• Article Photo. Vinton native Jess Rundlett helped prepare this statue for display in Washington, D.C., in March.
    Vinton native Jess Rundlett helped prepare this statue for display in Washington, D.C., in March.
  • Article Photo. This photo from March 2013 appeared throughout eastern Iowa, after a bus got stuck in Shellsburg.
    This photo from March 2013 appeared throughout eastern Iowa, after a bus got stuck in Shellsburg.
  • Article Photo. Remembering 2013: Cylas Kettler attempts to remove an Easter Egg from a Rodgers Park tree.
    Remembering 2013: Cylas Kettler attempts to remove an Easter Egg from a Rodgers Park tree.
  • Article Photo. A retired Vinton Marine's donation made possible the moving of this Howitzer to Veterans Park.
    A retired Vinton Marine's donation made possible the moving of this Howitzer to Veterans Park.
  • Article Photo. This huge fire got the attention of Vinton residents; it was, however, a training exercise.
    This huge fire got the attention of Vinton residents; it was, however, a training exercise.
  • Article Photo. Remembering 2013: VSHS Jazz Band members celebrate their first place win and automatic State berth.
    Remembering 2013: VSHS Jazz Band members celebrate their first place win and automatic State berth.

March began with good news for Vinton-Shellsburg's musicians. The VSHS Jazz Band won first place in the 2013 NEIBA Jazz Festival, earning a berth in the State Jazz Band Championships. 

The dream season of the Vinton-Shellsburg Vikings came to an end in March, with their first-round loss at the State Tournament. Weather had disrupted travel plans but V-S fans were able to fill their section at the Wells Fargo Arena to see the Vikings at State for just the second time in VS history. 

The biggest fire of 2013 took place in March, but it was not a crisis. A two-story house in Vinton was destroyed in a training exercise that involved firemen from throughout the county on March.

One of the most unique photos of 2013 appeared in Vinton Today and other media in March, after a water main break near Shellsburg Elementary damaged the street in front of the school causing a school bus to become mired in the soft surface. 

Retired Marine Larry Michael of Vinton helped fund the moving of a former Army Howitzer artillery piece to Vinton's Veterans Park. 

The home of Melvin Roster of rural Vinton was destroyed by a fire in March; he was able to escape unhurt. 

Vinton native Jessica Rundlett had what she called a “once in a lifetime opportunity” to help place a statue of Iowa agricultural pioneer Norman Borlaug in Statuary Hall in Washington, D.C.

Another favorite photo of 2013 occurred in March at the Rodgers Park Easter Egg Hunt, as Cylas Kettler learned the challenges of removing a plastic easter egg from a small tree.