A mild December and February, with a doozy of a January in between…

Thanks to everyone who chipped in to keep everything moving after nearly a couple feet of snow, wind and bitter cold.

The new trash collection system seems to be going pretty well. The only trouble is remembering which week is recycling pickup. If you don’t have a calendar of these dates, you can print one off by going to the city’s website – http://www.vanhorne-ia.com – under ‘Services’ and then ‘Garbage/Recycling’.

Speaking of the website, you’ll notice a new, re-designed site with more features and links. Check back often as more improvements and enhancements are made. Kudos to Linda for all her hard work.

It’s time again to get your pet licensed. Forms are available on the website and in the lobby of City Hall. Please return them by March 15th.

Opportunities to get out and see your neighbors:

• Legion Fish Fry this Friday the 16th and Friday, March 15
• Lions Omelet Breakfast this Sunday the 18th from 8:30 to noon with Bingo from 1:00 to 3:00
• Community Potluck Tuesday, February 27 at noon.

Lastly, congratulations to the five Benton wrestlers at State this week – especially our hometown boys Eli & Troy Kupka. Best of luck!

— Mayor Pat Gorkow

“Be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let every new year find you a better man.”

-- Benjamin Franklin

LIBRARY NEWS FROM THE DIRECTOR:
DON’T FORGET WE HAVE EARLY OUT WEDNESDAYS WHEN WE OPEN AT 1 AND HAVE CRAFTS, GAMES, STEM CART AND MOVIES
Adult Fiction: HOLMES MARPLE & POE by James Patterson, UPSIDE DOWN by Danielle Steel, NIGHT ISLAND by Jayne Ann Krentz, RANDOM IN DEATH by J.D. Robb
Adult Fiction Large Print Books: THING WINGS OF POPPY PENDLETON by Melanie Dobson, THIS PASSING HOUR by Leslie Gould, TRUST THE STARS by Tricia Goyer, CITY OF BETRAYAL by Victoria Thompson, SHADOWS AT DUSK (missing in Alaska) by Elizabeth Goddard, MISS MORTON AND THE ENGLISH HOUSE PARTY MURDER by Catherine Lloyd, LOST AND HOUND by Rita Mae Brown, THE WONDER OF IT ALL by Barbara Taylor Bradford
Children’s: BERENSTAIN BEARS STAY HEALTHY by Mike Berenstain, MIGHTY MICAH by Jane Yolen, THE PRINCESS AND THE (GREEDY) PEA by Leigh Hodgkinson
YA: NIGHTSHADE REVENGE (ALEX RIDER) by Anthony Horowitz, BETTING ON YOU by Lynn Painter, JUST LIZZIE by Karen Wilfrid
Juvenile Non-Fiction: FRUITS WE EAT & VEGETABLES WE EAT by Gail Gibbons
Juvenile Fiction: WRATH BECOMES HER by Aden Polydoros