News

Wed
20
Aug

Arlington bachelor still winning hearts

Quillin's employee and NFV senior Kaitlin Dinan was all smiles as she posed with TV reality star Chris Soules last Monday evening at the West Union grocery store. (Submitted photo)

 

Arlington bachelor still winning hearts

 

 

Janell Bradley
Contributing Writer

 

"Bachelorette" Andi Dorfman may not have chosen Arlington bachelor Chris Soules for her soul mate, but there are plenty of other area women who'd like a chance to get to know him.

Ever since the Arlington area farmer was chosen as a contestant for the ABC reality show "The Bachelorette," interest in the Starmont High School graduate has grown by leaps and bounds.

With a dazzling smile and a physique that suggests he doesn't shun hard work around the farm, Soules made it to the final four before being sent away by the most recent Bachelorette. However, Soules didn't just hang his head and return to the farm to think about his loss. Rather, his popularity with a television audience has only grown. If rumors prove correct, Soules will be the next "Bachelor" – but that's something he'll neither deny nor confirm until an official announcement is made by the network.

Wed
20
Aug

WU-Stock on Saturday 'Come Together' for fun and Feudin'

 

WU Stock Family Feud organizer Cathy Harris appears ready to play the Family Feud against Mike Tobin during the community celebration on Saturday. Tobin could have an unfair advantage if he competes in the local Family Feud contest as he recently joined other family members in playing on the actual television game show. The 2014 WU-Stock “Come Together” celebration officially gets underway with a 1 p.m. parade. (Mike Van Sickle photo)

 

WU-Stock on Saturday 'Come Together' for fun and Feudin'

 

 

By Mike Van Sickle
News Editor
mvansickle@thefayettecountyunion.com

 

 

Main Street West Union invites the public to “Come Together” during WU Stock 2014 on Saturday.

The 2014 WU-Stock “Come Together” celebration officially gets underway with a 1 p.m. parade. Parade entries will line up on E. Main St. before traveling down N. Walnut, turning west on E. Elm St., and then turning south on Vine St. before ending at Zion Lutheran Church. Prizes will be awarded for Best Overall, Best Use of the “Come Together” Theme, and “Most Unique.”

To register for the parade, contact the Main Street West Union office at (563) 422-8655.

  The "Duck Race" will be the final entry in the parade, and persons who purchase a duck from North Fayette Valley Danceline members will have a chance at cash as the ducks "race" down the street. Proceeds will be used by the Danceline to help with financing its Outback Bowl performance in January 2015.

A Bean Bag Tournament will also begin at 2 p.m. To register with the minimal fee, call Amie Johansen at City Hall at (563) 422-3908. All fees will go toward the cash prizes.

Inflatables, a petting zoo, human foosball, Giant Twister, and Giant Jenga will be located downtown for everyone’s entertainment during the afternoon. A free Toddler Fun Zone will also be available for children under 5.

Registration will open for a free 5K and 5-mile run at 1 p.m., with the races scheduled to begin at approximately 4:45 p.m.

Tim B. will follow Jason Ray Brown on the Civic Plaza stage as part of the WU-Stock entertainment.

Jason Ray Brown mixes rock, blues, country, and a variety of styles together for a truly unique and memorable experience. Brown’s return performance will be from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Aug 23.

Meanwhile, Tim B. will perform a blend of classic and new country, bluegrass, and classic rock on the Plaza stage from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Main Street West Union will then host “Family Feud” at 7 p.m. on the Civic Plaza. Based on the popular game show, clubs, organizations, schools, sports teams, local businesses and other members of the public are encouraged to preregister five-member teams with the Main Street West Union office or with Cathy Harris at (563) 380-3039.

Karaoke will also be held downtown until 11 p.m. In addition to a beer garden, food vendors will be located throughout the grounds.

(Editor’s note: The Iowa National Guard has informed MSWU it will not be able to host the shooting gallery following the parade.)

 

Wed
20
Aug

Return of the Block Party

 

Bob Sadler of McJ’s Embroidery; West Union Chamber of Commerce coordinator Jennifer Tobin, and Joe Organist of Spirits& Such (l-r) are among the business owners/employees looking forward to hosting the Block Party in West Union Thursday. In addition to in-store specials and downtown vendors, the Block Party will once again include sampling of tasty treats such as frozen yogurt, wine, cheese, and much, much more. (Mike Van Sickle photo)

 

Return of the Block Party

 

 

By Mike Van Sickle
News Editor
mvansickle@thefayettecountyunion.com

 

 

The 2014 Summer Block Party returns to West Union Thursday. In addition to in-store specials and downtown vendors, the Block Party will once again include sampling of tasty treats such as frozen yogurt, wine, cheese, and much, much more.

Merchants and businesses from throughout the town continue to be invited to participate in this year’s event. For a list of participating businesses thus far, see the ad on page A-8.

Building owners of the Façade Master Plan Project will be recognized during a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 5:45 p.m. on the Civic Plaza.

Wed
13
Aug

There's no place like a dairy farm

 

South Winn graduate Mikayla Lien (center) was chosen as the 2014 Iowa Dairy Princess on Wednesday at the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines from among 12 other young ladies vying for the title. She is pictured with her parents, Patty and Gary Lien of rural Calmar. (submitted photo)

 

There's no place like a dairy farm

 

 

Becky Walz
News Editor
bwalz@fayettepublishing.com

 

 

Mikayla Lien’s reign as the 2013 Winneshiek County Dairy Princess has impacted her life in ways she could only imagine.

