HILLS BANK
Quarter One 2025
1st Quarter 2025 What's Inside: We want to hear from YOU – Take our member survey! Day Trips: Local Winery Tour, Sherlock Holmes, Elvis, & More Can you find the hidden needle?
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As the holiday lights come down and winter months loom, I hope this newsletter is a bright spot in your mailbox. You’ll notice the gap in programming during January and February to avoid some of Iowa’s more treacherous weather. However, we have a diverse line-up of events and day trips starting in March that you won’t want to miss - Sign up today for the fun ahead! From our Winery Tour, perfectly timed for your Mother’s Day celebrations , to our Major League Baseball Opening Day festivities, I look forward to spending time with you in the months to come. One thing the weather can’t stop: Our beloved Friends Club Newsletter’s Hidden Needle Hunt . Test your sleuthing skills (and your patience) as you look for the two needles we’ve hidden in this newsletter. You could be a lucky winner! See page 22 for details and sample image of the needle you are looking for.
Stay warm, Friends!
Katie Harris Friends Club Director
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Friends Club News
IN THIS ISSUE
What's on the cover? Over 130 Friends Club members enjoyed touring Kinze Manufacturing Inc. in Williamsburg last fall! Did you miss the fun? Contact the Kinze Innovation Center at (319) 668-1300 and they will be happy to schedule a tour with you.
4 DOCUMENTS YOU SHOULD KEEP, AND HOW TO STORE THEM 7 LOCAL PERFORMANCES 8 EVENTS 12 DAY TRIPS 15 MEMBER SURVEY 16 MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: MIKE PARKER 18 EXTENDED TOURS 20 UPCOMING CHANGES TO THE FEDERAL ESTATE TAX EXEMPTION 22 FUN AND GAMES 23 POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
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Documents You Should Keep, and How to Store Them
Personal Identification Original birth certificates are crucial for proving identity. Even if expired, keep your most recent passports and driver’s licenses for identification purposes. Social Security cards are essential for tax purposes and government benefits. surgeries, chronic illnesses, and immunizations in your medical history. Keep your Medicare or private insurance details readily available. Advance directives like living wills or healthcare proxies can help outline your healthcare wishes. Financial Documents Health Records Include a summary of past You should retain the past seven years of tax returns, though some experts recommend keeping them longer for historical reference. Keep statements from your IRAs, 401(k)s, or pensions, as well as the past year’s bank statements. Also, retain mortgage documents, loan agreements, and credit reports. Estate Planning Keep updated wills and trusts that outline how you wish your assets to be distributed. If applicable, keep power of attorney documents handy to grant someone else the authority to make decisions on your behalf. Retain any pre-paid funeral arrangements or written wishes. Property Records Store deeds and titles for any properties or vehicles you own. Keep home improvement records, particularly if they affect the home’s value for tax purposes. Legal Documents Marriage and divorce certificates are necessary for proving marital status in legal or financial matters. Military service records are critical for veterans’ benefits and honors.
As we accumulate years of life experience, the number of important documents we gather can be overwhelming. These documents serve as the foundation of our personal and financial histories and knowing what to keep – and how to store it all – can provide peace of mind and ensure everything is in order when you need it. Here’s a guide to the essential documents you should retain and tips on how to manage them effectively.
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Friends Club News
Best Solutions for Document Management Managing all these documents can seem like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. Here are some practical solutions for both physical and digital document management.
DIGITAL Scanning and Storage
PHYSICAL Use a Filing System
Use a scanner to digitize important documents and save them in clearly labeled folders on your computer. Your local library may have a scanner available if you don’t own one. Cloud Storage Services like Google Drive, Dropbox, or iCloud offer secure ways to store documents. They allow you to access your files from any device and provide backup in case your computer fails. Password Management Protect digital files with strong passwords or encryption. Consider using a password manager to keep track of your login credentials. Regular Backups Regularly back up your digital files to an external hard drive or another cloud service. This ensures you have a copy even if one storage method fails.
