Fayette County Pioneer Cemetery Commision turns 20

The Fayette County Pioneer Cemetery Commission turns two decades old this year.

To show its appreciation for all who have volunteered their time to the organization, the commission will be hosting a luncheon starting at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 7, at the Fayette County Historical Center in West Union.

While lunch is being served, Steve Story, Fayette County Pioneer Cemetery Commission founding member, will give a brief presentation on what all the volunteers’ hard work has accomplished.

Story noted that pioneer cemetery commissions didn’t exist in Iowa until the Iowa Legislature passed the Pioneer Cemetery Law in 1996. This allowed County Board of Supervisors to set up pioneer cemetery commissions to oversee and improve the pioneer cemeteries in a county. This wasn't required of the counties, but something each individual county could decide to enact itself.

At South Winneshiek, teachers and staff have found a way to make learning fun through a unique concept called Makerspace. Participating in the latest activity at the local elementary school are (clockwise from left) Ella Theis, instructor Sandra Lien, Raymond Lienau, Tucker Wagner (hidden), Ashton Batterson, Karstyn Lukes, and Addison Timp. (Zakary Kriener photo)

South Winn goes no-tech to hi-tech with Makerspace

Teachers and staff at South Winneshiek are always searching for new and creative ways to make learning fun.

“Makerspace is a collaborative work space inside a school, library, or separate public/private facility for making, learning, exploring, and sharing that uses high-tech to no-tech tools,” said Sandra Lien, South Winn Makerspace instructor and library associate. 

Makerspaces around the country can use a variety of equipment, including 3-D printers, laser cutters, CNC machines, soldering irons, and even sewing machines. The unique learning classes, however, do not need to include all or any of these machines.

“If you have cardboard, Legos, and art supplies, you’re in business!” added Lien. “It’s more of the maker mindset of creating something out of nothing and exploring your own interests that’s at the core of a Makerspace.”

Since being implemented in 2015 at South Winneshiek Elementary/Middle School in Ossian, Makerspace has become quite popular among students. 

At the 2018 State Wrestling Tournament, New Hampton/Turkey Valley wrestler Michael Blockhus won his third career state title. The young grappler, who is the son of Valley High School alum Travis Blockhus and wife Melissa, is not satisfied with his resume as he intends to continue his wrestling career at the University of Northern Iowa next year. (Zakary Kriener photo)

'A special feeling' for 3x champ Blockhus

Zakary Kriener

News Writer
zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

Each year, a handful of high school wrestlers across the state of Iowa earn the right to stand atop the podium inside Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines and have first-place medals draped over their necks. 

For New Hampton/Turkey Valley wrestler Michael Blockhus, the son of Travis (Valley alum) and Melissa Blockhus, this year marked the third time he achieved that feat after he won the 138 pound Class 2A title at the Iowa High School State Wrestling Tournament.

“It really is a special feeling to win three and be considered amongst the ranks of some of the best to come out of the state,” said Blockhus less than a week after winning the title and less than 24 hours after being named the Class 2A Dan Gable Wrestler of the Year. 

“It was an honor and one of the coolest things that I have ever done to be recognized by the likes of Dan Gable, Mark Ironside, Brent Metcalf, and some of the other Iowa greats.”

For Blockhus, the journey toward becoming only one of a select few high school wrestlers in the state to win at least three titles is one that began long before his high school career started.

Lorraine Sieck

Lorraine L. Sieck, 86, of Maynard, Iowa, died on Sunday evening, February 25, 2018 at Maple Crest Assisted Living in Fayette with her family by her side.

Funeral Service:  10:30 A.M. Friday, March 2, 2018 at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Maynard with Pastor Dennis Frank officiating.

Visitation:  4:00 to 8:00 P.M. on Thursday at the Jamison-Schmitz Funeral Home, Maynard and for one hour before services at the church on Friday.

Interment: Grandview Cemetery, Fayette, Iowa.

A Memorial Fund has been established.

Online obituary at www.jamisonschmitzfuneralhome.com