Nov_Dec Journal

Connections Club

Nov/Dec Edition

Historic

Alluring

Virginia Beach, Norfolk, & Outer Banks May 1-5, 2020

Connections Club 1

Calendar and Contents

Hello from Connie

Hi Everyone,

Nov 15 Girls Day Out Mystery Trip Nov 23 Texas Tenors/UD Heritage Center Nov 24 A Christmas Story /Fireside Theater (p.12) Dec 5 Mistletones/DBQ Golf & Country Club (p.6) Dec 6 Christmas At Heritage Center/UD Heritage Center (p.6) Dec 9 Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis “Big Band Holidays”/ UD Heritage Center (p.7) Dec 15 A Nice Family Christmas /Bell Tower (p.7) Dec 15 Jim McDonough Holiday Grande 2019/Five Flags Theater (p.8) Dec 22 The Nutcracker /Grand Opera House (p.8) Dec 30 Tournament of Roses Parade (p.14-15) Calendar 2020 Jan 23 Saturday Night Fever/Fireside Theater (p.13) Feb 8 Hawkeyes vs. Cornhuskers (p.5) Feb 9 Love Happens /Bell Tower (p.9) Feb 15 50 Years of Rock and Roll/UD Heritage Center (p.9) Feb 19 Kinky Boots /Circa 21 (p.13) Feb 29 Golden Dragons Acrobats/UD Heritage Center (p.10) March 1 Rock of Ages /Grand Opera House (p.11) March 3-25 New Zealand & Australia (p.16-17) March 24-April 15 New Zealand & Austra- lia- 2nd departure! (p.16-17) May 1-5 Virginia Beach/Norfolk/Outer Banks (p.18-19) August 27-Sept 6 Danube Delights River Cruise (p.20-21) Nov 20-24 Holiday Time in New York (p.22)

Fall is upon us. The air has a little bite to it and the daylight hours have lessened dramatically. For me it means winterizing our summer cottage and putting the pontoon boat away for another year. I never get excited for this to happen

but I should get used to it after living in Iowa my entire life. Will we need new shovels and snowblowers or is a mild winter predicted? Many of our members get out of the Midwest region during the cold winter months and enjoy the sunshine in some of the popular Southern states. I might have to try that concept when I retire. I like being warm verses being cold any day of the week. Connections Club had a very busy October. We enjoyed an awesome New England Fall Foliage Tour, a few members boarded the Celebration Belle for the Day long Fall river cruise, we shopped tirelessly at the TransWorld Jewelry, Fashion and Accessories Show and Fashion Outlets of Chicago, we had a 4-day 3-night Mystery trip and ended the month with our first (of many I hope) Travelers Treks. We had a variety of choices and that is always my mission. We have some great holiday performances offered in this issue. Don’t forget to get your reservations in. We are heading to California for the Tournament of Roses Parade at the end of December. I know our deadline has passed but we still have room. Call me soon if you are interested so we can check availability and get you added to our list of travelers. We are staying all four nights at a fabulous hotel in Long Beach, CA. We are ringing in the new year at a private New Year’s Eve gala event including dancing, dinner and a cham- pagne toast at midnight. The Rose Bowl Parade is the true trip highlight. We have great seats and a behind the scenes post parade tour. We also have dinner on the Queen Mary and much more. I had the privilege of touring the Queen Mary on my first trip with the Club and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I can’t wait! What are you up to these days? Knowing how you are feeling helps me decide what to offer in the months to come. Whether it is trying new adventures or repeating Club favorites you are my main concern. Will 2019 go down in history for you or did you rest up in anticipation for an exciting new year to come? We are well into planning for 2020 and I’m starting to review opportunities for 2021 destinations. Keep in touch!

We have room for a few more to join us for an all-time family favorite... A Christmas Story -The Musical at Fireside Theater. Call today!

