Area briefs

Hometown Hobbies to meet

Hometown Hobbies features local crafters and hobbyists wishing to share their talents with others. The group will meet March 15, 6 p.m., at Glaze the Galaxy, 122 S Main St. in North English. The evening’s project will be clay Spoon rests; cost is $25.

Contact Betsy Frazier at glazethegalaxy@gmail.com, or Annette Shannahan at the North English Library for more info or join the group on Facebook.

Roy Orbison tribute at What Cheer

What Cheer Opera House presents “A Tribute to Roy Orbison” Friday, March 17, at 7 p.m. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at the door the night of the show. Food and beverages will be available from 5:30 p.m. through intermission, provided by Grant Ranch Grub and Pub.

St. Michael’s St. Patrick’s Day dance

The St. Michael’s annual St Patrick’s Day dance will be Friday, March 17, from 7-10 p.m. at Holbrook Hall, Holbrook, with music by “Oink Henderson and The Squealers.” The evening is BYOB and will include a cake walk. No admission is charged; freewill donations go toward new doors for the hall and church. The green pig raffle will be held during the dance. The event is sponsored by Friends of Old St. Michael’s.

Marengo Legion fish fry

Marengo American Legion Post 76 will hold a fish fry Friday, March 17, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Legion Hall, 1240 Lafayette Ave., Marengo. Curbside pickup is available.

‘Remember the Apron’ at Victor Public Library

What member of your family wore an apron? Was it for a special job or around kitchen? Come and reminisce about your families’ connection to the apron at “Remembering the Apron” Tuesday, March 21, at 1:30 p.m. at the Victor Public Library. Adult and children’s aprons will be available for sale as well.

Presenter Sheila Craig’s program takes a nostalgic look at the apron in an interactive, hands-on program, including the opportunity to see about 100 of her 400-piece collection of aprons. Craig is a retired University of Minnesota Extension Educator from Preston, Minnesota, originally from Decorah. She has been doing apron programs for about 20 years for libraries, church groups and care facilities as well as the Iowa State Women Around Ag Conference in Clear Lake.

Love and Logic

Love and Logic is a six week series of classes for parents or guardians living in Iowa or Benton counties with children ages 0-18. It is presented by the Young Parents Network and hosted at the Marengo Public Library on Tuesdays, March 21 through April 25 from 5-6:30 p.m. Participants receive a free meal, free child care during programming, free diapers, wipes, gift cards and more.

Love and Logic is a process by which children grow through their mistakes and learn from the consequences of their choices. There are two basic rules: 1) Adults set firm limits in loving ways without anger, lecture, threats or repeated warnings. 2) When children misbehave and cause problems, adults hand these problems back in loving ways.

RSVP at https://forms.gle/mmbXsRqFCM66xFCn, call 319-364-8909 or email Chelsey at csteckly@ypniowa.org

Cookie decorating in Williamsburg

Williamsburg Public Library welcomes Tanya Clowers of South Street Cookies to teach a spring cookie decorating workshop. Sign-up is required for this free workshop, Saturday, March 25, at 1 p.m. Contact Public Services Librarian, Sandy Jones, at 319-668-1195 or by email at sjones@williamsburgiowa.org for more information.

Safe Haven soup supper

Join Safe Haven of Iowa County for a soup supper fundraiser on Saturday, March 25, from 4 to 6:30 p.m. at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 803 Clearview Dr., Williamsburg. Cost is $10 for soup with toppings, bread and dessert; $7 for soup to go; $5 for dessert. For more info visit www.wesavepets.com or call (319) 622-7387.

EV History Center program

The English Valleys History Center will begin its 15th season of programs Sunday, March 26 as it hosts Amy (Smith) Hanson, an EV graduate, at 2 p.m. Hanson will speak on “Her Adventures in the Great Outdoors,” which explores the hunting, fishing and camping lifestyle she shares with her husband.

The center is located at 108 N. Main St., North English. The public is invited to attend at no charge. Donations are accepted.

Hunter safety class at Victor

The Iowa County Izaak Walton League will hold a hunter safety class from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 1 at the Victor American Legion. Participants must be 11 years old and provide their home address and date of birth.

