News

Wed
17
Dec

Rural roots attract pastor to small town

Zion Lutheran Church in Castalia has recently welcomed a new face to the community in Pastor Alan Wicks. Wicks has been an ordained minister for over 35 years at five different parishes, but he and his wife, Kathy, enjoy the small-town feel that Castalia has to offer. (Zakary Kriener photo)

 

Rural roots attract pastor to small town

 

 

Zakary Kriener
News Writer
zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

 

 

When a town the size of Castalia acquires a new resident, it doesn’t take long for all 172 residents to find out. That is exactly what new Zion Lutheran Church pastor Alan Wicks enjoys most about his new home and community.

Wicks and his wife of 39 years, Kathy, moved to town in September 2014, when he accepted a part-time position as the church’s pastor.

“I really enjoy being in  a small town,” noted Wicks, who had previously lived in several much larger communities. “The people here have been very welcoming, and I enjoy making connections with members of the community.”

Wicks, who is from Nevada, Ia., began his career path toward becoming a pastor after graduating from Luther College in 1973. During his time at the college, he was a member of the Norse basketball team.

Wed
17
Dec

Keeping family tradition alive at Knotty Pine

 

The Merrill family, including (front, l-r) Asher and Jeremy; (back) Landon and Stacy, enjoy the decorated Christmas tree and the cozy fireplace at Knotty Pine Guesthouse. The family plans to spend every Christmas together at the cabin, which is located near Fort Atkinson. (submitted photo)

 

Keeping family tradition alive at Knotty Pine

 

 

Zakary Kriener
News Writer
zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

 

 

It’s no secret to most that the rural country roads of Winneshiek County offer some of the most beautiful scenery in the state. Down a secluded, dead-end road near Fort Atkinson is a property that appears as if it were taken directly from a fancy Christmas movie set.

If one follows the sidewalk up to the front door of the property’s attractive log cabin, a “Welcome to Knotty Pine Guesthouse” chalkboard message greets visitors, and the true beauty of the surroundings really begins to set in.

As one walks through the door, a stone fireplace, reaching all the way to the top of the cathedral ceiling, casts a welcoming glow throughout the cabin, making visitors feel right at home.

This beautiful cabin, owned and maintained by Jeremy and Stacy Merrill, was designed and built by Jeremy’s late father, Tim, in the late ‘70s.

Wed
17
Dec

Fire chief appointed, franchise agreement discussed

Fire chief appointed, franchise agreement discussed

 

 

Brian Smith
bsmith@fayettepublishing.com

The Elgin City Council appointed Matt Ellis as fire chief for Elgin for 2015 at its meeting on Monday night. Ellis was elected by the fire department and presented by Mayor Bill Pfister to the council to be so appointed. The council approved the appointment unanimously.

           The council also discussed a franchise agreement with Alpine Communications that, to date, has not been signed. The agreement is in regard to using the right-of-way to lay cable in Elgin. City Clerk Rhonda Dales has been in contact with Alpine as well as City Attorney David Katsumes. She explained that the agreement could include franchise fees which Alpine would have to pay to the City.

Wed
17
Dec

Making Christmas a little sweeter

 

Rhonda Dales does her baking in her Clermont home by herself. However, her granddaughter, Aaliyah, can often be found helping grandma any way she can. Dales’ love of baking has allowed her to help her family in many ways, including helping her daughter, Heather Rosenthal, through nursing school.

 

 

Making Christmas a little sweeter

 

 

 

Megan Mohlis
Contributing Writer

 

As the holidays creep closer, a mad rush of present-buying and festivity-planning can leave many without time to spend in the kitchen. While holiday baking is almost always in the plans, it can be easily forgotten during the busy schedules that surround the Christmas season. That is where Rhonda Dales, “the cookie and candy lady,” has found her niche.

                  Growing up, Dales would watch her stepgrandmother, Grace Durnan, bake hundreds of sugar cookies for all the families of her 19 kids. Seeing the tables and tables of cookies, Rhonda aspired to one day make cookies just like her stepgrandmother had done. However, it wasn’t until later in life that baking at this extreme level would begin.

                  Sixteen years ago Dales, who is also the city clerk of Elgin, started to bake and frost sugar cookies for her friends to enjoy. One of these friends approached her and asked if she would be interested in doing a craft show, bringing some cookies to sell and seeing how it went. Doing quite well at the show, she decided to offer her talents to those who didn’t have the time to bake during the holidays.

Wed
17
Dec

Fayette Council swears in reserve officer

Fayette Council swears in reserve officer

 

 

 

Janell Bradley
Contributing Writer

 

Chuck Rodas of Strawberry Point, was sworn in as a reserve officer for the Fayette Police Department when the Fayette City Council met Monday, Dec. 15. He is the lone reserve officer serving the department in addition to Officer Sierra Fox. The Fayette County Sheriff's Department is also providing backup as needed.

The council set a public hearing for 7:30 p.m Monday, Jan. 5, at City Hall regarding submitting an application for a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG).

The City is seeking a $500,000 CDBG from the Storm Sewer/Community Facilities Fund. Work planned is the replacement of storm sewers in 2-1/2 blocks of S. Main Street in the business district and two sections on W. Water Street between Mechanic and Volga streets.

Wed
17
Dec

'The Other Bachelors of Arlington'

 

Ten of the 12 “other” bachelors of Arlington are pictured prior to the release of the calendar. The pictured bachelors include (front, l-r) Jordan Burrack, John Hayes, Jake Fedeler, CJ Johanns, Brad  Franzen; (back) Jason Thole, Alex Pech, Jake Daisy, Austin Hamlett, and Jordan Recker. Not pictured are Tony Berry and Troy Northrop. (Samantha Gamm photo.)

 

'The Other Bachelors of Arlington'

 

 

Janell Bradley
Contributing Writer

 

 

Even their mothers now refer to them as "Mr. April," "Mr. November," or "Mr. January."

Who knew the tiny town of Arlington in Fayette County, had so many "good-looking" bachelors?

After rural Arlington farmer Chris Soules gained fame as "The Bachelor," chosen by ABC for its reality TV show, members of the Arlington Community Club decided to have a little fun in a parody of their own.

Community supporter John Fedeler, who serves on two local committees to raise funds for the construction of a new community center, is credited with the idea to create a 2015 calendar featuring, "The Other Bachelors of Arlington." 

Wed
17
Dec

Preschoolers celebrating a 50-year Head Start

 

West Union Head Start teacher Sara Converse leads her students, including (front to back) Chloe Sparrgrove, Michael Horstman, and Kayleigh Stewart in a musical selection during a recent class time. The Head Start program, which includes West Union and 14 additional sites across seven counties is celebrating 50 years of preschool services. (Janell Bradley photo)

 

Preschoolers celebrating a 50-year Head Start

 

 

Janell Bradley
Contributing Writer

 

 

Forty-two years ago, Head Start came to West Union, offering preschool-aged children a step up before starting kindergarten.

This year, Head Start is celebrating 50 years, even if the first center didn't come to West Union until 1972.

From its humble beginnings in the basement of United Methodist Church, the program has grown over the years, with up to 257 children currently being served at 15 sites across a seven-county area. Although the program was in the church for the majority of its history, it moved to the Antes Center next to the former North Fayette Middle School building, and then moved to Rainbow Land Preschool in Fayette in 1995. The program moved to the North Fayette Elementary building about 2006-07 to be more centrally located for the clientele served.

In Fayette County, there are three Head Start classrooms in Oelwein and one in West Union. Although licensed for 20 children, the West Union site serves 19 preschoolers in a classroom at West Union Elementary. Children ages 3 through 5.

Wed
17
Dec

A new beginning for Rolan

 

 

West Central senior Rolan Steinlage is continuing to battle pineoblastoma and the side effects of its resulting treatments at NeuroRestorative in Carbondale, Ill. The rural West Union teenager is being treated at the brain injury center to help him develop strategies, which will allow him to live on his own. (Courtesy photo)

 

A new beginning for Rolan

 

 

By Mike Van Sickle
News Editor
mvansickle@thefayettecountyunion.com

 

“Most kids in their teenage years are trying to find themselves and find the path to get them to their dreams. I was fighting for my life and enjoying everyone and everything that was in my path. I learned the true meaning of what is important and what is not…”

These are just a very few of the words Rolan Steinlage recently journaled as he continues to battle pineoblastoma and the side effects of its treatments.  

The rural West Union teenager was first diagnosed with pineoblastoma, an aggressive primary brain tumor, shortly before the holidays as a then sixth-grader at North Fayette. Pineoblastoma develops in the pineal body, a small cone-shaped organ located in the midbrain. The pineal body secretes melatonin, a hormone that regulates moods and the sleep-wake cycle.

Wed
10
Dec

'Tis the season for giving

 

On Thursday, students at DeSales School walked to Luana Savings Bank to donate their items for the Calmar Food Pantry. Joe Kriener (far right) and LSB are donating $1 for each item donated, up to $1,000. (Zakary Kriener photo)

 

 

'Tis the season for giving

 

 

 

Zakary Kriener
News Writer
zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

 

One of the most important aspects of the holiday season lies within the art of giving.

Area students at DeSales School and South Winneshiek Elementary and Middle School are doing their part to keep up with the spirit of giving by hosting fundraisers and promoting a helping organization.

One organization, which first came to South Winneshiek Community School District in 2012, is Project Piece.

Project Piece is a nonprofit organization with the goal of helping families in the district get a hand up, as opposed to a hand out.

Wed
10
Dec

West Clermont volunteers 'live generously'

 

John Winke (kneeling), Carol Berg, and Mike Olson are among the current West Clermont Lutheran Church Action Team volunteers painting the basement of the local church. West Clermont parishioners have a goal to complete 100 Thrivent Action Team-supported projects by the congregation’s 100th anniversary in the spring. The church members have proposed/completed approximately 70 projects thus far. (Mike Van Sickle photo)

 

West Clermont volunteers 'live generously'

 

 

By Mike Van Sickle
Contributing Editor

 

 

With each swipe of the paint rollers and paintbrushes, the small group of West Clermont Lutheran Church congregation members are demonstrating the benefits to the entire community to “Live Generously.”

As part of the Thrivent Action Team program, the West Clermont volunteers are not only providing maintenance and repairs to their church, but over the past six months they have led project efforts to benefit the entire community.

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