Invest in a sturdy filing cabinet or a fireproof safe. Organize documents into categories such as Personal, Financial, and Medical, and label folders clearly. Regular Review Go through your documents annually to ensure everything is up to date. Discard items that you no longer need, like outdated utility bills or receipts for small purchases. Backup Copies Store copies of vital documents in a separate location, such as a safe deposit box (your Friends Club Checking account includes a 50% discount on a safe deposit rental*) or with a trusted family member. *Contents are not FDIC insured, limit one discount per household.
Managing your important documents doesn’t have to be stressful. By knowing what to keep and how to organize it, you can simplify your life and prepare for the future. Whether you prefer physical filing or digital storage, the key is to have a system that works for you. Take the time to organize your documents now to save you and your loved ones a great deal of time and stress down the road – and leave you with the great feeling of being prepared!
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1st Quarter 2025
Enjoy the talents within our local theaters this spring with Friends Club. peformances Local
Transportation not provided. Tickets will be mailed to registrants prior to departure. How to Register: To register for a performance, please email FriendsClub@HillsBank.com or call 319-679-2103. Provide your full name, phone number, email address, and preferred payment method upon registering. Guests: Tickets are only available for Hills Bank Friends Club members; however, a Friends Club member who would typically be a single occupancy is allowed to bring one guest. See page 23 for full guest policy. Accessibility: ADA accessible seating requests must be noted at the time of registration.
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Friends Club News
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Riverdance Hancher Auditorium (141 Park Rd, Iowa City) Saturday, May 10, 2:00 p.m.
Since Riverdance first emerged onto the world stage, its fusion of Irish and international dance and music has captured the hearts of millions worldwide. The Grammy Award-winning music and the infectious energy of its mesmerizing choreography and breathtaking performances have left audiences in awe and established Riverdance as a global cultural sensation. Cost is $110 per member; $125 per non-member guest. Cost includes Zone 1 (Parterre Section) ticket, taxes, and fees. Register by Monday, April 14. TINA – The Tina Turner Musical Hancher Auditorium (141 Park Rd, Iowa City) Saturday, May 31, 2:00 p.m. An uplifting comeback story like no other, TINA – The Tina Turner Musical is the inspiring journey of a woman who broke barriers and became the Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll. Set to the pulse-pounding soundtrack of her most beloved hits, this electrifying sensation will send you soaring to the rafters. One of the world’s best-selling artists of all time, Tina Turner won 12 Grammy Awards and her live shows were seen by millions, with more concert tickets sold than any other solo performer in music history. Featuring her much loved songs, TINA – The Tina Turner Musical is written by Pulitzer Prize- winning playwright Katori Hall. Cost is $115 per member; $130 per non-member guest. Cost includes Zone 1 (Parterre Section) ticket, taxes, and fees. Register by Monday, May 5.
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1st Quarter 2025
Experience your local community, spark your curiosity with an educational presentation, or try a completely new experience with Friends Club! Events
Registration is required for all events. Space is limited. Please let us know you are coming so we can ensure the best experiences for our members, from adequate parking to comfortable seating, and more.
Guests Events are available exclusively for Hills Bank Friends Club members unless “Guests Welcome” is listed in the description. A Friends Club member attending independently is allowed to bring one non- membered guest. See page 23 for full guest policy.
How to Register To register, please email FriendsClub@HillsBank.com or call 319-679-2103. Provide your full name, phone number, email address, and the names of any other members joining your party upon registering.
Chilly Season Mall Walking Group Thursdays at 9:00 a.m. Coral Ridge Mall (1451 Coral Ridge Avenue, Coralville)
Let’s stay active this winter despite the chilly temperatures on the horizon. Kick off the day with friends and an energizing workout! The group will meet at 9:00 a.m. inside the mall at the internal entrance of Barnes & Noble (near the children’s play area) and enjoy. Join friends for coffee following the walk or leave when you need to. Note: This is an informal group and Hills Bank staff will not always be present to facilitate. Register today to receive any updates or communications for participants regarding location, time changes, and more! Guests welcome.
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Friends Club News
March 7 Friday
Hills Bank Mount Vernon (720 First Ave SE)
HILLS BANK Bingo 58 G
10:00 a.m.
