A fund raiser to aid Sarah Berg with raising …

By Kalona News

Fund raiser planned for Sarah Berg June 26

A fund raiser to aid Sarah Berg with raising money for a year with Up with People is set for Saturday, June 26 in the Richmond Park, starting at 3 p.m. The barbecue benefit is sponsored by Zora Lodge No. 23 (W.F.L.A.) and features a drawing for prizes, including adult and children’s bicycles.

Blood Drive scheduled for Monday, July 5

The semi-annual blood drive, sponsored by the Kalona Optimist Club in cooperation with the Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center is Monday, July 5, from 2:30-7:30 p.m. in the Kalona Mennonite Church. Appointments may be made by calling any Optimist member, but walk-ins are welcome.

Kalona Lioness Club sets Ice Cream Social

Proceeds from the Kalona Lioness Club’s Ice Cream Social Thursday, June 24, will benefit Destiny Bell, six-year old granddaughter of Esther Bell of Kalona. The child had been hospitalized since March 11 and was in the Intensive Care Unit for 11 weeks, then transferred to the University of Iowa Hospital School. She was afflicted with bacterial meningitis and, as a result, had both legs and nearly all the fingers of her left hand amputated. The fund raiser starts at 5:30 p.m. in the downtown B-4 Building.

Mid-Prairie board meets Monday, June 28

The Mid-Prairie Board of Education meets in regular session Monday, June 28, at 7:30 p.m. in the high school library. Agenda items are action on the Title I application, student/parent handbook, Y2K insurance coverage, certified and administrative contracts, student fees, and participation in Food Service Cooperative for Iowa Schools. There also will be a discussion about a board retreat.

Library program needs many volunteers

The summer program at the Kalona Public Library needs many volunteers to serve as listeners and help with activities Mondays from 2-3 p.m. in July. Call 656-3501 for details.

Hospice care offered in Washington County

Hospice of Washington County is a Medicare certified hospice that also offers services in area nursing homes. It has contracts with all of the nursing homes in Washington County. The hospice interdisciplinary team oversees care of the patient and is responsible for the cost of any equipment and supplies needed for control of symptoms related to a terminal illness. As a result, it can offer patient and family assistance in defraying cost of nursing home care. For more information, contact individual nursing homes or the hospice office at 319-653-7321.

Bob Gaston returns

Bob Gaston, retired Mid-Prairie Marching Band director, will direct a senior citizens band, New Horizons, from Davenport at a performance in Iowa City, Saturday, June 26 in the ped mall Black Hawk Park, northeast of the Holiday Inn. The program, featuring senior citizen bands from Iowa City, Cedar Rapids and Cedar Falls as well as Davenport, is 6-9 p.m.

County 4-H recognition luncheon set July 24

The Washington Bancorp which includes Washington Federal Savings Bank, Wellman Federal Savings Bank and Rubio Savings Bank of Brighton will hold its first county 4-H recognition luncheon July 24 as part of the final day of the Washington County Fair. It will follow the livestock auction and precede the annual awards ceremony.

Full Moon Hike planned at Hayes Timber Monday

The Washington County Conservation board will hold a Full Moon Hike Monday, June 28 at Hayes timber, starting at approximately 8:45 p.m. Participants should meet in the east parking lot at Hayes Timber, just off 5th St. in Washington. No flashlights are needed. For more information, call the Board at 319-653-7765.

Military tax exemption expanded by legislature

The Iowa legislature expanded the military tax exemption for veterans honorably discharged from the armed services who served during Lebanon or Grenada service (August 24, 1982-July 31, 1984). It also added Panama service from December 20, 1989-January 31, 1990 and expanded the definition of eligible to include former members of the Iowa National Guard and the reserve forces who served at least 20 years after January 28, 1973 and were discharged under honorable conditions or completed a minimum aggregate of 90 days of a active federal service (other than training) and were honorably discharged or retired under Title X of the U.S. Code.

To receive the exemption for the 1999 tax year, the exemption form must be signed in the county assessor’s office on or before July 1. For more information, call 319-653-7738.

Y2K preparedness focus of county task force

The group that has met since last year to gather Y2K information for the county has renamed itself the Washington County Preparedness Task Force because the members realized they were dealing with emergency preparedness, not just Y2K. The group’s next meeting is July 1 at 7 p.m. in the Washington County Safety Center. For more information, contact Jack Dillon at 319-653-2107.