Mar_April

Connections Club

March/April 2020 Edition

Adventurous

Magnificent

South American Adventure February 16-27, 2021

Charm

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Calendar and Contents

Hello from Connie

Calendar 2020 March 1 Rock of Ages/Grand Opera House March 3-25 New Zealand & Australia March 20 Piano Fondue Dueling Pianos/ UD (p.6) April 9 Travel Preview-New York City April 17 Give ‘Em Hell Harry/Heritage Center (p.6) April 22 Travel Preview South American Adventure (p.21) April 24 Home Free/Five Flags Center (p.7) April 26 Exit Laughing /Bell Tower (p.7) May 1-5 Virginia Beach/Norfolk/Outer Banks (p.14-15) May 2 DSO Classics 5 with Heartland Marimba/Five Flags Theater (p.8) May 22 Our Lady of the Mississippi Abbey (p.8) May 28 Travelers Trek/Kalona, IA (p.5) June 11 JimMcDonough/Cedar Rapids, IA (p.12) June 14 Matilda The Musical /Grand Opera House (p.9) June 19 Grease /Five Flags Theater (p.9) June 24 What Happens In Vegas /Fireside Theater (p.13) July 15 Celebration Belle (p.10) July 19 Brigadoon /Grand Opera House (p.10) July 22-24 [My]stery Trip (p.22) August 13 Beyond the Game an Iowa Baseball Experience (p.11) August 27-Sept 6 Danube Delights River Cruise (p.16-17) Nov 20-24 Holiday Time in New York City (p.18-19) Calendar 2021 Feb 16-27 South American Adventure (p.20)

Hello Friends,

What have you all been up to? We are moving right along through winter. I’m happy to report no polar vortex this year…yet. The Club has been busy going places and planning future events. I’m promoting our Virginia Beach tour and hope to have a few more people join us. We secured ocean-front accommodations all four nights and have an amazing itinerary

planned. We selected the dates of May 1-5 so we can attend the Virginia International Tattoo. It is described as the largest spectacle of music and might in the United States of America. An astounding display of inspirational military music, majestic massed pipes and drums, show stopping drill teammaneuvers and so much more. We spend time in Virginia Beach, Norfolk, and Outer Banks. We have less than 10 cabins remaining on our Danube Delights River Cruise. The free airfare incentive has been extended to May 31, 2020. Call to make your reser- vations today and join 41 other Connections Club members and guests on a trip of a lifetime. Every other month when the Journal is printed and sent to you it means that I have been doing some heavy-duty planning. I’m securing new venues, and researching what is new and popular plus tried and true. I feel that it requires me to somewhat live in a futuristic state of mind. It is kind of crazy, but sometimes I forget what month and year we are in. My days are filled with meetings and deadlines, with trips to promote, and appointments to schedule. Sound familiar? Of course, it does. All of us have been in this situation at some time or other. This is about the time I scream STOP! What are you doing today? We can’t waste one single second of this precious thing called life. Take time to write a note to someone special or even better pick up the phone and let them hear your beautiful voice. Take time to smile and laugh a little. I know we all have had a time when we wished we would have done something different. Today is your chance. You can’t go back and change the past, but you certainly can go forward and try it again the way you wished you would have done it originally. It might have to be to someone different, but it is worth doing, I promise. The ability to do this is a true gift that we are given. Sometimes we just need a little nudge to remember it. Live in the present.

Contents

Notes from Connie Bulletin Board Dyersville/Farley One-Day Ventures Virginia Beach Danube Delights Local Events

p. 3 p. 4 p. 5

pp. 6-11 pp. 12-13 pp. 14-15 pp. 16-17

New York City pp. 18-19 SouthAmericanAdventure p. 20-21 Mystery Trip p. 22 Missing Word Contest p. 23

Make today great for yourself and others that you love.

