Sept_Oct Journal

Connections Club

Sept/Oct Edition

Magnificent

Breathtaking

Danube Delights River Cruise August 27 - September 6, 2020

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Calendar and Contents

Sept 10 Travel Preview Virginia Beach (p.19) Sept 26 Run For Your Wife/Palace Theater (p.11) Oct 1 Travel Preview Danube Delights (p.21) Oct 3 RENT/UD Heritage Center (p.6) Oct 4 New England-Inn Style-Fall Foliage Brilliance Oct 8 Celebration Belle (p.11) Oct 13 Sandy Toes & Salty Kisses/Bell Tower (p.6) Oct 17 TransWorld Jewelry, Fashion, and Accessories Show (p.12) Oct 18 Charley Pride/Five Flags Arena (p.7) Oct 24-27 Mystery Tour (p.22)

Oct 30 Dyersville/Farley The Traveler’s Trek (p.5) Nov 1 The Passing Zone/UD Heritage Center (p.8) 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.8) Dec 6 Christmas at the Heritage Center (p.9) Dec 9 The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis “Big Band Holidays” (p.9) Dec 15 A Nice Family Christmas/Bell Tower (p.10) Dec 15 JimMcDonoughHoliday Grande 2019/Five Flags Theater (p.10) Dec 30 Tournament of Roses Parade (p.14-15) Calendar 2020 Jan 23 Saturday Night Fever/Fireside (p.13) Feb 15 50 Years of Rock and Roll/UD Feb 29 Golden Dragons Acrobats/UD March 3-25 New Zealand & Australia (p.16-17) March 24-April 15 New Zealand & Aus- tralia- 2nd departure added! (p.16-17) May 1-5 Virginia Beach/Norfolk/Outer Banks (p.18-19) August 27-Sept 8 Danube Delights River Cruise (p.20-21)

Contents

Notes from Connie Bulletin Board Dyersville/Farley

p. 3 p. 4 p. 5

Local Events

pp. 6-10 pp. 11-13

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 Mystery Trip p. 22 Missing Word Contest p. 23

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Hello from Connie

Hello Friends,

I hope you are adjusting to our new name. I must admit I may have answered the phone a few times with my former salutation of “AmeriClub this is Connie.” I am doing much better as the days go by. Connections Club as well as the

branch offices and call centers are quite busy, so we sure appreciate your patience along the way. We all learn by the questions you are asking so keep them coming. Along with your great questions I also receive recommendations and requests for places to consider visiting. I have our first adventure put together and hope to offer more from time to time. I’m calling them “The Traveler’s Trek.” The itinerary consists of all places our travelers have told me they are interested in seeing. Please check out our Dyersville/Farley page to read about our first trek. I have another first-time experience to share with you. Our New Zealand/Aus- tralia Tour has had overwhelming interest. We are opening a second departure date with the same itinerary for this amazing tour. One question I have been asked is if I will be on both trips and yes, I will. I am told I may have to apply for temporary citizen- ship HaHa! Please take a look and call me if you are interested. It seems like the year is once again flying by. We have included most of our Holiday shows in this issue. The magic of the season seems to mean more to me every year. Maybe I realize how precious every minute is as I get older. While I’m truly into the real meaning of Christmas I would be remiss in not mentioning my love of shopping. Gift giving is a shopper’s dream come true. Many of you who travel with me have seen the twinkle in my eye when I hear the words…we have a little free time to look around. I can always find something that I or one of my friends cannot live without. Another way to see that twinkle would be to join me on Oct 17 as we attend the TransWorld Jewelry, Fashion and Accessories Show. It’s hard to believe I’m working so far into our plans for 2020. I am so thankful for the opportunity to continue to offer local events, one day ventures and extended travel opportunities. We look forward to expanding in our other markets. Please keep offering your great feedback and inspiring suggestions. You are what make this job so special for me. Heart felt thanks to all of you.

Make Today Great!

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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 $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.

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Equal Housing Lender

Dyersville/Farley Events

The Traveler’s Trek Wednesday, October 30 EPIC Campus Tour 1979 Milky Way, Verona, WI

