Coming Home

Homecoming ceremonies for three Iowa Army National Guard units, all part of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division, are being held today.

Company C, Brigade Special Troops Battalion, was greeted this morning in Cedar Rapids.

Company B, Brigade Special Troops Battalion, will be reunited with their families and friends at 12:30 in Johnston.

And Selected soldiers from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, will be welcomed at 1 p.m. in Boone.

Col. Greg Hapgood, Public Affairs Officer for the Iowa National Guard, says more than 30 homecomings will take place around the state over the next couple of months as the soldiers, deployed to Afghanistan in August of 2010, return home.

Anyone who has information on specific soldiers or units returning at specific times can let us here at KSIB know by emailing us at news@ksibradio.com

SWCC Board Meeting

The Southwestern Community College (SWCC) board of directors met Tuesday, and approved a bid of $205,000 from Milicent E. Young for the sale of the 2009 student-constructed carpentry house at 1303 N. Mulberry Street in Creston.

The board approved five new instructors for the coming year:
Blair Croan, English instructor; Megan Weis, instructor for SWCC’s new health information technology program; Larry Clinton Williams, biology instructor; Timothy Leonard, psychology instructor; Dennis Downing, instructor for carpentry and building trades.

Dr. Matt Thompson, SWCC dean of students, reported SWCC’s summer enrollment is at 617 students. This is up six students from 2010.

Dr. Barb Crittenden, SWCC president, reported preliminary reports are indicating the college’s state general aid will increase approximately $96,000 from the current year; however, overall the college is still down in aid approximately $539,000 from the fiscal year 2009 appropriation.

GRMC Volunteer Training

The Greater Regional Medical Center Volunteer Services Department will be conducting a training session for new Informational Guide volunteers on Tuesday, July 26, 8:30 a.m.-12 noon, in the Medical Arts Plaza Conference Room at the Medical Center.

The training session is a great opportunity for potential volunteers to learn how to assist with this important service at Greater Regional Medical Center. The session will include presentations from some of the departments our volunteers assist and a full tour of the Medical Center.

Anyone in the community who might be interested in volunteering should call 782-3553 to learn more or to register for the sessions.

Gardens of Quilts

Quilts and flowers will come together in a unique way on Tuesday, July 26 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Henry A. Wallace Country Life Center, near Orient.

Each of the Center’s seven flower gardens will feature vignettes of handmade quilts, wall hangings, and table runners mixed with antique furnishings.

Inside the gift shop, special guest Alice Porter of Ogden will be demonstrating her skill as a wood carver and carousel restorer.

Attendees to the Gardens of Quilts can also taste and purchase Iowa wines and enjoy live music. For an additional charge, the Gathering Table Café will serve a summer evening menu from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Reservations for the dinner are required before July 23 and can be made by calling 641-337-5019.