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Bulletin Board

Dyersville/Farley Events

To become a Connections Club member: Reach age 40 or better and maintain qualifying account balances. Stop by any branch to request membership information. To be eligible you can choose options 1, 2, or 3: 1. Maintain at least $5,000 in one of the following MidWest One Bank accounts: checking, savings, or money market account. 2. Maintain at least $10,000 in any combination of the following MidWest One accounts: checking, savings, certificates of deposit, money market account, IRA, personal trust services, or brokerage services. 3. Qualify with an initial bal- ance of $50,000 on either a consumer or mortgage loan. (Loans can’t be combined, a joint account relationship held by husband and wife qualifies both. No membership fees are involved. Personal accounts only.) Referral Program: Refer family and friends to Connections Club who do not already bank with MidWest One , and if they join, we will send you a check for $15. There is no limit to the number of referrals you can make. (Husband and wife joining count as one referral.) Bring a Guest: Members are encouraged to invite friends and you may register one guest for each Club event. A couple may invite two individuals. As space becomes available, eachmember may invite more than one guest. For reservations call: Connie Francis: 563.589.0804 Lori Marshall: 608.723.5678 Angie Adams: 608.744.2125 Cancellation Policy: If a cancellation is necessary, every effort will be made to provide either a partial or full refund. However, we cannot provide a guarantee of a full refund. Please be advised that there will be circumstances when refunds will not be possible due to ticket purchases, meal number guarantees, etc. If a tour is cancelled due to insufficient reservation numbers, you will be issued a full refund. On tours where an outside agent is used, we will adhere to the written cancellation policy of the agent. Stand-By List: We always appreciate your willingness to be on the stand-by list for trips that are filled. Please call and add your name to any that interest you. You may get a call to join us. Points for Travel Program: Each time you travel with us, earn valuable points to redeem as cash discounts for future travel! Every travel day earns you 75 points. For every 300 points you accumulate, you earn a $10 credit toward your next trip. Sheila Tegeler: 563.875.2491 Pam Kreul: 608.822.7300 Kristie Heims: 563.744.3380 Jean Wanezek: 608.348.4300

Travelers Trek Thursday, May 28, 2020 Kalona, IA

Located just South of Iowa City is the community of Kalona, Iowa. Kalona, the local Amish community, is home to a large variety of Amish businesses that feature general merchandise, custom furniture, bulk foods, fresh produce, bakery goods, quilts, whole- sale plants and more. Join us for this fun filled day as we learn all about this Mennonite community. We will start our day at the Village Welcome Center where we will be welcomed with Coffee and Strudel. We will also listen to a local Mennonite who will share the history and how the Mennonites settled in Kalona. We will then travel the scenic back roads in our motor coach with our step-on guide. We will visit three to four destinations in the Kalona countryside. We will discover the world of the Kalona businesses and the Amish who continue to live the simple, wholesome lives of our pioneers. We will see their homes, schools and farms as we also learn about their fascinating traditions and customs. Our Trek will also include a culinary adventure in a country setting, where we will enjoy a lovely homemade family-style meal served in a Conservative Mennonite home. From home-baked fresh bread to fresh fruit pies, we ensure you will not leave hungry! A program about the Amish and Mennonite way of life will accompany our meal. Your Connections Club price is just $79 per person and includes transportation from Dubuque, Farley, and Dyersville, driver’s gratuity, tours and meal. Full pay- ment, refundable until April 20, 2020, is due with registration.

Member FDIC | Equal Housing Lender

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Local Events

Piano Fondue Dueling Pianos Friday, March 20, 2020, 7:30 p.m. UD Heritage Center 2255 Bennett Street, Dubuque, IA

Home Free — Dive Bar Saints World Tour Friday, April 24, 2020, 8:00 p.m. Five Flags Center 405 Main St, Dubuque, IA

Piano Fondue presents a fully-interactive, high-energy, sing-along show. Two entertainers take their places behind two baby grand pianos on stage, and the audience controls the set list on their smartphones. Audience members can visit Piano Fondue’s request website, view the set list, and manipulate it in real-time. They can add songs to the list or move songs around. The entire show is crowdsourced. Your Connections Club price is just $16 for prime seating.

Home Free features rich southern harmonies from four vocalists Tim Foust, Rob Lundquist, Austin Brown, Adam Chance, and one beatboxer Adam Rupp. The group achieved worldwide acclaim in 2013, when they won the fourth season of the NBC singing competition The Sing Off. The group’s extraordinary showmen electrify crowds with a one-of-a-kind live show, mixing Nashville standards, soaring originals, and quick-witted humor which brings audiences to their feet with energy and laughter. Your Connections Club price is just $29.50 for section 5, rows N, P, and Q.

