News

Wed
19
Jul

Ossian 'worth the stop' for RAGBRAI

Ossian 'worth the stop' for RAGBRAI

 

 

Zakary Kriener

News Writer
zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

 

 

 

In just over a week, over 10,000 bicycles are expected to make their way through Ossian as RAGBRAI riders from all over the country embark on their journey across the great state of Iowa.

Bikers will begin the day on Friday, July 28, in Cresco, before heading east to Decorah, and then south to Ossian along County Road W38 (Middle Calmar Road) and Highway 52.

The majority of bike traffic is expected to reach the community of Ossian at approximately 9 a.m., however riders will be passing through for the majority of the morning.

From Ossian, riders will continue along Highway 52 through Castalia and Postville, before heading north to Waukon for its final overnight destination of 2017.

Wed
19
Jul

Halverson to pedal Iowa for 10th time

 

Jason Halverson stands in front of the Mississippi River in Davenport after completing a past RAGBRAI ride. Next week, the South Winneshiek Elementary/Middle School principal will make his way across the state of Iowa for the 10th time on a route that includes  stops in both his hometown of Algona and his current home community of Ossian. (submitted photo)

 

Halverson to pedal Iowa for 10th time

 

 

Zakary Kriener

News Writer
zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

 

 

RAGBRAI, the Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa, is a yearly tradition that draws tens of thousands of riders from not only Iowa, but all over the world, to the Hawkeye state for a weeklong trek from the Missouri River to the Mississippi River.

When the ride gets underway Sunday in Orange City, local community member Jason Halverson will be among the riders to begin their journey.

For Halverson, a native of Algona who recently completed his first year as the principal at South Winneshiek Elementary/Middle School in Ossian, this year’s ride is special to him for more than one reason.

Wed
19
Jul

Eggs, baked goods and craft — oh my!

 

Dawn Amundsen began selling farm-fresh eggs at the Elgin Area Growers’ Market three years ago because she was running out of room in her fridge for the eggs her chickens were producing. She has expanded her products to also include small craft items such as pot scrubbers, dog and cat toys, T-shirt bags and feed sack bags, among other items.  (Chris DeBack photo)

 

Eggs, baked goods and craft — oh my!

 

 

 

By Chris Deback
cdeback@thefayettecountyunion.com

The Elgin Area Growers’ Market on Thursday evenings in Elgin is a great place to find farm-fresh eggs, produce, baked goods, and other local craft items for sale. 

Dawn Amundson of Elgin has been selling her farm-fresh eggs at the Growers’ Market for three years now. It all started because she was simply running out of room in her fridge.

“Some years ago, we bought 12 chicks one time but didn’t expect them all to survive,” she recalled. “Well, they all did, and eventually we started to run out of room in our fridge for all the eggs that were being laid. So, I decided to start selling the cage-free, part-time free-range eggs that our chickens were laying.” 

What makes her eggs unique are the different colors, shapes and sizes that can be found in one carton. 

“I tell people that eggs aren’t perfect,” she explained. “When you buy them in a grocery store, they were carefully selected and sorted, whereas mine, I collect them, clean them and let them dry; then I carton them up and don’t care about matching size, color or shape. I think it is fun.”

Wed
19
Jul

Dotzenrod's foray into the world of nonprofits

 

 Danielle Dotzenrod, owner of Dotzy’s Restaurant & Saloon in Elgin, is taking on another entrepreneurial venture with starting her nonprofit Kiddos Who Care. The nonprofit will teach children to be entrepreneurial by creating small business-like events, in which they learn through giving back to their communities. Dotzenrod is pictured reading books to children at Elgin Public Library on Monday, July 10, as part of the library’s summer reading program.  submitted photo

 

Dotzenrod's foray into the world of nonprofits

 

 

By Chris Deback
cdeback@thefayettecountyunion.com

 

 

 

 

When one meets Danielle Dotzenrod, owner of Dotzy’s Restaurant & Saloon in Elgin, it's hard not to be swept up by her beautiful smile, caring demeanor and entrepreneurial spirit.

If Dotzenrod knows one thing, it’s that hard work pays off. She hasn’t risen to the heights of appearing on the Tennis Channel, a national TV network; owned her own restaurant; or duked it out in the ultracompetitive world of super modeling without working hard. 

Now with her next venture, a nonprofit called Kiddos Who Care, the entrepreneur wants to practice what she preaches every day in her restaurant and teach it to children of any age who are willing to work hard.

