The parking spaces quickly filled early Sunday afternoon as the estimated 400-plus tractors began to arrive for the Great Eastern Iowa Tractorcade on the Fayette County Fairgrounds in West Union. (Mike Van Sickle photo)

The Great Eastern Iowa Tractorcade

Fayette’s newest appointees to City Government are new Fire Chief Randy Streeter (left) and new councilperson James Lowry.

City of Fayette welcomes 'new' faces

by Jerry Wadian

Contributing Writer

Although neither individual is really “new” to Fayette, officials welcomed a couple of new faces to its leadership during its Monday, June 5, city council meeting. 

Randy Streeter accepted the post of fire chief and James Lowry is the newest member of the city council. Lowry came to Fayette eight years ago and Streeter first joined the fire department in 1971.

The Gundersen Palmer Lutheran clinic has celebrated two significant accolades recently. They have been recognized with prestigious awards for their lactation consultant training and emergency care management simulations designed to equip OB nurses with advanced skills in managing postpartum hemorrhage. Pictured (l-r) are Heather Sands, Director of Inpatient Operations at Gundersen Palmer Lutheran Hospital and Clinics, and members of the Gundersen Palmer care team Dolly Schultz, Bethany Hanson, and Ashley Tangen. The group is standing with “momma Natalie,” a simulated pregnant belly that a staff member wears when the team is practicing the simulation training. (Megan Molseed photo) 

Gundersen Palmer recognized for outstanding patient care and training

By Megan Molseed

Contributing Writer

  Gundersen Palmer Lutheran Hospital in West Union is making a significant impact with its unwavering dedication to patient health and care and solidifying its position as one of the top hospitals in the region. 

Among the patient-care programs shining among the rest, is also capturing attention with its great emphasis on delivering comprehensive lactation consultant support.  

Trevor and Kylie Herman, Caleb Leiran, and Katy Heldtare anticipating opening the doors to The Local in downtown Ossian in July. (submitted photo) 

The Local: A delightful fusion of family charm

By Megan Molseed

Contributing Writer

Two families have joined forces in the heart of northeast Iowa to create a new gathering place that embodies community spirit. The soon-to-be-opened business promises to offer a unique experience for Ossian residents and visitors to the community alike. 

Trevor and Kylie Herman, Caleb Leiran, and Katy Heldt have embarked on an exciting business venture in Ossian with the establishment of The Local. 

Thyron Mathews Sr. (stabding, far left) warms up the crowd when he and his family brought the award-winning T&T Barbecue to South Vine Street in downtown West Union Friday. (Mike Van Sickle photo)

T&T Barbecue wins in a 'Showdown'

By Mira Schmitt-Cash

Contributing Writer

    Adapting and overcoming, but also forging and drawing on relationships, are skills that have proven to serve Thyron Mathews II of T&T Barbecue well, both at his job as Fayette County Jail administrator as well as  on Season Two of “Barbecue Showdown” on Netflix.

Season One of “America’s Barbecue Showdown” was released in September 2020 and Thyron was already a follower of the program when he applied in 2021.

“I was a fan of how family-oriented the cast was towards each other,” said Thyron, now of Oelwein, who traces the roots of his award-winning barbecue to the village of Royal in Wildwood, Florida.

“This business was built to help fundraise money for churches, different organizations,” Thyron explained, while listing causes like scholarships, family assistance, and organizations fighting cancer.

With help from friends, the Oelwein entrepreneurs came up with a game plan. 

It's time for WMT's Tractorcade 2023

by Mike Van Sickle

mvansickle@fayettecountynewspapers.com

It was Friday, January 20, when WMT radio broadcast the route for the 2023 Great Eastern Iowa Tractorcade from the Fayette County Fairgrounds Dance Pavilion in West Union. This coming Sunday, an estimated 400-plus riders and their support teams will begin rolling onto the local fairgrounds as this year’s host site for the annual event.