Contents

Notes from Connie Bulletin Board Dyersville/Farley

p. 3 p. 4 p. 5

Local Events

pp. 6-11 pp. 12-13

One-Day Ventures Tournament of Roses pp. 14-15 New Zealand/Australia pp. 16-17 Virginia Beach pp. 18-19 Danube Delights pp. 20-21 New York City p. 22 Missing Word Contest p. 23

Be Happy, Be Kind and Make Today Great!

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Bulletin Board

Dyersville/Farley Events

Hawkeyes vs. Cornhuskers Saturday, February 8, 2020 Carver-Hawkeye Arena, Iowa City

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 Sheila Tegeler: 563.875.2491 Pam Kreul: 608.822.7300 Kristie Heims: 563.744.3380 Jean Wanezek: 608.348.4300 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.

Leave the planning to us and gather your family or friends to cheer on the Iowa Hawkeyes when they battle the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. This will be a Saturday evening game with tip-off at 5:00 p.m. Our motor coach will depart Dubuque at 12:00 p.m. and make passenger stops in Farley and Dyersville on our way to Stone City, Iowa. We will enjoy a late lunch at The General Store in Stone City. Upon arrival, we will feast on an amazing pizza and appetizer buffet. Following our lunch, we will board the coach and head to Iowa City for the exciting conference game! Our hosts for the day will be Connie Francis, our Connections Club Director and Sheila Tegeler from our Dyersville Office.

To register or for questions call: Connie Francis 563.589.0804 Sheila Tegeler 563.875.2491

Full payment of $89 per person is due at registration. Trip includes the game ticket, transportation, lunch buffet, and driver’s gratuity. Go Hawks!

Member FDIC | Equal Housing Lender

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Local Events

Mistletones Thursday, December 5, 2019, 12:00 p.m.

Jazz At Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wyton Marsalis: Big Band Holidays Monday, December 9, 2019, 7:30 p.m. UD Heritage Center 2255 Bennett Street, Dubuque, IA

Dubuque Golf & Country Club 1800 Randall Place, Dubuque, IA

Snowbiz® is an old-fashioned Christmas variety show [for] all audiences–young and young at heart–performed by the critically acclaimed Mistletones. With five incredible singers and an outstanding live jazz band, it’s perfect for anyone who revels in the magic of the season. Your $50 price includes special Connections Club VIP seating, the show, a full holiday lunch with dessert, and a complimentary drink (wine, soda, or tap beer). Check-in and cocktails are at noon, lunch is at 12:30 p.m., and the show is at 1:30 p.m .

Made up of 15 of the finest soloists, ensemble players, and arrangers in jazz music today, Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra (JLCO), along with music director Marcus Printup, bring a beloved New York tradition to Heritage Center with Big Band Holidays. Featuring soulful, big band versions of classics like “Jingle Bells,” and “Joy to the World.” Big Band Holidays is an uplifting holiday program featuring amazing vocals from Denzal Sinclaire and Alexis Morrast. Appealing to audiences of all ages, Big Band Holidays is a fun, one-of-a-kind holiday extravaganza that’s sure to brighten up your season. Your Connections Club price is just $41 for main-floor seating.

Christmas At Heritage Center Friday, December 6, 2019, 7:30 p.m. UD Heritage Center 2255 Bennett Street, Dubuque, IA

A Nice Family Christmas Sunday, December 15, 2019, 2:00 p.m. Bell Tower Theater 2728 Asbury Road, Dubuque, IA

Celebrating year seven, this UD tradition once again promises to bring renewed spiritual meaning to your Christmas season. UD’s Department of Fine and Performing Arts celebrates the birth of Christ through a concert presentation featuring the UD choirs and UD Wind Ensemble with live narration and special music from guest artist Elisabeth von Trapp. Elisabeth is the granddaughter of Maria and Baron von Trapp of The Sound of Music fame. The heavenly acoustics of John and Alice Butler Hall provide the perfect backdrop for this festive occasion. Complimentary holiday refreshments and live music from UD’s Jazz Ensemble will immediately follow the concert. Your Connections Club price is just $15 for main-floor seating.

