Rod Marlatt (left), Fayette County Conservation executive director, and Mallory Hanson,Turkey River Recreational Corridor (TRRC) executive director, are pleased to announce that the TRRC Trail Expansion from Elgin to Gilbertson Park is now open. There will be a grand-opening ceremony held at 9 a.m. Saturday, June 29, during Elgin Homecoming at the new bike trail bridge. Chris DeBack photo

TRRC Trail expansion officially open to the public

By Chris Deback
cdeback@thefayettecountyunion.com

The expansion of the Turkey River Recreational Corridor (TRRC) Trail from Elgin to Gilbertson Park is officially open for bike riders to enjoy.

Fayette County Conservation took down the barricades blocking access to the bridge just before Memorial Day. Elgin residents and those enjoying the campground at Gilbertson got plenty of use out of the new trail over the holiday weekend. 

Nancy Meyer’s new shop, Vintage on Vine is nestled right in the heart of downtown West Union. Open Tuesday’s through Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday’s 10:00 a.m. to 4 p.m., the unique shop offers something for everyone from antiques, furniture, iron work items and unique pieces of art. (Megan Molseed photo) 

Meyer adds a Vintage flair to downtown WU

By Meagan Molseed
mmolseed@thefayettecountyunion.com

“This is the sort of thing we have always loved,” smiled Nancy Meyer of her newest business venture, Vintage on Vine in West Union.  “When this space was opening up a few months ago, the thought of coming in and starting a store crossed my mind, and I decided to take the leap!” 

The shop, which sits nestled in the heart of downtown West Union offers a wide variety of gifts and décor.

“We have so many things and all are made or repurposed locally,” said Meyer.  “From furniture, trunks, wall hangings, yard décor to baked goods we will be selling in the coming weeks.  It’s all unique to the area.” 

  Meyer, the daughter of Pam and Steve Rogers of Sumner, is no stranger to the ‘vintage’ world as she and her mother, Pam, have long been working on projects together.

Hall of Fame coach Dan Hovden directs the outfield during the game Tuesday, May 28, against Postville when the TigerHawk baseball team gave its head coach the 700th win of his illustrious career. He ranks 22nd all-time in state history and is currently sixth among active baseball coaches.

Hovden wins 700th game

By Jerry Wadian
jwadian@thefayettecountyunion.com

When the NFV baseball team beat Postville, 14-4, by scoring five runs with two outs in the fifth inning, Tuesday, May 28, it gave head coach Dan Hovden his 700th career victory. 

The win makes his career record 700-342; 62 of the wins came during his five years coaching at Mount Ayr. 

Hovden’s win total makes him 22^ndall-time in the history of baseball in Iowa, and sixth among active coaches.

Supervisors sign economic development contract with RC&D

By Chris Deback
cdeback@thefayettecountyunion.com

At their regular meeting on Monday, June 3, the Fayette County Supervisors approved a contract with Northeast Iowa Resource Conservation & Development (RC&D) for economic development and tourism in the county. The contract is effective July 1.

Earlier this year, the Supervisors notified Fayette County Economic Development (FCED) that they were pulling their funding from the 501c3 and looking to go in a new direction. FCED had an agreement with Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission to provide staffing for FCED. 

Jon Biederman (left), Fehr Graham Engineering, and Dick Woodward (right) speak to Iowa governor Kim Reynolds about the Streetscape and Upper Housing Story projects that were completed in the last decade.  (Chris DeBack photo)

Renewable energy showcased during Reynolds' visit

By Chris Deback
cdeback@thefayettecountyunion.com

Renewable energy showcased during Reynolds visit

Chris DeBack

A day after signing the Empower Rural Iowa Act, Iowa governor Kim Reynolds made a stop in West Union and visited with a couple local businesses. 