March 14 Friday March 21 Friday March 28 Friday
Hills Bank Marion (3204 7th Ave)
9:00 a.m.
Hills Bank Washington (2481 IA-92)
B I N G O is coming to a city near you! Register for any of the bingo options listed to the left to reserve your spot. Register prior to each event date.
9:00 a.m.
Hills Bank North Liberty (590 W Forevergreen Rd)
9:30 a.m.
April 4 Friday
Cedar Rapids: Villas at Stoney Point (1818 Stoney Point Rd SW)
10:30 a.m.
Don’t forget to register!
To register, please email FriendsClub@HillsBank.com or call 319-679-2103 . Please provide your name, phone number, and email.
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1st Quarter 2025
March 13 Thursday 2:00 p.m.
Calling all quilt-lovers! Visit the Kalona Historical Village for a special presentation from the enthusiasts behind the recently released Crazy Quilt collection. Recognizable for their irregular shapes and sizes, Crazy Quilts are known for their broken pottery appearance and have been used as decorative art since before 1860. You’ll enjoy their variety of fabrics such as silk, velvet, satin, tulle, and other embellishments like buttons, lace, ribbons, and embroidery. While you are there, find over 25 hidden images in the Crazy Quilt Search and Find game. There will be no shortage of fun! No cost to attend.
Crazy Quilts and Clever Clues Kalona Historical Village (715 D Avenue, off Hwy 22)
Discounted rate to tour Village facilities and museums available following the presentation (payable at the event only; weather pending). Register by Tuesday, March 11. Note: A $5 donation will be made by Friends Club on behalf of every attendee to support the Kalona Historical Village’s quilt preservation and expansion project.
March 11 Tuesday 2:00 p.m.
Behind the Madness: Hall of Fame Tour University of Iowa Athletics Hall of Fame and Museum (2425 Prairie Meadow Drive, Iowa City)
March means spring, daylight savings, and March Madness for college basketball fans across the country. Lean into your Hawkeye spirit with a visit to the iconic University of Iowa Athletics Hall of Fame and Museum. Hear from the museum’s knowledgeable staff before experiencing
this unique space that showcases more than 100 years of Hawkeye athletic excellence through prestigious memorabilia across Iowa’s rich athletic history. Celebrate Hawkeye greats across the decades with your fellow Iowa fans. No cost to attend. Register by Friday, March 7.
Don’t forget to register!
To register, please email FriendsClub@HillsBank.com or call 319-679-2103 . Please provide your name, phone number, and email.
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Friends Club News
March 20 Thursday 2:00 p.m.
A Lady & Her Legs – A History of Women’s Shaving & Stockings Mount Vernon Hills Bank Community Room (720 First Ave SE)
Doris Montag, our local homespun historian and humorist, returns to Friends Club with “A Lady & Her Legs – A History of Women’s Shaving & Stockings,” from her series, The History of Ordinary Things . Montag will discuss traditionally hushed topics like the social pressures in women’s shaving across the centuries, the evolution of hosiery, and the inventors behind these
innovations. Garter belts, girdles, and more: There’s no need to blush as she chats about these fascinating artifacts and the stories they bring to life. Dames, gals, damsels, lassies, and even gentlemen: Don't miss this unique and completely ordinary presentation told in Montag’s own educational, entertaining, and lighthearted style! Register by Monday, March 17.
March 27 Thursday 12:00 p.m.
Opening Day Fun with Dr. Ernie Found & Doris Montag
Hills Bank North Liberty (590 W Forevergreen Rd)
Baseball fans: Let’s play…. trivia! It’s opening day for Major League Baseball and Dr. Ernie Found and Doris Montag are teaming up to celebrate with a kind-hearted, Cubs vs Cardinals trivia match. Come to play or come to watch - all are welcome! In the nature of television’s Family Feud, Found and Montag will have two captains ready to lead the rounds; all you need to bring is yourself and your team spirit. Participants from the audience can sign up to rotate onto a team. No prior trivia experience needed, team apparel is encouraged, and good sportsmanship is required. A lite ballpark lunch (think hotdogs, chips, and crackerjacks) will be served prior to the games. Register by Monday, March 24.