Give ‘Em Hell Harry A Tribute to President Harry Truman Friday, April 17, 2020, 3:30 p.m. UD Heritage Center

Exit Laughing by Paul Elliott Sunday, April 26, 2020, 2:00 p.m. Bell Tower Theater 2728 Asbury Road, Dubuque, IA

Give ‘Em Hell Harry! Is a faithful and often humorous portrayal of President Harry S. Truman’s life and presidency. It spans his childhood, his “political apprenticeship” as a judge in Jackson County , MO, his years in the US Senate and his momentous two terms as President. Actor James Whitmore originated the role in 1975. Clifton Truman Dan- iel took up the mantle in October 2017, marking the first time in history a US President would be portrayed onstage by a direct descendant….in this case, his oldest grandson. Your Connections Club price is just $16 for prime seating.

When the biggest highlight in your life for the past 30 years has been your weekly bridge night out with the “girls,” what do [you] do when one of your foursome inconve- niently dies? You “borrow” the ashes from the funeral home for one last card game, of course. This wildly funny new comedy shows all the fun you can have when you’re truly living. Your Connections Club price is just $18 for prime seating.

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Local Events

Matilda The Musical Sunday, June 14, 2020, 2:00 p.m. Grand Opera House 135 W 8th St, Dubuque, IA

DSO Classics 5 with Heartland Marimba Saturday, May 2, 2020, 7:30 p.m. Lobby Doors Open 6:30 p.m., Theater Doors Open 7:00 p.m. Dubuque Symphony Orchestra Five Flags Theater 405 Main St, Dubuque, IA

The Tony Award-winning Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical is a captivating masterpiece that revels in the anarchy of childhood, the power of imagination and the inspiring story of a girl who dreams of a better life. Matilda is a little girl with astonishing wit, intelligence, and psychokinetic powers. She’s unloved by her cruel parents but impresses her schoolteacher, the highly loveable Miss Honey. Over the course of her first term at school, Matilda and Miss Honey have a profound effect on each other’s lives. Matilda’s school life isn’t completely smooth sailing, however – the school’s mean headmistress, Miss Trunchbull, hates children and just loves thinking up new punishments for those who don’t abide by her rules. But Matilda could be the students saving grace! Children and adults alike will be thrilled and delighted by the story of the special little girl with an extraordinary imagination. Your Connections Club price is just $16 for prime seating.

Don’t miss the sensational finale to the DSOs Classics Series, a concert that has it all! They open with the light and lively Petite Suite for Orchestra by Bizet, which is sure to charm and delight. Heartland Marimba performs the world premiere of contemporary composer Kevin Romanski’s concerto for four marimbas and orchestra— a sight to behold and a sonic spectacle! A spirited Grande Tarantelle follows. They close the night with Beethoven’s 3rd Symphony, a symphony that is considered by many not [only] to be his greatest, but arguably the greatest symphony by any composer! Your Connections Club price is just $40 for prime seating.

Our Lady of the Mississippi Abbey Friday, May 22, 2020, 11:00 p.m. 8400 Abbey Hill Lane, Dubuque, IA

Grease Friday, June 19, 2020, 7:30 p.m. The Rising Star Theater Company Five Flags Theater 135 W 8th St, Dubuque, IA

Our Lady of the Mississippi Abbey is a monastery of Cistercian (Trappist) nuns situated on a beautiful bluff overlooking the Mississippi river south of Dubuque, IA. A community of 22 Roman Catholic women who try to follow Jesus Christ through a life of prayer, silence, simplicity, and ordinary work. Join Connections Club to meet with Sr. Christine as she shows us a power point about their lifestyle. Sr. will give us time for question, and time at the gift shop for candy purchasing. We conclude with prayer. We are invited to stay and enjoy free time to look around and take in the beauty of this mag- nificent area. This event is free of charge, however, space is limited, call to make your reservation.

The Broadway musical Grease , which led to one of the greatest movie musicals of all time, continues [to] be a favorite for audiences of all ages. Revisit Danny Zuko, the head greaser, and his love interest, good girl Sandy Dumbrowski along with the Pink La- dies and Burger Palace Boys of Rydell High. This 1950s singing and dancing extravaganza includes favorites “Summer Nights,” “Greased Lightnin’,” “Born to Hand Jive,” and “We Go Together.” Your Connections Club price is just $14 for prime seating.

