The NIHS choir sang three numbers for their final concert of the school year on Tuesday, May 5 in the North Iowa Auditorium. Front from left are: Lexi Gray, Norah Blodgett, and Lauren Hillesland. Back row: Khloe Wubben and Kayla Heyer. (Photo by North Iowa Yearbook)

Forest City Public Library Director Christa Cosgriff, left, and Librarian Linda Jordahl look over books purchased from the Rob-See-Co Grant. The grant received was to purchase juvenile books. Forest City was one of 100 rural libraries in 10 states to receive this grant. (Submitted photo)

The Forest City Public Library is partnering with the Forest City Ambulance Service for a First Aid Safety Fair. The event will be held Thursday, May 28, at the Emergency Medical Services building on Highway 69 from 5-7 p.m.

Justice Jack Rhody of Forest City was among a record 3,762 graduates who received degrees from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln during commencement exercises May 8-9.

Rhody earned a Bachelor of Journalism from the College of Journalism and Mass Communications.

North Iowa Elementary School welcomed 31 children for the annual Kindergarten Roundup on Thursday, May 7, as the kids had a chance to meet the teachers and get a preview of what school will be like when they enroll this fall. Kids taking part in the morning session for Kindergarten Roundup on Thursday included, in front: Gabriel Burkhow.

Community Chapel in Lakota will host this year’s Answers in Genesis VBS, “Emerald Crossing,” the week of June 1-5. VBS will be held Monday through Friday that week from 9 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. All children coming out of grades K-6 are welcome to attend.

Ava Meinders of Buffalo Center is the local recipient of the Foundation for Rural Service (FRS) Everett Kneece Scholarship. Ava is the daughter of Bruce and Stacie Meinders, and she plans to attend Iowa State University this fall, to pursue a degree in Animal Science.

Registration is open for “Snowball Mountain Challenge,” the summer Vacation Bible School program at Winnebago Lutheran Church. VBS will be held June 1-4, from 9-11:30 a.m., and registration is open now through May 22.

The Avenue of Flags will honor approximately 200 veterans when the flags fly at the Buffalo Center cemeteries this Memorial Day, and more additions welcome.

The Buffalo Center Volunteer Fire Department fired up the grills for their first burger feed of the year on Wednesday, Apr. 29. The firemen served upwards of 300 meals during the drive-thru fundraiser, with proceeds supporting the department. The firemen were joined by family members who helped them serve the to-go meals. (Submitted photo)

The Winnebago County Conservation Board will once again work with NIACC this summer to host Critter Camp, a week-long series of day camps for kids going into grades 1-5. The camps will be held from 9:00-11:00 a.m. at several locations throughout the county June 8-12. The cost of the camps will be $9, and that cost will cover all five days. 

The City of Fertile is proud to announce it has officially joined more than 125 Iowa communities and counties in becoming a designated Home Base Iowa (HBI) Community – a meaningful commitment to honoring and supporting our nation’s veterans and active service members.

The Forest City Chamber of Commerce and Visitor’s Center, alongside the Forest Theatre, hosts the Forest Theatre’s Business After Hours at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 21. The theatre is located at 215 N. Clark St. in Forest City.

The Hanson Nature Center located north of Leland will be open several Saturdays this summer. It will be open on the three holiday weekends, as well as an additional Saturday in August when there will be a program. As always, it is free to visit the center.

The next community blood drive in Lake Mills is scheduled for Thursday, May 21 from 1-6 p.m. at Salem Lutheran Church, located at 401 S. Lake St.

The blood drive will be conducted by LifeServe Blood Center, and anyone interested in donating can make an appointment by visiting lifeservebloodcenter.org or by calling 800-287-4903.