Take a trip of EPIC proportion and join us for a day of fun. We are starting off our day with a visit to The Shoe Box in Black Earth, WI. I have been told we won’t regret it. The Shoe Box is known for a huge selection of shoes to fit all sizes and tastes. They specialize in award-winning customer service. They have been visited by a list of many famous people. I figure Connections Club should join the list! We think all the Shoe shopping might make us hungry, so we are going to stop for an included lunch at The Grumpy Troll Brew Pub in Mount Horeb, WI. “Who doesn’t like to be grumpy with a

beer in hand?” Next up, we will be treated to a guided tour of EPIC, a healthcare software company in Verona, WI. EPIC is, well, epic! Its Systems contain records for more than 50% of US medical patients. It is a major software provider for big health systems such as the Mayo Clinic and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center plus scores of doctor’s offices and smaller clinics. The EPIC campus, as they refer to it, has approximately 10,000 employees on site. The rooms and campus itself are all themed and spectacular. Every detail has been thought out and done for a reason. It was created to motivate their employees and by doing so became a place for all to see. It is so unique that it is hard to describe and needs to be seen firsthand. The artwork throughout is also a major attraction. Cost of the trip is $66 per person. This price includes all planned activities, motor coach transportation, driver’s gratuity, and lunch.

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Local Events

RENT Thursday, October 3, 2019, 7:30 p.m. UD Heritage Center 2255 Bennett Street, Dubuque, IA

In 1996, an original rock musical by a little-known composer opened on Broad way…and forever changed the landscape of American theatre. Two decades later, Jonathan Larson’s RENT continues to speak loudly and defiantly to audiences across generations and all over the world. And now, this Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning masterpiece returns to the stage in a vibrant 20th anniversary touring production. A re-imagining of Puccini’s La Bohème, RENT follows an unforgettable year in the lives of seven artists struggling to follow their dreams without selling out. With its inspiring message of joy and hope in the face of fear, this timeless celebration of friendship and creativity reminds us to measure our lives with the only thing that truly matters—love. Your Connections Club price is just $60 for main-floor seating.

Sandy Toes & Salty Kisses Sunday, October 13, 2019, 2:00 p.m. Bell Tower Theater 2728 Asbury Road, Dubuque, IA

Take a trip to the Lovers’ Landing Beach Hotel, a cozy little place that is “The Home of Sandy Toes and Salty Kisses.” Legend has it that no one can resist its romantic mystique. That legend is put to the test when the blue-blooded Beatrice Rutherford-Smythe and her daughter visit to plan the daughter’s wedding. Beatrice immediately begins a campaign to talk her daughter, not only out of the Lovers’ Landing, but also the marriage itself. A bit of illegal gambling, a little rum running and some mistaken identities provide a comical beach adventure. Your Connections Club price is just $17 for main-floor seating.

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Charley Pride Friday, October 18, 2019, 7:00 p.m. Five Flags Center 405 Main Street, Dubuque, IA

Country music legend Charley Pride will bring his more than two dozen chart-topping hits to the Five Flags Center this fall. Pride was country music’s first African-American superstar with the launch of his career in the mid-1960s. His first 13 singles all reached the Top 10 of the Billboard Country chart, including a string of six consecutive #1s. He achieved crossover success in 1971 with his signature hit “Kiss an Angel Good Morning,” which reached the Top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100. The industry quickly moved to acknowledge Pride’s success, with the Country Music Association awarding him both its Entertainer of the Year and Male Vocalist of the Year awards in 1971. Pride was the first black artist to win either honor. His success con- tinued [through]the rest of the 1970s, when he recorded another 15 #1 singles. Six of the albums he released during the decade were certified gold for selling more than 100,000 copies. Pride’s impact on country music began to be recognized in the 1990s. He became one of just three African-Americans to be inducted into the Grand Ole Opry in 1993. The following year, the Academy of Country Music honored him with its prestigious Pioneer Award. The honors continued into this century, with Pride’s induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2000. Pride was among the country legends involved in the record- ing of “Forever Country,” released to mark the 50th Country Music Association Awards. Your Connections Club price is just $69 for Section 5, rows J, K, and L.

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Local Events

The Passing Zone Friday, November 1, 2019, 7:30 p.m. UD Heritage Center 2255 Bennett Street, Dubuque, IA

The Passing Zone is the most inventive and funny juggling duo working today. You’ll have a difficult time deciding whether to hang onto your chair as chainsaws fly through the air, hold your breath as they perform world-class skills, or grab your stomach as you double over in laughter. Jon Wee and Owen Morse have been awarded five Guin- ness World Records and 18 Gold Medals from the International Juggler’s Association. It’s not magic; it’s juggling! Your Connections Club price is just $26 for main-floor seating.

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

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 .

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

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

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.

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Local Events

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

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.

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.

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One-Day Ventures

Run For Your Wife Thursday, September 26, 2019 The Palace Theater In The Dells Wisconsin Dells, WI

A fast-paced, outrageous comedy about a London cab driver who lives a very ordinary life, with the exception that he has two wives! John Smith, literally has two lives, complete with two different wives! Somehow, he manages to juggle them both without arousing suspicion. However, he gets caught up in a mugging, and wakes up in a hospital. He ends up with the wrong wife by his side. Complications arise as the cabby tries to keep his double life from exploding. Cost is $94 per person and includes round-trip motor coach transportation from Dubuque, plated meal, show and driver’s gratuity. Full payment is due with registration.

