Coming Events

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.

Amana Heritage Society Special Exhibit

On Thursday, July 13, at 5 p.m., area residents are invited to join the Amana Heritage Society for an open house of a new exhibit, “1923: The Fire that Sparked the Great Change.” This exhibit explores the devastating fire that destroyed the Amana Flour Mill and most of the Woolen Mill complex on Aug. 11, 1923. Admission to the Amana Heritage Museum is free during the open house and drinks and snacks will be provided.

Cookout contest

The Iowa County Farm Bureau cookout contest will be held Saturday, July 15, at the Iowa County Fair in Marengo. Preregistration 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.

WPL to host author

The Williamsburg Public Library will host Iowa author Joseph LeValley at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, July 22. LeValley, who has published six novels with sales in eight countries, winning 10 awards and honors, will speak about his award-winning Tony Harrington novels, and how he has published his books. His sixth novel in this series will be released this fall. The presentation will be held on the library’s upper level by the fireplace.

Questions may be directed to Sandy Jones, Adult Services Librarian, by calling the WPL at (319) 668-1195.

Heartland Quilters show

The Iowa County Heartland Quilters will hold their biannual 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.

Walking taco meal, movie

The English Valleys PTO will kick off North English Fun Days with a walking taco meal served from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Friday, July 28, on the east side of Faas Feed and Grain. Drive up and volunteers will deliver the meal to you. The $10 meal includes a walking taco, frozen fruit cup, cookie and water; walking taco and water only, $6.

The EV PTO will also show a family movie (to be determined) Friday, July 28, at dusk. Refreshments for purchase will include: popcorn, drinks, snow cones, pop floats and soft pretzels.

Fun Days brunch

The North English Community Center will host a North English Fun Days brunch from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, July 30. The menu includes egg casserole, bagels with cream cheese, pancakes with toppings, party potatoes and pork loin for a free will donation. The community center is located at 210 S. Main St., North English.

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.

Benton County

Blairstown Library program

The Blairstown Public Library will host Duke Otherwise, Entertainer Extraordinaire, at 4 p.m. Thursday, July 13, at the library. The show is free; the public is invited.

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.

Benton County ghost town program

The Benton County Historical Society will host Dave Baker from The 29th State for an interactive program on the ghost towns of Benton County. The program will be held at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 18, at the Vinton Depot, 612, 2nd Ave., Vinton.

All ages are welcome. Participants will learn about Benton City, Geneva, Gombersol, Irving, Gillespie, Cheney and more.

Hooligans car show

The fourth annual Hooligans car show to benefit the Keystone Fire Department will be held Aug. 6, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Main Street in Keystone. All years of cars, trucks and motorcycles are invited. Entry fee is $15 and awards are at 2 p.m. Event will be held rain or shine.

There will be raffles, a 50/50 drawing and the fire department will serve breakfast from 8 to 11 a.m. and lunch from noon to 2 p.m.

Senior Dining Menus

Belle Plaine and Marengo

Monday, July 17: Italian meatballs, spaghetti w/marinara, vegetable, applesauce Jell-O salad, sherbet cup, Bosco stick.

Tuesday, July 18: Meatloaf, party potatoes, brussels sprouts, tropical fruit, vanilla pudding, bread and butter.

Wednesday, July 19: Breaded chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, fiesta corn, strawberry/banana medley, bread and butter.

Thursday, July 20: Potato crusted fish, roasted red potatoes, three bean salad, fruit, bread and butter.

Friday, July 21: Barbecue ribette on a bun, O’Brien potatoes, baked beans, applesauce.

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