Friends Club 3rd Quarter 2020

Friends Club 3rd Quarter 2020

HILLS BANK

Quarter Three 2020

Live LOCAL Get out and enjoy some of the beauty in the Corridor

FAVORITE FAIR RECIPES Maybe you're missing out on the fair this year, but you don't have to miss out on the food!

LEARN HOW TO "MUSEUM" FROM HOME

Member FDIC

What 's HAPPENING?

As a reminder from our second quarter letter, we have cancelled all Friends Club day trips and domestic and international extended travel planned for the rest of this year. This was not an easy decision, but because the health and safety of our members are our top priorities, we feel it is the right one. Plans for 2021 Friends Club trips and beyond will be revisited early next year. If you’d like to plan now for travel next year, check out the travel insert presented by Star Destinations (p. 28-31) for trips being offered separately from Friends Club. We encourage you to contact Star Destinations by phone at 712-792-9793 or 800-284-4440 or via email at [email protected] or [email protected] for more information.

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Friends Club News

Currently, the Hills Bank community rooms are not open just yet to hold Friends Club events. As soon as we feel it is safe to gather in small groups, Friends Club will be ready to offer you unique events and reschedule cancelled events from earlier in the year. We look forward to making special memories with you again soon! Our Hills Bank locations are open, and we look forward to seeing your smiling face even if it is covered by a mask. There are a few new measures in place to help you feel safe, such as: • Plexiglass barriers have been placed at the teller line and in offices • Hand sanitizer stations are in the front entry • Distance markers have been placed on the floor as a reminder to social distance • Masks will be worn by Hills Bank employees when meeting with customers • Areas and pens will be disinfected after each use • Coffee service, snacks, magazines, and children play areas will not be offered for safety reasons

We appreciate your patience, understanding, and loyal support as we navigate through these changes with health and safety as our top priority.

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3rd Quarter 2020

Team

UPDATE:

While Friends Club activities and trips are on hold, the Friends Club Team is still available to hear your suggestions, concerns, and questions. As a reminder, your team is:

Located at Hills Bank in Iowa City (South Gilbert Street)

Karissa Norine , Friends Club Director [email protected], 319-358-2230

Meg Sinnott , Friends Club Coordinator [email protected], 319-358-2278

Chelsea Marsengill , Friends Club Coordinator [email protected], 319-358-2215

Located at Hills Bank in Marion (7th Avenue)

Barb Colehour , Friends Club Coordinator [email protected], 319-447-8407

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Friends Club News

NEWEST MEMBER

On Monday, March 23, 2020, at 8:04 p.m., the newest honorary Friends Club member made his appearance at 7lb 14oz and 22.5 inches. Brooks Lee Norine, son

of Karissa and Tyler Norine, was named after his dad’s favorite singer Garth Brooks. Ironically, Karissa and Tyler watched Garth Brooks perform online to raise awareness of COVID-19 an hour before he was born. While Brooks came into a world of uncertainty, it is most certain how much love and support is surrounding him and the new family of three. Meet Brooks!

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3rd Quarter 2020

Live

LOCAL

Hills Bank is proud to support living locally in our communities. With so much to see and do in Iowa, we encourage our members, along with family and friends, to safely experience the many exciting, educational, free, and low-cost attractions throughout the state, especially in Eastern Iowa. Although we are unable to experience these attractions together at this time, we wanted to share some ideas to live local close to home and provide you with some at-home ideas from a few local resources. We would love to hear from you! If you have a fun idea to safely live local or know of some great local resources to utilize while we are all spending more time at home, please share them with us by emailing [email protected] and your suggestion may be featured in a future Friends Club newsletter.

LINN COUNTY Palisades-Kepler State Park – Mt. Vernon

A molar tooth of a mammoth was once found here, and the exposed rocks along the Cedar River are laden with fossils of millions of years of history. Matsell Bridge Natural Area – Central City This natural area is the largest of its kind in Linn County, and the only one to include a shooting range (permit required).