It’s Christmas Eve, and a young newspaper reporter on the brink of being fired has been assigned a last-chance story about a typical family Christmas—his family’s Christmas. He goes home to his recently widowed mother, his crazy uncle, his eccentric grandmother, and his battling siblings and their neurotic spouses, who provide no shortage of material. When they learn that he’s writing an article with some very personal family information, the fruitcake hits the fan. Your Connections Club price is just $17 for main-floor seating.

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Local Events

Love Happens Sunday, February 9, 2020, 2:00 p.m. Bell Tower Theater 2728 Asbury Road, Dubuque, IA

Jim McDonough Sunday, December 15, 2019, 2:30 p.m. Five Flags Theater 405 Main Street, Dubuque, IA

Celebrate the holiday season in style by attending “Holiday Grande 2019!” This dazzling, all-new stage production features International Steinway Artist, JimMcDonough, joined by his 14-piece professional orchestra and a cast of sensational singers and dancers performing your favorite Christmas music and other all-time favorites. This awe-inspiring event is a grand combination of beautiful music, spectacular sets and costumes, and the true spirit of the season. Proceeds benefit Camp Courageous of Iowa, a year-round recreational and respite care facility for individuals with disabilities. Your Connections Club price is just $43 for prime seating.

Love blossoms when Donna and Tommeet at the local gym. But navigating a new relationship is never easy. Luckily they have Phil and Rose (who will soon be cele- brating 50 years together) to help them through the rough patches. Funny and sweet, this is the perfect show for Valentine’s Day. Your Connections Club price is just $18 for prime seating.

50 Years of Rock ‘n’ Roll Saturday, February 15, 2020, 7:30 p.m. UD Heritage Center 2255 Bennett Street, Dubuque, IA

The Nutcracker Presented by the Dubuque City Youth Ballet Sunday, December 22, 2019, 2:00 p.m. Grand Opera House 135 W 8th St, Dubuque, IA

With a cast consisting of stars from Broadway’s greatest rock musicals including Dubuque native Rita Harvey as well as incredible rock and roll singers, Neil Berg shares the often unknown stories from the 50-year history of the music that changed the world. From rock and roll precursors in the 40s through MTV in the early 80s, this presentation blends fascinating stories and groundbreaking music with tributes to iconic rock stars and groups such as Elvis Presley, Ray Charles, Buddy Holly, Bob Dylan, The Beatles, Beach Boys, Motown, Aretha Franklin, Janis Joplin, Simon & Garfunkel, Elton John, Stevie Wonder, Billy Joel, Aerosmith, Bruce Springsteen, Fleetwood Mac, and many more. Your Connec- tions Club price is just $31 for prime seating.

The Dubuque City Youth Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker is a yearly tradition for many families in the tri-state area and beyond. Join the incredibly talented students as they dance through the journey of Clara meeting her Nutcracker and the adventures they have through a world of mice and fairies. With something new each year, this show is always a treat. Your Connections Club price is just $16 for prime seating.

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Local Events

Rock of Ages Sunday, March 1, 2020, 2:00 p.m. Grand Opera House 135 W 8th St, Dubuque, IA

Golden Dragon Acrobats Saturday, February 29, 2020, 7:30 p.m. UD Heritage Center 2255 Bennett Street, Dubuque, IA

The Golden Dragon Acrobats represent the best of a time honored tradition that began more than twenty-five centuries ago. The Golden Dragons are recognized throughout the United States and abroad as the premiere Chinese acrobatic touring company of today. The reputation of the company is solidly rooted in a commitment to the highest of production values and an attention to artistic details that is unparalleled in the art form. World renowned impresario Danny Chang and choreographer Angela Chang com- bine award-winning acrobatics, traditional dance, spectacular costumes, ancient and contemporary music and theatrical techniques to present a show of breathtaking skill and spellbinding beauty. Your Connections Club price is just $30 for prime seating.

