Coming Events

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.

What Cheer Opera House

The What Cheer Opera House presents “The Boys” Saturday, April 1, at 7 p.m. This is a freewill donation show. Grant Ranch Grub and Pub will provide food and beverages outside from 5:30 p.m. through intermission.

Dessert cabaret

The Williamsburg Music Department presents a dessert cabaret Saturday, April 1, at 1 and 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.

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

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.

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.

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.

If you have 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

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.

Belle Plaine Legion

The Belle Plaine Legion will host a fish fry at the Legion hall from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, March 31. Carryouts are available.

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.

Newhall Lions pancake brunch

The Newhall Lions will host a pancake brunch Sunday, April 2, at Central Lutheran School, Newhall, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The menu includes pancakes along with scrambled eggs, Newhall Locker sausages, biscuits and gravy for a freewill donation.

Belle Plaine and Marengo Senior Dining

Monday, April 3: Oven fried chicken, mashed potatoes/gravy, fiesta corn, strawberry banana salad, bread and butter.

Tuesday, April 4: Pork loin, baked potatoes, veggie, fruit, dessert.

Wednesday, April 5: Pepper steak, mashed potatoes/gravy, veggie, fruit, bread and butter.

Thursday, April 6: Barbecue ribette/bun, O’Brien potatoes, baked beans, applesauce.

Friday, April 7: Italian baked fish, rice Florentine, carrots, Jell-O, pudding, bread and butter.

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.

(To submit a coming event, contact Melinda.Wichmann@Southeastiowaunion.com)