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Local Events

Celebration Belle Four-hour Oldies Cruise Wednesday, July 15, 2020 Boarding 10:30 p.m., Sailing 11:00 p.m. Port of Dubuque

Beyond the Game an Iowa Baseball Experience Thursday, August 13, 2020 Rain date Friday, August 14, 2020 Dyersville, IA

Cruise down the Mississippi and reminisce with entertainers Aaron and Jade to 50s and 60s music. Homemade sticky rolls and fresh fruit are available upon boarding, and a hot two entrée lunch buffet will be served. Pre-cruise check-in will take place for those registered at the Port of Dubuque prior to the cruise. Your Connections Club price is just $60 per person, due at reservation.

MidWest One Bank is sponsoring an event called Beyond the Game. Experience a once in a lifetime opportunity as history is made at the Field of Dreams Movie Site. Immerse yourself in outdoor concerts and events, a major league baseball fanfest, and viewing parties of the highly anticipated August 13th face off between the Chicago White Sox and the New York Yankees. Connections Club is going to Dyersville to get in the action. Details are still being worked out but we know we want to be a part of it. This venue offers a variety of activities surrounding the big game. There will be exhibits, live entertainment food and more. We have a motor coach reserved to get you there and back. More details to come!

Brigadoon Sunday, July 19, 2020, 2:00 p.m. Grand Opera House 135 W 8th St, Dubuque, IA

Lerner and Loewe’s Brigadoon is the enchanting and beloved Broadway and West End musical that inspired the classic MGM film, and numerous productions all over the world. Featuring such standards as “Almost Like Being in Love,” “Come to Me, Bend To Me,” and “Heather on the Hill,” Brigadoon is a timeless, romantic classic which vividly brings the mystery and magic of the Scottish highlands to life. New Yorker Tommy Albright unexpectedly arrives at the mysterious Scottish Highland village of Brigadoon, which only appears for one day every 100 years. When Tommy meets and falls in love with Fiona, a beautiful villager in this magical hamlet, he must decide whether to return to his old life, or stay in Brigadoon – forever. Your Connec- tions Club price is just $16 for prime seating.

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One-Day Ventures

What Happens in Vegas Wednesday, June 24, 2020

Jim McDonough’s Home Concert Thursday, June 11, 2020 Cedar Rapids, IA

Fireside Theater Fort Atkinson, WI

Please join Connections Club for an unforgettable concert experience at the Cedar Rapids home of International Steinway Artist, JimMcDonough. We will be treated to a full- length concert (approximately 2 hours), featuring McDonough’s distinctive brand of piano music, as well as stories and memories, intertwined with everyone’s favorite songs. The event will include an intermission boasting beautiful, complimentary desserts and cham- pagne (non-alcoholic options will also be available). See for yourself why other groups and individuals alike are raving about this rare, one-of-a-kind experience. Prior to the concert we will stop in the Lindale Mall area. You can shop for a bit and/ or grab lunch on your own at one of the nearby restaurants or the food court in the Mall. We believe this will be a very popular event. We need at least 40 people in attendance in order for the concert to be performed. We can take up to 55 people on this adventure. Your Connections Club price is just $102 per person and includes transpor- tation fromDubuque, Farley or Dyersville, driver’s gratuity and concert ticket. Full Payment, refundable until May 11, 2020, is due with your reservation.

For over 70 years Las Vegas has been the entertainment capital of the world. Just about every great entertainer has appeared in Las Vegas over the last seven decades. The world’s best singers, dancers, musicians, and comedians have flocked to this city where dreams become reality. Now The Fireside will pay tribute to many of those legendary performers in an all new live band show featuring Steve Watts and the celebrated Fireside Band. From the early days with Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack to the contemporary artists of today, we’ll feature the work of many Las Vegas favorites in the most spectacular band show yet. What happens in Vegas won’t stay in Vegas. It will be here for all to see and enjoy on the stage of The Fireside Theatre. Your Connections Club price is just $115 per person and includes transportation from Dubuque, plated lunch, show, and driver’s gratuity. Full payment, refundable until May 22, is due with your registration.

