News

 Lions Club members Mark Wilberg, Don Weideman, and Dr. Alan Woodhouse provided eye screenings at Tilford Elementary school. The Lions Club is part of the Iowa Kidsight program which is a partnership between Lions volunteers and the University of Iowa Ophthalmology Center. Since 2004 our local volunteers have been trained to screen preschool children for visual health at no cost to their families.

Vinton Lions Club hosted Melissa Croy, Executive Director of Benton County Volunteer Program. Melissa shared the mission of Benton County Volunteer Program and their driving program. The program matches community members needing a ride to regularly scheduled medical appointments with volunteer drivers. Drivers donate their time and use of vehicles and are reimbursed for mileage.

Virginia Gay Hospital is grateful to Fareway and its staff for participating in Round-Up for Hope, raising and donating $633 to Gifts of Hope. Their efforts of support make a difference in our community. The Gifts of Hope funds provide free mammograms and diagnostic services for women (and men) who need financial assistance. Pap tests and/or pelvic exams are also available for women who need them.

Tisha Ritter, the director of the Young Parents Network out of Cedar Rapids, made a trip to Vinton to address the area Kiwanis. YPN assists both mothers and fathers as they parent their young children. Ritter said, "Do you remember as a parent, they just hand you the kid and you leave. It happened to me twice!" YPN's goal is to help young parents.YPN first started in Cedar Rapids 35 years ago.

For some of us that have lived in Vinton for decades, we remember that each Christmas when you returned home from out of town you could see the courthouse. It wasn't because of its size or location, but because there would be lights on the courthouse. The lights would stream down from the clock tower over each corner of the courthouse. Melody Snow of Vinton Unlimited, approached the County Supervisors a few weeks ago to see if they would be willing to do this again.

The first Fall Festival Scarecrow Contest winners were announced on Sunday evening. There were a total of 44 entries competing for the top three places. Placing first was Ehlinger’s Express with their scarecrow based on candy. In second and third were Edward's Plumbing, Heating, Air Conditioning with their scarecrow plumbers and McDowell's with their carpenter.

Vinton Unlimited is pleased to announce applications are now being accepted for the HOT Grant Award (Hotel Occupancy Tax). This grant fund is made possible through the collection of the hotel/motel tax within the City of Vinton. Groups that hold community events, work to promote the City of Vinton or encourage people to visit Vinton are encouraged to apply.

The Benton County Salvation Army Red Kettle Bell ringing campaign will kick off on Monday, November 22nd this year and run through December 24th. It will be at our usual location: Vinton's Fareway Grocery Store. Please call Julie Hansen 319-329-7119 to sign up for a time to ring the bell, whether groups or individuals. Due to COVID-19, all volunteers, masks, hand sanitizer, and rubber gloves will be available on site.

Anthony Church and students presented a program on Strength Training and Speed Work available to 6th, 7th and 8th-grade students in the Vinton Shellsburg School District. Anthony Church is a PE teacher and Home School Assistance Facilitator at the Shellsburg School. The Strength Training program began 5 years ago with about 10 children attending.

 Vinton Lions Club 100th Celebration activities included upgrades and improvements to Lions Field. Fifty years ago this year Vinton Lions built and opened the community’s slow-pitch softball field. The upgrades and improvements will provide an improved experience for current players/spectators as well as prospective users. Lions Club members Larry Druschel, Mike Barron, Dean Schminke, and several others over the past year have replaced the dugouts installing new concrete, upgraded benches, upgraded fencing and roof, and provided storage for bats, balls and gloves.