Jan_Feb 2023

Connections Club

Jan./Feb. 2023 Edition

Historic

Beautiful

Kentucky June 5-9, 2023

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Calendar and Contents

Calendar 2023

Jan 10 Coffee Talk (p.22) Feb 5-14 Hawaii March 5 Iowa Hawkeyes Men’s Basketball (p.10) March 5 Little Women /Grand Opera House (p.6) March 8 We Will Rock You /Circa ‘21 Dinner Playhouse (p.11) March 23 The Music Man /Fireside Theatre (p.12) March 26 Pirates of Penzance / UD Heritage Center (p.6) April 21-25 Virginia Beach (p.14-15) April 22 The Wizard of Oz - American MidWest Ballet/UD Heritage Center (p.7) April 30 Ken Ludwig’s A Fox On The Fairway / Bell Tower Theater (p.7) May 6 Neil Berg’s 103 Years of Broadway /UD Heritage Center (p.8) May 18 Travelers Trek (p.5) June 5-9 Kentucky (p.16-17) June 11 Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat /Grand Opera House (p.9) June 21 Godspell 10th Annual High School Musical/Bell Tower Theater (p. 9) July 27-29 Missouri Medley (p.18-19) August 17 The Kids Left. The Dog Died. NOW WHAT? /Bell Tower Theater Sept 15 Titanic / Fireside Theatre (p.13) Sept 16 The Magic of David Casas/Bell Tower Theatre Sept 21-Oct 1 Danube Explorer (p.20-21)

Contents

Notes from Connie Bulletin Board Dyersville/Farley

p.3 p.4 p.5

Local Events

p.6-9

One-Day Ventures

p.10-13 p.14-15 p.16-17 p.18-19 p.20-21

Virginia Beach

Kentucky

Missouri Medley Danube Explorer

Coffee Talk

p.22 p.23

Missing Word Contest

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Hello from Connie

Hello Friends,

Happy New Year! I find myself totally re-energized with the start of a new year. I have been like this my whole life. I think it’s kind of fun to start fresh. A new beginning with new goals and new hopes plus a few dreams scattered in.

To do this I find it helpful to review a bit. I had to go to my trusty calendar/ planner because if you are anything like me, this won’t surprise you but remembering a whole year back is a stretch. We started out 2022 planning a tour to South America “Tango anyone??” however found the challenges with this destination at this particular time were a little too great to make it happen. It is a sought-after destination and will be back on our calendar at some point in the near future. We got the ball rolling in March with a great little day trip to the Adler Theatre in Davenport. What a wonderful venue and so close to home. This was followed by our first international tour of the year. Enchant- ing Ireland and that is exactly what it was, simply enchanting. What a fabulous way to bring back foreign travel. We followed it up with Niagara Falls from the Canadian side. Another very special tour. We find the world ready to welcome back tourism, but a few hurdles stand in the way. We all experience this no matter where we are. We ended the year with two great adventures. The Greek Isles, Malta & Italy plus two nights in Rome. This was followed up just a couple of weeks later with Holiday Times in New York City. Two very different tours and two of my new favorites. We had a couple of hiccups with our flights. The airlines and flight schedules are by far the most stressful part of executing our group tours. When we were traveling home from Rome our flight was cancelled without a minute’s notice. When working on our new exit plan I ran across a quote...Forget yesterday – it has already forgotten you. Don’t sweat to- morrow – you haven’t even met it yet. Instead, open your eyes and your heart to a truly precious gift – today. WOW what a great message at the most opportune time. We were safe, we were together, and we had a plan. Group travel is truly a blessing. The partners I work with to assist us with our group tours are exceptional. They help me take great care of you.

Let’s go see the world together in 2023!