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1st Quarter 2025
• You will be asked to complete your payment at the time of registration, just let us know which Hills Bank account to charge. • Payment confirmation, itinerary, parking details, and terms and conditions for the below day trips will be mailed to registrants after payment is complete. • Online registration is not available at this time. Guest Policy: Day trips are available exclusively for Hills Bank Friends Club members; however, a Friends Club member traveling independently is allowed to bring one guest. A non-member may be charged more than a member. See page 23 for full guest policy. Accessibility: Notify Friends Club of any accessibility accommodations or special dietary requirements at the time of registration. See page 23 for full policy. Board a motorcoach and let Friends Club handle the rest. These one-day trips are the perfect mini getaway! How to Register: To register, please email FriendsClub@HillsBank.com or call 319-679-2103. Provide your full name, phone number, and email address.
By attending any Hills Bank Friends Club Day Trip, you agree and consent to Hills Bank’s Terms and Conditions on page 23. A copy of the complete Day Trip Terms and Conditions will be mailed to registrants.
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Friends Club News
Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery Circa 21 Dinner Playhouse, Rock Island, IL Wednesday, March 5 Get your deerstalker cap on – the play’s afoot! Comedic genius Ken Ludwig transforms Arthur Conan Doyle’s classic “The Hound of the Baskervilles” into a murderously funny adventure. Sherlock Holmes is on the case. The male heirs of the Baskerville line are being dispatched one by one. To find their ingenious killer, Holmes and Watson must brave the desolate moors before a family curse dooms its newest heir. Watch as our intrepid investigators try to escape a dizzying web of clues, silly accents, disguises, and deceit as five actors deftly portray more than forty characters. Join the fun and see how far from elementary the truth can be. Cost is $125 per member; $135 per non-member, payable upon registration. Cost includes motorcoach transportation, matinee show, meal, taxes, and gratuities. Register by Friday, February 14.
Heartbreak Hotel Circa 21 Dinner Playhouse Rock Island, IL Wednesday, April 9, 2025
Heartbreak Hotel is a brilliant homage to a man who gave the world a musical revolution! Featuring over 40 hit songs, Heartbreak Hotel celebrates the extraordinary life of award-winning cultural icon Elvis Presley. From his childhood in Mississippi to his triumphant ’68 Comeback Special, this brand-new, high-energy production explores the pivotal moments in Elvis’s life and music career through the perspectives of those who knew him best. Iconic hits include “All Shook Up,” “Burning Love,” “Love Me Tender,” “Hound Dog,” “Blue Suede Shoes,” and many more! Cost is $125 per member; $135 per non-member, payable upon registration. Cost includes motorcoach transportation, matinee show, meal, taxes, and gratuities. Register by Wednesday, March 19.
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1st Quarter 2025
Vines & Views: Local Wine Tour Friday, May 9
Just in time for Mother’s Day, join us for a relaxing adventure touring and tasting some of the best wines our area has to offer! Start your morning with a wine-cocktail making class and tour of the Fireside Winery in Marengo. Then we’ll make our way to a picturesque lunch and wine tasting at Cedar Ridge Winery in Swisher. Finally, we’ll end the day at Walker Homestead for a decadent dessert, sweet Iowa wines, and even sweeter springtime views. Enjoy an educational and scenic experience while tasting your way through a variety of wines and spirits with a loved one, friend, or solo and making new friends along the way! Cost is $125 per member; $135 per non-member, payable upon registration. Cost includes motorcoach transportation, admission to all itinerary activities, wine tastings, lunch, taxes, and gratuities. Register by Monday, April 21.
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Friends Club News
Member Survey
The possibilities are endless with Friends Club. From baseball to flower
arrangements, we try to provide a wide variety of programming throughout our regions, in addition to day trips and extended tours. Many of these wonderful programming ideas come from members like you, and we want to hear from you! Please take the brief 2025 Friends Club Member Survey at hillsbank.com/member-survey . Your
answers will help inform future club activities and give us an idea of what our members are looking for in the years ahead. Thank you in advance for your time and participation in Friends Club!
Your Voice Matters - Respond Now!
