September 2017

Wed
27
Sep

Don't miss WOW at WCLC

 

West Clermont Lutheran Church in Clermont has started a new worship initiative called Worship on Wednesdays (WOW) that incorporates religious education, a meal, and a contemporary worship services for a younger generation of families. Over 20 chidlren attended religious education class on Wednesday, Sept. 13, including (l-r) Avery Donnelly, Teagan Schrader, Taylor Dean, Lainy Donnelly, Layne Kleppe, Reed Cummings, Sarah Dean, Cece Cummings, and Emma Walker. WCLC is replacing religious education classeson Sundays and offering young families an option for worship other than just the traditional Sunday worship service. Chris DeBack photo

 

Don't miss WOW at WCLC

 

 

By Chris Deback
cdeback@thefayettecountyunion.com

 

 

 

 

It’s a question that many churches across the country continue to ask themselves. How do we get the younger generations involved in our congregations?

West Clermont Lutheran Church (WCLC) feels it has found an answer to that question in the form of Worship on Wednesdays, also known as WOW. 

“It is our family-friendly version of a complete worship package,” said Deb Jacobsen, West Clermont Lutheran Church secretary. “It is for families and for people who might be looking for a faith home.”

WOW is an evening of activities for young families to enjoy. With school getting out early on Wednesdays in the North Fayette and Valley school districts, children are invited to attend religious education at 4:30 p.m., dubbed WOW-ed.

Wed
27
Sep

Blue Devils down Pirates in Homecoming match

 

West Central’s Lauren Fink taps the ball over the net in a 3-1 victory over the Postville Pirates on Thursday, Sept. 21. Chris DeBack photo

 

Blue Devils down Pirates in Homecoming match

 

 

By Chris Deback
cdeback@thefayettecountyunion.com

 

 

 

 

The West Central volleyball team secured its seventh win of the season with a 3-1 home victory over Postville on Thursday, Sept. 21.

It is the most wins West Central has had since the 2011 Blue Devil team that went 13-13. It was the first time this season the Blue Devils hosted a volleyball match. 

Wed
27
Sep

WC scores 28 on Homecoming night

 

West Central’s Ty Ingels (63) moves off a Tripoli Panther block to help tackle the Panther’s offensive player.

Chris DeBack photo

 

WC scores 28 on Homecoming Night

 

 

By Chris Deback
cdeback@thefayettecountyunion.com

 

 

 

 

The West Central football team had its most productive night offensively during its Homecoming game. The Blue Devils fell to Eight-Man No. 8 Tripoli Panthers (Cedar Rapids Gazette/KGYM poll), 71-28.  

While the Blue Devils had a hard time keeping the potent Panthers offense from rushing its way into the end zone in the first half, it didn’t help that West Central fumbled the ball on the first play of the game. 

The Blue Devils found success through the air during the game. Tripoli scored four touchdowns before junior quarterback Adam Dolf hit freshman wide receiver Aiden Nelson in stride with a 48-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter. Dolf then found Nelson in the end zone of the successful two-point conversion. 

Wed
27
Sep

Max Wayne Smith

Max Wayne Smith

 

 

Shena and Chad Smith of Lubbock, Texas, are happy to announce the birth of their son, Max Wayne Smith.

Max was born Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2017 at Covenant Center in Midland, Texas. He weighed 7 lbs. 9 oz. and was 20¾ inches in length.

Max is the couple’s first child. 

His grandparents are Kevin and Cindy Smith of Midland, Texas, and Jerry and Becky Wadian of Fayette.

Wed
27
Sep

Hawkeye seeks volunteers for Haunted Hayride

 

Community members from Hawkeye will host a Haunted Hayride from 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 29. The organizing committee is looking for businesses, agencies, or groups of volunteers who would be willing to take over one of the 15 Halloween scenes that will be featured in the hayride. Thanks to volunteers like (l-r) Alexa Pleggenkuhle and Zandrea Moore, last year’s Haunted Hayride was a huge success. submitted photo

 

Hawkeye seeks volunteers for Haunted Hayride

 

 

By Chris Deback
cdeback@thefayettecountyunion.com

 

 

 

 

Community members in Hawkeye will once again host a Haunted Hayride from 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 29, but are in need of volunteers. 

Last fall, Keith Kovarik of Hawkeye was the lead organizer of the hayride. He said the idea was born simply because he owns a hay wagon.

“Hawkeye is a small town and we had trick-or-treating, but we just wanted something different,” said Kovarik. “I had the hay wagon, so I was like, ‘Hey, how about we do a Haunted Hayride?’ The people I got involved were overly excited about it, so it kind of snowballed from there and came together very fast.” 

Kovarik and other organizers are looking for businesses, agencies, or groups of volunteers to take control of one of the 15 different scenes that will be featured on the two-block hayride. The hayride will run down an alley between Main and Pearl streets with scenes set up in the backyards of community members along the alley. 

“We have the scene themes somewhat planned out,” Kovarik said. “There is an insane asylum, campground, car wreck, school bus with a marching band in a car wreck, and a Freddy Krueger scene. I am doing the arachnophobia scene. 

