News

Louise Fleming, Vocational Agriculture Instructor and FFA Advisor along with John Holst, Chairman of the Ag Advisory Committee accept a $5,000 check from Jon Kremer, Market President for US Bank. The grant proceeds will be used for equipment and supplies for the new Animal Learning Lab at the Vinton Shellsburg High School. Contractors will be finishing the building this next week.

Vinton Parks and Recreation Director Duane Randall will retire at the end of 2014.  Randall informed VPRD Board members of his decision to leave after Dec. 31 earlier this year, and his decision was announced during Party in the Park events on Sunday.  Randall has served for 29 years; his tenure saw the building of the new pool, the addition of several parks, and recovery from the 2008 flooding and the 2011 wind storm.

Despite the humidity and a heat advisory, many Vinton-area residents filled Riverside Park for the second round of Party in the Park. The concert and fireworks show that had been planned for the last Saturday in June were reschedule because of thunderstorms.  The Chicago Spazmatics entertained the crowd with its variety of 1980s rock music favorites.

Ribbons and banners were awarded at the Boer Goat Show judged Sunday at the 2014 Iowa State Fair. Complete results below: FULL BLOOD BUCKS Buck Kid – 0 to Under 3 Months 1) Flying Goat, Alden 2) JRCN Boer Goats, Grinnell 3) Wicky's Rockin' Boer Goats, Curlew Buck Kid – 3 to Under 6 Months 1) Lewis Farm and Family, North Salem, Ind.

The English Society Horse Show took place August 12 and 13 in the Richard O. Jacobson Exhibition Center at the 2014 Iowa State Fair. Complete results below: Five-Gaited Open 1) Keith Equestrian Center, Marengo Five-Gaited Iowa Owned 1) Keith Equestrian Center, Marengo Five-Gaited Stake 1) Keith Equestrian Center, Marengo Three-Gaited Open 1) Oak Creek Farm, Kenyon, Minn.

    Going into our 8th year, I am always surprised when I run into people that have no idea what Boomtown is.  On the flip-side, I am always thrilled when I am in any other part of the state and meet people that have heard of Boomtown!  I confess, I like to peek at the Boomtown Facebook page followers, just to see where they’re all from ~ and believe me, they are from EVERYwhere!      How do I convince “newbies” to come to Boomtown, and once they agree, how do I convince them that they need to be ON the fairgrounds, IN the grandstands?  I start by telling them that there really is no other event that is like Boomtown.

Kim Emrich, check your Facebook page. Your daughter, Allison has a challenge for you – and the rest of the staff at the Vinton Lutheran Home. Allison is an employee at Windsor Manor, where several employees, with the help of residents, participated in the Ice Bucket Challenge fund-raiser.  Danelle Wrobeski’s daughter, Brooke, issued the challenge to her mom and the rest of the WM staff.

The Old Creamery Nature Trail  organization has applied for a grant through Wellmark for $7,500.  The catch is they will only get the money if they get enough votes from 8/20 through 9/7.  People can vote once a day.  It is the only project on the ballot that is in Benton County and organizers hope area residents will vote for it.

Bombei and Sons Showpigs took top honors at the Spotted Swine Show judged Thursday at the 2014 Iowa State Fair. The Delta farm was awarded the Grand Champion Boar banner. Grand Champion Gilt honors went to Triggs Show Pigs of Mount Ayr while the Reserve Grand Champion Gilt and Reserve Grand Champion Boar banners went to Niehaus and Feldman Genetics of Greene.

Brice Conover of Baxter showed the Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion Boars at the Berkshire Swine show judged Thursday at the 2014 Iowa State Fair. This is the second year in a row Conover has captured both boar banners. The Grand Champion Gilt was exhibited by Reed Family Berks of Ottumwa. Fly'n K Berkshires of Alvord was awarded the Reserve Champion Gilt banner.