Sign up on the Department of Natural Resources website, www.iowadnr.gov/hunting. For info, call 319-430-6698. Lunch is provided.

Ladora Fire Department breakfast

The Ladora Fire Department will host its annual pancake breakfast Saturday, April 15, from 7 to 11:30 a.m. Pancakes, eggs, sausage, milk, juice and coffee will be served for a freewill donation. Dine-in and carryout available.

Benton County

Belle Plaine Legion dinner

The Belle Plaine American Legion will hold a fish, shrimp or combo dinner Friday, March 17, from 5 to 7 p.m. Carryout is available by calling (319) 444-2785.

Elberon fish, shrimp fry

The Great Elberon Fish and Shrimp Fry will be held Friday, March 17, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Elberon Community Building.

STEM Festival

The East Central Iowa STEM Festival will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 26, at Belle Plaine High School. The free event offers over 40 STEM activities.

Pink Stiletto Soiree

Athena Club’s sixth annual Pink Stiletto Soiree will be held Wednesday, March 29, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Belle Plaine Museum. This night out for ladies will include food, wine tasting and topics covering health and wellness. Keynote speaker will be Dr. Susan Douglas, a Belle Plaine High School 1980 grad and daughter of longtime family physician, Dr. Clarence Douglas.

This is Athena’s major annual fundraiser where all the proceeds go to support, alternating every two years, either Virginia Gay Hospital, Vinton, or Compass Memorial Healthcare, Marengo. The hospitals use this money for women’s health programs. Tickets are $15 and are available at pharmacies in Belle Plaine or contact an Athena member.

Belle Plaine Athena Club is a philanthropic women’s group that began in 1897 and supports many local charities, individuals, and organizations. The group meets once a month September through May. To join, contact a member for more information.

‘100 Things to do in Cedar Rapids’

The Van Horne Library will host author Katie Mills Giorgio Thursday, March 30, at 6 p.m. She will speak about her new book, “100 Things to do in Cedar Rapids Before You Die.” She has collected all the fun things to do and see in Cedar Rapids, including restaurants, museums and local hot spots. She will speak, answer questions and have books for sale.

Van Horne dinners

Van Horne Sons of the Legion will host a chicken and tenderloin dinner Monday, March 20 at the Legion Hall with serving from 5:30 to 7 p.m. The Van Horne Legion fish fry returns Friday, March 24, from 5:30 to 7:30 at the Legion Hall.

Central Lutheran Spring Fling

Central Lutheran School, Newhall, will host the biennial spring fling Saturday, April 1, at the school gym, 310 3rd St. W, Newhall. A silent auction, bingo, games and a meal will take place from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Heads or tails, paddle auction and a live auction will be held at 6:30 p.m. The event is open to the public.

Benton County Food Pantries

The Vinton Pantry is open on Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The pantry is located on the west side of 811 D Ave. Vinton.

On the third Saturday of each month from 10 to11 a.m. bring your bags to the pantry at Wesley United Methodist Church located at 516 2nd Ave. (The church next to the library.)

The Belle Plaine Pantry is open on Tuesdays and Fridays from 1:30 to 4 p.m.

HACAP Mobile Pantry is in Belle Plaine at the Community Center, 1309 5th Ave., the last Wednesday of the month from 11 a.m. to noon.

Belle Plaine and Marengo Senior Dining

Monday, March 20: Roast turkey/gravy, potatoes, scalloped corn, applesauce, bar.

Tuesday, March 21: Barbecue ribette, O’Brien potatoes, vegetable, fruit.

Wednesday, March 22: Pork loin, red potatoes, broccoli, fruit cup.

Thursday, March 23: Loosemeat sandwich/bun, potato wedges, cauliflower, emerald pears.

Friday, March 24: Breaded fish, tartar sauce, red potatoes, vegetable, yogurt.

For reservations call (319) 444-3135 in Belle Plaine and (319) 642-5817 in Marengo.

Keokuk County

Keokuk County Historical Society

The Keokuk County Historical Society will be open Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Appointments for visiting other days can be arranged by calling (641) 622-3005.

(News briefs may be sent to Melinda.Wichmann@Southeastiowaunion.com)