Dawson Wenthold

Dawson Wenthold: A high school senior setting a high standard for success

by Megan Molseed

Contributing Writer

Dawson Wenthold, a senior at South Winneshiek High School is looking forward to starting the next chapter in his life. 

With the end of the school year approaching, he is preparing to take the next step in his academic career. Wenthold has distinguished himself as a standout student, athlete, and community leader, gaining recognition for his academic achievements, sportsmanship, and community service. Through his hard work, dedication, and commitment to excellence, Wenthold has learned valuable lessons that will serve him well in the years to come. As he looks ahead to the future, he is excited about the opportunities that await him, including a full-ride scholarship to pursue his passion for finance at The University of Tulsa.

After a decades-long career of dedicated healthcare provision, nurse Sue Schneider prepares to retire, seen here in the operating room at Gundersen Lutheran in West Union, Iowa. A graduate of Marshalltown Community School of Nursing, Schneider has served at Palmer Memorial Hospital and Gundersen Lutheran with passion and expertise. 

Passion and Purpose: Retiring Nurse Sue Schneider looks back on a lifetime of patient care

By Megan Molseed

Contributing Writer

Sue Schneider's nursing journey began in 1974 when she graduated from the Marshalltown Community School of Nursing, a three-year diploma RN program. She quickly landed her first job as an RN in the Med Surg unit at Palo Alto County Hospital, where she worked from June 1974 until February 1975. However, her life took a quick and exciting turn when she married Charles Schneider on March 23, 1975, and moved to rural Elgin.

The Upper Iowa University Madison, Wisconsin, Center is among the 13 education locations being closed by the university. In addition to its main Fayette campus, UIU will continue to manage 11 centers in Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana and Oklahoma. (Courtesy photo)

Upper Iowa University closing 13 education centers

By Mike Van Sickle

mvansickle@fayettecountynewspapers.com

  Upper Iowa University (UIU) is in the process of closing the doors on 13 of its regional centers. 

The reduction in centers include locations in Fort Hood, Texas; Fort Leavenworth, Kansas; Rockford, Illinois; New London, Connecticut; Meridian, Mississippi; Wisconsin-based centers in Janesville, Milwaukee, Madison, Wausau, Prairie du Chien, and the Elkhorn/Racine/Kenosha regional centers. 

The BUS-eum is scheduled to make a midwest stop at the German American Museum in St. Lucas Thursday, May 4. The two featured exhibits explore several hidden historical topics and contemporary issues like climate change. (Courtesy photo)

BUS-eum arrives in St. Lucas Thursday

Students from the Universität Erfurt in Germany will arrive with their BUS-eum at the German American Museum in St. Lucas Thursday. The mobile history laboratory will be open to the public from 11:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. 

The 2023 BUS-eum tour is traversing the midwest in the coming months. The two featured exhibits explore several hidden historical topics and contemporary issues like climate change. The purpose of the exhibits is to challenge the public’s awareness and understanding of raging political and social issues from World War I to the beginning of WWII, 1914 to 1939.  

Striving for a mentally 'Healthy Fayette County'

By Mike Van Sickle

mvansickle@fayettecountynewspapers.com

Local boards of health conduct community-wide surveys of county residents about their respective community’s health needs at least every five years. In Fayette County, the survey was most recently conducted in 2019. After identifying the needs of the local communities, the next step was to identify objectives and strategies to address those issues. 

Fayette County Public Health Coordinator Jessica Wegner, RN, explained the results of this most recent process identified the following priorities in Fayette County: Mental Health, Obesity in Children and Adults, Substance Misuse in Adolescents and Adults, and Food Insecurity. 

Carla (Stephens) O'Brien

Former North High grad pens her first children' story

By Vicki Rowland

Contributing Writer

Carla (Stephens) O’Brien, a 1977 North High graduate and daughter of Bill and Nell Stephens, former teachers at North High and Fayette Elementary, has recently published her first children’s book — “To Be Enormously Gorgeous.”

A smiling Wyatte Herriage shows his strength, resilience and positive outlook, as he displays a thumbs up while recovering from last week’s frightening cardiac arrest and subsequent life-saving surgery. (Submitted photo) 

Wyatte Herriage's unbreakable spirit is shining through

by Meagan Molseed

Contributing Writer

It was a regular school day for 12-year-old Wyatte Herriage of West Union when he stepped onto the bus to take him to the Valley middle school on Tuesday morning, April 25. A lively and active boy who loves nothing more than playing football and wrestling with his friends, Wyatte spent part of the morning doing exactly what he loves, hitting the football field with his buddies during some free time. 

However, everything would change for the active sixth grader in an instant when he collapsed during a spirited game of football. In an instant, Wyatte's classmates and teachers knew something was wrong. The North Fayette Valley staff members worked quickly to provide CPR and lifesaving measures for the young student. 

St. Lucas Museum benefit Saturday

  The public is invited to break out the lederhosen and dirndl and attend a fun filled day of traditional German food, German-inspired beer, and music at the Maifest celebration at PIVO Brewery in Calmar Saturday, April 29. 

Sponsored by the St. Lucas Historical Society, the April 29 event will feature live music performances by the Guttenberg German Band from 1-4 p.m. and EF5 from 6:30-9:30 p.m. The St. Lucas Historical Society will serve German-style dishes, while Pivo will serve its many craft beers, including St. Lucas Honey Weiss Bier.  

Proceeds from the local Maifest celebration will be used toward the restoration of the German American Museum roof in St. Lucas. The St. Lucas Historical Society is raising funds to replace three layers of shingles on the German American Museum building with high-definition metal shingle panels that replicate the original cedar wood shingles. 

Holly Schmitt has been involved in the agriculture industry for several years. This love only grew as she was encouraged to join her local FFA chapter in high school. Now, the South Winneshiek grad has big plans as she begins her role as Iowa’s newest FFA president. (Submitted photo) 

Holly Schmitt: The Iowa FFA's New State President

By Megan Molseed

Contributing Writer

Holly Schmitt is enjoying her time at Iowa State University but her most exciting news came just a few weeks ago as the South Winneshiek grad was recently elected as the new State President of the Iowa FFA Association. Schmitt's story is one of passion, dedication, and hard work, all of the components that make Schmitt the perfect president of the Iowa FFA.