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1st Quarter 2025
As a community bank, we believe in fostering community growth through volunteerism, sponsorship, and involvement. These community values shine bright in not only our Friends Club activities, but also in our members! Friends Club is made up of an amazing group of loyal customers who also foster growth in our community through supporting local organizations, engaging in historic preservation, providing mentorship to community youth, volunteering medical assistance, and so much more. Enter our Friends Club Member Spotlight! Each quarter, we will feature an employee-nominated Friends Club member who is fostering community growth through volunteerism and involvement. This quarter we sat down with Mike Parker from Hills. Member Spotlight: Mike Parker
Tell us a bit about yourself Mike: how did you end up in Southeast Iowa? I was born and raised in Coralville and graduated from City High, where I met my wife. We got married after I graduated from the University of Iowa and have been married for 55 years. We have two boys and three grandchildren, and we’ve lived in Hills since 1976. We started out in an apartment, then a mobile home. My father-in-law bought the land from
the old drill farm, had it divided, and asked my wife, Lucy, to pick out a lot. We built our house there. Lucy is a beautician, among other things, and so a carpenter and I built her a salon in our basement, and she’d do appointments when the kids were in school. Can you tell us what organizations you volunteer for? Well, shortly after we moved here, I got on the city council, and then from there, I became Mayor for a few years. I've also been involved in
St. Joseph’s Church on the Finance Committee and General Counsel, among other things. Since I retired, I’ve been on the St. Stanislaus Cemetery committee, and now I oversee the cemetery with the help of the board. I'm also on the board at Atrium Village, which is a bunch of great people. I was asked to run the food pantry out of St. Joseph’s, and Lucy asked to help. So she and I run the food pantry. Carol – the administrator for the church – is always checking on us to make sure everything's okay. You know,
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Friends Club News
Who inspires you in your community? Along with those I mentioned above, I have to add my wife. I just can't believe how much stuff she gets on her plate and she’s always cheerful to accept more. You've mentioned some Hills Bank employees a few times. How do you see Hills Bank in our community? Oh, Hills (Bank) is a very strong advocate. You know the bank has always got your back. They support the food pantry, the community center, music in the park in the summer, the capital campaign for a new fence and road out to the cemetery. Anything that’s going on – the bank rarely says no to helping out.
What's your favorite part of Friends Club?
you can't do it by yourself. There's always great people that want to help, especially in a small town like Hills. How has volunteering enriched your life? It’s mainly the people I've met and worked with who have been great role models. (Former Hills Bank President) John Hughes and then Dwight (Seegmiller), and Ron Stutsman who helped keep people calm and jumped in to help get things done after disasters like the straight-line winds and the flood. Helping people and serving people, I think that comes from my parents. Because of World War II, my mom never got to teach – but she got teaching degrees and worked at the library, and I could see how much joy and fun that brought her. My dad barely graduated from high school, he was a little rough around the edges, and I was sometimes a little embarrassed by him. But to see him interacting with people on the local Recreation Committee and bringing really good ideas – that impressed me.
My favorite part is reading the booklet every quarter, seeing all the things that are going on, and wishing my wife and I weren’t so busy! I look at the day trips and the big trips, and the activities like playing bingo and going to Hancher and the walking group. It’s nice to see that Hills Bank has activities for members to get together and meet people from different parts of the area. I’ve put little “stickies” by the activities I like, and I’m hoping someday we can start taking advantage of the neat stuff you can do in Friends Club – because a lot of banks don’t have that.
17 Thank you, Mike, for your commitment to the Hills community and for fostering growth here in Southeast Iowa. A $250 donation has been made to Hills St. Joseph Food Pantry to show our support for the work you do in our community. 1st Quarter 2025
TRAVELING with Friends Club How to Register Friends Club full list of 2025 tour itineraries and registration forms are available online at HillsBank.com/Friends-Club-Travel . We are making it quick and easy for you to learn about all of our tours and register, all in one place! Questions about how to register for extended travel tours? Contact FriendsClub@HillsBank.com or call 319-679-5323.