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Friends Club News

JOHNSON COUNTY Iowa Raptor Project – Solon

A joint project with the University of Iowa Recreational Services and Kirkwood Community College, the Project’s goal is to preserve raptor populations and other birds of prey historically found in Iowa. Williams Prairie State Preserve – Oxford Home to a variety of unique and rare plant species, this preserve also features several threatened and endangered animal species such as the Ornate Box Turtle. Terry Trueblood Recreation Area – Iowa City A hidden gem on the south side of Iowa City, this recreation area offers kayak rentals, a variety of fish, and 207 acres of woodland area to explore. Lake Macbride State Park – Solon Lake Macbride offers a plethora of late summer activities. From relaxing on the beach to hiking the trails surrounding the lake, there are 2,180 acres to explore in Iowa’s largest state park. WASHINGTON COUNTY Lake Darling State Park – Brighton You can rent a kayak or even a cabin on the scenic Lake Darling, with almost 18 miles of shoreline.

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English River Wildlife Area - Wellman This wooded wildlife area includes wetlands, upland and lowland timber and grasslands, making it an excellent ecosystem for a variety of species. IOWA COUNTY Lake Iowa Park – Ladora With camping, hiking, swimming, and disc golf, there’s no shortage of activities available at the Lake Iowa Park.

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3rd Quarter 2020

Community Gardens Local Gardners &

WORKING TOGETHER FOR DONATIONS WRITTEN BY BEULA DVORAK

As summer comes to a close, so too does the produce and flowers many Iowans enjoy throughout the warmer months. If you are one of those Iowans who enjoyed a particularly lush garden, you may have an excess of produce by the end of summer. Linn County Master Gardener, Beula Dvorak, shares tips on donating extra produce to local food pantries. Linn County Master Gardeners partners with HACAP Food Reservoir, reaching a seven county service area through their 126 partner agencies to distribute food, but there are many food pantries and organizations throughout Linn, Johnson, and Washington counties who may benefit from fresh produce donations.

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Friends Club News

Did you know that in Linn County one in eight people struggle with food insecurity, not knowing if they'll be able to provide adequate food for their families? This year the local food pantries have seen an increased need because of the pandemic. The Linn County Community Outreach Gardens Project, a service managed by Master Gardeners, supports several community donation gardens. Every pound of produce makes an impact in the fight against hunger. Last growing season over 23,000 pounds of fresh produce was grown and donated to local pantries. Home gardeners are invited to join in this effort and share extra produce from their garden with your local food pantry. What are some of the best vegetables to donate? Some top recommendations are tomatoes, zucchini, winter squash, potatoes, onions, peppers, cucumbers, melons, broccoli, cabbage, sweet potatoes, carrots, and beans. It’s always a good idea to check with the food pantry prior to donating. There are some safety tips to keep in mind when donating produce. Offer freshly picked fruits/vegetables. Don't donate produce that is overripe, bruised or spoiled. Use pesticides minimally and carefully, following label instructions. Harvest your produce early in the morning and give it a wipe or a rinse to remove the mud and dirt. Don't wash the produce—that can remove some of the natural protective coating and can cause earlier spoilage. You can also volunteer your time and energy at a community garden. You might even want to help create a community donation garden in your neighborhood or workplace. The Master Gardeners can provide consultation and guidance along the way. Leaders at the community garden provide the space, volunteers to plant, maintain and harvest the garden. Get in touch with the Linn County Master Gardeners at 319-447-0647 and they can help you get started. There's truth in a spin-off of a common saying…Give a man a fish and he eats for a day; teach a woman to garden and the whole neighborhood gets zucchini! Together we can make a difference for those experiencing food insecurity.

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3rd Quarter 2020

Fair-Favor Hills Bank

CORN DOGS In a large bowl, combine cornbread mix, flour, mustard, onion powder, chili powder, paprika, and cumin. In another bowl, whisk milk and eggs; stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Let stand for 15 minutes. Insert skewers into hot dogs; dip into batter. In an electric deep-fat fryer, heat oil to 375 degrees. Fry corn dogs, a few at a time, until golden brown, 2-3 minutes, turning occasionally. Drain on paper towels.