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Extended Travel

Virginia Beach, Norfolk, and Outer Banks May 1-5, 2020 This trip is sure to please with its history and beauty. All four nights we stay at the same oceanfront hotel. Day 1: Today we will fly into Richmond, VA, and travel down to Virginia Beach. After a short one-hour drive, we arrive at our hotel where we will stay for the next four nights. Relax and unpack knowing you don’t have to pack up again until we head home on Tuesday. We will gather for an included dinner this evening. (D) Day 2: We have a full day today following a great breakfast at the hotel. Just a half an hour away from Virginia Beach is Norfolk, VA, home to the world’s biggest Naval base. Our day will begin with tours by land and sea as we visit the Nauticus and battleship Wisconsin . Nauticus is the science center and museum known as the National Maritime Center, which features one of the largest battleships in the US – the Wisconsin . Next we are treated to reserved seating for the Parade of Nations as the performers we will be seeing later at the Tattoo will be marching in the parade along the streets of Norfolk. Following the parade, we will enjoy a cruise around Norfolk and see magnificent Naval ships with a narrated tour by sea. This afternoon, we visit The MacArthur Memorial. We have an early dinner in Norfolk. Then we experience “the largest spectacle of Music and Might in the United States of America.” An astounding display of inspirational military music, majestic massed pipes and drums, show stopping drill teammaneuvers, colorful and elegant dancers, and much more will be seen at the Virginia International Tattoo. Following the perfor- mance we will make the short drive back to our hotel for the night. (B,L,D) Day 3: Today we start with a tour of Virginia Beach. This vibrant coastal city is home to a flourishing local culinary scene, rich history, a variety of arts, entertainment, and attrac- tions. We will visit the Surf and Rescue Museum, which preserves history of the 1903 Life Saving Station, The Military Aviation Museum, home to one of the largest private collec- tions of WWI and WWII era military aircraft in the world, the Cape Henry Lighthouse, built in 1792 commissioned by George Washington and overseen by Alexander Hamilton. We conclude with a visit to Town Center and a drive to Atlantic Avenue Oceanfront. Dinner is included before settling in for the night. (B,D) Day 4: Following breakfast this morning we will drive south out of Virginia Beach and even out of Virginia to the incredible Outer Banks of North Carolina just one hour away. This is America’s First Beach. In Manteo, we will stroll through the majestic Elizabethan

Gardens, which were designed in 1960 as a living memorial to Queen Elizabeth, Sir Walter Raleigh and the members of the Lost Colony. Then it is on to Fort Raleigh National Historic Site located on Roanoke Island. We will walk around downtown Historic Manteo and explore Roanoke Marshes Light and the George Washington Creef (working) Boat shop. We visit Bodie Island Lighthouse, completed in 1872. This Lighthouse sits on the north side of Oregon Inlet near the northern border of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Jockey’s Ridge State Park is a stop on the way where the tallest natural sand dunes on the East Coast are located. We will visit the Wright Brother National Memorial, where Orville and Wilbur Wright broke our bond with the earth in 1903. Dinner is included this evening. (B,D) Day 5: Today we will enjoy our final breakfast at the hotel and depart to visit the first English permanent settlement in America – Historic Jamestown. Here we will experience the Jamestown story of survival and encounters with the native peoples. Then back to Richmond for our flight home. What a week at the beach! Who would have thought there was so much so close to the Atlantic Ocean in one of America’s great playgrounds! (B) Per person price is $2,991, double occupancy, and $3,587, for single. The final bal- ance is due at registration. Call for availability.

