Students in Starmont Middle School’s STEM Excellence in Leadership Program created 24 Christmas tree ornaments that will hang on smaller Christmas trees around the National Christmas Tree in President’s Park in Washington, D.C. Starmont was one of 56 schools to be selected for the honor of creating ornaments that represent their states and territories. Students who participated include (front, l-r) Nicholas Corbin, Tristen Kruger, Abigail Krogman, Wendy Opperman, Ian Otdoerfer, and Carter Schnell; (back) Marlie Hettinger, Kaitlyn Heidt, Olivia Henry, Nicholas Willfong, Alyssa Kleinlein, Benton Parkin, Hannah Cantwell, and art teacher Kathleen Sweet. Not pictured are Katie Meade and Aleaya Cornwell. (Chris DeBack photo)

Starmont students represent Iowa in National Christmas Tree display

By Chris Deback
cdeback@thefayettecountyunion.com

While many of us want to hold off winter for as long as possible, students in the STEM Excellence in Leadership Program at Starmont Middle School have been getting in the Christmas spirit as they make Christmas tree ornaments that will accompany the National Christmas Tree in President’s Park in Washington, D.C.

Starmont is one of 56 schools across the country, and the only school in Iowa, that is creating these handcrafted ornaments that will hang on 56 smaller Christmas trees surrounding the National Christmas Tree. The 56 trees represent each U.S. state and territory plus Washington, D.C., as part of the “America Celebrates” display. 

WC welcomes Brickman to Veterans Day program

By Meagan Molseed
mmolseed@thefayettecountyunion.com

West Central will hold a program at 10 a.m. Monday, Nov. 12 in recognition of Veteran’s Day. 

The American Legion Color Guard of Westgate Post 92 and Maynard Legion Post 245 will present the colors during the ceremony, and the Blue Devil band and chorus will perform patriotic pieces for the occasion.

Special guest Tom Brickman, former Army specialist in Vietnam, will be speaking at the event.  Brickman served in the U.S. Army 196th Light Infantry Brigade in the Americal Division in Vietnam in 1967-68. He served in Chu Lai, Da Nang, survived the 1968 Tet offensive, and earned four battle stars as well as the Army Commendation Medal. 

During his presentation, the Janesville native will discuss a unique project he started with his daughter, Shari, some time ago.  

North Fayette Valley High School will host its annual Veterans Day program at 10 a.m. Monday, Nov. 12, in the Performing Arts Center in West Union. Last year, area American Legion members (l-r) Robert Odegard, Elgin; Ron Jespersen, Clermont; Jake Kocher, Hawkeye; Pat Whelan, Fayette; and Jim Bond, Wadena, salute the American flag as colors were brought in during the Veterans Day Program.

NFV annual Veterans Day program Nov. 12

By Chris Deback
cdeback@thefayettecountyunion.com

On Nov, 11, 1918, the Central Powers signed an armistice with the Allied Powers, ending World War I.

Every year since the first anniversary of the signing of the armistice, America has honored the brave men and women who have and are currently serving in its armed forces. We call this day Veterans Day. 

With Veterans Day falling on a Sunday this year, North Fayette Valley will hold its annual Veterans Day programs at its different attendance centers on Monday, Nov. 12. All active and past military personnel are invited to take part in any or all of the following ceremonies that will be held throughout the school district. 

Area shoppers are invited to join the jovial snowman as well as area business owners, including (l-r) Ken Popenhagen, Chelsey Matthias and Kaleb Vagts in taking part in a variety of area promotions as they shop West Union throughout the holiday season for a variety of great deals and fun prizes.

'Snow Place' like West Union

By Meagan Molseed
mmolseed@thefayettecountyunion.com

We may be some time away from the season’s first snowfall, but there is a holiday chill in the air as this festive snowman (sponsored by Rent-A-Look of Fort Atkinson) declares “There’s Snow Place Like West Union!” to kick off the 2018 Holiday Punch Card Promotion. 

2019 Winneshiek Co. Fair entertainment released

Zakary Kriener

News Writer
zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

Entertainment for the 2019 Winneshiek County Fair has officially been released for four of the five Grandstand events.

The fair, which will kick off on Tuesday, July 9, 2019, and run through Saturday, July 13, 2019, will include a mix of new entertainment and familiar events from years past.