1 pkg. (8 1/2 oz.) cornbread mix 2/3 c. all-purpose flour 1 tsp. ground mustard 1/2 tsp. onion powder 1/2 tsp. chili powder 1/2 tsp. paprika 1/8 tsp. ground cumin 1 large egg 1 c. milk 10 hot dogs 10 wooden skewers Oil for deep-fat frying

GRANDMA FRITZ’S RHUBARB CRUNCH

Crunch: 1 c. uncooked oatmeal 1 c. flour 1 c. brown sugar 1/3 c. soft butter or margarine

Mix together ingredients for crunch in a bowl. (I use a pastry blender.) Put half of this mixture on bottom of a 9-inch cake pan. Add rhubarb on top. Make sauce: In a saucepan on the stove, mix ingredients for sauce. Cook until thick. Pour over rhubarb. Top with remaining crunch mixture. Bake at 375 degrees for 45 minutes.

Sauce: 1 c. sugar 1 c. water 3 T. cornstarch 1 tsp. vanilla 4 c. diced rhubarb

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Friends Club News

rite Employee Recipes

GRILLED STREET CORN Carefully peel back corn husks to within 1 inch

of bottoms; remove silk. Rewrap corn in husks; secure with kitchen string. Rinse corn under water, moistening husks. Grill corn, covered, over medium heat 20-25 minutes or until tender, turning often. In a small bowl, mix remaining ingredients until blended. Cut string from corn and peel back husks. Spread corn with sour cream mixture.

6 medium ears sweet corn 1/2 c. sour cream 1/4 c. grated parmesan cheese 1 T. lime juice 1/2 tsp. chili powder 1/4 tsp. salt 1/8 tsp. pepper

IOWA STATE FAIR OLD FASHIONED LEMONADE

1 1/2 c. sugar 1 1/2 c. boiling water 1 1/2 c. fresh lemon juice Grated peel of 1 lemon 5 c. cold water

In a large pitcher, add the sugar to the boiling water, stirring until dissolved. Add the lemon juice and lemon peel; mix well. Add the cold water, stirring until well combined.

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3rd Quarter 2020

Living

Locally at Home

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Friends Club News

CLEAR CLUTTER AND CREATE SPACE WRITTEN BY JENNIFER ROBB

Clearing clutter can be overwhelming both physically and mentally. There are many reasons why organization or lack thereof in terms of our space, thoughts, and time can occur in the homes and offices of individuals and families. Here are a few ideas to ponder if you have ever struggled to become organized: 1. Organizing is a learned skill that is often taught incorrectly for visual thinkers or is sometimes not taught at all. 2. Causes of chronic disorganization may include genetics, evolution, and environment. 3. Struggle can occur, and often affects people the most during transitions of life, which are often amplified by trying circumstances and events. 4. The struggle with organization can progress from cluttered to overwhelmed to crisis mode. Jennifer Robb has been a Professional Organizer since 2004 and is the owner of Simple Organizing Strategies and Iowa Professional Organizers. Over the years, she has helped young and old conquer clutter and gain control over paperwork, hobby rooms, inherited items, family photos, and much more! About half of her clients are in need of assistance physically, in that they know how they want their space to look and function, but they are physically unable to load up boxes and carry heavy items to consignment, donation or recycle centers for proper disposal. The other half reach out when they find themselves overwhelmed not knowing where to begin. A client once reached out and explained that she had tried several times to take time off work to clean and organize her hobby room, but that after weeks of wasted vacation days, she realized she could not tackle the project on her own. During her consultation, she showed Jennifer how she would crack the door open with good intentions, but would immediately get overwhelmed by the sight and go back upstairs to play solitaire on the computer for the rest of the afternoon. Jennifer and her client were able to assess that she was a visual person trying to live in a world where we are often expected to have everything “put away neat and tidy.” Visual people need things out where they can see them and if they cram items into dresser drawers, cabinets, closets, etc, the items become un-accessible and in turn, items pile up on flat surfaces. Alternatively, if something is put away behind closed doors, a new item is inevitably purchased when the existing one can’t be found. The good news is, there ARE systems for visual people AND they can be functional as well as visually pleasing!