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Extended Travel

Danube Delights River Cruise August 27-September 6, 2020

Experience the Danube River aboard a luxurious Emerald Waterways Star-Ship on a seven-night cruise through four countries. Begin the adventure with an included two- night stay and touring in Prague before embarking the ship in Nuremberg, Germany. Day 1: Depart the USA on your overnight flight to Prague, the Czech Republic, one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. Day 2: Prague, the Czech Republic. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. The day is at leisure to begin discovering your new surroundings. Day 3: Prague. After breakfast, an included walking tour highlights the famous sites of the city. See Old Town Square, the historic Astronomical Clock and the medieval Charles Bridge. During free time this afternoon, explore the city on your own, or join the optional excursion to Terezin Concentration Camp. (B) Day 4: Nuremberg, Germany. After breakfast, depart Prague by motorcoach for Nuremberg. After a brief city tour of Nuremberg, board your Emerald Waterways vessel, home for the next seven nights. (B, D) Day 5: Regensburg, Germany. This morning takes you through the final stretch of the fascinating Main – Danube Canal to Regensburg, one of Germany’s best preserved medieval cities. On a guided walking tour, see one of the oldest bridges crossing the Danube and see the city’s architectural highlights including the Old Town Hall. (B, L, D) Day 6: Passau, Germany to Linz, Austria. Cobblestone streets and graceful arcades welcome you in the beautiful city of Passau. On this morning’s walking tour, stroll through the old town’s narrow alleyways and see the hilltop Oberhaus Fortress from the town below. Visit St. Stephen’s Cathedral, a wonderful example of Baroque architecture and home to Europe’s largest church organ with more than 17,000 pipes. The afternoon is spent cruising along the Danube River to Linz. (B, L, D) Day 7: Melk to Dürnstein. Situated within Austria’s wine – growing region, Melk is home to an imposing 900-year-old Benedictine Abbey featuring Austria’s finest Italian baroque architecture, with ornate gold-leaf walls, a 640 foot Imperial Corridor and fresco ceilings. After visiting the Abbey, cruise along the Danube for a scenic journey through the picturesque landscape of the Wachau Valley en-route to Dürnstein. One of the most enchanting villages of the Wachau wine region, Dürnstein is also home to the ruins of the castle where Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned. (B, L, D)

Day 8: Vienna, Austria. Welcome to Vienna, the capital of classical music. Today you have a choice of activities: explore Austria’s capital with a drive along the Ringstrasse to see the impressive Opera House, Burgtheater and Town Hall, followed by a walking tour through the city center to see St. Stephen’s Cathedral and the Hofburg Imperial Palace, or, if you feel active, join the guided bike tour of the city. (B, L, D) Day 9: Bratislava, Slovakia. Set on the crossroads of ancient trade routes in the heart of Europe, Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, embodies various cultures – primarily Celtic, Roman and Slavic. Enjoy a sightseeing tour including the enchanting Old City with its Town Hall, Mirbach Palace and the Gothic Cathedral of St Martin. This afternoon, a highlight of the day will be a home-hosted visit where you are treated to tasty home- made specialties in the home of local Slovakians. What a unique opportunity to meet the locals and learn about life in Slovakia! (B, L, D) Day 10: Budapest, Hungary. Budapest is Eastern Europe’s liveliest and most cosmopolitan city. Enjoy a guided panoramic tour seeing the city sights including the Hungarian Parliament Building, the Buda Castle and the Chain Bridge linking Buda and Pest, or choose an exciting hike to Buda Hill. This evening, enjoy a traditional Hungarian farewell dinner and complete the evening with a folk dancing and music performance onboard. The perfect nightcap is an evening cruise through the harbor, seeing the city illuminated in nighttime splendor. (B, L, D) Day 11: Hungary to USA. It’s time to say farewell to the Captain and crew as you depart on the transfer to the airport for your flight home. (B) Free airfare incentive available through March 31! Per-person price (with free air- fare) starting at $5,178, double occupancy. Promotional air rate of $399 will be added after March 31. This pricing includes optional travel protection. A deposit of $829 is due at registration, $429 is non-refundable. Final balance is due May 28, 2020.

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Extended Travel

Holiday Time in New York City November 20-24, 2020

Kickoff the holiday season touring one of the most exciting cities on earth. You’ll

see the sights and experience many well-known time-honored traditions!

