News

Wed
12
Nov

Ossian's 'vision' taking shape

 

A model of the stage portion of the proposed Ossian Education and Performance Pavillion has been assembled to show the community what to expect over the next year. The pavilion will feature a projection screen, which will be used for outdoor movie nights at the park. (Zakary Kriener photo)

 

Ossian's 'vision' taking shape

 

 

 

Zakary Kriener
News Writer
zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

 

About a year ago, Ossian Crown Club began working with the Iowa’s Living Roadways Community Visioning Program, an outreach program of Iowa State University. The groups worked alongside community members to discuss community improvements that would benefit Ossian and the surrounding area. Several steps have already been completed, with more set to begin in spring 2015, as part of the Ossian Community Vision Plan.

Wed
12
Nov

'Shrek, the Musical' to be presented at South Winn

 

South Winneshiek High School will present “Shrek, the Musical.” Performances will be Nov. 13-15 at 7 p.m., and Nov. 16 at 1:30 p.m. (Zakary Kriener photo)

 

 

Wed
12
Nov

Henriksen Family Band: A bit of nirvana

 

The Henriksen Family Band entertained an audience gathered in Elgin Saturday night. The band members include (from right) Michael Henriksen, his brother, Daniel, and cousin Andrew.

 

Henriksen Family Band: A bit of nirvana

 

 

Janell Bradley
Contributing Writer

 

Whether you call them the Henriksen Family Band, Keep Right, or something else entirely, a group of young men with ties to Elgin and Clermont keep coming back to the Valley to perform their music.

Band members Michael Henriksen and his brother, Daniel, and their cousin Andrew Henriksen make up the core of the band, although other friends sometimes join them. The trio performed last weekend at the Elgin Tap.

Wed
12
Nov

'Putnam County Spelling Bee' opens at WC

It's time for "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee." Among the cast members are (front, l-r) James Niemann, Mary McDonough, Ann Walenceus, Samuel Hepperle and Alexander Hepperle; (back) are Ethan Fink, Noah Green, Ashley Reinking, Cheridan Brickman, Bailey Bergman and Dein Gosse. (Megan Mohlis photo)

 

'Putnam County Spelling Bee' opens at WC

 

 

West Central High School cast members will present “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” Friday-Saturday, Nov. 14-15. Showtimes are at 7 p.m. both evenings.

Winner of the Tony and the Drama Desk awards for Best Book, “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” has charmed audiences across the country with its effortless wit and humor.

Featuring a fast-paced, wildly funny and touching book by Rachel Sheinkin and a truly fresh and vibrant score by William Finn, this bee is one unforgettable experience.

Wed
12
Nov

Grandview Cemetery Board hoping to restore chapel

 

Fayette’s Grandview Cemetery sexton Don Vandersee is pictured in the foreground of a structure originally constructed as a chapel in 1925. The cemetery board seeks to raise the funds to upgrade the building's roof and add a drive-through garage-type door on the north side so a trailer holding flagpoles can be pulled into the building. The first burial in the cemetery was in 1853. (Janell Bradley photo)

 

Grandview Cemetery Board hoping to restore chapel

 

 

Janell Bradley
Contributing Writer

 

 

Some see it as beyond repair, while others want to preserve a small chapel in Grandview Cemetery as part of the overall historic significance the cemetery has to Upper Iowa University and the city of Fayette.

Constructed in 1925, the chapel exhibits elements of the Arts and Crafts Movement, particularly in its simplistic lines and use of natural materials in its construction. The window form and pebbledash wall finish define its style, according to a report compiled for an application to the National Register of Historic Places.

Although originally designed as a chapel, in more recent years the structure has fallen into disrepair. The wooden floors are littered with crumbled debris where the ceiling has sagged due to a leaking roof. A map in an oak frame marking plots and posted on the north wall hasn't been updated in decades.

Chairs and numbered metal posts to mark plots are stored inside the building.

Cemetery sexton Don Vandersee said a dry, secure building is needed to house the trailer on which flagpoles are kept in between occasions, such as Memorial Day, when they are put on display.

Wed
12
Nov

Mission accomplished: Flying Tiger remembered

 

With the help of local residents, Rudy Kraus of Fayette has been able to successfully uncover information about an original Flying Tiger and Randalia native, the late Noel Bacon. Kraus is pictured at the Fayette American Legion Hall looking at additional information gathered by he and other Legion members on other local veterans. (Mike Van Sickle photo)

 

Mission accomplished: Flying Tiger remembered

By Mike Van Sickle
mvansickle@thefayettecountyunion.com

 

 

One shining hope has emerged from three catastrophic months of war. That is the American Volunteer Group of fighter pilots, the so-called "Flying Tigers" of Burma and southeast China who paint the jaws of a shark on their Curtiss P-40s.

“Outnumbered often ten to one, they have so far shot down about 300 Jap planes, killed perhaps 800 Jap airmen. They have violently wrenched from the Jap Air Force control of the skies over Burma and southeast China.

“They have conclusively proved what was once only a Yankee belief: that one American flier is equal to two or three Japs.”

It was about two years ago, when Rudy Kraus first read these words online from a March 30, 1942, Life magazine article about World War II’s 1st American Volunteer Group (AVG) of the Chinese Air Force, or the Flying Tigers as they were so nicknamed.

Possessing a keen interest in history and being a veteran himself, Kraus was especially intrigued by the article. Needless to say, the article garnered his full attention when as he scrolled down, he discovered that one of the original Flying Tigers included Noel Richard Bacon, a Randalia native!

Wed
12
Nov

Stark resigns

 

 

Stark resigns

 

 

 

The Board of Directors of Palmer Lutheran Health Center (PLHC) has regretfully accepted the resignation of Steve Stark, CEO, who has recently accepted a CEO position at Orchard Hospital in Gridley, Calif.

 “My wife and I would like to express our gratitude to the Palmer staff, Board of Directors, and the community for their heartfelt welcome to the community.  Unfortunately, our out-of-work lifestyle is simply not compatible with the winter climate of the northern Midwest,” Stark said.

Wed
12
Nov

Royal showing for 'The Three Musketeers'

 

Among the North Fayette Valley High School cast members prepared to perform “The Three Musketeers” at the Performing Arts Center in West Union Nov. 14 and Nov. 16 are (front, l-r) Krista Moellers, Val Butikofer, Allison Pleggenkuhle Quinton Houg; (back) JD Prentice, Nate Treloar, Hanna Moser, Roy Moore, Jacob Guenther, and Jesse Matt. Note: Due to the ongoing high school football playoffs, show dates and times at the Performing Arts Center in West Union have been rescheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 14 and at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 16. (Courtesy photo)

 

Royal showing for 'The Three Musketeers'

 

 

By Mike Van Sickle
News Editor
mvansickle@thefayettecountyunion.com

 

 

North Fayette Valley High School students will present “The Three Musketeers” by Alexandre Dumas and adapted by Karen Letts during three performances Friday and Sunday, Nov. 14 and Nov. 16.

Note: Due to the ongoing high school football playoffs, show dates and times at the Performing Arts Center in West Union have been rescheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 14 and at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 16.

What a royal love triangle we have in “The Three Musketeers”! The King (played by Joshua Guenther), the Duke (Sam Poppen), and the Cardinal (Nathan Treloar) all vie for Queen Anne’s (Valerie Butikofer) affections in a story told by a traveling minstrel named Monty (Krista Moellers).

Wed
05
Nov

Local vet shares story

 

United States Navy veteran Jerry Oyloe served from 1944 to 1946 during World War II. Oyloe was responsible for supplying P.T. boats with food, fuel, and ammunition. (Zakary Kriener photo)

 

Local vet shares story

 

by Zakary Kriener
zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

 

 

Jerry Oyloe has spent much of his life living in the community of Ossian. He was raised there and has lived there for much of his life.

After and graduating from South Winneshiek High School, Oyloe got married to Ruth Kuennen in St. Lucas. Together, they had a son, Gordon.

Soon after, Oyloe was drafted into service for the United States military.

“When I got to Des Moines for my physical, they asked me what I wanted to do: Army, Navy, or Marines,” recalled the WWII veteran. “I figured I might as well pick Navy.”

Wed
05
Nov

Ossian native Lien introduces grandPad

 

South Winneshiek and Luther College alumnus Scott Lien (l) and his son, Isaac, show Scott’s mother, Marlys, some of the features of the new grandPad. Marlys was instrumental in the developmental stages of the grandPad and now uses it every day. (courtesy photo)

 

Ossian native Lien introduces grandPad

 

by Zakary Kriener
zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

 

 

Scott Lien, a 1983 graduate of South Winneshiek High School, has developed a piece of technology that will change the way senior citizens interact with technology and communicate with their loved ones.

This piece of technology is called the grandPad. This tablet was designed specifically for customers who are in the 70 to 80-year-old range. It allows seniors to video chat, send emails, listen to music, share and view photos, and do much more.

Approximately one year ago, Scott and his son, Isaac, launched the company and began developing a design.

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