Coming Events

Knoll Ridge pool fundraiser

A parking lot party fundraiser for the Knoll Ridge swimming pool will be held from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, July 7. The event includes a shrimp boil at 6 p.m., dummy board tournament at 7 p.m. and music from Herb III. Other yard games will be available. Bring your lawn chair. Admission is $30 per person; $15 to-go containers; $10 dummy board entry.

Iowa County Fair open class

The Iowa County Fair is seeking exhibits for the Open Class division at the 2023 fair. Exhibitors may be residents of Iowa County or surrounding counties and any age.

Items will be entered at Zentmire Hall on the fairgrounds on Monday, July 10, from 6 to 8 p.m. or on Tuesday, July 11, from 9 to 11 a.m. Judging will start at noon. Entry fee is $1 per exhibit with these fees being used for cash awards to best of show exhibitors in each department.

For exhibit departments and rules, check out the fair website: theiowacountyfair.org then click on DOCUMENTS and 2023 OPEN CLASS FAIRBOOK. Zentmire Hall will be open to the public starting at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, July 12, and daily through the last day of the fair July 16 for viewing of the exhibits.

Marengo Legion Pancake Breakfast

The Marengo American Legion will serve a pancake breakfast Sunday, July 9, from 8 a.m. to noon. The menu includes pancakes, sausage, bacon, scrambled eggs, milk, juice and coffee for a freewill donation (suggested $10 person). A cash bar will be available, serving bloody marys and mimosas. All proceeds will go to the new Legion hall.

ICHS program, ice cream social

The Iowa County Historical Society will host a program at 2 p.m. Sunday, July 9, at the Gritter Creek School, rural North English. William Sherman, an expert on Iowa one room schools, will give the program, followed by an ice cream social. Those attending should bring their lawn chairs.

P.E.O. Chapter CN

P.E.O. Chapter CN will meet at the Williamsburg Public Library at 7 p.m. July 11 with Colleen Heitmann as hostess. The program will be “What’s New with Iowa and International Projects” by the Projects Committee.

Amana Blood Drive

The Amana Library will host an ImpactLife Blood Drive on Thursday, July 13, from 1:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the Amana Elementary Cafeteria, 3023 220th Trail, Middle Amana.

As a special summer thank you, all donors will receive a gift card or bonus points to the Impact Donor Store to spend on donor gear. Potential donors must be at least 17, weigh more than 110 pounds, and possess a photo ID to donate. Please eat and hydrate before donating. Appointments and masks are required. Whole blood and double red cell will be available to donate. To sign up, please call the Amana Library 319-622-3192 or email amanalibrary@ccaschools.org to schedule a time.

Barnes City UMC rummage sale

The Barnes City United Methodist Church will be having a free will offering rummage and bake sale to benefit their camping program. It will be held at 492 Ballard St. in Millersburg, across the street south of the old school and will be open July 1, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Trinity UCC celebrates 135 years

Trinity UCC, 1895 200th St, rural Marengo, will celebrate its 135th anniversary on July 9 starting with a worship service at 10 a.m. The Rev. Damen Jensen-Heitmann, former member of Trinity, will deliver the message. Following worship a dinner will be served, followed by a social time for reminiscing and visiting. The public is invited to join the congregation for a day of worship and fun. For questions or directions, please contact Audrey Loffer at (319) 721-7640.

Cookout contest

The Iowa County Farm Bureau cookout contest will be held Saturday, July 15, at the Iowa County Fair in Marengo. Pre-registration is due by July 7. You do not have to be from Iowa County or a Farm Bureau member to participate. The grand champion will receive a trophy and $100 cash prize. Each food category winner will receive a trophy.

Categories include beef, pork, poultry, turkey and lamb. For complete details, contact Bev at the Iowa County Farm Bureau office, (319) 668-1331, ext. 4, or email to iowa.county@ifbf.org.

Heartland Quilters show

The Iowa County Heartland Quilters will hold their bi-annual quilt show Friday and Saturday, July 28 and 29, at St. Mary’s Community Center, Williamsburg. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.

The show will include door prizes, a merchant mall, bed turning and concessions, in addition to many quilts on display. This year’s opportunity quilt is an Island Chain pattern, adapted from a pattern designed by Eye Candy Quilts. It was pieced by Lois Miller and Linda Grimm. Binding was done by Barb Wardenburg and Jan Phelps, with quilting by Jenny Allen.

Iowa County farmers markets

Marengo: second and fourth Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., north park pavilion.

North English: every Saturday, 8 to 11 a.m., south side of Freeman Foods.

Williamsburg: every Friday, 4 to 6 p.m. on the town square; every third Friday is a special event pop up, 4 to 7 p.m.

Hats and More

Hats and More will meet Tuesday, July 18, at the Kalona Chamber of Commerce for a 90 minute tour. Some of the places they will see include JK Creative Wood, Buggy Shop, Creekside e-bikes, GoldenDelight Bakery, Little Prairie Fabrics, Stitch and Sew Quilting. Hostesses for the day are Dixie Knipfer, 319-664-3714, and Judie Ulin, 319-738-2325.

Benton County

Golf outing

The Blairstown Fire Department will host a golf outing Saturday, July 15, in Belle Plaine. Sign-up will be held closer to the event.

Belle Plaine Specialty Care

Events at Belle Plaine Specialty Care include:

July 6: Painting project, 2 p.m.

July 7: Music by Jim Magdefrau

July 10: Music by Jolene Blanchard, 11:45 a.m.

July 11: Happy hour, 3 p.m.

July 13: Grill night out, making s’mores at 5:30 p.m.

July 18: Cookie flurries, 2 p.m.

July 19: Entertainment by Vivian and Kathy, 2 p.m.

July 20: Making coffee filter flowers, 2 p.m.

July 22: Games with Amy, 2 p.m.

July 23: Monthly birthday party, 5:30 p.m.

July 25: Food council meeting, 1:30 p.m.; resident council meeting, 2 p.m.

July 27: Bingo with Care Initiatives Hospice, 2 p.m.

Activities are subject to change and weather permitting.

July Birthdays include: Robert Hupfeld, July 4; Donald Weatherwax, July 25; Betty Hovious, July 29.

Senior Dining Menus

Belle Plaine and Marengo Senior Dining

Monday, July 10: Pepper steak, rice, broccoli, peaches, bread and butter.

Tuesday, July 11: Swedish meatballs, egg noodles, Harvard beets, fruit, bread and butter.

Wednesday, July 12: Tahitian chicken, farmers kitchen potatoes, California blend veggies, cake and ice cream, fresh fruit, bread and butter.

Thursday, July 13: Pork loin, mashed potatoes/gravy, spinach, ambrosia salad, graham crackers, bread and butter.

Friday, July 14: Hot dog/bun, chips, baked beans, pears, cookie.

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