Benefit for nearly four-month old Carson Thoma…

By News Dept.

Carson Thomas benefit set for December 11

Benefit for nearly four-month old Carson Thomas, son of Dave and Kelley Otterberg of Washington, is set for December 11 in the VFW Hall, Washington, with dinner from 4:40-7 p.m. and an auction and dance following. Donations will be accepted at the door. The child, also the grandson of Warren and Kathy Otterberg of Washington and Tom and Sue Thomas of West Chester, was born August 10 with a rare disease, similar to Di George Syndrome, that results in defects such as cleft palate and lip, club feet and a retracted jaw. He has had to have a feeding tube, a breathing apparatus (trache) and constant use of oxygen, and will need special care for years. The disease affects only 50-75 people in the entire United States.

Mid-Prairie Board meets December 13

The Mid-Prairie Board of Education meets in regular session, Monday, December 13, at 7 p.m. in the high school. Agenda items are accepting bids for a school bus, a dialogue with State Representative Sandy Greiner, action on the line item budget, SBRC Allowable Growth Application and a report about tightening of money handling regulations.

Kalona library offers holiday Storytime

A special School’s Out Storytime for all ages is set for December 22 and 29 at the Kalona Public Library. Both are 10:30-11:30 a.m. The December 22 programs features Tree of Cranes by Allen Fay and papercraft and orgami activities. The send program has assorted short children’s videos.

Lessons and Carols set at Pleasant Hill church

A program of Christmas Lessons and Carols is set for Thursday, December 9, at 7 p.m. in the Pleasant Hill Methodist Church, Joetown. Local area musicians are featured and Wally Brenneman will lead the congregational hymn singing.

Y’s Men set auditions

Auditions for the Washington Y’s Men’s production of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s State Fair are Monday and Tuesday, December 13 and 14 from 6:30-9:30 p.m. in the Washington Community Center. Actors, singers, dancers, musicians and technicians are needed. First performance is February 11. For more information, call 319-653-5175 or 319-694-3063.

Toys for Tots drive underway in area

The United States Marine Corps Reserve has joined with Mustang Market Texaco Convenience stores for its annual Toys for Tots collection drive. Donations of clean, undamaged toys may be left in barrels at the convenience stores in Iowa City, Coralville, Solon, Mt. Pleasant and Crawfordsville. The collection continues through mid-December and local social service agencies will collect and distribute the toys locally.

Winter Solstice Sky Show scheduled

The Washington County Astronomy Club and the Washington County Conservation Board will sponsor the Winter Solstice Sky Show December 11, starting at 6 p.m. at Marr Park, on the levee of the old pond. Local amateur astronomers will have several large telescopes to aid viewing of planets Jupiter and Saturn. Winter Solstice is December 22, marking the southern most declination of the sun for the year. For more information, call the club, 319-653-5217 or 319-653-3496 or the county naturalist, 319-653-7765.

Conservation Board offers craft program

The Washington County Conservation Board has set a craft program for Saturday, December 11, at l p.m. in the upstairs room of the Washington library. Participants will learn the ancient Japanese art of gyotaku (fish-printing) and may take a plain T-shirt to the session. The $l.50 charge covers materials for the fish-printing and other crafts. Pre-registration is requested and may be made by calling, 319-653-7765.

Free ag packet offered

A free packet of materials to help people learn more about agriculture is available from the Johnson County Soil and Water Conservation District office, 319-337-2322, Extension 3. The packet was developed as part of the District’s Community Guide to agriculture projects, with support form the Leopold Center for Sustainable agriculture. It contains guides to rural related agencies, an essay about Iowa agriculture, maps and other subjects.

Tax Guide available

The Farmer’s Tax guide for preparation of 1999 tax returns is now available at the Washington County Extension office.

Theatre Cedar Rapids sets auditions

Theatre Cedar Rapids, 102 3rd St. SE, has open auditions December 19 and 20 at 7 p.m. for women ages 12 and older and men, ages 16 and older for The Diary of Anne Frank. Performances are February 4-20 and include four weekday school matinees. Additional information and scripts are available at the TCR business office, 319-366-8592, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays.