Coming Events

Dessert cabaret

The Williamsburg Music Department presents a dessert cabaret Saturday, April 1, from 1 to 6 p.m. in the high school auditorium. The afternoon will be a celebration of fine arts with a dessert reception to follow. Tickets are $12 online at Williamsburg.ludus.com or $15 at the door.

PALS family fun night

PALS will host their annual family fun night Saturday, March 25, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Mary Welsh Elementary, Williamsburg. The evening will include games, prizes, food, bounce houses, face painting, $500 raffle and a kids raffle. Tickets are $1 per game or $15 for a wristband at the door.

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.

Amana Library craft workshop

The Amana Community Library will host a free arts and crafts workshop for kids Saturday, March 25, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. This workshop for kids ages 5 and up will celebrate the start of spring with craft activities; snacks and drinks provided. Email heatherfox@ccaschools.org with any questions.

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.

Millersburg Senior Dining anniversary

The Millersburg Community Center will host the 35th anniversary of the Senior Dining program on Wednesday, March 29, with a noon lunch. The menu includes Swiss steak with gravy, mashed potatoes, corn casserole, fruit, cake and milk for a freewill donation at 556 Main St., Millersburg.

EV Preschool registration

English Valleys Preschool registration will be held at 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 29, at the EV Elementary School library. Please call the elementary school at (319) 664-3638 to get your child on the list, first come first served.

HLV preschool, kindergarten meetings

HLV Community School District will hold a preschool informational meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 30. A kindergarten informational meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 5, followed by kindergarten roundup on Wednesday, May 9.

IV Foundation taco dinner

The taco dinner benefiting the Iowa Valley Foundation has been rescheduled to Thursday, March 30, at 5 p.m. in the IV High School cafeteria. The IV Elementary Music Department will present their spring variety show at 6:30 p.m. that evening in the high school auditorium. Both events were originally planned for March 9 but were postponed due to weather.

Garcia Carpet open house

Garcia Carpet owners Jayne and Alex Garcia will celebrate both their retirement and the transition of their business to new owners Jared and Abigail Maas with an open house Saturday, April 8, from 2 to 6 p.m. at the North English Golf Club. The Garcias will retire March 31, with the new owners taking over April 1.

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.

Online auction for CMH Gala

While tickets for Compass Memorial Healthcare Foundation’s April 1 gala at Price Creek Events Center, Amana, have sold out, area residents can still support Compass Memorial Healthcare and Clinics even if they can’t attend in person.

The public can now bid for over 95 items in an online auction at https://www.32auctions.com/CMHGALA23. The public can go to the website, create a free account, and bid on items continually up until the end of the live event on April 1. There will also be a "Buy Now" option for those who don't wish to bid competitively.

Painting party

A free painting party will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 1, at the Marengo Public Library. The event is open to any adult who has the desire to try painting. All painting supplies and light refreshments will be provided. Donations toward future community events will be accepted. RSVP to FOMPL2014@gmail.com

Ham ball supper

The First United Methodist Church, Marengo, will host its annual ham ball supper Sunday, April 2, at the church, 895 Court Ave., Marengo. The menu includes ham balls in sauce, potatoes, vegetable, beverage and dessert. Serving is from 4 until 6 p.m. Carry out and In-town delivery will be available by calling the church at (319) 642-3146.

‘Welcome to Medicare’ seminar at CMH

Compass Memorial Healthcare will host a “Welcome to Medicare” seminar Tuesday, April 18, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in Conference Room 1 at CMH, 300 W. May St., Marengo. Those attending should park on the east end of the main parking lot and take the sidewalk to Conference Room 1 (the entrance is separate from the main hospital).

Registration is required by April 10 and may be made by calling (319) 642-8046.

This free seminar is offered by the State of Iowa’s Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) and Compass Memorial Healthcare. Topics include: Medicare Parts A and B benefits, prescription drug benefits (Part D), Medicare Advantage plans, Medicare supplement insurance and identifying Medicare fraud, errors and abuse.

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.

Amana Library used book sale

The Amana Library is having an ongoing used book sale in the periodical room. Hours are Mondays 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Tuesdays 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Wednesdays 8 a.m. to noon; Thursdays 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Fridays 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturdays 9 a.m. to noon.

There are tons of great books to choose from — cook books, gardening, romance, fiction, non-fiction, and kid's books, including authors such as Patricia Cornwell, John Jakes, Nora Roberts, Danielle Steel, James Patterson and Debbie Macomber. There are a lot of classic vintage books and romance books. If you have any books to donate, they may be dropped off during the above hours. For more information, call (319) 622-3192.

Spring shop hop

The Iowa County spring shop hop will be held Saturday, May 13, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Iowa County businesses interested in curating a unique, seasonal experience that encourages travel and commerce through the county are encouraged to align with the day and roll out the red carpet for visitors. A second event will be held Saturday, Oct. 14.

Benton County

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.

‘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.

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.

Belle Plaine and Marengo Senior Dining

Monday, March 27: Cook’s choice.

Tuesday, March 28: Swedish meatballs, egg noodles, stewed tomatoes and zucchini, fruited Jell-O, bar, bread and butter.

Wednesday, March 29: Hot dog/bun, potato, green beans, fruit, dessert.

Thursday, March 30: Chili, side salad, garlic bread, fruit, sherbet.

Friday, March 31: Hot turkey sandwich, mashed potatoes/gravy, vegetable, fruit.

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.

North Keokuk pancake breakfast

The North Keokuk County Fire Department will hold a pancake breakfast Sunday, April 2, from 7 a.m. to noon. at the fire station in South English. The menu includes pancakes, sausage, ham, biscuits and gravy, eggs, coffee, milk and juice for a freewill donation.