David Woods will be the first performer of the season for Playin’ On the Plaza, Thursday, June 30. The music starts at 6 p.m. He performs a variety of Country music songs.

David Woods will kick off Playin' On the Plaza

By Jack Swanson

jswanson@fayettecountynewspapers.com

David Woods is a Midwestern country solo singer/musician who plays all your favorite country hits. He’ll be kicking off the Playin’ on the Plaza concert series in downtown West Union, Thursday, June 30, starting at 6 p.m. 

Miss West Union 2022 will also be crowned at the event. The contestants are Kasydi Meyer, Abigail Schmitt, Hailey Wurzer and Ayla Moss.

Known as “one of the  top musicians in our area, Woods, of Cedar Falls, brings a large mix of other music types too and promises to play your favorites.

Jim Updegraff still has his original “shingle” on display in his office. He began practicing law in West Union in 1972 and started his own practice in 1982. (Jack Swanson photos)

Local attorney retiring after 50 years of service

By Jack Swanson

jswanson@fayettecountynewspapers.com

This year marks the 50^thyear that James Updegraff has practiced law in West Union. It also will be the last year he actively practices law here, as he is retiring at the end of this month.

The attorney has worn several hats, or even a robe, in those 50 years, serving as a magistrate judge, a public defender and a consultant along with his regular lawyer duties.

Winneshiek County Fair just weeks away!

By Zakary Kriener

zkriener@fayettepublishing.con

The 2022 Winneshiek County Fair will be here before we know it! This year’s fair, which will be held July 12-16 in Decorah, will feature a jam-packed lineup of fun and entertainment for all ages.

Lincoln Gage of Jackson Junction enjoyed checking out the calves at last year’s Breakfast on the Farm event. This year, breakfast will be served from 8:30 a.m. until noon at Iowa’s Dairy Center on Saturday. (Zakary Kriener photo)

Breakfast on the Farm this weekend!

The annual Breakfast on the Farm event is set for Saturday morning! Join the Northeast Iowa Dairy Foundation in celebrating National Dairy Month beginning at 8:30 a.m. at Iowa’s Dairy Center, located south of Calmar at 1527 Hwy. 150 South. The event will go through noon.

Sheehan-Olson Legion Auxiliary officers look through some of the history of the unit that will be celebrating it’s 100^th Anniversary, Sunday, June 26, with a gathering at the Clermont City Park. Pictured are (l-r) Treasurer Linda Hyde, President Diane Wagner, and Chaplain Ardie Barnes. (Jack Swanson photo)

Clermont Legion Auxiliary to celebrate 100th Anniversary

By Jack Swanson

jswanson@fayettecountynewspapers.com

American Legion Auxiliary Sheehan-Olson Unit #375 of Clermont will be celebrating a milestone on Sunday, June 26. That’s when members will be hosting an event to mark the unit’s 100^th anniversary.

Upper Iowa University President William R. Duffy II and Team Peacock will join the approximately 8,500 other riders in making the 430-mile trek across Iowa during RAGBRAI XLIX. UIU will serve as the title sponsor for West Union (WU) RAGBRAI when the participating bicycle riders and their support teams arrived in West Union for the final overnight stop of the 2022 event.

Upper Iowa University is title sponsor for West Union's RAGBRAI stop

Upper Iowa University (UIU) is the title sponsor for West Union when the Fayette County community hosts the thousands of bicycle riders and their support teams who arrive for the final overnight stop of RAGBRAI XLIX.

"An amazing group of Team Peacock riders, support crew members and overnight hosts have been enthusiastic participants in the Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI) for over 15 years," said UIU President William R. Duffy II. "As a title sponsor this year in West Union, we look forward to not only further promoting but also celebrating the entire UIU community."

A black bear that had been spotted making its way through northeast Iowa over recent weeks, has been confirmed to have been shot and killed near Ridgeway last week. The bear was seen near Pivo Brewery in Calmar on Monday night (May 30). (submitted photo)

Bear shot and killed in Winneshiek County

By Zakary Kriener

zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

The Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that a bear that had been making its way through northeast Iowa over recent weeks has been shot and killed.

In his final weeks as the priest at the four area Catholic churches, Father Robert Gross displays the Ossian Bee article from when he first came to the St. Francis DeSales (Ossian), St. Aloysius (Calmar), St. Wenceslaus (Spillville), and Our Lady of Seven Dolors (Festina) parishes. Father Gross’ final weekend in the community will be July 8/9, before he will head south to the Bellevue community for his new assignment within the Archdiocese of Dubuque. (Zakary Kriener photo)

Father Gross' reassignment a 'bittersweet' transition

By Zakary Kiener

zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

When Father Robert Gross first came to the community in 2015, it was a brand-new experience for him as a first-time priest. Now, seven years later, Gross will be saying goodbye to the community that he has become a part of and adopted as home.

“I am going to miss all of the people here,” said Gross, who will leave St. Francis DeSales, St. Aloysius, St. Wenceslaus, and Our Lady of Seven Dolors parishes in early July. “Everyone here was very welcoming when I first came here as a brand new priest with no previous experience. I am also going to miss the overall beauty of northeast Iowa – each town and community is so unique with different traditions and different personalities by the people from each one.”

Local groups will be in Shriners' Parade Saturday

Besides the Shriners in their parade on Saturday, June 11, there will be several local organizations participating also.

The local participants at this time include West Union Police Department, West Union Fire Department, Fayette County EMS, Johansen Consulting, LLC, Wilbur Ford, Fayette County Sheriff's Department, Fayette County Fair, Gundersen Palmer Lutheran Hospital, NAPA Auto Parts, Bank 1^st, American Legion Post 15, Classic Cars & Trucks, and the local Knights of Columbus.

West Union Chamber Director Matt Marsala says they will be accepting those who want to participate in the parade right up until the day of the event. “We’d like to see as much participation as we can get,” he said.

Those wanting to join in the parade can call (563) 422-3070. Line up at 2:30 p.m., near Holy Name on East Main St side. The parade starts at 3 p.m.

Rick Hofmeyer’s go to car for most of the parades he participates in as part of the Shriners’ Vintage Auto Unit is his ’68 Chrysler 300. He will be driving the car in the upcoming Shriner Parade in West Union, June 11. (Jack Swanson photo)

Fayette Shriner will be part of the 'Caravan' parade in West Union June 11

By Jack Swanson

jswanson@fayettecountynewspapers.com

“Have car will travel” could be the motto for Rick Hofmeyer of Fayette.

Hofmeyer will be joining fellow shriners from across northeast Iowa and will be driving his 1968 Chrysler 300 in the upcoming Shriners Parade, June 11, in West Union.

A member of the “Vintage Auto” Shriner unit, he has nine cars to choose from when he goes out on the parade circuits every summer. A Shriner since 2004, he’s been a member of the Vintage Auto unit for the past 18 years.