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3rd Quarter 2020

SOWHERE DO YOU BEGIN? Before you begin the 4 step process of organizing, first think about how you want your space to function if you could have things any way you want them with no restrictions. Brainstorming your goals, visions, and ideas will help them take shape as you make plans for your time and physical space. 1. Understand your style of thinking and learning. Are you visual or are you minimalistic? Create systems that make sense to you. 2. Replace old, ineffective habits with positive new routines that build on your strengths. 3. Recruit support from the 5 C’s • Celebration: someone who will share joy in your accomplishments • Confrontation: someone who follows up and keeps you on task • Compassion: a positive emotional support • Choice Making: a resource for, “what do I do with this item?” • Cleaning and Clearing: someone to clean and tidy while you sort 4. Begin with items you already have. Wait to buy bins, totes, drawers, etc. until you have gone through the 4 step process of organizing and see what you are keeping and how you will arrange things.

Are you ready to create and maintain organization in your space and life? Iowa Professional Organizers are here to help physically as well as virtually!

Jennifer can be reached in the following ways:

Websites: www.IowaProfessionalOrganizers.com www.SOSorganizer.com

Jennifer’s Contact Information: [email protected] 319-936-6595

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Friends Club News

The 4 Step Process of Organizing 1. Purge: Scan each room peripherally and pull out what you immediately know you can part with. Begin in less emotional or sentimental areas to build confidence in the process. Use clear, black, and white garbage bags for consignment, donation, and trash. 2. Sort and Categorize: Break large projects into smaller, more manageable tasks. Get “like” items together. Have containers (cardboard boxes, totes, etc.) of various sizes available as you sort. Allow for space, not quantity of items. 3. Containerize: Give items a designated place. Utilize open storage and shelving and clear storage containers. Color code systems. Label everything. Create a master list. 4. Evaluate: Keep systems simple. Establish positive new routines. Evaluate practices. Schedule organizing time. Practice preventative maintenance.

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3rd Quarter 2020

Craft Corner: USING TIN CANS

Are you finding yourself with a little extra time on your hands and want a fun project?

Here are ideas that use items you probably have around the house already and are easy enough that you could enjoy them with your grandkids. All three projects use tin cans so you want to make sure you don’t have any sharp edges, the contents are thoroughly cleaned out, and the label is removed.

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Friends Club News

JAZZ UP YOUR PATIO WITH A CANDLE LANTERN. Supplies needed: tin can, hammer/nails, paint, and candles

ENJOY FRESH INGREDIENTS WITH A COUNTERTOP HERB GARDEN. Supplies needed: tin can, dirt, and your favorite herb plants

CLEAN UP YOUR WORK SPACE WITH AN OFFICE SUPPLY ORGANIZER. Supplies needed: tin can, washi tape, paint, and/or embellishments

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3rd Quarter 2020

WRITTEN BY AMANDA LENSING Museum From Amanda Lensing, Senior Living Communities Program Coordinator at the University of Iowa Stanley Museum of Art, has been working from home since late March. Known for her successful senior outreach program that brings art discussions, art activities, and local artists to senior living communities and groups in the Corridor, Lensing had to quickly figure out how to reach her audience.

Amanda turned her monthly programs into biweekly Museum From Home emails that include links to videos, podcasts, books, upcoming programs at the Stanley, and other resources in a themed lesson format. Topics include: Art conservation • The Gardner Museum Theft • Walt Disney’s Destino The Museum of the Moving Image • The story of Salvador Dalí Discussions and tours of Jim Henson’s work Stanley collection favorites like Jackson Pollack’s Mural and Elizabeth Catlett

There’s something for everyone!

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Friends Club News

omHome

The Stanley Museum of Art has also moved virtual with programming:

Every Tuesday on Instagram Live is Dive In with the Stanley. A piece of art from the Stanley collection is announced a week prior and participants are encouraged to practice slow looking—slowing down and closely looking at a piece of art. Then at 7:00 p.m., director Lauren Lessing and film critic Uri Lessing host an interactive discussion on the artist and their piece. This fall, the Stanley will virtually bring back popular program Saturdays at the Stanley and smART Talks, and new programs, including a book club. Saturdays at the Stanley brings the museum’s collection to audiences in a casual storytelling and discussion led by museum staff. SmART Talks is a conversation connecting the museum’s collection and events in our community. You can find out more information about all of the upcoming virtual programming at https://stanleymuseum.uiowa.edu/events/ ; following @uistanleymuseum on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube; and subscribing to their newsletter at https://stanleymuseum.uiowa.edu/ . Finally, to see progress on the new building, follow along at https://webcam.iowa.uiowa.edu/sma/ !