     The visiting tractor riders will begin their scenic three-day tour of northeast Iowa when driving out of West Union at 7 a.m. Monday, June 12. It was recently reported the day’s original route has been changed due to the Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office being unable to provide safety and traffic control. The revised route will be announced at Sunday’s driver’s meeting. 

     Day two’s 70-mile travel itinerary includes traveling east to Elgin on County Road B64 and north to Clermont on Canoe Road for a pit stop at East Clermont Church. The riders will then follow Apple and Gunder roads to Johnson’s Reception Hall in Elkader for lunch, before driving southwest to Volga and northwest to Wadena for an afternoon stop. The final leg of the day’s trip includes trekking across Kornhill Road to Fayette and then north along Highway 150 to West Union. 

         The Tractorcade concludes Wednesday with a shorter 35- to 40-mile route. As part of the half-day journey, the riders will once again head north on W42 and turn east onto the Great River Road for a stop at Bodensteiner Implement in Clermont. They will then travel to Elgin and then south on Acorn Road to Highway 56 and the return ride to West Union.

The Veteran's Memorial in Ossian is undergoing a transformative update. Soon, the memorial will be adorned with statues and thoughtfully crafted bench seating, a poignant tribute to the courageous veterans from the region who have selflessly served their country. (Mike VanSickle photo) 

Ossian honors Veterans with upgraded memorial

By Megan Molseed

Contributing Writer

The town of Ossian is bracing for a remarkable transformation at its Veterans memorial located in Carey's Park. Spearheaded by the Ossian City Council, the project has garnered the enthusiastic participation of local veterans, who are actively involved in the updates.

The existing memorial, initially constructed in 2002, has undergone several additions over the years. However, the decision to enhance the monument gained traction when the American Legion decided to honor the memory of Rodney Nicholson, a courageous Ossian native who made the ultimate sacrifice during World War II.

Food, fun and entertainment scheduled for Tractorcade

By Mike Van Sickle

mvansickle@thefayettecountyunion.com

    The number of registered riders for the WMT Great Eastern Iowa Tractorcade has nearly reached its capacity for allowed riders. According to Matt Kenney, iHeartMedia senior marketing consultant/event manager nearly 400 of the 500 registration applications have been filled for the Sunday-Wednesday, June 11-14, event.

Kenney reminds the public most riders and their teams will arrive at the Fayette County Fairgrounds in West Union between 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, June 11. The public is invited to the fairgrounds throughout the afternoon and evening. There will be food, drink, pie, ice cream and live music. Visitors are asked to observe parking signs and instructions at the fairgrounds.

Emotion overwhelms Ryan Jonsberg as he pays a heartfelt tribute to his late grandfather, Kermit Jonsberg, at his gravesite on Memorial Day. A powerful moment of remembrance and deep connection, honoring the sacrifices of past generations in service to their country. (Submitted photo) 

Honoring fallen Veterans with solemn salutes

by Megan Molseed

Contributing Writer

Memorial Day has long been steeped in poignant tradition as we come together to honor the men and women who have served our nation, ensuring the safety of its citizens. Recently, one young man has been developing another tradition in the same vein, devoting his entire day to honoring our nation's courageous veterans who have selflessly served our country.

From the early morning hours on Memorial Day until the sun dips below the horizon, Ryan Jonsberg stands tall, solemnly saluting our fallen veterans.

 The people of Argentina have not forgotten Matthias Zurbriggen, Sr., memorializing him on Mount Aconcagua with a bronze plaque bearing his picture and the details of his 1897 climb. A 1997 celebration, including invites to Zurbriggen's descendants, commemorated the event 100 years later. Aaron Coffeen was unable to go at the time, but he vowed he would make the climb before he was 40. (Courtesy photo)

Family connections: Zurbriggen descendant ascends the Alps and the Andes

By Vicki Rowland

Contributing Writer

  Elgin was originally named “The Little Switzerland of Iowa” due to the fact that many people who settled there emigrated from Switzerland. This is a story of the connection of Elgin to the Swiss Alps and Aconcagua, the highest mountain in the Andes in South America. It is a story of courage and family connections, of honoring the achievements of the past, and continuing to achieve in the present.