Day 1: This morning we fly to “The Big Apple”–New York City. Upon arrival we will check into the Crowne Plaza, located right in the pulsating [heart] of Times Square and New York’s historic Theater District, for four nights. All of the excitement of the city is right outside your door! This evening we’ll have an incredible Italian, family-style, feast at Carmine’s, a true New York City institution. After dinner, we’ll pose for a souvenir group photo taken among the scintillating lights of Times Square. We’ll be finished in time for you to see a Broadway show, wander through Times Square, or relax at the hotel after your travels. (D) Day 2: A local guide joins us for a morning tour of midtown and upper Manhattan. We’ll see some of the most iconic New York sites including Lincoln Center, Columbus Circle, Harlem, Central Park, Museum Mile, Rockefeller Center, and Fifth Avenue. You’ll have free time to enjoy lunch at one of the restaurants near our hotel before we take our seats for an exciting Broadway musical! After a delicious dinner at Bond45, the evening is free for you to see another Broadway show, or perhaps ride to the top of the Empire State Building for a birds-eye view of the city. (D) Day 3: We begin our day with a guided tour of lower Manhattan including Times Square, the Garment District, Madison Square Garden, Macy’s Flagship store, the Empire State Building, Chelsea, Greenwich Village, Soho, Tribeca, Wall Street, and Chinatown. Then we’re in for a special treat as we head to The View – a revolving restaurant at the top of the Marriott Marquis with wonderful 360° views of Manhattan from 48 floors up – for an elaborate Sunday Brunch complete with an incredible assortment of gourmet food items and mimosas. We’ll see another delightful Broadway musical this afternoon. Tonight is yours to experience the thrill of The City that Never Sleeps! Watch the talented street artists, revel in the lights and activity, or enjoy a nightcap and live music with friends. (B) Day 4: Enjoy a leisurely morning before we go to Radio City Music Hall to see a late morning performance of the Christmas Spectacular featuring the high-kicking preci- sion of the world famous Rockettes! Since its debut in 1933, more than 75 million people have gotten into the yuletide spirit by taking part in this wonderful New York holiday tradition. After the show, you’ll have your choice of taking an optional ferry ride to the

Statue of Liberty or Ellis Island, visiting the 9/11 Memorial and Museum (additional fees will apply), or returning to the hotel for a free afternoon to shop, visit a museum or relax. Shopping at Macy’s or browsing through the colorful Christmas Market at Bryant Park are good choices. This evening we will dine at the upscale Redeye Grill before returning to the hotel. (D) Day 5: Today we’ll embark on a Pizza Tour of Brooklyn. This tour covers pizza and Brooklyn from one end to the other. You’ll experience award winning pizza from world-famous Grimaldi’s, under the Brooklyn Bridge, to the legendary pizza at L&B Spumoni Gardens in Bensonhurst. This multimedia sightseeing tour highlights Brooklyn’s famous neighborhoods, parks, landmarks and famous movie locations. You’ll see Coney Island, the million dollar homes along scenic Shore Road in Bay Ridge and everything in between! Then we’re off to the airport for our flight home. We’ll be filled with the holiday spirit from the wonderful time we spent in fabulous New York City! Per person price is $3,149, double occupancy, and $3,579, for single. A deposit of $100 is required to hold your reservation. The final balance is due on August 13, 2020.

Travel Preview: Thursday April 9, 2020, 5:30 p.m., MidWest One Bank at 9th & Main St., 12th floor. Call 589.0804 to register to attend.

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Extended Travel

South American Adventure February 16-27, 2021

From breathtaking scenery and Iguazú Falls to historic architecture and famous monuments, discover everything South America has to offer on your journey through Brazil, Argentina and Chile. Day 1: Depart the USA. Depart from Chicago O’Hare on an overnight flight to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Day 2: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Upon arrival in Rio, we will be transferred to our hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure until the included welcome dinner. (D) Day 3: Corcovado, Brazil. Exploration of Brazil begins with an excursion via cog-wheel train through the Tijuca Forest to the top of Corcovado Mountain. Exiting the train, continue the ascent via elevator and escalator to the peak of the mountain where you literally stand next to one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World: the Statue of Christ the Redeemer. After descending the mountain, pass by some of the most beautiful beaches in Rio before returning to the hotel for an afternoon at leisure. (B) Day 4: Rio de Janeiro – City Tour and Sugar Loaf. Nestled between mountains and sea, bordered by ocean and verdant hills. Ascending the mountain 1,200 feet by cable car, the view from the top is spectacular and truly a life-enriching experience! Upon returning to the hotel, the remainder of the day is free of planned activities. (B) Day 5: Puerto Iguazú, Brazil National Park and Iguazú Falls. After a flight to Puerto Iguazú, the motor coach takes you through the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Iguazú National Park, home of over 275 waterfalls, including the world-famous Iguazú Falls. Walking along the catwalks, it’s an all-sensory experience as you feel the mist, hear the roar of the falls and admire the contrasts between the green forest, blue sky and foamy white water. (B) Day 6: Argentina National Park and Iguazú Falls. Your day in Argentina is filled with an excursion to the Argentinean National Park where you board a gas-propelled train for a ride to the upper falls to see this incredible site from the Argentinean side. Walk along the Iguazú River canyon see up-close giant trees, ferns, orchids, butterflies and over 400 species of colorful birds. In addition, you may spot jaguar, tiger-cat, fox and monkeys in this National Park designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The remainder of the day is at leisure until the included dinner this evening. (B, D) Day 7: Puerto Iguazú to Buenos Aires. Transfer to the airport for the flight to Buenos Aires, capital of Argentina. This cosmopolitan city has great European cultural