Washington DC Where History Comes Alive October 6-14, 2025
Double Occupancy: $3,869/person Single Occupancy: $4,705/person
Walk in the footsteps of our forefathers in Washington, DC. Explore the world-class Smithsonian museums; pay tribute at the monuments, memorials, and Arlington; and experience the exhibits at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. Together with a visit Fort McHenry and the Gettysburg battlefields, this tour offers an amazing peek into the foundations of America!
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Year in Review: 2024 Travel Season
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1st Quarter 2025
Upcoming Changes to the Federal Estate Tax Exemption
by the Hills Bank Wealth Management Group
Managing and minimizing expected taxes on an estate is an important goal of estate planning and is a concern for individuals as they prepare
three main taxes: income, inheritance, and estate tax. Since inheritance tax is being abolished on January 1, 2025 in Iowa, we are going to focus on federal estate tax in this article because it is set to change on January 1, 2026.
their estate planning documents. Estates in Iowa are impacted by
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Friends Club News
The federal estate tax is a tax on a decedent’s gross estate which includes all of the individual’s assets, their share of any jointly owned assets, and proceeds from any life insurance policies. The value of the assets for federal estate tax purposes is based on their value as of your date of death rather than on the original purchase price of the assets. Thankfully, most estates are not impacted by federal estate tax because, under current legislation, an individual can own up to $13.61 million in assets ($27.22 million for married couples) at their death without their estate being subject to federal estate tax. If an estate exceeds a value of $13.61 million in 2024, the executor must file a federal estate tax return within nine months of the person’s date of death. The tax is then levied on the value of the estate over that exemption amount, usually up to the top rate of 40%. This exemption amount will be increased to $13.99 million in 2025. However, if Congress does not renew the current exemption amount by January 1, 2026, the federal estate tax exemption will automatically decrease to $5 million ($10 million for married couples), indexed for inflation.
It is important to note that spouses do have special exceptions regarding estate tax. There is an unlimited marital deduction, which means any part of an estate left to a surviving spouse is not subject to federal estate tax (although those assets may be taxed at the surviving spouse’s death). A spouse may also preserve any unused portion of a deceased spouse’s federal estate tax exemption and have it applied to their own estate in the future. This preservation process is called “portability” and is done by the surviving spouse filing a federal estate tax return for the decedent, regardless of the size of their estate, and electing the portability on that tax return. These changes in the exemption amounts have the potential to disrupt the estate plans of many high-income families. There is also a significant amount of uncertainty remaining on what the future holds for the federal estate tax exemption amounts. As such, it is a good idea to speak with an attorney regarding the strategies that can be used to minimize the ultimate tax bill on your estate if you believe your estate could potentially be impacted.
If you have further questions, we invite you to schedule a meeting with one of our experienced Trust and Wealth Management Officers by calling 1-800-899-8858 or by email at Trust@HillsBank.com. We look forward to serving you as your trusted advisor.
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1st Quarter 2025
Investment products are not a deposit, not FDIC insured, not insured by any federal government agency, carry no bank guarantee, and may go down in value.
Still looking for the hidden needles in the fall newsletter? Check out the cover and page 12. Our lucky winners were: Becky (Coralville, IA), Mary (Iowa City, IA) . If you’re up for the challenge, here is another chance to play! Look high, low, and in-between for the hidden needle (the needle below is an example of what you’re looking for and not one of the hidden needles). There are TWO hidden needles in this newsletter edition. If you find one, you’ll get entered into a drawing to win a $25 gift card. If you find both, you’ll get entered into the drawing twice! There will be two winners this time! HIDDEN NEEDLE HUNT
(sample needle)
Submit Your Guess: Email FriendsClub@HillsBank.com or call 319-679-2103. Provide your name and the page number(s) on which you found the needle(s). You will not receive an individual confirmation after submitting your guess. Winners will be contacted if their name is drawn. Happy searching! Submit by February 1st to be entered into the drawing.
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Friends Club News
Policies/Procedures
Guest Policy – Enrollment will only be open to Hills Bank and Trust Company (Hills Bank) Friends Club members; however, a Friends Club member who would typically be a single occupancy is allowed to bring one guest. A non- member may be charged more than a member. In rare occasions, a Friends Club household (two members) may bring a non-member couple or single guest if there is availability and the:
• Event has been promoted to members for one month. • Day trip has been promoted to members for one month.
