The Mennonite Historical Society of Iowa will …

By Kalona News

Mennonite Historical Society meets May 18

The Mennonite Historical Society of Iowa will hold its annual spring meeting (with carry-in dinner) at 6 p.m., Tuesday, May 18, in the Kalona Chamber of Commerce Building. Beverages will be furnished. The program centers on a recent booklet by Grace Tiessen, Iowa Amish and Mennonite Churches. Several people will speak about local Amish-Mennonite church groups and there will be a short business meeting. The program is open to the public.

IMS Academic, Fine Arts Night May 18

Iowa Mennonite School’s Academic and Fine Arts Awards Night is Tuesday, May 18, at 7 p.m. in the school chapel. Besides recognizing students in the arts and various subject areas, 26 juniors and seniors will be inducted into the Berean Chapter of the National Honor Society.

IMS annual concert set

The Iowa Mennonite School music department will present its annual Spring Music Concert Thursday, May 20, at 7 p.m. in the school chapel. Bradley Kauffman directs both choirs, chorale and Concert Touring choir, the orchestra and the Madrigal singers. The program is open to the public without charge.

Highland raising funds to aid tornado victims

Highland High School, in cooperation with the American Red Cross, is raising funds for tornado victims in Oklahoma through May 21. The high school government class hopes to raise $2,000. Donations may be sent to the school, 1715 Vine Ave., Riverside, Iowa 52327, or by calling 648-2891.

6th annual Festival set in Iowa City May 15

The 6th annual Johnson County Ag Festival is Saturday, May 15, from 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the Johnson County 4-H fairgrounds, Iowa City. Free food samples will be available from the pork, dairy, beef, lamb and poultry associations, and there will be booth giveaways, a petting zoo, activities and rides for children and numerous displays dealing with agriculture and ag-related topics.

Storytime at library

Storytime at the Kalona Public Library, Wednesday, May 19, at 10:30 a.m. features Children’s Program Coordinator Mary Piper with stories about dinosaurs.

Physical exams offered by county health care

Physical examinations are available at the Washington County Public Health and Home Care for those less than 21 years old. Services are the first and second Thursday of each month and include a medical history, nutrition screening, dental screening, consultation with a social worker, immunization update and physical exam by a pediatric nurse practitioner. Exams qualify for school, camp and sports physicals, and cost is determined by income and possibly will be free. Call 319-653-7758 to schedule an appointment.

Life in the Water program at Marr Park May 22

The Washington County Conservation Board will hold Life in the Water, a family program at Marr Park, Saturday, May 22, from 1-3 p.m. The event deals with different forms of life in the park’s mini-lake and participants will learn about nymphs, larvae, copepods and other creatures. For more information, call the board at 319-653-7765.

Rape Victim program support group meets

The Rape Victim Advocacy Program of Washington County has a support group for women survivors of sexual violence. The group meets Tuesdays, May 18-July 6, from 6-7:30 p.m. Call 863-8800 or 1-800-284-7821 for location and more information.

Blood Center honors area high schools

Local area high schools are among the 39 schools (and the hundreds of high school age blood donors) recognized by the Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center for holding blood drives in 1998-99. The students will be honored May 14, from 10:30-1:30 p.m. at the Guard City Airport observation deck. Among the schools are Mid-Prairie, Iowa Mennonite, Highland and Washington. Last year, the high school drives accounted for seven percent of the total collections for the Center.

Farmers Market starts in Washington

The first Farmers’ Market of the 1999 season starts at 5 p.m., Thursday, May 13 in the downtown Central Park, Washington. Vegetables, freshly baked bread and pies are expected for sale, as well as seedlings and cuttings from Lending Hands Plant Event.