Community calendar of upcoming events

WASHINGTON AREA EVENTS

Vegetable Gardening 101: Wellman Public Library March 18, at 6:30 p.m. Attendees are asked to register online.

“Just Us Chicks” Kalona Spring getaway: March 20-22 at participating businesses, organized by the Kalona Area Chamber of Commerce.

“The Outsider,” performed by Washington Harp Players: March 21, 22, 28 and 29 at 7:30 p.m., March 30 at 2:30 p.m. at the Washington Community Center. Tickets available at Washington Community Center’s website.

Women in Agriculture 2025 Conference: March 22 at 611 Highway 1 South, in Washington. 8:30 a.m. registration, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. programs. The theme this year is “Digital Dilemmas: Succeeding in a Digital Ag World.”

  Buy Photo

3-on-3 Wheelchair Basketball Fundraiser: March 22, all afternoon at the Wellman Parkside Activities Center, organized by Adaptive Sports Iowa. Raffle and silent auction will run throughout the day as well.

RC Car Rally: at the Kalona Public Library March 22, at 1 p.m.

Captain Kirk’s Birthday Party: March 22, 7-9 p.m. at VFW Post 6414 in Riverside. Will feature musician Luke Thomas.

Ainsworth Fire Department Drive-thru Breakfast fundraiser: March 23 at Ainsworth Fire Station, serving biscuits and gravy for freewill donation. Guests are asked to enter from the west driveway.

“Bite Size Business” Book Club: March 25, 4:30-5:30 p.m. at Washington Public Library

Spring Shop Hop: March 28 and 29, all day at participating locations in downtown Washington

Kalona Home Show: March 28 at 4-8 p.m. and March 29 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Kalona Community Center

Spring Craft Retreat: March 28-30 at Crooked Creek Christian Camp. Registration required in advance.

Photo Fest 2025: March 29, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Washington Public Library

Burlington Street Bluegrass Band: plays March 29 at 7 p.m. at the Washington Area Performing Arts and Events Center in Washington High School.

Potluck dinner and free lunch: March 30 at Cornerstone Church. Sunday Worship starts at 10:35 a.m., meal to follow.

Scout Troop 235 Spaghetti Dinner: April 2, 5-7 p.m. at VFW Post 6414 (1259 Riverside Road, Riverside.)

Kalona Volunteer Fire Dept. Pancake Day: April 5, 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Kalona Fire Station. Dine-in or carry-out available.

  Buy Photo

Spring Book Sale: 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on April 5 at the Kalona Public Library.

Pennies for Paws Soup Supper Fundraiser: April 5 from 4-7 p.m. at UP Church. Proceeds will help a local family train a service dog.

Blood Drive at Riverside Casino & Golf Resort: April 8 from 12-4 p.m., at the casino’s event center.

Washington FFA Taco Tuesday Fundraiser: April 8, 5-7 p.m. at Dallmeyer Hall on the Washington County Fairgrounds

Hillcrest Mental Health Center Open House: April 9, 3-6 p.m. at 511 Highway 1 South, Washington.

MT. PLEASANT AREA EVENTS

Mt. Pleasant Veterans Breakfast: Every third Friday at the Mt. Pleasant Veterans Hall from 8:30-9:30 a.m. All are welcome for this free-will donation breakfast.

Parent and play: The Family Connection of Henry and Washington Counties will host their Parent and Play groups on the second and fourth Wednesday mornings of each month from 9-10 a.m.

JYF: Wayland seventh and eighth grade students are invited to JYF in the Wayland Mennonite Church basement Wednesdays from 6-8 p.m. now through April 16 for food, Bible study, and games.

Supermarket Sweep: Henry County Farm Breau will host their third annual Supermarket Sweet Competition Friday, March 21 from 8-10 a.m. at Mt. Pleasant Hy-Vee. For more information, questions or for a registration form email Sarah at sarah.seitz@ifbf.org

Chamber Banquet: The Mt. Pleasant Area Chamber of Commerce will hold their annual banquet Thursday, March 27 at the Airport Road Vineyard. Cocktail hour will begin at 5 p.m. followed by dinner and programming at 6 p.m. Tickets can be purchased for $50 per person or $400 for a table. RSVP by March 6 to erica@mpiowa.org or phone (319) 385-3101.

Dutch Oven Cooking: Henry County Conservation will host a Dutch oven cooking class Thursday, March 27 from 6-8 p.m. at the Oakland Mills Nature Center. Those attending can learn how to use a Dutch oven to prepare a three-course meal over a campfire. Preregistration is required before March 20 at 5 p.m. Registration is limited to 12 participants. Children 12 years and older are welcome. The workshop will cost $15 per person to cover the cost of food. Register at www.mycountyparks.com/county/henry/events

This Murder was Staged: Mt. Pleasant Community High School’s theatre department will present their spring play This Murder was Staged March 28-29 at 7 p.m. and March 30 at 2 p.m. at the Heatilator Performing Arts Center. For $10 at the door attendees can enjoy a play the department summarizes as follows:

It's opening night of a brand-new mystery play, but just as the killer is about to be revealed, the body of the play's director falls onstage instead. In that moment, the theater becomes an active crime scene, and everyone from cast to crew to even the audience becomes a suspect. But how is the intrepid detective supposed to find the killer when everyone and their mother (literally) has a motive to want the demanding director gone?

John Deere History Program: Winfield Historical Society and Museum will present a John Deere History Program at Occasions on Oak in Winfield Saturday, March 29 at 10:30 a.m. A free-will donation lunch will follow the program.

Scholarship Awards Auction: At this annual auction, New London Dollars for Scholars program will gain donations for their cause of giving New London Community School District graduates scholarships. Those wishing to support the program can attend the auction at the high school Saturday, March 29 beginning at 5 p.m.

Daddy Daughter Dance: The Henry County Daddy Daughter Dance returns Saturday, March 29 from 6-9 p.m. at Mt. Pleasant Community High School. The evening will include dancing, crafts, BINGO, games, and snacks. This year’s theme is red carpet, but al are welcome to join in whatever clothes they choose. Tickets went on sale Jan. 6 for $15 per person. The deadline to receive a shirt with your ticket is March 7. Tickets will be available a the door, but they will not come with a shirt.

Family Trivia Night: Winfield-Mt. Union’s junior class will host a night of fun Saturday, March 29 doors open at 6 p.m. and trivia begins at 7 p.m. The evening will include trivia for groups of four-10 people. The cost to participate is $10 per person. Players may bring their own food and drinks. To sign up email Emily.drey@wmucsd.org or jill.townsley@wmucsd.org

Alive After Five: McCoy Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling will host a Mt. Pleasant Area Chamber Alive After Five at Mt. Pleasant Golf and Country Club from 5-7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 2.

WMU Book Study: Winfield-Mt. Union Superintendent and Elementary Principal Karinda Wahls will host a community book study of The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt. Sessions will be held in the WMU library from 5-6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 20, Tuesday, March 11, and Tuesday, April 15. A QR Code link to sign up for the study is available on flyers and the school Facebook page.