Coming Events

Butler’s Bunch

The Butler’s Bunch/Sharing For Hope cancer support group will meet at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 12, at Compass Memorial Healthcare, Marengo. The group is for all persons whose lives have been impacted by cancer.

Iowa County SWCD meeting

The Iowa County SWCD will hold its monthly meeting on April 18 at the USDA building, 435 N. Highland St., Williamsburg, at 8 a.m. Please call ahead if special accommodations are needed, (319) 668-2359 ext. 300.

The Iowa County SWCD is conducting their monthly meetings on the same schedule via conference calls for the time being. The meetings are still open to the public. If interested in attending they can email debra.conrad@ia.nacdnet.net for the conference call information.

Quilt Amana

Quilt Amana 2023 will be held April 14 to 16 at Price Creek Event Center, Amana. The even includes quilts on show and for sale, vendors, guest artists and exhibits. This year the “Found” exhibit returns, featuring an all new selection of rescued and reproduced quilts.

A meet and greet with Rita Moore of Quilts of Valor will be held at their information booth featuring her 100th Quilt of Valor. Also on hand are featured guest quilter Mary Shotwell (Des Moines), a tribute to Kalona quilter Sarah Miller and the Safe Haven of Iowa County animal rescue raffle quilt.

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.

Ladies Day Out

The Marengo Golf Club, 1655 M Ave., Marengo, will host Ladies Day Out Saturday, April 15, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be drawings and food and drink specials.

Vendors currently include Avon, Color Street, Beyond The Pages, Crafty Creations by Becky, Tupperware, Teaching Lady Creations and Charlie Jack Candle Co. More vendors may be added.

EV students service day

English Valleys Junior/Senior High School will hold a community service day in North English on Wednesday, April 19. Anyone who needs work done or assistance with any type of spring cleaning is asked to contact Mr. Breuer, email to nbreuer@english-valleys.k12.ia.us or call (563) 258-2559) at the high school as soon as possible.

North English garage sales

The list is growing for North English’s annual garage sales on April 20-21-22 with over 20 residences planning sales. Maps showing the locations of sales will be available at the North English Post Office, Casey’s and Freeman Foods.

North English vendor, craft show

A spring vendor and craft show will be held Saturday, April 22, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the North English Community Center, 210 S. Main St. The event will include macramé, jewelry, gifts and more. Free admission; a baked potato bar lunch will be available. For more information or vendor inquiries, contact Lisa at (319) 551-1127 or email dlzimm@netins.net

EV History Center program

Dallas County historian Rod Stanley, Dexter, will present “The Dexfield Park Shootout” at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 23, at the English Valleys History Center, North English. His presentation will focus on the event that took place on July 24, 1933, when Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow hid at an abandoned amusement park three miles north of Dexter. Historians think they stayed there for around five days after being involved in another shootout at Platte City, Mo.

The English Valleys History Center is located at 108 N. Main Street in North English. The public is invited to this free event. Donations are accepted.

Ravenwolf Productions hosts Tempest

Ravenwolf Productions will host Celtic rock band Tempest with special guest A Rogue Wave beginning at 6 p.m. Friday, April 28, at the Ravenwolf performance venue 2283 240th St., Williamsburg. Since forming in 1988, Tempest has delivered a globally-renowned hybrid of high-energy folk rock fusing Irish reels, Scottish ballads, Norwegian influences and other world music elements. For ticket information, visit www.ravenwolf.productions. Patrons are welcomed to bring their own refreshments and chairs.

LifeServe Blood Drive in Victor

The Victor Community LifeServe Blood Drive will be held Tuesday, April 25, from 1 to 5:55 p.m. at the Victor American Legion Hall. The drive is sponsored by the Victor American Legion, Victor Legion Auxiliary and the Victor Knights of Columbus.

Call Karen Heitmann at (319) 647-3457 or LifeServe at (800) 287-4903 or visit lifeservebloodcenter.org for appointments.

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

Belle Plaine fish fry

The Belle Plaine American Legion will hold a fish, shrimp and combo fry Friday, April 14, at the Legion Hall from 5 to 7 p.m. The menu includes baked potato, baked beans and coleslaw. Carryouts are available.

Blairstown American Legion supper

The Blairstown American Legion will hold a rib-eye steak, fried fish and mountain oyster supper Friday, April 14, with serving from 5 to 7 p.m.

Blairstown FD spaghetti dinner

The Blairstown Fire Department will hold their 10th annual spaghetti dinner Saturday, April 22, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the community center, 305 Locust St. Serving is dine in or carryout with in-town delivery only; call (319) 454-6492 for delivery. Freewill donation.

Belle Plaine FD pancake breakfast

The Belle Plaine Fire Department will hold its annual pancake breakfast from 7 a.m. to noon Sunday, April 23, at the fire department. The menu includes pancakes, biscuits and gravy, sausage, ham and beverages for a freewill donation. Proceeds support equipment purchases and training.

Van Horne Lions Club

The Van Horne Lions Club will hold a breakfast Sunday, April 23, at the Van Horne Community Center, from 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon. All proceeds will go to an organization in Van Horne, such as the fire department, Boy Scouts, or rec department.

In conjunction, Van Horne Economic Development will host a Business Appreciation Day. This is an opportunity for you to meet the business owners/managers in Van Horne, find out about their services and try samples of their products.

Senior Dining Menus

Belle Plaine and Marengo

Monday, April 17: Country fried steak, mashed potatoes/gravy, chuck wagon corn, dessert.

Tuesday, April 18: Loose meat sandwich/bun, potato wedges, cauliflower, emerald pears.

Wednesday, April 19: Closed for staff meeting.

Thursday, April 20: Potato crusted fish, wild rice, spinach cranberry salad/Italian dressing, spiced peaches, bread and butter.

Friday, April 21: Barbecue chicken, baked beans, Hawaiian coleslaw, Jell-O, cornbread.

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

North English and Millersburg

Monday, April 17: Shepherd’s pie, veggie, fruit, milk.

Tuesday, April 18: Chicken salad sandwich, veggie, fruit, milk.

Wednesday, April 19: Meatloaf, sweet potatoes, veggie, fruit, dessert, milk.

Thursday, April 20: Closed.

Friday, April 21: Baked potato, broccoli cheese soup, veggie, fruit, milk.

(Coming events may be sent to Melinda.Wichmann@Southeastiowaunion.com)