influences and displays refined taste in its cuisine, shopping and entertainment options. The motor coach will transfer you to the hotel upon arrival, where you’ll have time to relax before the included dinner. (B, D) Day 8: Buenos Aires City Tour. Get acquainted with the birthplace of the Tango on today’s tour. Drive along 9 de Julio Avenue, the widest in the world. Pass the Colon Theater, one of the world’s best known opera houses and cultural pride of the locals. See the Government House, Plaza de Mayo and Cabildo (first City Hall). Visit the Metropolitan Cathedral, housing the mausoleum of General San Martin (their National Hero), and the site where Pope Francis celebrated mass as Cardinal of Buenos Aires. The last stop on the tour is Recoleta – one of the city’s most glamorous spots. (B) Day 9: Buenos Aires. Enjoy a day at leisure or join the optional excursion. This evening, immerse in local culture as you are treated to an included dinner and Tango show. (B, D) Day 10: Buenos Aires to Santiago, Chile. Leaving Argentina, fly to Santiago for the remaining two nights. A city of contrasts, experience the eclectic mix of a colonial past and ultra-modern high-rise buildings on a tour of this capital city. The remainder of the day is at leisure. (B) Day 11: Santiago. Enjoy a day at leisure or join an optional excursion. This evening, join your traveling companions for a farewell dinner. (B, D) Day 12: Santiago/USA. After experiencing the wonders of Brazil, Argentina and Chile, it’s time to say ‘adios’ to South America as you depart for the airport and your flight home. (B)

Travel Preview: Wednesday April 22, 2020, 5:30 p.m., MidWest One Bank at 9th & Main St., 12th floor. Call 589.0804 to register to attend.

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Mystery Trip

Missing Word

Worth Thinking About: “Amazing how we can light tomorrow with today” ~ Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Mystery Trip July 22-24, 2020 Our destination is a secret!

Missing Word Contest: Our Missing Word Contest winner for Jan/Feb was Bernadette Spurr, who received a check for $25. The missing word was “something,” and the song title was “This Could be the Start of Something Big.” We have hidden another song title with a missing word in this issue. Read your Connections Club newsletter carefully, looking for any words enclosed in [brackets] like this. Rearrange the words to form the title or extended title of a popular song. One word will be missing. Figure out the missing word, and write the missing word only on the Missing Word Contest form found below. All correct entries received prior to the deadline indicated on the form are entered into the $25 drawing. All entries received throughout the year are entered into a year-end drawing for a grand prize of $100! Good luck!

Do you like going on mystery trips? Embark on a new Mystery Adventure with me. I have planned a three day and two night adventure that you will not want to miss. Please mark your calendars and plan to join me on July 22, 23, and 24. Per-person price is $549, double occupancy, and $659, for single. A deposit of $100 is required to hold your reservation with the final payment due on June 1, 2020. All payments are refundable prior to this date. Price includes deluxe motor coach trans- portation from Dubuque, two-nights lodging, luggage handling, meals, admission to all included activities, and gratuities.

Entry Form

Name

Phone

Address

The missing word is: Mail to: Connie Francis, Connections Club, PO Box 938, Dubuque, Iowa 52004-0938 Entries must be received before March 31, 2020.

Goodbye Snail Mail–Hello E-mail : Be first to receive details about upcoming trips and events. You won’t misplace your printed copy, as it’s always on your computer! Contact Connie at cfrancis@midwestone.com to sign up.

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Presorted Standard U.S. POSTAGE PAID

Permit No 477

Dubuque, Iowa

Dubuque, Iowa 52004-0938 563.589.0804 800.373.1841 www.MidWest One .bank

895 Main Street P.O. Box 938

cfrancis@midwestone.com

Address service requested

Connections Club is a rewards program for clients who maintain qualifying bal- ances and who are ages 40 and better.