Do you wanna rock? Then it’s time to pull out your day-glo spandex pants and tease your hair as high as it will go! We are taking you back to the 80s and the Sunset strip where a developer is about to tear down the Rock and Roll Mecca. Can love, fishnets, and rock and roll save the beloved Bourbon Room, or will this bastion of all things 80s fall to the idea of “clean living”? Rock of Ages takes you back to the times of big bands with big egos playing big guitar solos and sporting even bigger hair! This Tony Award-nominated Broadway musical features the hits of bands including Night Ranger, REO Speedwagon, Pat Benatar, Twisted Sister, and others. Your Connections Club price is just $16 for prime seating.

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One-Day Ventures

A Christmas Story -The Musical Sunday, November 24, 2019

Saturday Night Fever Thursday, January 23, 2020

Fireside Theater Fort Atkinson, WI

Fireside Theater Fort Atkinson, WI

Ralphie wants only one thing for Christmas: An Official Red Ryder Carbine-Action 200-shot Range Model Air Rifle. A Christmas Story -The Musical is the hilarious account of Ralphie’s desperate quest to ensure that this most perfect of gifts ends up under his tree this Christmas. It is based on the classic 1983 movie that has become a holiday tradition that millions wait for every year. Featuring a funny and heartfelt score by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul who wrote music for the hit movie La La Land (for which they won an Academy Award); the hit Broadway show Dear Evan Hansen, the new hit movie The Greatest Showman, A Christmas Story -The Musical captures holiday wonder with such deliciously wicked wit that it is sure to delight children and grown-ups alike! Cost is $115 per person and includes transporation from Dubuque, brunch buffet, show, and driver’s gratuity. Full payment is due with your registration.

Capturing the historic flavor of disco-mania in New York City, told through the eyes of a talented, streetwise kid from Brooklyn who attempts to escape his dead-end life through dancing. Saturday Night Fever explores relationships on and off the dance floor with humor, conflict, style and unforgettable swagger. Powered by the chart-breaking hits of the [Be]e Gees, the pulsating score includes “Stayin’ Alive,” “If I Can’t Have You,” “How Deep is Your Love,” “Boogie Shoes,” and “Disco Inferno.” Cost is $115 per person and includes transporation from Dubuque, plated lunch, show, and driver’s gratuity. Full payment, refundable until December 18, 2019, is due with your registration.

Kinky Boots Wednesday, February 19, 2020 Circa 21 Dinner Playhouse Rock Island, IL

Charlie Price has reluctantly inherited his father’s failing shoe factory. Trying to live up to his father’s legacy and save his family business, Charlie finds inspiration in the form of Lola, a fabulous drag queen in need of some sturdy stilettos. This joyous musical celebration is about the friendships we discover and the belief that you can change the world when you change your mind. With elaborate costumes, exhilarating choreography and a truly moving and powerful story, Kinky Boots will have you dancing in your seat and discovering why, sometimes, the best way to fit in ... is to stand out! Your Connections Club price is just $89 per person and includes transporation from Dubuque, plated lunch, show, and driver’s gratuity. Full payment, refundable until January 15, 2020, is due with your registration.

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Extended Travel

Still Room! Tournament of Roses Parade December 30, 2019 to January 3, 2020

See the Granddaddy of all Parades from your reserved seats along Colorado Boulevard. Explore Los Angeles on a sightseeing tour and ring in the New Year in style with a private gala event. Enjoy dinner aboard the legendary Queen Mary ocean liner and gain a unique glimpse into a bygone era. Day 1: Transfer together by motor coach to Chicago O’Hare airport to board our flight to Los Angeles, CA for the 130th Tournament of Roses Parade, featuring the beau- tiful pageantry and tradition of magnificent floral floats, high-stepping equestrians and spirited marching bands. We stay at the Renaissance Long Beach Hotel for the next four evenings. This evening we will join our Tour Manager for a welcome orientation. Day 2: Today we do some touring in Los Angeles and Hollywood from the Our Lady of the Angels Cathedral to the newDisney Concert Hall, home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, the tour is a blend of old and new. See the Hollywood Bowl, Kodak Theater and the legendary Grauman’s Chinese Theater. This evening, ring in the New Year with your newfound friends at a private New Year’s Eve gala event. Put on your dancing shoes as a live orchestra fills the room with sounds from yesterday and today. Enjoy a spectacular dinner and champagne toast to celebrate the dawning of a new year. (B,D) Day 3: The event we came for is about to begin. You have reserved bleacher seats along Colorado Boulevard and after breakfast you depart for the Tournament of Roses Parade. View the animated floats, the precision of the marching bands and the equestrian teams as you become part of an event that is seen throughout the world by millions. In the afternoon, go behind the scenes in Pasadena for the fabulous post-parade “Showcase of the Floats” to see your favorite floats up close. Marvel at the thousands of various flowers from around the world that were used to create the world’s most imaginative floats. (B) Day 4: Today, visit the J. Paul Getty Museum, a testament to the enjoyment and understanding of the visual arts. The museum contains a collection of Western art from the middle ages to the present and is one of the most visited museums in the nation. The afternoon has been left free for you to relax and enjoy the California sun. An optional excursion to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library is available. Tonight, be transported back in time aboard the legendary Queen Mary , once the grandest ocean liner in the world, the Queen Mary is now a full-service hotel, historical landmark and fine dining

venue. Enjoy a fabulous farewell dinner and gain a unique glimpse into a bygone era when steamships were the most regal way to travel. (B,D) Day 5: We transfer from the hotel to the airport with for our flight [home] bringing great memories with us. (B) Per person price is $2,899, double occupancy, and $3,468, for single. Total payment is due at time of registration.

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Extended Travel

Second departure added!

New Zealand and Australia March 3-25, 2020 or March 24-April 15! Call and sign up for the second departure! Join us on this trip of a lifetime in New Zealand and Australia with tons of excursions, call for the full itinerary. Day 1-2: Transfer to Chicago airport for our flight to Auckland. Day 3: Arrival in Auckland, check into our hotel and enjoy a welcome dinner. (D) Day 4: Auckland sightseeing includes Auckland Harbor Bridge, Viaduct Harbor, Auckland Domain, Auckland War Memorial Museum, Parnell Village, and Michael Joseph Savage Memorial Park. (B,L) Day 5: Auckland–Rotorua. Visit the Hobbiton Movie Set, Te Kauwhata, Huntly, Waitomo Glowworm Caves, and discover the uniqueness New Zealand’s Maori people. (B) Day 6: Visit Rotorua’s geothermal wonderland with bubbling mud pools, and natural hot springs. We stop at the Agrodome and ride eight-seater Gondola cabins to experience scenic views of Lake Rotorua. This evening enjoy Te Po Tour, a feast of storytelling, enter- tainment, and Maori cuisine while absorbing the unforgettable sights at nightfall. (B,D) Day 7: Flight to Christchurch. Travel to the hotel located in the heart of Christchurch and have time to explore on your own before dinner together. (B,D) Day 8: Explore Christchurch; Hagley Park, the Avon River, the International Antarctic Centre, Cardboard Cathedral, and the Botanical Gardens. (B) Day 9: Journey to Mt. Cook to view Geraldine, the spectacular landscape that saw the filming of Lord of the Rings, and where Lake Tekapo and Lake Pukaki reside. (B,D) Day 10: Depart for Oakridge Resort Lake Wanaka to see remote farmland, brilliant turquoise canals, lakes, and alpine meadows. Along the way we visit Puzzling World. (B,D) Day 11: Enjoy a leisurely morning in Wanaka, before we depart for Queenstown. (B) Day 12: Travel to Milford Sound with scenic stops at Eglington Valley, Mirror Lakes, Homer Tunnel and The Chasm. While at Milford Sound we enjoy a lunch cruise. (B,D) Day 13: Full day of sightseeing in Queenstown; Arrowtown, the Bungee Jumping site, Shotover Jetboat ride site, and Skyline Queenstown. Dinner is at the Stratosfare Skyline Restaurant and Bar at the top of the Gondola. (B,D) Day 14: We fly to Melbourne to meet our guide and enjoy an overview as we transfer to our hotel. (B) Day 15: See the Shrine of Remembrance, Fitzroy Gardens, drive past the Sports Pre- cinct, Parliament House, Queen Victoria Market, Flinders Street and Federation Square.

This afternoon we go to Phillip Island’s Koala Conservation center, the Nobbies and later watch the Penguin Parade waddle from the sea to their burrows before we have dinner together. (B,L,D) Day 16-17: Experience beautiful Yarra Valley, and a farm-to-table lunch at Divino’s. This evening we have dinner in Docklands before proceeding to the Melbourne Star . In the morning we fly to Cairns. (B,L,D,B) Day 18: Enjoy a full day at the Great Barrier Reef. Snorkeling in the cay’s protected shallow waters, and cruise in the semi-sub for a diver’s view, both are included. If you prefer a more leisurely day, relax on the beach or onboard Ocean Spirit’s spacious decks. (B,L) Day 19: Today we visit Tjapukai and enjoy an Aboriginal experience at the Tjapkai Cultural Center, ride the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, visit Kuranda Village, and conclude with a scenic ride back to Cairns onboard the Kuranda Scenic Railway. (B,L) Day 20: Today we travel to Sydney to view the Sydney Opera House, then to the Sydney Tower Eye, Sydney’s highest attraction. This afternoon is on your own. (B) Day 21: Discover Blue Mountains National Park with a guide, Scenic World for the Blue Mountain rides; Scenic Railway, Cableway, or Skyway. Tour Featherdale Wildlife Park to have a photo taken with a cuddly koala. See kangaroos, wombats, dingoes and pen- guins. We drive by the site of the 2000 Olympic Games before we return to the city. (B,L) Day 22-23: Experience Australia at your leisure. We gather together this evening for a farewell dinner cruise aboard the prestigious MV Sydney 2000 and enjoy quality dining, wine, live music and dancing, all set to the spectacular backdrop of Sydney by night. The next morning we fly home. (B,D,B) Cost is $11,539 per person for double occupancy, and $13,839 for single. First departure is full. Second departure final balance is due November 5, 2019.

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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 begin 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. A deposit of $350 is required to hold your reservation. The final balance is due on January 20, 2020.

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Extended Travel

Airfare incentive extended!

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 640ft 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 November 30! Per-person price (with free airfare) starting at $5,178, double occupancy. Promotional air rate of $700 will be added after November 30. 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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New Trip

Missing Word

Worth Thinking About: We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act but a habit. — Aristotle

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

Missing Word Contest: Our Missing Word Contest winner for Sept/Oct was Lynda Kluesner, who received a check for $25. The missing word was “Grapevine,” and the song title was “I Heard It Through The Grapevine.” We have hidden another song title with a missing word in this issue. Read your Connections Club newsletter care- fully, 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 Con- test 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!

Each year something magical happens in New York City when an enormous Christmas tree is set in place in Rockefeller Plaza and ice skaters at its base become part of its fanciful Christmas garden. Beautiful holiday decorations adorn the department stores, European-style Christmas Markets beckon shoppers, restaurants prepare their finest cuisine for holiday revelers, and holiday decorations along the broad avenues seem almost as big as the city itself. This trip includes guided tours to see the highlights of the city, several wonderful meals including an Italian feast at Carmine’s and an amazing champagne brunch at The View, two Broadway musicals, and the high-kicking Rockettes performing in the Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall. You are sure to return home filled with the spirit of the holidays! Please note that the [Christmas] tree will not yet be illuminated during our stay. Stay tuned for a detailed itinerary in the next Journal. 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.

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 November 30, 2019.

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.

22 Connections Club

Connections Club 23

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.