Steve Schroeder

Steve Schroeder and Lonesome Road taking Pavilion stage

by Zakary Kriener

zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

The summer may be winding down, but there are still plenty of opportunities to get out and enjoy live music and movies at the Ossian Educational and Performance Pavilion at Carey’s Park.

Tonight (Wednesday, Aug. 9), the Summer Performances at the Pavilion lineup will feature the music of Steve Schroeder beginning at 7 p.m. at Carey’s Park. The performance is sponsored by Bohr Builders and Mason and Katie Tieskoetter.

The entertainment will continue this weekend as Ossian Fest will feature Lonesome Road, who will take the stage at 8 p.m.

Lonesome Road will bring its high energy country music act to the stage of the pavilion in Carey’s Park on Saturday night for Ossian Fest. Throughout the day, there will be plenty more fun and entertainment for the whole family, including a grand parade on Main Street at 7 p.m. (submitted photo)

Ossian Fest has plenty of entertainment this weekend!

By Zakary Kriener

zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

Ossian Fest activities will fill the streets of town this weekend as the annual event makes it return on Saturday.

The theme for this year’s version of Ossian Fest will be television game shows as Saturday night’s grand parade will be one of highlight the festivities featuring plenty of theme-based parade floats and entries. The parade will be held along Main Street beginning at 7 p.m. 

A few weeks ago, 2022 Fayette County Fair Queen Abigail Patrick placed the crown on the new 2023 Fayette County Fair Queen Anna Egan. Anna will represent Fayette County at the Iowa State Fair beginning today and will be competing for the State Fair Queen title this coming Saturday. (Mira Schmitt-Cash photo)

Egan vies for State Fair Queen Saturday

By Zakary Kriener

zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

After seeing a childhood dream come true a few weeks ago when she was crowned the 2023 Fayette County Fair Queen, young Anna Egan of rural Sumner is now tackling her first big responsibility with the crown – the State Fair Queen competition at the Iowa State Fair.

“Throughout the county Fair Queen competition, I learned a lot of important values and I hope to expand on those values this week for the State Fair Queen competition,” said Egan. “The process has helped me gain confidence in my own abilities, as well as how to express my own opinions while respecting the opinions of others.”

This week, Egan is down in Des Moines for the start of the State Fair as she began her week Monday by helping with setup and other pre-fair responsibilities. The Fair Queen competition began this morning (Wednesday) and Egan noted last week, that she is excited about the opportunity to represent Fayette County.

Turning the chapter on another successful fair; dates set for 2024!

by Zakary Kriener

zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

The 2023 Fayette County Fair is in the books and work is already beginning in preparation for 2024.

“We all took a little time to rest up after we got the fairgrounds cleaned up, but we are already looking ahead to next year,” said Kevin Converse, president of the Fayette County Agricultural Society (fair board). “One of the biggest changes in 2024 will be the date, as it will be later in July from the 23rd to the 27th.”

While it remains the third full weekend in July, due to how it falls in the calendar, the 2024 fair will be seemingly later in the summer; something Converse feels could prove beneficial.

NFV students will be introduced to 13 new teachers to begin the 2023-24 school year and they will be joining a strong group of educators at the NFV school district. Front (l-r) include: Katie Wymer, grade 3 and middle school extended learning program; Kelli Balmier, K-4 special education; Nicole Decker, WU Elementary Center kindergarten; Karissa Butikofer, TigerHawk Preschool; and Chandler Njus, Valley Elementary Center grade 4. Back (l-r) Trey Kuhens, Level II Special Education; Gage Mohs, elementary physical education; Logan Mork, middle school science; Denise Menne, grade 7 English language arts; Mackenzie Dugger, grade 6 social studies and 6-7 grade technology; Bayley Shirley, grade 8 social studies; Jodi Cardo, K-12 English language learners; and Sierra Breitsprecher, high school physical science and applied chemistry. (LeAnn Larson photo)

NFV welcomes 13 new teachers

By Mike Van Sickle

mvansickle@fayettecountynewspapers.com

North Fayette Valley (NFV) students return to the classrooms Wednesday, Aug. 23. The official start of the school year comes after NFV teachers host intake conferences with parents or guardians with students in grades K-8 from noon-7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 17, and Monday, Aug. 21. followed by a Jump Start for incoming freshman and High School Back-to-School Night programs Monday, Aug. 21.  

NFV students will be introduced to 13 new teachers to begin the 2023-24 school. The new hires include Kelli Baumler, K-4 special education; Sierra Brietsbeicher, high school physical science and applied chemistry; Karissa Butikofer, TigerHawk Preschool; Jodi Cardo, K-12 English language learners; Nicole Decker, West Union Elementary Center kindergarten; 

Makinzie Dugger, grade 6 social studies and 6-7 grade technology; Trey Kuhens, Downtown Academy behaviorist; Denise Menne, grade 7 English language arts; Gage Mohs, elementary physical education; Logan Mork, middle school science; Chandler Njus, Valley Elementary Center grade 4; Bayley Shirley, grade 8 social studies; Katie Wymer, grade 3 and middle school extended learning program.

With over 30 years of experience as a first responder, Decorah’s Steve Vanden Brink clearly has what it takes to be a paramedic. The question is, do you? As the WinnMed ambulance director and president of the Winneshiek County EMS Association, Vanden Brink is pushing for more people to get involved in the emergency responder field as the county is always in need of both more paid professionals and more volunteers. (Zakary Kriener photo)

Do you have what it takes to become a first responder?

By Zakary Kriener

zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

When it comes to quality, Winneshiek County has some of the best paramedics, EMTs, and EMRs around. When it comes to numbers, however, the county needs more individuals to pursue the career and/or volunteer opportunity.

While the issue is not exclusive to Winneshiek County as it is a nationwide problem, WinnMed ambulance director and president of the Winneshiek County EMS Association Steve Vanden Brink stated that currently, he has approximately 65 volunteer and paid paramedics, EMTs (emergency medical technicians), and EMRs (emergency medical responders) to tend to the needs of the 21,000 residents in the county.

Katie & Bree, 'Matilda' highlight Pavilion entertainment

The summer fun continues this week with plenty on tap for the 2023 Performances at the Pavilion.

Tonight, Aug. 2, there will be a live music performance featuring Katie and Bree. The duo will take to the stage at 7 p.m. with the evening sponsored by Becker Hardware.

On Sunday night, the movie “Matilda” will be featured, beginning at 8 p.m. The movie will be sponsored by Two Trees Pizza.

Next week, the music performance will be held at 7 p.m. on Wednesday night with the sounds of Steve Schroeder. The performance will be sponsored by Bohr Builders and Mason and Katie Tieskoetter.

Lonesome Road will hit the stage at 8:30 p.m. Saturday, August 12 during Ossian Fest festivities.

The countdown to Ossian Fest is on!

By Zakary Kriener

zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

With Ossian Fest just over a week away, the anticipation is growing for the annual town celebration that will feature a full day of fun and activities on Saturday, July 12.

One of the signature activities of Ossian Fest, the grand parade, will feature the theme of television game shows. Parade entries will make their way down Main Street beginning at 7 p.m. 

Businesses, families, and friends are invited to enter a float in the parade and can do so by contacting Mae Becker via email (m.j.becker@goacentek.net) or by phone (text or call) at 563-419-3766.

Plum Street Jam members Dwight Ohrt, Robin Ohrt and Patsy Wellman Alcorn (l-r) are the featured entertainment at the Thursday, Aug. 3, Playin’ on the Plaza in downtown West Union. (Courtesy photo)

Gonna be a Plum Street Jam on the Plaza

As this year’s reign winds down, 2022 Miss Westgate GraceLyn Neumann-Birchard participated in the Fayette County Fair Queen Contest and Pie Auction. Westgate will crown new royalty at its town celebration Friday evening. (Jerry Wadian photo)

Don't miss out on Westgate Days

by Zakary Kriener

zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

This year’s version of Westgate Days is set for this weekend with entertainment scheduled for both Friday and Saturday in the Fayette County Community.

Friday

Friday’s entertainment begins at 5:30 with DJ Rail on Main Street. Additional entertainment on Main Street includes a bag tournament at 6:30 p.m. and a 50/50 drawing to be held at 8 p.m.

At the Opera House, a walking taco bar will open at 6 p.m. as a Community Club fundraiser. An ice cream stand opens at 6 p.m. Friday and at noon Saturday.