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Bulletin Board

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 $10,000 in one of the following MidWest One Bank accounts: checking, savings, or money market account. 2. Maintain at least $50,000 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 balance of $50,000 on either a consumer or mortgage loan. (Loans can’t be combined, a joint account relationship held by a married couple qualifies both. No membership fees are involved. Personal accounts only.) 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: 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 a future trip. Connie Francis: 563.589.0804 Sheila Tegeler: 563.875.2491 Lori Marshall: 608.723.5678 Kristie Heims: 563.744.3380

Member FDIC | Equal Housing Lender

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Dyersville/ Farley Event

Travelers Trek Thursday, May 18, 2023

Join us as we make our way to Edgewood, IA. Our first stop will be for yummy cinnamon rolls and a warm cup of coffee from a very popular local bakery called Pie-Eyed & Flakey. Their shop is a little small for our group so we will go to a nearby location. We will make our way to our next stop for a tour of Kendrick Forest Products, Iowa’s largest sawmill and the first of their family businesses, established in 1983. We will tour their working sawmill to see trees turned into lumber, and lumber turned into cabinets! Forever Cabinets by Kendrick was established in 2001. Two additional compa- nies were added in 2017, Kendrick Home and Shimlee. Kendrick Home prints designs onto wooden signs and sells them wholesale to other retailers such as the mom and pop down the street all the way to large retailers such as Home Goods. Shimlee is a personalization business where they will print your photograph on real wood. Kendricks fifth business, The Markket, a 6,700 square foot s[how]room showcasing Forever Cabinets, home décor, lighting, rugs, furnishings, kitchenware, clothing and so much more will end our tour. As long as we are in Edgewood let’s stop at the Edgewood Locker retail store. The story began with Tom and Joan Kerns in 1966 and has turned into a three-generation operation. It is a fun stop to see the wide array of products. Are you hungry yet? The Bread Basket in Manchester, IA is our next stop. We will be served a lovely lunch with their legendary “White Chocolate Banana Cream Pie” as a dessert option. This alone is worth the trip. After lunch we will make our way to a local Amish community. We have heard so many wonderful things about the beautiful Amish hanging flower baskets. Your Connections Club price is just $89 per person and includes motorcoach transportation fromDubuque, Farley, and Dyersville, driver’s gratuity, breakfast, lunch, and all attractions listed. Full payment is due at reservation, fully refundable until April 15, 2023. Note: The guided tour of Kendrick is a walking tour and includes some stairs and uneven ground. Part of the tour will be on a catwalk system which means the walkway is elevated above ground and you can see through the floor. Some handicapped arrangements can be made by calling ahead. The tour will include safety glasses and noise cancelling headphones so you can hear your guide’s voice during the tour. Please wear close-toed shoes.

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Local Events

Little Women Sunday, March 5, 2023, 2:00 p.m. Grand Opera House 158 W. 8th Street, Dubuque, IA

Louisa May Alcott’s classic novel of the March sisters is beloved by generations of readers. In this stage adaptation, aspiring writer Jo March and her sisters, Meg, Beth, and Amy, do their best to make ends meet as they navigate the road to adulthood. Struggling to reconcile societal expectations with their own hopes and dreams, the girls are held to- gether by bonds of loyalty and love. They may differ in their ideas of what it means to be a woman, but each of their journeys poses the same universal question: How do you find your own path? Your Connections Club price is just $16 per person, due at registration.

Pirates of Penzance Sunday, March 26, 2023, 3:00 p.m. UD Heritage Center 2250 Bennett Street, Dubuque, IA

Set sail with this classic musical comedy that boasts one of the most famous patter songs in musical theater history. Since its founding in 1974, the company, The New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players, has presented over 2,000 performances throughout the United States. This tale features a band of tender-hearted pirates celebrating the coming of age of Frederic, mistakenly apprenticed to the pirates until his 21st birthday. A leap year snag threatens to keep him apprenticed to the pirates for life! Throw in a bevy of beauties, a brash Pirate King, the delightfully stuffy Major-General Stanley and you’ve got what The New York Times calls, “An endearing production with high musical standards and spirited performances.” Your Connections Club price is just $40 per person, due at reservation.

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The Wizard of Oz - American Midwest Ballet Saturday, April 22, 2023, 1:00 p.m. UD Heritage Center 2250 Bennett Street, Dubuque, IA

The Wizard of Oz you know and love - except that the characters are live on stage and in full color. Oh, and everyone dances the whole time! Based on both the book and the classic 1939 movie, The Wizard of Oz brings Frank Baum’s unforgettable story to life with a ballet twist. As Dorothy, Toto, and their three Ozian friends search for a brain, a heart, some nerve, and a path back to Kansas, they encounter munchkins, monkeys, and witches. But while the Yellow Brick Road may be a familiar path, the clicking red shoes take a few unexpected steps here and there. Choreographer Erin Alarcón let her imagination run free in this original ballet. She blended roles for the company’s professional dancers with parts for 50-plus

young guest dancers from the Dubuque area, led by the Academy of Ballet. Your Connections Club price is just $40 per person, due at registration.

Ken Ludwig’s A Fox On The Fairway Sunday, April 30, 2023, 2:00 p.m. Bell Tower Theater 2728 Asbury Road, Dubuque, IA

When two rival country clubs get involved in the golf tournament of the decade, things go from bad to worse! Enjoy the fun as these zany characters do whatever it takes to save face, win their bets and get their love lives in order. Your Connections Club price is just $19 per person, due at registration.

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Local Events

Neil Berg’s 103 Years of Broadway Saturday, May 6, 2023, 7:30 p.m. UD Heritage Center 2250 Bennett Street, Dubuque, IA

Direct from New York and featuring Dubuque native Rita Harvey, producer/ pianist/composer Neil Berg returns to Heritage Center with a sequel to his hit Broadway revue with a cast of stars from Broadways greatest musicals. Neil shares the songs and stories behind the music that changed the world! 103 Years of Broadway recreates the greatest moments from the finest shows of the past century. Your Connections Club price is just $45 per person, due at registration.

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Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat Sunday, June 11, 2023, 2:00 p.m. Grand Opera House 158 W. 8th Street, Dubuque, IA

One of the most enduring shows of all time, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is a reimagining of the Biblical story of Joseph, his father Jacob, eleven broth- ers and the coat of many colors. Told entirely through song, the musical follows Joseph as he faces adversity and ultimately triumphs when he is reunited with his family. Filled with great music, laughter, joy, and heart this sparkling show is sure to leave audiences wanting more! Your Connections Club price is just $16 per person, due at registration.

Godspell 10th Annual High School Musical Wednesday, June 21, 2023, 7:30 p.m. Bell Tower Theater 2728 Asbury Road, Dubuque, IA

Based on the Gospel according to St Matthew, Godspell follows the last days of Jesus, and includes musical versions of several well-known parables. This immensely successful rock opera is a demonstration of joy and a celebration of the family of man. This new version is a masterful retelling of the original sensation, injected with contem- porary references and dazzling new arrangements. The performance features high school students from throughout the area. Your Connections Club price is just $10 per person, due at registration.

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One-Day Ventures

Iowa Hawkeyes Men’s Basketball Sunday, March 5, 2023 Carver Hawkeye Arena Iowa City, IA

Leave the planning to us and gather your family and friends to cheer on the Iowa Hawkeyes when they battle the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Carver-Hawk- eye Arena. We have secured 30 tickets in section CC, level C, rows 30-31-32. This will be a Sunday afternoon game with tip-off at 2:00 p.m. We will board the motor coach in Dubuque at 10:45 a.m. and depart at 11:00 a.m. We will make a comfort stop along the way at Kwik Star in Maquoketa, where you can grab a snack or a beverage or save your appetite for the great concessions at the game. We will board the coach following the game and head for home. Your Connections Club price is just $94 which includes motor coach transportation, driver gratuity and Hawkeye game ticket. Full payment is due at registration.

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We Will Rock You Wednesday, March 8, 2023 Circa ‘21 Dinner Playhouse Rock Island, IL

Featuring more than 20 hit Queen songs including “Another One Bites the Dust,” “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “Killer Queen,” “We Will Rock You,” “Somebody To [Love],” “We Are the Champions,” and many more, We Will Rock You follows two revolutionaries as they try to save rock ‘n’ roll in a post-apocalyptic world. In an age where algorithms predict our every preference, We Will Rock You is a musical for our time: a fist-pumping, foot-stomping anthem to individuality. If you haven’t been to Circa ‘21 or it has been a while since you have attended a show, here is a bit of Cira ‘21 trivia. Circa ‘21 Dinner Playhouse is one of two dinner theatres in the country with a performing waitstaff. The theatre is housed in the historic Fort Armstrong Theatre which opened in 1921. The theatre was originally a vaudeville and silent movie house, among one of the most popular and unique of its day. After extensive remodeling, Circa ‘21 Dinner Playhouse opened in June of 1977 as the Quad Cities’ professional theatre. In 1978, following the opening of Circa ‘21, the Fort Armstrong Theatre was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Join us for a fun filled show with Professional entertainment, freshly prepared meals, performing waitstaff all in a very historic venue, Your Connections Club price is just $97 per person and includes transportation from Dubuque, plated lunch, dessert, show, and driver’s gratuity. Full payment, refundable until February 6, is due at registration.

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One-Day Ventures

The Music Man Thursday, March 23, 2023 Fireside Theatre, Fort Atkinson, WI

Strike up the band for Broadway’s brassiest musical comedy. Winner of eight Tony Awards including Best Musical, The Music Man has delighted audiences the world over with its rollicking tale of the fast-talking, charming con man, the prim but passionate librarian, the bumbling mayor, and all the colorful characters that make this show a classic. Add such wonderful songs as “Goodnight My Someone,” “The Wells Fargo Wagon,” and “76 Trom- bones” and you have a guaranteed gilt-edged great time for all.

The Featured Menu Entrées includes choice of:

CHICKEN PICCATA BARBECUED RIBS CRACKER CRUSTED COD GLOBAL VEGETARIAN MEDLEY

All will be served with a soup, freshly baked bread, a yummy dessert and coffee, tea, and milk.

Please select your entree when making your reservation.

Your Connections Club price is just $127 per person and includes transportation from Dubuque, gourmet lunch with dessert, show, and driver’s gratuity. Full payment, refundable until February 20, is due at registration.

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Titanic Friday, September 15, 2023 Fireside Theatre, Fort Atkinson, WI

Titanic , the 1997 Broadway Musical, captured five Tony Awards including Best Musi- cal. Soaring songs, grand staging, and a set awash in glorious costumes makes this historic musical a must-see event; a great showmade even better in the intimacy of The Fireside’s theatre-in-the-round. The show focuses on the lives of all the varied strata of people uniquely united on that fateful journey, with the central character being the Titanic herself. This human drama explores and reveals individual strength, love, faith, and especially the triumph of human dignity. The Featured Menu Entrées includes choice of:

CHICKEN WATERFORD SLICED PORK TENDERLOIN SHRIMP TEMPURA GLOBAL VEGETARIAN MEDLEY

All will be served with a soup, freshly baked bread, a yummy dessert and coffee, tea, and milk.

Please select your entree when making your reservation.

Your Connections Club price is just $127 per person and includes transportation from Dubuque, gourmet lunch with dessert, show, and driver’s gratuity. Full payment, refundable until February 20, is due at registration.

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Extended Travel

Virginia Beach April 21–25, 2023

Day 1: Today we will fly into Norfolk, VA and travel down to Virginia Beach. Depending on our flight schedule today and on departure, we may spend time exploring. Then we arrive at our hotel and our beautiful Oceanfront rooms for the next four nights. Relax and unpack knowing you don’t have to pack up again until we head home on Tuesday. Dinner is included this evening. (D) Day 2: We will enjoy a full day today following a great breakfast at the hotel. Just half an hour away from Virginia Beach is Norfolk, VA home to the world’s largest Naval base. We will be gone all day from our hotel today, as we will be having dinner in Norfolk and then enjoying the Virginia International Tattoo performance. This is the largest spectacle of music and might in the United States celebrating the traditional calling together of the Scottish clans during times of war. 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 - Wisconsin. We will have a tour of the museum and the battleship. Following the Nauticus visit we will have a special treat as we have reserved seating for the Parade of Nations. This is where 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 the Naval Base and see these magnificent Naval ships from the sea with a narrated tour. This afternoon, we will visit The MacArthur Memorial. This is a museum and research center dedicated to preserving and presenting the story of the life of General of the Army, Douglas MacArthur. We will have an early dinner in Norfolk. Then we are going to be treated to “the largest spectacle of Music and Might in the United States of America.” This is an astounding display of inspirational military music, majestic-massed pipes and drums, show stopping drill team maneuvers, colorful and elegant dancers, and much more at the Virginia International Tattoo. Following the performance, we will make the short drive back to our hotel for the night. (B, D, E) Day 3: Following breakfast this morning you are on your own to enjoy a free day in Virginia Beach. You will have the option of truly being on your own all day to do as you please; walk the shops and restaurants of Atlantic and Pacific Avenues, take time to stroll the boardwalk, sit out on the beach or take a long walk on the beach. Time to soak in the atmosphere of being a beach bum for the day; or take advantage of our motorcoach shuttle service to take you to the more distant spots as it loops around First Landing

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State Park, Town Center and other spots more distant near the beach. We will enjoy a special dinner together. (B,D) Day 4: Off to see the Wild Horses of the Outer Banks and much more. This morning we will drive south out of Virginia Beach and even out of Virginia to the incredible Outer Banks of North Carolina just over an hour away. This is America’s First Beach. The site of our country’s first National Seashore and the place where the English first tried to settle in the New World. 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. A highlight of the gardens is an outstanding collection of an- tique statuary. Then it is on to Fort Raleigh National Historic Site. Located on Roanoke Is- land. We will visit the newly renovated visitor center; the historic site features the restoration of an earthen fort believed to have been built by Ralph Lane’s colonists in 1585. We are in for a huge treat this afternoon when we travel to the northern part of the Outer Banks to the beachside town of Corolla. Here we will search for the Wild Horses of the Outer Banks. Here amongst the sand dunes the Wild Horses roamwith complete protection fromman and all predators. We will take open air safari style trucks with 15 guests each to see them in their natural habitat. This evening we will enjoy a final dinner back in Virginia Beach. (B,D) Day 5: Today, depending on our flight schedules we can relax at the beach before departing for the airport. 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 $2,899, double occupancy, and $3,399, for single. A deposit of $350 and completed registration form is needed to hold your reservation. Deposits are refundable until final payment due date of February 13, 2023.

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Extended Travel

Kentucky June 5-9, 2023

Day 1: Join us on a fun-filled adventure as we explore Kentucky’s history, horses, and heritage! Our tour begins as we make our way to Greensburg, Indiana. Along the way we’ll have lunch in Champaign, IL, followed by a tour and ice cream treat at Prairie Fruits Farm & Creamery where you will experience the beauty of a real working goat dairy farm and farmstead creamery. Later today we’ll check into the Hampton Inn in Greensburg, Indiana. Enjoy a restful night’s sleep after a day of traveling. (L) Day 2: Depart this morning for the incredible Ark Encounter featuring a full-size Noah’s Ark built according to the dimensions given in the Bible. This marvel is seven stories tall and one-and-a-half football fields long. Did you ever wonder how Noah fed and cared for all the animals? How Noah built the Ark? You’ll find the answers in the world class exhib- its that allow you to experience what Noah’s life may have been like. Next, we’ll travel to Old Friends, a “living-history museum” of horse racing. Old Friends provides a dignified retirement to Thoroughbreds whose racing and breeding careers have come to an end. Get up-close-and-personal with racing’s superstars, and also meet a few who never saw the inside of a winner’s circle. After a full afternoon we arrive in Berea, Kentucky where we’ll check into the lovely Historic Boone Tavern Hotel. Established in 1909, this property exudes Southern elegance and hospitality. A delicious dinner is included this evening at the hotel. (B,D) Day 3: We begin our day with a tour of Berea College, a private, liberal arts, work college, founded in 1855. During our tour, we’ll learn how this college is distinctive among post-secondary institutions for providing free education to students and for having been the first college in the southern United States to be coeducational and racially integrated. After the tour, we’re on our way to Bardstown, a charming town that is officially the start of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. It’s a great place to be immersed in all things bourbon; history, culture, and tasting the Kentucky made whiskey. We’ll have a delicious lunch in the historic Old Talbott Tavern, circa 1913. Next up, we’ll tour and taste at the Maker’s Mark Distillery where they are making fine whiskey the same way they did when they opened in 1953. Afterward, we’ll travel to Louisville, a vibrant city that was founded in 1778 and named after King Louis XVI of France. We’ll check into the new and conveniently located Holiday Inn Express Downtown Louisville for two nights. (B,L) Day 4: Today we start with a home run as we visit the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory where it’s all about celebrating the extraordinary role of the Louisville Slugger

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bat in baseball’s past, present and future. The first pro bat created here in 1884 was for Pete Browning whose nickname was, “The Louisville Slugger.” As America’s favorite pas- time, baseball connects us all, and together we’ll enjoy this interesting factory tour and museum where everyone receives a miniature souvenir bat! Next, it’s off to the Kentucky Derby Museum which explores the races’ long history dating back to 1875. Two floors of interactive exhibits take visitors through every stage of a Thoroughbred’s life, from birth to the Derby. We will also learn about past and current champions and experience all the traditions that have transformed the Derby into “The Greatest Race.” You are in for a treat at Churchill Downs’ Millionaires Row where we’ll have great seating for an afternoon of Thoroughbred racing. Enjoy a bountiful lunch buffet and then check your program and place your bets for the exciting races! After the last horses cross the finish line, we’ll all return to our hotel winners after this amazing day! (B, L) Day 5: It’s time to head home, but the fun is not over yet! Along the way, we’ll be stopping for a tour and lunch at Hardy’s Reindeer Ranch. The ranch is an unusual and unique attraction that features a herd of authentic Alaskan reindeer ready for you to have an up-close encounter. Enjoy lunch and a fun show! We’ll arrive home this evening with a wonderful appreciation of Kentucky’s History, Horses, and Heritage from this Blue Ribbon tour! (B, L) Per person price is $1,799, double occupancy, and $2,099, for single. A deposit of $100 is required to hold your reservation. Optional Travel Protection can be purchased at time of deposit for $130 per person, double occupancy and $151 for single occupancy. Both the deposit and travel protection are refundable until final payment due date of February 17, 2023.

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Extended Travel

Missouri Medley July 27-29, 2023

Day 1: Step aboard our deluxe motor coach and visit with friends old and new as we make our way to Columbia, Missouri where we will check into the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Columbia for two nights. This evening, we’ll enjoy a wine tasting and dinner at The Bistro at Les Bourgeois Vineyards in Rocheport. Housed in a gorgeous tongue and groove structure overlooking the Missouri River, this restaurant provides delicious food and a breathtaking view of some of Mother Nature’s finest work. Day 2: Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before we make our way to Warm Springs Ranch. This breeding farm for the famous Budweiser Clydesdales rests on more than 300 acres of lush, rolling hills. Established in 2008, the ranch features a mare/stallion and foaling barn, veterinary lab and 10 pastures. The facility is home to more than 70 Clydesdales. On our guided tour we will interact with the handlers and see the Clydesdales’ harness, luxury trailer and 1903 beer wagon.Take a photo with a Clydesdale and visit the gift shop for Clydesdale souvenirs. Then, we’ll be on our way to the historic town of Arrow Rock. You’ll feel as if you have travelled back in time in this once bustling river town, which was a key stop on the Santa Fe Trail. Today, the town is a National Historic Landmark. Our first stop is at J. Huston Tavern where we will have a delicious lunch. Built in 1834 by Judge Joseph Huston for his family home, the 2½ story, brick, Federal style building soon began offering thousands of settlers heading west a place to sleep and eat. It is now believed that this is the oldest continuously operating restaurant west of the Mississippi River. It is the center- piece of the Arrow Rock State Historic Site and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Next, we will take our seats at the Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre, one of Missouri’s oldest professional, regional theaters, and featuring New York City actors. We will be seeing Rodgers & Hammerstein’s State Fair. In the summer of 1946, the Frake family leaves their farm for an adventure at the Iowa State Fair. Mom and Pop have their hearts set on blue ribbons, while their children Margy and Wayne find romance and heartbreak on the Midway. Day 3: Enjoy breakfast at your leisure before we check out andmake our way to Fulton’s Auto World Museum. Dedicated to the history of vintage and modern automobiles, the museum allows visitors to move through time as they stroll by wonderful vignettes full of cars and memorabilia. Reminisce about the simplicity of family drives in the convertible, the decadence of Hollywood and its fancy cars and the sights and sounds of the drive-in

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as you watched from the comfort of your Studebaker or Corvair. We’ll return home this afternoon with fond memories of fabulous experiences, great food and new friends made on our trip! Per person price is $909 double occupancy, and $1085 for single. A deposit of $100 is required to hold your reservation. Optional Travel Protection can be purchased at time of deposit for $65 per person, double occupancy and $78 for single occupancy. Both the deposit and travel protection are refundable until final payment due date of May 19, 2023.

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Extended Travel

Danube Explorer September 21- October 1, 2023

Experience the Danube River aboard a luxurious Emerald Waterways Star-Ship on a seven-night cruise through four countries. Day 1: Depart the USA on your overnight flight to Budapest, Hungary. Day 2: Welcome to the Pearl of the Danube. We will transfer from the airport to our luxurious Emerald Waterways Star-Ship . This evening, join your fellow guests for a folklore performance onboard and a traditional Hungarian dinner. After dinner, relax on the Sun Deck and enjoy the fabulous view of the city, aglow in nighttime splendor. (D) Day 3: Explore Budapest’s cobbled medieval quarter, as you embark on a coach tour through the UNESCO World Heritage city center. Our guide will highlight a number of architectural wonders and also talk about Budapest’s culinary scene. The tour will end at the Grand Market Hall, the city’s most expansive indoor food & craft market, where you’ll have time to explore on your own.(B,L,D) Day 4: This morning, relax onboard while sailing into the capital of Slovakia. This graceful nation became an independent country in 1993, and since then, Bratislava has flourished as a new capital and made a name for itself as a cultural center. The romantic cobblestone lanes that weave through the city are explored with your local guide, as you enjoy a walking tour of the ancient town center, seeing the Slovak National Theater and a range of Gothic and Art Nouveau buildings. (B,L,D) Day 5: Welcome to Vienna, Austria’s capital and the capital of classical music. The city perfectly encapsulates the opulence of the Habsburg Monarchy and their ornate Baroque palaces. On the included city tour, see monuments and buildings of grandeur as the coach drives along the famous Ringstrasse. During the walking tour, stroll with your guide through the city center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. (B,L,D) Day 6: Effortlessly suspended in time, Dürnstein is a small, charming village nestled in the Wachau wine region. Enjoy free time to wander through the cobblestoned lanes of this enchanting village. Later this morning, sail through the UNESCO World Heritage Wachau Valley, passing medieval villages, terraced vineyards and areas of natural beauty. Upon arrival in Melk, enjoy a guided tour of Melk Abbey, originally a lavish castle that was gifted to Benedictine monks during the 11th century. (B,L,D) Day 7: Today’s adventure takes you to the UNESCO World Heritage town of Ceský Krumlov. With its 13th-century castle, meandering river, and maze of quaint alleyways, this town has one of the best-preserved centers in Europe. Join [your] local guide to tra-