• Extended trip has been promoted to members for at least one month. After the same guest travels with Friends Club on two extended trips, the guest will be required to join Friends Club to continue traveling with the group. Enrollment Eligibility Hills Bank Friends Club and its tour operators reserve the right to accept or decline any person at any time, or to require any participant to withdraw from a program at his or her own expense when such an action is determined by the operator or Hills Bank to be in the best interest of the participant’s health and safety or the general welfare of the other participants. Health and Medical Requirements – Hills Bank Friends Club requests that participants be in good health to participate in Events or Travel and be physically able to participate in all stated itinerary items. If you cannot participate in all activities, then you must be willing to stay back so the group is not affected. You will not be reimbursed for the activities you miss. Hills Bank Friends Club offers tours to exciting destinations, and in some places there are very limited accommodations for wheelchairs, walkers, or people with limited mobility. Any condition that may require assistance or special medical attention must be reported at the time a reservation is made or as soon as possible thereafter by emailing FriendsClub@HillsBank.com or calling 319-679-2103. Every effort will be made to address special dietary requirements with notice given to venues: however, no guarantees can be made on behalf of the venue. Neither Hills Bank Friends Club employees nor its vendors or operators may assist with medications or physically aid participants on tours, including administering medications, physically lifting or assisting participants into transportation vehicles, or assisting with wheelchairs. Persons who cannot travel independently and who would need special assistance must be accompanied by a companion who will be able to assist and assume responsibility for this person. The companion will be treated as any other participant and will be subject to the same policies and program rates. Day Trip and Event Payments – Hills Bank Friends Club will send a payment request and the Event itinerary after registrant signs up for an Event. Return your payment as soon as possible to reserve your spot. If payment is not received within two weeks of when you received the letter, we will offer the spot to another member. Day Trip and Event Cancelations Refunds for cancellations are not guaranteed due to nonrefundable circumstances, such as pre-purchased tickets, deposits, and reservation fees. If cancellation is necessary, contact Hills Bank Friends Club by emailing FriendsClub@ HillsBank.com or calling 319-679-2103. You may inquire about a waiting list to see if we can find a replacement for you. If there is not a replacement available on the waiting list, you can consider finding yor own replacement or asking a non-member to take your place. This also applies to local events with a cost. If an event or day trip is cancelled due to insufficient reservation numbers, a full refund will be issued. Extended Travel Cancellations – Hills Bank Friends Club will adhere to the written cancellation policy of the travel operator. More details regarding cancellations and insurance will be provided upon request. Waiting Lists – Events, day trips, and extended travel may have a waiting list due to limited space or tickets. We appreciate your understanding and willingness to be on the waiting list. Do not be discouraged, you may get a call to join us! Waitlists also help inform future event and tour planning as it helps us judge interest in the activity. Inclement Weather – In the event of inclement weather, travelers and event participants will be contacted the day before or the morning of the trip. Refunds for inclement weather cancellations are dependent on the vendors’ policies to refund Hills Bank Friends Club and cannot be guaranteed. Responsibilities and Limitation of Liability - All events and trips, including extended trips, will be governed by Hills Bank’s terms and conditions, and any tour operator’s terms and conditions or policies. Parking - Day trips and extended travel will depart from and return to River of Life Church on Blairs Ferry Road in Cedar Rapids and the Johnson County Fairgrounds in Iowa City, unless otherwise noted in the payment letter sent to each registrant. Parking at these locations is free. Hills Bank Friends Club cannot accommodate requests for additional pickup locations due to timing and accommodation of the group. Motorcoach Seating – Seats are assigned for day trips and motorcoach extended trips to better serve the travelers and to help the tour manager and Hills Bank escort get better acquainted with the travelers. Seat rotations will be at the discretion of the tour manager and escort. Any special or medical needs regarding seating assignments should be mentioned at the time of registration as indicated on your registration form, and we will accommodate as best as possible.
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1st Quarter 2025
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