of “Prohibition in Eastern Iowa”, told her audience of 30 at the Center Point Library community room on May 2.

The annual Bike Rodeo brought teeny tiny tots and those children a few years older. The event was coordinated by the Vinton Parks and Rec Department and the Vinton Kiwanis Club was on hand to direct traffic. Vinton's Police Chief Ted Paxton was also on hand to issue tickets for each of the children after the bikes were checked for safety. The tickets were then taken to each station as the children checked in.

In a statement released by Dementia Friendly Iowa, they announced that Vinton has become part of the Dementia Friendly America Network."Vinton, Iowa has officially joined the Dementia Friendly America network, making it the 3rd official Dementia Friendly Community initiative in Iowa.Huge congratulations to the DF Vinton Action Team, especially their local community lead, Jessica Fairbanks, for their commitment to helping make Vinton a more dementia-friendly community!Several businesses and organizations in Vinton have already been trained to be more dementia-friendly, and many others are scheduled to do so! Dementia Friendly Vinton is dedicated to providing continued education, resources and a better understanding of dementia throughout the community.

Vinton Parks and Recreation released a copy of the expected floor plan for the Wellness Center in Vinton. This is not the final plan for the design, but it is an idea of what is in the works for Vinton. The drawing shares all of the elements that are hoped to be included in the project. The proposed location is north of the high school, where the soccer field is currently.

The Benton County Legion and Auxiliary presented scholarship and merit awards to area Benton County Seniors at the American Legion & Auxiliary John W. McGranahan Post 167. Ed Schaffer, Benton County Commander opened the ceremony along with Doug Anderson the Benton County Scholarship Chair. Both presented scholarships to the following students:Olivia Bohlen - Belle Plaine High School, from the Belle Plaine PostEmma Drahos - Benton Community High School, from the Blairstown PostEthan Hudson - Benton Community High School, from the Newhall PostAlexander Ludeking - Benton Community High School, from the Norway PostClaire Booth - Vinton-Shellsburg Community High School, from the Shellsburg PostDawson Franck - Benton Community High School, from the Van Horne PostThe Legion Scholarship Committee is made up of the following members:Ed Schaffer, Benton County Commander, Doug Anderson, Newhall Post, Rick Voss, Blairstown Post, and Dave Travis of Shellsburg.

The Benton County Community Foundation’s 2021 annual report is now available on the Community Foundation’s website at www.bentonccf.org. The report highlights key impacts made and lists funds held with the Community Foundation along with grant-funded projects. In 2021, a total of $105,629 in grants from all charitable giving funds of the Foundation were awarded to organizations benefitting Benton County residents and communities.

Vinton-Shellsburg kicked off their fun and celebrations for the senior class of 2022 with an evening of entertainment and games. The Grand March was hosted by two of Vinton's coaches, Coach Hesson (Ashley) and Coach Hesson (Megan). The two introduced the Seniors reading from prepared answers provided by the students and had a little fun with each of the groups as they arrived on stage.