“I wanted to be someone who could talk to the public about the dairy industry, answer their questions, and really get to know dairy farmers,” said the 2014 South Winn graduate.

Now she has the opportunity to reach even more people as she was crowned the 61st Iowa Dairy Princess during an evening ceremony on Wednesday, Aug. 6, at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines.

Wed
13
Aug

If the shoe fits, wear it and exercise

 

Seen here jumping over fire Rob, Kaitlin and Amy Gross (l-r) competed in the 13-obstacle, 3-mile Warrior Dash in Minnesota earlier this summer. (submitted photo)

 

If the shoe fits, wear it and exercise

 

 

“Well, I know how to work with you now. You are a 55-year-old man on paper,” said a VA doctor to South Winn grad Rob Gross in 2002.

Gross was merely 29 years old.

Following lab tests, Rob was borderline diabetic, had high blood pressure, had bad cholesterol levels, and his liver enzymes were elevated to the point that the doctor tested him for hepatitis.

The former Ossian resident knew it was time for a change. But having been discharged from the Army in 1999 with crushed vertebrae in the L3-L5 region and a sore knee, Rob didn’t know were to begin.

Wed
13
Aug

Church to feed bodies as well as souls

 

West Clermont Lutheran Church has started a food shelf to help provide for the needs of those in the local community. Pictured here with some of the supplies that have already been collected are (l-r) church members Ardell Fortune, Pastor Dayna Winke, and Christy Stewart. Art Amundson and his family helped arrange for start-up funding and stocking of the food shelf.

 

Church to feed bodies as well as souls

 

 

Brian Smith
Contributing Writer
bsmith@fayettepublishing.com

 

 

West Clermont Lutheran Church is attempting to fill a need in the community by establishing a food shelf in Clermont. The idea for having the food shelf in the building stemmed from the number of people actually coming to the church’s door in search of food for themselves and their families.

           “Our church has contributed to other food sources in the area in the past, but we were getting a large number of people right here in our own community asking for help. Some of our members decided that having the food available here for them instead of sending them somewhere else would be a good idea,” said Dayna Winke, pastor at West Clermont Lutheran Church.

Wed
13
Aug

Golfing equals 'Fun'ding for NFV Mentoring

 

Valley Community Coalition’s mentoring coordinator Stacie Schroeder is appreciative of all the donated items for this weekend’s Turkey River Classic. Schroeder is surrounded by just a handful of auction items that will be available at the annual event, which benefits the NFV mentoring program. (LeAnn Larson photo)

 

Golfing equals 'Fun'ding for NFV Mentoring

 

 

Becky Walz
News Editor
bwalz@fayettepublishing.com

 

 

It’s about more than golf and having a good time winning prizes.

It’s about the kids.

The truth is that few kids have a safe adult they can talk with about problems they may be having, including peer pressure to drink, smoke, or experiment with other illegal drugs.

Local mentoring programs provide that “safe adult” many youth desperately need.

The Valley Mentoring and NFV Mentoring programs have provided this support for young people – not just those with problems associated with substance abuse, but all youth who need help.

Both programs are certified mentoring through the Iowa Mentoring Partnership and matches, with parental permission, ANY youth in grades K-12 with an adult in the community who is over 18 and has passed a series of screening and background checks.

Mentors and mentees are matched based on interests, hobbies, and personality. They spend four to six hours per month engaging in positive activities such as planting trees, bowling, going to movies, playing games, golfing, and more.

For nearly a year the two programs have been meeting and offering joint activities for area youth. Future plans are to merge the two programs as the community interest and support increase.

The major source of funding for NFV Mentoring this year will be the annual Turkey River Classic charity event.

Wed
13
Aug

Hawkeye Christmas Light Fund continues to grow

 

Giving back to their community by donating the money they won from a raffle during Hawkeye Fun Days are (l-r) Clair Lensing, Dorty Yauslin, and Leon Dietzenbach. The money raised by the raffle and the funds being donated by these three individuals will be used for purchasing new Christmas lights for the city.

 

Hawkeye Christmas Light Fund continues to grow

 

 

Brian Smith
Contributing Writer
bsmith@fayettepublishing.com

 

 

            The City of Hawkeye is slowly but surely advancing toward its goal of acquiring new Christmas lights for its downtown area. Thanks to generous donations from participants and winners of the recent raffle held during Hawkeye Fun Days, the goal is now that much closer.

            City Clerk Dorty Yauslin estimated that $5000 - $6000 would be needed to purchase the new lights, and the raffle, which she helped organize, raised approximately half of that total.

Wed
13
Aug

New staff welcomed at West Central

 

West Central students were welcomed back to classes on Tuesday, Aug. 12, with several new faces, including  (l-r) cook Tammy Richards of Fayette, 1-on-1 instructor Kallie Kleitsch of Maynard, preschool paraeducator Bobbie Hepker of Maynard, preschool paraeducator Kelli Kleppe of Maynard, school nurse Bonnie West of Maynard, and K-6 special education instructor Chris Sanford, originally of Polo, Ill. (Jerry Blue photo)

Wed
13
Aug

High school open house August 20

High school open house August 20

 

 

For the first time in many years, there will be an open house at North Fayette Valley High School in West Union. The event has been set up in a workshop model with a variety of breakout sessions being held continuously throughout the evening.  

“A number of parents, particularly those on our Parent Advisory Committee, have suggested that we have a night in which we share information with them about a number of things we do at the high school,” said high school principal Todd Wolverton on Friday. 

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