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3rd Quarter 2020

A Convenient, Easy,

Times are ever-changing, and protecting your health and safety are our top priorities at Hills Bank. We also aim to provide you with convenient and easy ways to connect with a personal banker. While we welcome you in person or over the phone, another option to

consider is immediately connecting with a banker through the convenience of your smartphone . You can message them at any time, from anywhere, to take care of almost all of your banking needs by using the HERE by Hills Bank application.

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Friends Club News

and Safe Way TO CONNECT ITH A BANKER

YOU MAY BE WONDERING…

How is this different than online banking when using my phone? The Hills Bank Online phone application gives you the ability to control your banking (deposit checks, transfer funds, pay bills) and view your finances with 24/7 access. The HERE phone application is a concierge service, where you securely text with a banker who can do everything for you, such as open an account, place travel alerts, transfer funds, apply for a credit card or loan, get financial advice, complete a transaction, and more. Why would I use this? There are many different reasons someone may find the HERE application helpful. If you think you’d benefit from being able to text or speak with a real Hills Bank banker on your smartphone—to do almost anything you could do in the bank—then this would be a great resource for you! What do I need to do to get this on my phone? Depending on your phone, you first need to download the HERE by Hills Bank application from the Apple App Store or Google Play. From there, the application will walk you through on how to set-up your log-in and choose your banker(s). However, if you have the time, we’d love for you to call us or stop in to help you get this set-up and connected! Call your banker or Hills Bank location of choice to talk through the application or set up a time to visit with us.

We look forward to hearing from you about HERE!

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3rd Quarter 2020

AMBASSADOR REFERRAL PROGRAM FRIENDS CLUB

Friends Club Ambassadors are an invaluable asset to the Friends Club program, and rewarding these loyal customers is very important to Hills Bank. Friends Club Ambassadors in 2020 can now enjoy these perks:

• Entrance into a drawing to win a $1,000 cash* • A $50 bonus for you and your friend**

Interested in becoming a Friends Club Ambassador? You'll become an Ambassador when you refer a friend to join Hills Bank and they open a Friends Club Checking account with a new deposit. Ambassadors must also meet membership requirements and use their Friends Club Checking account as their main checking account. You are eligible to receive these benefits each time you refer a friend. Remember, every person you refer to Friends Club – who opens a Friends Club Checking account – will qualify you to receive these benefits again, including another entry into the drawing. Visit any personal banker today or call 1-800-445-5725 to learn more.

Thank you for your loyal support and membership!

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Friends Club News

*Need not be present to win. Odds of winning will depend on the number of entries. New Friends Club checking Accounts must be opened no later than 12/6/2020 and the drawing will be held on 12/9/2020. If you win the $1,000 cash drawing, Hills Bank will pay the Iowa State tax withholding requirement and the value will be reported on Hills Bank’s 1099MISC. For questions or more information, please call 319-358-2230 or email [email protected]. No purchase required to enter. ** Hills Bank customers who are age 50 or better and maintain $10,000 in household deposits qualify to join Friends Club and to open a Friends Club (FC) Checking account. Friends Club Checking earns a variable interest rate. As of 7/2/20, balance over $10,000 earn an annual percentage yield (APY) of 0.25%, $9,999.99 to $1,000 earns (APY) of 0.15%, and under $1,000 earns (APY) of 0.10%. Fees may reduce earnings. $50 bonus will be paid when Friends Club Checking account is opened.