Celebration Belle Day-Long Cruise Tuesday, October 8, 2019 Port of Dubuque, Board at 7:30 a.m.

The Celebration Belle’s Autumn round-trip cruise features popular entertainers Ray and Jane! We depart from Dubuque’s Ice Harbor, cruise upriver to Guttenberg, and cruise back to Dubuque on one of the most beautiful sections of the Mississippi River. Enjoy live entertainment, the Captain’s narrative, full hot breakfast buffet, full hot lunch buffet, and the Celebration Belle’s famous prime rib dinner! Connections Club price is $155.95 per person, due at registration. A full refund is available for cancellations received by September 5.

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One-Day Ventures

TransWorld Jewelry, Fashion & Accessories Show Thursday, October 17, 2019 Rosemont, IL

It’s starting to become a tradition! Connections Club is heading to the TransWorld Jewelry, Fashion, and Accessories Show to experience over 600 vendors selling prized merchandise and the newest fashions at the Stephens Convention Center. We will also visit the nearby Fashion Outlets of Chicago. Cost is $59 per person and includes transporation, entrance to show, and driver’s gratuity.

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

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, refundable until October 21, 2019, is due with your registration.

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Saturday Night Fever Thursday, January 23, 2020

Fireside Theater Fort Atkinson, WI

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 Bee 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.

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Extended Travel

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 the Moline airport to board our flight to Los Angeles, CA for the 130th Tournament of Roses Parade, featuring the beautiful 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 Cal- ifornia sun. An optional excursion to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library is

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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. A deposit of $350 is required to hold your reservation with the final balance due on September 30.

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Extended Travel

Another 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, Auck- land 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.

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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. A deposit of $1,500 per person is required to hold your reservation, the final balance is due October 15, 2019. Second departure final balance is due Novem- ber 4, 2019.

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Extended Travel

New Date!

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. We spend time exploring Colonial Williamsburg. We will be amazed how we are completely transported back to the years prior to America’s independence. A visit to Governor’s Mansion is a must. We will visit the first English permanent settlement in America–historic Jamestown. Then on to Yorktown, where the revolutionary war officially ended. We will tour the Yorktown battlefield and visitors center getting a very clear picture of those days. Then we arrive at our hotel 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 on your own this evening. Day 2: We have another 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 performance 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, entertain- ment and attractions. We will visit the Surf and Rescue Museum, which preserves history of the 1903 Life Saving Station, The Military Aviation Museum, home to one

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of the largest private collections 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 Light- house, 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: Depending on our flight schedule, we will visit the attractions in the area and then return back to Richmond for our flight home. What a week at the beach! (B) Per person price is $2,991, double occupancy, and $3,587, for single. A deposit of $350 is required to hold your reservation with the final balance due on January 20, 2020. Travel Preview: Tuesday, September 10, 2019, 5:30 p.m., call 589.0804 to register to attend.

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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 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)

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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 / 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 October 1! Per-person price (with free airfare) starting at $5,178, double occupancy. Promotional air rate of $700 will be added after October 1. This pricing includes optional travel protection. A non-refundable deposit of $429 is due at registration. Final balance is due May 28, 2020. Travel Preview: Tuesday, October 1, 2019, 5:30 p.m., call 589.0804 to register to attend.

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Mystery Trip

Fall Mystery Trip October 24-27, 2019

Calling all mystery lovers! Another exciting, multi-day mystery tour has been planned. You can expect interesting attractions, comfortable accommodations, delicious

meals, and a great time. On Thursday, October 24, we will begin our four-day, three-night adventure together. I better not say any more because it might ruin the surprise! I [heard] how good you are at figuring out our destinations from our mystery clues. Per-person price is $789, double occupancy, and $1,009, for single, is due at registration. Price includes deluxe motor-coach transportation from Dubuque, three-nights lodging, luggage handling, eight meals, admission to all included activities, and gratuities.

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Missing Word

Worth Thinking About: “Believe with all your heart that you will do what you were made to do.” -Orison Swett Marden

Missing Word Contest: Our Missing Word Contest winner for July/August was Ann Recker, who received a check for $25. The missing word was “Can’t,” and the song title was “They Can’t Take That Away FromMe.” 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!

Entry Form

Name

Phone

Address

The missing word is: Mail to: Connie Francis, Connections Club, PO Box 938, Dubuque, Iowa 52004-0938

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.