Woodshed Reboot, starring the musical talents of (front, l-r) Bob Huinker, Bill Adams; (back) Dan and Gwen Silhacek, will be the featured entertainers Sunday, July 16, at Ossian’s Summer Performances at the Pavilion. (Courtesy photo)

Woodshed Reboot at Pavilion Sunday

Ossian’s Summer Performances at the Pavilion series continues Sunday, July 16, with Woodshed Reboot taking the stage at 7 p.m. 

Woodshed Reboot members Dan and Gwen Silhacek, Bill Adams and Bob Huinker have been making music most of their lives. Each of the members enjoy having fun performing the music they love. Whether it be classic rock, blues, country rock or a novelty song, they are sure to touch on tunes that will bring a smile to the face of audience members. The sponsor for the Woodshed Reboot performance is Fidelity Bank and Trust. 

Easton Corbin

The Winneshiek County Fair is off and running!

by Mike VanSickle

mvansickle@fayettecountynewspapers.com

The 2023 Winneshiek County Fair is up and running. 2022 Fair Queen Katrina Hageman passed her crown to the new royalty during the ceremonies in the grandstand Tuesday afternoon.  (Due to press time, the winner will be announced in next week’s Ossian Bee.)

  The grandstand entertainment later kicked off Tuesday with the USRA Stock Cars, USRA B-Mods, USRA Hobby Stocks, USRA Tuners and 600 Mod Lite stock car drivers taking to the track at Winneshiek Speedway.

Singing hits  like 'Next to You, Next to Me,' 'Two Dozen Roses,' and 'Church on Cumberland Road, country music headliner Shenandoah will be ready to take the stage Tuesday night, as they open this year's Grandstand entertainment at the Fayette County Fair.

Fayette County Fair: it all kicks off Tuesday, July 18

by Mike Van Sickle

mvansickle@fayettecountynewspapers.com

The 2023 Fayette County Fair will feature some classic country from Shenandoah to kick off the fair Tuesday.

Celebrating their nationwide 30^thanniversary tour, Shenandoah, including original members Marty Raybon and Mike McGuire, will take to the grandstand stage at 8:30 p.m.

Gates are set to open at 7 p.m. Prior to Shenandoah’s performance, local music artist Steve Schroeder will entertain the audience at 7:30 p.m.

'Come On Down' to Ossian Fest

After a lengthy hiatus due to Covid and the Highway 52 Street Improvement Project, Ossian Fest is returning Saturday, August 12.

Many plans are in the making, but currently the search is on for parade entries to ensure that the “Grand Parade” lives up to its reputation. The theme for this year’s parade is centered around TV game shows. 

All are invited to enter a float on behalf of a business, family, or just for fun.

The parade is scheduled to start at 7 p.m., followed by food, fun, and music at the Pavilion in Carey’s Park. 

For additional information, or to register a parade entry, please contact Mae Becker at m.j.becker@goacentek.net or by phone or text at 563-419-3766.

John Michael Montgomery

It's fair time in Winneshiek County!

by Mike Van Sickle

mvansickle@fayettecountynewspapers.com

Visitors to the “Biggest Little Fair in Iowa” will enjoy five days and nights of fun, family attractions and grandstand entertainment during the 2023 Winneshiek County Fair.  While this year’s full schedule of activities and events runs Tuesday, July 11 – Saturday, July 15, the fair unofficially opens with a 4-H/FFA Dog Agility contest at 2 p.m. Sunday, July 9, in the Show Barn. The 4-H/FFA Dog Show follows at 8 a.m. Monday, July 10, at the same location.

Betsy and Tom Kirby of Mason City's Betty and the Gents will provide their acoustic talents Sunday, July 9, as part of at the Summer Performances at the Pavilion concert series in Ossian. (Courtesy photo)

A 'Brave' and acoustic week of summer performances

The 2023 Summer Performances at the Pavilion continues through Sunday, August 13. The events at the Ossian Educational & Performance Pavilion at Carey’s Park in Ossian include six movies and nine live performances. 

This week’s schedule includes the 8 p.m. showing tonight (Wednesday) of the movie “Brave.” The Sugar Bowl will be on hand to serve up a selection of their delicious ice cream. The movie presentation is sponsored by St. Teresa of Calcutta Catholic School. 

The third live performance of the concert series takes place at 5:30 p.m. Sunday, July 9. Tom and Betsy Kirby of Mason City's Betty and the Gents are once again bringing their acoustic talents to Ossian. The husband-and-wife team, affectionately called the “Tom & Betty Show,” is known for their creative take on popular covers, from old to new, and Betty's dreamy soul-pop originals. 

Chalee Michael, the newest director at the Good Samaritan Society in West Union, stands proudly in front of the facility, ready to make a positive impact on the lives of residents and the community. (Megan Molseed photo)

New director focusing on bringing passion and dedication to Good Sam

By Megan Molseed

Contributing Writer

Chalee Michael has been named the new director at the local Good Samaritan Society in West Union. 

With a strong desire to work in the caregiving field, she is thrilled to begin her role at the nursing home facility. Bringing a blend of small-town charm and extensive experience, Chalee is dedicated to providing exceptional care and positively impacting the lives of the residents and the community as a whole.

Among the state and local officials to examine the Dutton’s Cave Park and Dutton Springs Creek enhancement project prior to the recent reopening of the park were (l-r) IDNR Natural Resource Technician Theresa Shay, IDNR aide Payton Little of the Decorah Fish Hatchery, Fayette County Conservation Director Rod Marlatt, Fayette County Conservation intern Allison Boehm and Fayette County Conservation Environmental Education coordinator Megan Boyer.(Mike Van Sickle photo)

New gateway to hiking & fishing opens at Dutton's Cave

By Mike Van Sickle

mvansickle@fayettecountynewspapers.com

Visitors to one of the more underutilized scenic areas in Fayette County are now being welcomed by a new gateway to hiking, picnicking, and fishing. In addition to parking lot renovations and a new entrance gate to the small playground, park shelter and cave, the main purpose of the recently completed venture was to improve the fish habitat of Brook Trout in Dutton Springs Creek located at Dutton’s Cave Park.

Project coordinator Paul Foxwell stands in the portion of the Elgin Historical Museum’s second story, which will serve as the main space for the Tribes of the Turkey River Interpretive Center. Approximately $100,000 needs to be raised privately by the end of 2023 to put the Elgin Historical Society into a competitive position for grant dollars. (Mike Van Sickle photo)

Carter Guse will take the stage during the second live performance of the Summer Performances at the Pavilion series tonight (Wednesday) in Ossian. The singer/songwriter is scheduled to begin entertaining the audience at 6:30 p.m. (Courtesy photo)

Summer Performances at the Pavilion continue tonight

The 2023 Summer Performances at the Pavilion series in Ossian is underway.

Carter Guse will take the stage during the second live performance of the series at 6:30 p.m. tonight (Wednesday). A Cedar Falls native, Guse is a singer/songwriter/entertainer who plays a Taylor acoustic guitar as well as a Les Paul Custom electric guitar, drums and piano (not to mention tambourine with his foot) in genres ranging from the 50’s through today.