“With cast and support, we had approximately 60 volunteers last year, and we’re looking for more this year,” he added. “I don’t want this to come across as if ‘Hey, if people don’t volunteer, we aren’t going to do it.’ We are going to do it regardless; we are just trying to make it easier.” 

Those looking to volunteer may not be responsible for costs incurred with developing scenes. Kovarik noted that the organizing committee should be able to supply most groups with the necessary supplies; however, volunteers are needed to make props and help put scenes together on the day of the ride. 

Kovarik said that there will be two versions of the Haunted Hayride, so plan accordinging, Earlier in the evening, while it is still light out, will be a PG version of the ride for children. Once it gets dark, an R-rated version will be implemented for adults.  

Last year, the group was expecting to have approximately 70 to 100 riders for its event. However, over 500 people came to the small town to enjoy the Haunted Hayride. Proceeds from the event were donated to the Hawkeye Community Hall for its future renovation plans.

“Everyone was very happy with what we did,” the K&K Gardens owner explained. “You will always have some people say it should have been scarier, but other people said it was great. It needs to be faster. We didn’t expect that many people last year, so just the fundamentals of getting people through quicker, that is what we need to work on. We will have at least four hay wagons this year.” 

At $3 a person to ride, Kovarik said that they will once again be donating the proceeds to the Hawkeye Community Hall. Attendees can expect the ride to last approximately 15 minutes. 

If you are an individual, group, or business interested in volunteering for the event, please contact Keith Kovarik at keith@kkgardens.com.

 

 

Wed
27
Sep

Community members on the Nov. 7 ballot

Community members on the Nov. 7 ballot

 

 

By Chris Deback
cdeback@thefayettecountyunion.com

 

 

 

 

Area residents seeking a local elected position had until Thursday, Sept. 21, to submit paperwork to the Fayette County Auditor to get their names on the ballot. 

On Nov. 7, local residents within the 13 incorporated cities in Fayette County will head to the polls to cast a vote in their city council and mayoral races. Of the 13 races, Elgin, Fayette, Hawkeye, Wadena, and Westgate have contested races. West Union is the only town with a public measure on its ballot. 

It should be noted that these are the only candidates whose names will appear on the ballot. That doesn’t mean they are the only people a resident can vote for, as there is always a space to write in someone's name. 

Wed
27
Sep

Richard Williams

Richard Williams

 

 

Richard R. Williams, 71, of Decorah, formerly of West Union, died early Wednesday morning, Sept. 20, 2017, after a hard battle with cancer. 

Memorial services will be held at a later date.

 
Wed
27
Sep

Shirley Schmitt

Shirley Schmitt

 

 

Shirley Ann (Croatt) Schmitt, age 76, of St. Lucas, IA died Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017 at the Barthell Eastern Star Nursing Home in Decorah from complications of Parkinson’s. Her husband and children were with her by her side.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated by the Rev. Kyle Digmann on Thursday, Sept. 14, at St. Luke Catholic Church in St. Lucas.

The casketbearers were Shirley’s grandsons, Darren Schmitt, Alexander Schmitt, Justin Fonley, Hunter Baumler, Caleb Kuennen, and           Riley Schmitt.

Interment was held in St. Luke Catholic Cemetery, St. Lucas, Iowa.

Arrangements were handled by Schluter-Balik Funeral Home in Decorah. 

Shirley Ann (Croatt) Schmitt was born on April 7, 1941 to John and Blanche (Tierney) Croatt on the family farm near Waucoma, IA. 

Shirley graduated from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Waucoma in 1959. 

Wed
27
Sep

Bill Corkery

Bill Corkery

 

 

William “Bill” Vincent Corkery, 86, of Marion, formerly of Wadena, passed away peacefully Thursday, Sept. 21, 2017, at his home. 

The family was to greet friends 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2017, at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service, in Marion. 

Funeral Services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2017, at the funeral home. 

Burial will take place at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Wadena Cemetery, Wadena.

  Bill was born May 1, 1931, in Wadena, Iowa, the son of William and Nica (Fay) Corkery. 

He graduated from Wadena High School. 

Bill served in the United States Navy during the Korean War.

On Oct. 1, 1957, he was united in marriage to Marilyn Bachman in Iowa City. 

Bill was employed with Rockwell in the Tool and Die Department until retiring in 1989.

Wed
27
Sep

Onalee Oakes

Onalee Oakes

 

 

Onalee Baker Oakes, 90, of Maynard, died on Sunday morning, Sept. 24, 2017 at Maple Crest Manor in Fayette.

Funeral Service:  4:30 P.M. Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2017 at the West Central School Gymnasium, Maynard, with Pastor Julie Ahrens officiating.

Visitation:  3 to 8 P.M. on Tuesday at Jamison-Schmitz Funeral Home, Maynard and from 4 to 4:30 P.M. on Wednesday at the school.

Interment:  Long Grove Cemetery, Maynard, Iowa.

A Memorial Fund has been established for the West Central Playground Equipment Fund.

Online obituary at www.jamisonschmitzfuneralhome.com.

Onalee JoAnn Coleman was born on Jan. 13, 1927 in Westgate, Iowa, the daughter of Leo Sydney & Vera (Finch) Coleman.  

She graduated from Maynard High School.  

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