SWHS to present 'Grease' Nov. 8-11

Step inside Rydel High with the senior class of 1959: hot-rodding “Greaser Boys” and their hip-shaking “Pink Ladies,” evoking the looks and sounds of the 1950s in this energetic musical. 

Head “greaser” Danny Zuko and new girl Sandy Dumbrowski try to rekindle their summer romance, as the rest of the gang joins in on the singing and dancing throughout the musical. Don’t miss out on the music of “Greased Lightnin’,” “Summer Nights,” and “We Go Together.” 

Come and enjoy the ever-popular musical Grease, at 7 p.m. on Thursday through Saturday, Nov. 8-10 and at 1:30 pm., on Sunday, Nov. 11, at the South Winneshiek auditorium in Calmar.

This year, the 142-year-old Huber’s Store in Fort Atkinson came under new ownership as Al Krivachek (left) purchased the store from the Huber family. Checking out customer Nelson Hershberger of New Hampton, the former employee Krivachek looks forward to keeping the unique tradition of the store, while also implementing new ideas. (Zakary Kriener photo)

'Full circle' for new Huber's Store owner

Zakary Kriener

News Writer
zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

For the new owner of Huber’s Store, Al Krivachek, things have come full circle. The one-time employee of the 142-year-old grocery store in Fort Atkinson recently moved back to his hometown and is now the owner of the local grocery store.

“During my junior and senior year of high school, I worked here in the store,” explained Krivachek, who took ownership of the store in May. “I moved away for college and spent many years away before getting the opportunity to come back and take over for fourth-generation owner Donnie Huber.”

Among Krivachek’s previous experience in retail are managerial positions at Target and Sam’s Club in Minneapolis, Minn., Harbor Freight and ShopKo in Michigan, and ShopKo in Cresco. 

New friends Olivia Kohls (left), German foreign exchange student Cosima Jochem and Dylan Frieden enjoy the panoramic view of the Mississippi River from Pike’s Peak near McGregor. (Photo submitted)

Friedens welcome new family member

By Haley Brase
hbrase@fayettepublishing.com

Members of the Frieden family were unaware of what they were missing until they decided to host a foreign exchange student. Being a host family for the first time, they have enjoyed learning about Cosima Jochem and her German culture.

The 15-year-old German student has been in the United States for three weeks, and next summer in 2019, Dylan Frieden, a sophomore at North Fayette Valley, will visit Cosima in Germany for two weeks.

Interested freshmen and sophomores at NFV filled out applications for the foreign exchange program, and all of the students were accepted. In Germany, 42 students wanted to visit the United States, but not all of them would be able to come, so a lottery was created to decide who got to travel.

The North Fayette Valley Drama Club will present “The Princess Bride” by William Goldman at 7 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Nov. 9-10, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 11. Erza Solheim (Westley), Chloe Cummings (Rugan), and Bethany Merkle (Inigo Montoya) prepare to rehearse their fight scenes in the play. (Chris DeBack photo)

NFV will bring 'The Princess Bride' alive Nov. 9-11

By Chris Deback
cdeback@thefayettecountyunion.com

Let the newly formed North Fayette Valley Drama Club whisk you away to a land of royalty, love, and sword fighting as it presents “The Princess Bride” by William Goldman. 

The Drama Club will have three performances of this classic fantasy at 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Nov. 9-10, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 11, in the NFV High School Performing Arts Center in West Union. 

“Buttercup (Pauline Clark), a beautiful commoner, is chosen as a bride for Prince Humperdinck (Zander Britt) even though she is madly in love with her farmhand, Westley (Ezra Solheim),” explained Julianne Meyer, NFV Drama Club advisor and play director. “Unfortunately, whilst adventuring in an attempt to make enough money to marry Buttercup, Westley was kidnapped by the Dread Pirate Roberts, during which time he learned the skills that enable him to return to his homeland in hopes of rescuing his love, Buttercup. Along the way, Westley meets Fezzik  (Justin Kamaus) and Inigo [Montoya] (Bethany Merkle), who help him.  He is further aided by Miracle Max (Sage Matt) and his wife, Valerie (Grace Blanchard). His enemies, Vezzini (Joey Shea), Count Rugan (Chloe Cummings), Yellin (Kole Larson), and Humperdinck all stand in his way. How will it end? You’ll just have to find out for yourself!”