The Manderfield family of rural Waucoma, including (l-r) Don, Logan, and Lindsey, pictured at last year’s Logan’s Hope 5K in Decorah. This year’s event will be held at 9 a.m. Saturday, June 15, and aims to raise money for Duchenne muscular dystrophy research. (submitted photo)

4th Annual Logan's Hope 5K

Zakary Kriener

News Writer
zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

The fourth annual Logan’s Hope 5K will be held at 9 a.m. Saturday, June 15, in Decorah. 

The annual event, put on by rural Waucoma’s Logan Manderfield and his family, aims to raise money for Duchenne muscular dystrophy research. 

Last year, the event raised over $20,000 for the cause and the Manderfields, including father Don and mother Lyndsey, are hoping to surpass that mark.

Father Jim Goerend (left) was ordained on Saturday, May 25, at Cathedral of St. Raphael in Dubuque by Archbishop Hanus. 

St. Lucas native completes God's call

By Chris Deback
cdeback@thefayettecountyunion.com

St. Lucas native Jim Goerend was ordained as a priest on Saturday, May 25, in Dubuque. 

For Goerend, it has been a 33-year road trip to priesthood that includes a few detours along the way. 

After graduating from Turkey Valley in 1986, Goerend attended Loras College in Dubuque, and was in the seminary for a year and a half. When he didn’t know if that was for him, Goerend left the college and moved to Texas. 

While the 2019 Hawkeye Fun Days Grand Marshals, Jerry and Diane Homewood have officially lived in Waterloo since their marriage in 1961, they have called their Hawkeye cabin their second home since its construction in 1982.  Jerry and a friend built the cabin, which sits on the farm where Jerry grew up in rural Hawkeye.  Always involved in community events, the Homewoods started and funded the annual Hawkeye Fun Day Tractor Ride, one of the annual events most popular attractions a decade ago.  (Megan Molseed photo)

Homewood's honored as 2019 Fun Day's Grand Marshals

By Meagan Molseed

mmolseed@thefayettecountyunion.com

For just over a decade now, Hawkeye Fun Day’s attendees have enjoyed a crowd favorite: the annual Tractor Ride.  An annual event that would not have been possible without the help of this year’s Hawkeye Fun Day’s Grand Marshals, Jerry and Diane Homewood.

“They have done so much to contribute to one of the people’s favorite events,” said Wayne Schroeder of the couple and their dedication to the annual ride.  “Hawkeye Fun Day’s is a big community event, and Jerry and Diane made it a little bit more exciting with the tractor ride!” 

Born and raised on a farm just outside the Hawkeye town limits, Jerry, son of Jim and Elva Homewood, has built his weekday home with wife Diane in Waterloo, but the couple are just as likely to be found in their rural Hawkeye cabin as they are to be found in their Waterloo home.

Patrice Kuennen

Care, relationships drive new Gundersen Palmer Lutheran CEO

Patrice Kuennen understands the power of positive relationships.

“Our patients’ needs and our community’s health drives everything we do,” the new chief executive officer (CEO) at Gundersen Palmer Lutheran Hospital and Clinics shares. “Listening to our neighbors, caring for them and supporting them creates a healthier community for everyone.” 

Kuennen, a Waucoma native, has been with Gundersen Palmer Lutheran since 2012, most recently serving as chief nursing officer, a role she will continue until a replacement is hired.

Jon Biederman (left), Fehr-Graham Engineering, and Dick Woodward (right) speak to Iowa governor Kim Reynolds about the Streetscape and Upper Housing Story projects that were completed in the last decade.  Chris DeBack photo

Renewable energy showcased during Reynolds visit

By Chris Deback
cdeback@thefayettecountyunion.com

A day after signing the Empower Rural Iowa Act, Iowa governor Kim Reynolds made a stop in West Union and visited with a couple local businesses. 

Reynolds started her tour at the West Union Chamber — A Main Street Community’s office before heading over to Euphoria Coffee’s new location on Elm Street, in the former Iowa Food Hub building. While the location is currently under construction, Nick Yost, Euphoria Coffee owner, did have a sample of his coffee for the governor to taste. He also gave her a bag of coffee to take back with her to Des Moines.