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3rd Quarter 2020

SECURE ACT OF 2019 BY HILLS BANK WEALTH MANAGEMENT GROUP PART 1 OF 3

On December 20, 2019, the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act of 2019 was signed into law. The SECURE Act, effective beginning January 1, 2020, will significantly impact individual retirement account (IRA) owners and other consumers. This article is part one of a three-part series focused on providing a general overview of the law’s changes. Part one outlines the changes to required minimum distributions (RMDs) and contributions. Required Minimum Distributions: Old Law: Prior to the SECURE Act, IRA owners were required to begin taking RMDs the year they turned 70 1 / 2 . This remains the rule for anyone that turned age 70 1 / 2 prior to December 31, 2019. In other words, account owners born before July 1, 1949 begin taking RMDs by no later than April 1 following the year they attain age 70 1 / 2 . New Law: Beginning January 1, 2020 IRA owners are now eligible to begin taking their required minimum distributions starting at age 72. In other words, account owners born after June 30, 1949 must begin taking RMDs by no later than April 1 the year following the year they turn age 72.

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Friends Club News

This is good news for anyone who prefers to delay the recognition of income resulting from an IRA

KEY TAKEAWAYS • Old RMD beginning age: 70½ • New RMD beginning age: 72 • Effective date: 1/1/2020

distribution. Additionally, the SECURE Act simplifies the RMD calculation by basing beginning distributions on a birthdate, rather than a half year.

Contributions: The SECURE Act eliminates the age restriction on funding a traditional IRA. Starting January 1, 2020, all those with earned income may continue to fund their IRA, without regard to age. Generally, earned income includes taxable employee compensation and net earnings from self-employment, as well as certain disability payments.

KEY TAKEAWAYS • No longer an age cap for contributions • Must have earned income

Keep in mind however that the new rules are not available for any 2019 carryback. Those age 70 1 / 2 or older during 2019 cannot make a Traditional IRA contribution for the 2019 tax year.

Part two of three on the SECURE Act of 2019 will discuss accelerated withdrawals and how various types of IRA beneficiaries (including spousal, non-spousal, children, the disabled, chronically ill, and non- person beneficiaries) are affected. Part three of three in this series will discuss qualified charitable distributions (QCDs). Given the SECURE Act’s many changes, we encourage you to seek the guidance of your tax or legal professional for any questions or concerns as to how you may be affected. For additional questions to our Wealth Management team, feel free to reach out to any of our Trust or Wealth Management Officers at 319-338-1522.

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3rd Quarter 2020

CORRIDOR CROSSWORD How well do you know places around the Corridor? FUN&GAMES Across 2. This Cedar Rapids museum celebrates the history and culture of the ____ and ______ people (two part, see #13) 4. This 8.5 ft. statue in Iowa City’s Oakland Cemetery resembles what? 10. The Old Capitol and collection of four buildings surrounding it in Iowa City 11. A museum dedicated to this 31st U.S. president (1929-1933) is located in West Branch, Iowa. 13. This Cedar Rapids museum celebrates the history and culture of the ____ and ______ people (two part, see #2) 17. A classic Cedar Rapids estate built in the late 1800’s by Caroline Sinclair

18. The Linn County Courthouse sits on this island in Cedar Rapids 19. You might find prehistoric relics in the Devonian ______ Gorge 20. The Veteran’s Memorial Stadium in Cedar Rapids is home to this minor-league baseball team. Down 1. The town where Hills Bank was founded. 3. The Amish were among the first European settlers in the area that became this Washington County town. 5. The name of this city market in Cedar Rapids is a shortened version of the district it inhabits 6. The name of the world’s oldest continuously operating cinema theatre in Washington, Iowa 7. This stadium in Iowa City is named after the winner of the 1939 Heisman Trophy. 8. The Antique Car Museum of Iowa is located in this city 9. The famous artist Grant Wood painted many of his works just north of Mount Vernon, Iowa. His most well-known work, “American _____." 12. This annual Cedar Rapids event makes the sky “glow” with dozens of what object? 14. You’ll find statues of this mascot around the Iowa City area 15. Iowa’s largest state park surrounds this lake 16. This Linn County town is named after the the capital of Portugal Answers

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Friends Club News

NEEDLE IN THE HAY... WELL, NEWSLETTER.

Were you able to spot the needle in the newsletter? That's right, we hid the image above in the newsletter (and no, the image above is not the hidden one, just an example of what you are looking for). If you find it, email a friends club representative at [email protected] your name and the page number that you found the needle on to be entered in a drawing to win a $50 gift card.*

*No purchase required to enter or win. Need not be present to win. Odds of winning dependent upon number of entries.

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