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verse a labyrinth of winding cobblestone lanes as you experience the charming atmo- sphere of Ceský Krumlov’s medieval buildings and iconic castle complex. During the excursion, visit the 15th-century St. VItus’ Church, a highlight of the town. (B,D) Day 8: Narrow cobblestone streets welcome you to Passau, a town nestled on the confluence of three of Europe’s main waterways. Visit a local Bavarian farm and sample some local products to gain insight into the daily life of a farmer. Alternatively, venture out on a hike to see the sights of Mariahilf and St. Severin, an ancient church dating back to the Ottonian dynasty. (B,L,D) Day 9: After breakfast, say goodbye to your Captain and crew as you disembark your ship and depart by motorcoach for Prague, Czech Republic. Upon arrival, you’ll have free time for lunch on your own before the included city tour highlighting the famous sites of this beautiful city. Following a brief panoramic drive, the heart of the city is discovered on foot. See the Old Town Square with its historic astronomical clock, and the medieval Charles Bridge. The tour concludes at the hotel with the evening at leisure. (B) Day 10: Your final day is left free of planned activities for your independent explora- tion of Prague. Or, if you choose, join the morning optional excursion to Terezin Concen- tration Camp. (B) Day 11: Bid a fond farewell to Europe and return home with wonderful memories of life enriching experiences from your cruise along the Danube River. (B) Free airfare incentive available for a limited time offer. Per person price starting at $5,699. This pricing includes optional travel protection plan. A deposit of $969 is due at registration, $569 is non-refundable. Final balance is due June 16, 2023.

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Coffee Talk

Conversations with Connie January 10, 2023, 2:00 p.m. Fannie Stout House 1145 Locust St., Dubuque

Some of my best memories are the simple times with friends, relaxing and visiting about whatever comes to mind. Recently I had the pleasure of spending a little time at the Fannie Stout House. This 10,000 square foot mansion, built in 1893 has been lovingly restored and is a great place to gather. Come join me for a sweet treat and cup of hot coffee. Your Connections Club price is just $8.00 due at reservation. Space is limited.

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Missing Word

Worth Thinking About: Never regret a day in your life: good days give happiness, bad days give experience, worst days give lessons, and best days give memories. ~Unknown author

Missing Word Contest:

Our Missing Word Contest winner for Nov/Dec was Delores Agnes Hermsen, who received a check for $25. The missing word was “Rockin” and the song title was “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree.” The 2022 year end $100 winner was Constance Sweeney. We have hidden another song title with a missing word in th[is] 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. Odds of winning are dependent upon number of entries. All entries received throughout the year are entered into a year- end drawing for a grand prize of $100! Good luck!

Entry Form

Name

Phone

Address

The missing word is: Mail to: Connie Francis, MidWest One Bank, Connections Club, 895 Main Street, Dubuque, Iowa 52001. Entries must be received before January 31, 2023. Must be 18 or older to enter. Rules: Must be 18 or older to enter. No purchase, payment, donation or account required to enter or win and need not be present. Offer voidwhere prohibited. Employees of MidWestOne Bank and their immediate family members are not eligible to win. Prizes are non-transferable, non-refundable and no substitutions are allowed. MidWestOne Bank assume no responsibility for damages, losses, or injury from acceptance. Odds of winning are dependent upon number of entries. Entries can be submitted through the website, email or mailed to: Connections Club, 895 Main Street, Dubuque IA 52001. Winners will be notified by US Mail within 30 business days of each drawing. Drawings will be held six times in a calendar year, as well as one grand prize drawing at year end. This offer is void where prohibited by law and subject to all federal, state, and local laws. Copies of the rules and regulations are available at any MidWestOne office, online at https://www.midwestone.bank/personal/connections-club.

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Presorted Standard U.S. POSTAGE PAID

Permit No 477

Dubuque, Iowa

Dubuque, Iowa 52004-0938 563.589.0804 800.247.4418 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 balances and who are ages 40 and better.