State officials Michael Wagler (far left) and Debi Durham (far right) congratulated Tiffany Johansen and Matt Marsala on receiving their respective honors at the Main Street Iowa Development Awards celebration in Des Moines Friday. (Courtesy photo)

Main Street West Union honored for outstanding achievements

By Mike Van Sickle

mvansickle@fayettecountynewspapers.com

  Main Street West Union, along with representatives Tiffany Johansen and Matt Marsala were recognized at the Main Street Iowa Development Awards celebration Friday at Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center in Des Moines.   

Main Street West Union was honored for reaching the $10 million benchmark in the amount of private investment in the downtown commercial district. Johansen was awarded for her inspirational leadership and volunteerism, while making significant contributions to the local Main Street community. Meanwhile, Marsala was recognized for completing his first-year commitment to historic district revitalization and an advocate for the Main Street approach.

West Union Secondary Roads Department shop foreman Bud Johnson and longtime employee Dan Winter (l-r) stand outside the new county shop, south of West Union. In addition to the large maintenance area, the new structure includes ample office and storage space. (Mike Van Sickle photo)

A first look at the new Secondary Roads Department home

By Mike Van Sickle

mvansickle@fayettecountynewspapers.com

After a lengthy construction delay, due mostly to the COVID-19 slowdown and supply chain issues, the Fayette County Secondary Roads Department employees are quickly settling into their new maintenance shop in rural West Union. 

The Guttenberg German Band will be among the featured entertainment during the Maifest celebration at Pavo Brewery Saturday, April 29. The group is a traditional German/Bavarian village band with members from Guttenberg and surrounding communities. Funds raised from the event will benefit the St. Lucas German-American Museum roof project. (Courtesy photo)

Maifest celebration to benefit St. Lucas Museum

  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. 

Maifest is the traditional German celebration of the arrival of spring. Maifest is still celebrated throughout Germany with a decorated maypole (maibaum) to show off the history and crafts of the local village or town.  Like Octoberfest, Maifest has now become a popular celebration throughout the world. 

After nearly 10 years of using the same website, officials with the city of Ossian decided to make some changes. The new, more user-friendly version went live earlier this month complete with a new logo. Pictured (l-r) are Ossian mayor Bryan Beckman and Ossian City Clerk Ashley Goltz. (Megan Molseed photo)

Ossian's new website helps users rediscover best parts of town

By Megan Molseed

Contributing Writer

  When the Ossian City Council learned that the city’s website, which had been live since 2014, would soon face challenges because of an out-of-date platform, they knew it was the perfect time to make significant changes. These changes would quickly bring the small northeast Iowa town a more user-friendly website, as well as inspire a new and updated logo.

West Union Fire Chief Rory Starks and Lynn Lauer stand alongside the John Deere pedal tractor and quilt, which will be raffled at the fire department’s Pancake and Sausage Supper Thursday. (Mike Van Sickle photo)

WUFD Pancake Supper returns inside Thursday

By Mike Van Sickle

mvansickle@fayettecountynewspapers.com

For the first time since 2019, West Union firefighters will be welcoming the community inside its fire station Thursday, April 20, to attend the annual West Union Fire Department Pancake and Sausage Supper fundraiser. 

The fundraiser, which was first held in 1976, was cancelled in 2020 due to the statewide COVID-19 self-isolating order at the time. However, many community members still showed their support by collecting donations to benefit the local fire department. Over the next two years, the firefighters served the dinner by drive-thru only.

After 45-plus years of service to the county, Roxane (Molokken) Brugman will officially retire from her duties in the Fayette County Sheriff’s Civil Office in June. Brugman is displaying an article from a March 1985 issue of The Union, which featured her in a special “Working Women” issue of the newspaper. (Mike Van Sickle photo)

Brugman retiring after four decades of service to Fayette County

By Mike Van Sickle

mvansickle@fayettecountynewspapers.com

When Roxane (Molokken) Brugman officially retires and walks out the front doors of the Fayette County Law Enforcement Center in June, she will have completed over 45 years of service in the local sheriff’s office. Over those four-plus decades, she worked alongside five different sheriffs while serving as a member of the civil office.

John Michael Montgomery will be the featured entertainer at the Winneshiek County Fair July 15 in Decorah.

John Michael Montgomery added to '23 Fair lineup!

By Zakary Kriener

zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

The full lineup of entertainment for the Winneshiek County Fair is now set as country music entertainer John Michael Montgemery will headline the Saturday night, July 15, Grandstand entertainment!

Meet JMM

John Michael Montgomery has turned an uncanny ability to relate to fans into one of country music’s most storied careers. Behind the string of hit records, the roomful of awards and the critical and fan accolades that have defined his phenomenal success lies a connection that goes beyond his undeniable talent and his proven knack for picking hits. Since the days when “Life’s A Dance” turned him from an unknown artist into a national star, John Michael’s rich baritone has carried that most important of assets—believability. Few artists in any genre sing with more heart than this handsome Kentucky-born artist.

Paul Butikofer celebrates a century shared in faith and family

By Vicki Rowland

Contributing Writer

“Sometimes it takes some people longer to get ready,” Paul Butikofer smiled as he contemplated the mystery of his longevity.  

Despite the joke, Paul is referring to the Lord preparing him for Heaven, a thought that he has taken seriously during his long life. The soon-to-be centenarian turns 100 years old Thursday, April 13. Understandably, he is full of interesting stories. Time goes by quickly for any listener as Paul cheerfully recalls the world of his boyhood, another kind of world indeed.

Larry Yazzie (pictured) and Native Pride Dancers will be the featured entertainment at Turkey River Archaeo-Blitz at the North Fayette Valley Elementary/Middle School near Elgin Saturday, April 22. (Courtesy photo)

Archaeo-Blitz to feature Native American song, dance, crafts and food

By Mike Van Sickle

mvansickle@fayettecountynewspapers.com

  The pulsating sound of drums and Native American songs will soon echo across the Turkey River valley as they once did centuries ago. Those attending the Turkey River Archaeo-Blitz at the North Fayette Valley Elementary/Middle School near Elgin Saturday, April 22, will have the opportunity to witness the traditional dance, arts, craftsmanship, and food of the Indigenous people who once roamed the area.

In partnership with the Elgin Historical Society (EHS), the University of Iowa Office of the State Archaeologist (OSA) returns to Elgin to host the second Turkey River Archaeo-Blitz. 

Easter Egg/Basket events April 8

By Mike Van Sickle

nvansickle@fayettecountynewspapers.com

Area children will have the opportunity to participate in the annual West Union Easter Basket Hunt Saturday, April 8. 

All children up to fifth grade are invited to participate. For walkers, numbers can be picked up at the Fayette County Historical Center. For drivers, please drive through the courthouse parking lot to pick up your numbers.
Participants may pick up their basket tickets at the Fayette County Historical Center, located at the intersection of Elm and Walnut streets, beginning at 9:30 a.m. Tickets will remain available until 10:30 a.m. (unless all are distributed sooner).