Wed
19
Jul

HOF square dance caller to call at fair

 

Les LaLone, Hall of Fame square dance caller, will be calling square dancing at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 26, in the Dance Pavilion at the Fayette County Fair this year. The Hawkeye resident has primarily called in a five-state region in the Midwest, but he has also called for crowds of 400 at state conventions in Hawaii. Jerry Wadian photo

 

HOF square dance caller to call at fair

 

 

By Chris Deback
cdeback@thefayettecountyunion.com

 

 

HOF Square Dance caller to call at fair

 

Chris DeBack 

 

Square dancing is back at the Fayette County Fair.

At 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 26, square, pattern round, and line dancing will take place in the Dance Pavilion on the Fayette County Fairgrounds. Participants will get a special treat when local legendary square dance caller Les LaLone of Hawkeye calls it at the fair this year. Pattern round and line dancing will be called by other people. 

“The reason I started calling square dancing was because I had so much fun learning how to square dance myself,” he recalled. “I decided that I wanted my folks and others to get involved because I was having so much fun with it.”

For over 50 years he has called square dancing in a five-state area, including Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Missouri and Illinois. While he has been consistently invited to call at different events around the Midwest, the local caller has also gone to state and national conventions held in places like Hawaii. He has been inducted into the Iowa Square Dance Caller Hall of Fame. 

Wed
19
Jul

Fayette council listens to input on proposed ordinance

 

Fayette Mayor Andrew Wenthe (left) swears in Officer Anthony Landis, who began his duties on Monday, July 17. Landis and a second new officer, Brian Waid (not pictured), will work with both the City of Fayette and Upper Iowa University. (submitted photo)

 

Fayette council listens to input on proposed ordinance

 

 

Vicki Rowland

Contributing Writer

 

 

The Mayor Andrew Wenthe and the entire Fayette City Council held a work session at 6:30 p.m. Monday, July 17, in the Fayette Community Library ICN Room. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss proposed Ordinance No. 484, Adding Chapter 146: Rental Housing Code.

Approximately a dozen citizens attended the meeting, asking questions and providing input. The ordinance is in a rough draft form, and many modifications can be made. Lori Brockway of Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission was on hand to answer questions from UERPC’s experience.

In his opening remarks, Mayor Andrew Wenthe explained that the council is considering removing some language from the proposal, such as the lead paint requirement. Instead, he suggested that citizens could be given educational literature explaining the dangers of lead paint in a home built before 1978. There will be a Grievance Board to which people can appeal if they feel actions are unfair.  In addition, the City would have the option to grant a time extension or variance on issues.

Wed
19
Jul

122 closing

122 Closing

 

 

By Chris Deback
cdeback@thefayettecountyunion.com

 

 

122 closing

 

Chris DeBack

 

122, Inc. restaurant in West Union will be closing its doors on Sunday, July 30, as owner Travis Rovang looks forward to a new adventure in life. 

After 3½ years owning and operating the local eatery, Rovang will be hanging up his apron and moving to Colorado Springs, Colo., to eventually take on a new business venture with some friends. 

Wed
19
Jul

2017 Fair County Fair Schedule

 

TUESDAY, JULY 25

 :00 a.m. - 4-H/FFA Horse Show Hoof Beat Arena

 0:00 a.m. - Open Class Baked & Canned Goods Judging Project Exhibit Hall

 0:00 a.m. - Open Class Textille Judging Project Exhibit Hall

 0:00 a.m. - Open Class Photography Judging Floral Hall

Wed
19
Jul

Johnny Roger to rock opening night

 

The Fayette County Fair has a jammed packed fair schedule complete with an event in the Grandstand every night. The Johnny Rogers Show: The History of Rock-’n’-Roll — Buddy and Beyond will kick things off in the Grandstand at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 25.  submitted photo

 

Johnny Rogers to rock opening night

 

 

By Chris Deback
cdeback@thefayettecountyunion.com

 

 

Johnny Rogers kicks off the Fayette County Fair

 

Chris DeBack

 

The 164th Fayette County Fair, July 25-29, will kick off a week of events in the Grandstand with a bang with The Johnny Rogers Show: “The History of Rock-’n’-Roll — Buddy and Beyond.”

Wed
19
Jul

Accident claims life of longtime WU businessman

 

Willys Fritz, 83, of West Union died from injuries sustained in a car accident involving a West Union police officer. Fritz failed to yield as he pulled out of the Quillin’s parking lot into the Hwy. 150 northbound lane and was struck on his passenger side by Officer Bryson Hennigar, 23. Fritz’s truck did a 180 upon impact and came to a rest in the ditch.  (Chris DeBack photo)

 

Accident claims life of longtime WU businessman

 

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