May 2018

Wed
02
May

Crown Club announces Ossian Fest theme

Crown Club announces Ossian Fest theme

 

 

Zakary Kriener

News Writer
zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

 

 

 

Ossian Crown Club and the Visioning Committee met Wednesday evening, April 25, to decide on details for the upcoming 2018 Ossian Fest on Saturday, Aug. 4.

Among the details announced was the theme for the annual celebration, which will be “Ossian Fest…a Little Bit Country and a Little Bit Rock-‘N’-Roll.”

The local organization also announced that the El Caminos will be the band for the fest; they will perform in the Ossian Educational and Performance Pavilion.

Planned events for Ossian Fest will include a citywide breakfast, kids’ games and activities, face painting, a balloon artist, a water ball fight, the Strong Man Striker game, a Car Show and Shine, food booths, various entertainment throughout the day, and a grand parade, which will be held at 7 p.m. prior to the live band taking the stage.

Wed
02
May

Sharing the stage with an 'Idol'

 

While attending Iowa Central Community College in Fort Dodge, Festina native Ethan Kipp (right) first met and began performing alongside fellow fine arts enthusiast Maddie Poppe from Clarksville. Now, two years later, Poppe has become known worldwide as she is currently among the top seven finalists of the hit show, “American Idol.” (submitted photo)

 

Sharing the stage with an 'Idol'

 

 

Zakary Kriener

News Writer
zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

 

 

 

For anyone who has tuned into his or her television over the past several weeks, the success of Iowa’s Maddie Poppe is no secret. The young singer from Clarksville has found herself among the top seven finalists on the hit TV show “American Idol” and looks to continue her path toward earning the coveted title in the show’s 16th season.

Among the biggest fans of the young singer throughout her journey has been Festina’s Ethan Kipp, a 2015 graduate of South Winneshiek High School and talented fine arts performer himself.

While much of the country did not become familiar with Poppe’s amazing singing talent until her recent success on the show, Kipp was aware of her abilities long before then.

Wed
02
May

Elgin volunteer has burning interest in fire investigation

 

Mark Borcherding of Elgin has long had an interest in volunteering for his local fire department.  The 14-year volunteer recently finished a two-week training program in Ames to become a certified fire investigator.  (photo by Megan Molseed)

 

Elgin volunteer has burning interest in fire investigation

 

 

By Meagan Molseed
mmolseed@thefayettecountyunion.com

 

 

 

“Ever since I was a kid, I knew I wanted to be involved with the fire department,” said Elgin volunteer firefighter Mark Borcherding. “I grew up just a few houses away from our local department and would run out to the sidewalk to watch them go by when they would respond!”

Borcherding, who has served as a volunteer firefighter in Elgin for 14 years, added that it was originally chance that brought him to volunteer for the local department and later volunteer his time for special training sessions to become certified in fire investigation.

Wed
02
May

Whitcomb's design hits the 'bull's-eye' at Target

 

Holly (Solheim) Whitcomb was pleasantly surprised to hear that the Mother’s Day card she had designed was among those selected to be featured in Target stores across the country. (submitted photo)

 

Whitcomb's design hits the 'bull's-eye at Target

 

 

By Meagan Molseed
mmolseed@thefayettecountyunion.com

 

 

 

“Honestly, my first thought was ‘Is this even real?’” remembered Holly (Solheim) Whitcomb of finding out her Mother’s Day greeting card design was selected to be sold at Target stores across the country.

“It’s almost surreal. I didn’t think my design even made the cut at first,” continued the Clermont native.  “Then I saw a facebook post of my card - in Target!”

Whitcomb, daughter of Dave and Linda Solheim of Clermont, has long had an interest exploring her artistic visions, from crafts to paintings.  In 2010, she decided to take her hobby to a new level by joining the website Minted, an online resource which supports independent artists and sells one-of-a-kind designs.

Wed
02
May

Blue Devils compete hard during busy track schedule

 

West Central’s Taylor Hepperle takes off from the starting blocks during the sprint medley during the Starmont boys-only invitational on Friday, April 27.  Chris DeBack photo

 

Blue Devils compete hard duriong busy track schedule

 

 

By Chris Deback
cdeback@thefayettecountyunion.com

 

 

 

 

The West Central boys’ and girls’ track and field teams had another eventful week with six meets between the two squads. 

The girls’ team scored the most points this week with 36.5 points during a seventh-place finish at Clayton Ridge on Tuesday, April 24. At Sumner-Fredericksburg the day before, the girls scored 13 points and then proceeded to score 26 points at MFL/MarMac.

Wed
02
May

Blue Devils' golf finally back on the links

 

West Central’s Kenzie Squires carded the Blue Devils’ lowest score, 56, against North Fayette Valley on Thursday, Aug. 26, at the Pleasant Valley Sports Club & Golf Course.  Chris DeBack photo

 

Blue Devils' golf finally back on the link

 

 

By Chris Deback
cdeback@thefayettecountyunion.com

 

 

 

 

West Central’s Aryel Allwood won her first medal of the golf season when she shot a meet-low 58 against MFL/MarMac on Monday, April 23.

Allwood’s two best holes of the evening were the par-3 sixth and ninth holes on the Blue Devils’ home course at Big Rock Country Club in Fayette. She bogeyed each hole. 

Finishing second, one stroke behind Allwood, was Ayrrian Harsen, who shot a nine-hole round of 59. Harsen’s most successful hole was a bogey on the par-3 second hole. Rounding out the scoring for the Blue Devils were Kenadie Betz, 63, and Nicole Paul, 76. Sophomore Rachel Walenceus finished fifth on the team with an 84. 

As a team, the Blue Devils carded a score of 256. The team was without Kenzie Squires and Isabell Eitel. Due to only having three gofler, MFL/MarMac forfeited the meet.  

With only two boys golfing for the Blue Devils’ boys’ team, West Central couldn’t compete as a team. 

Wed
02
May

Gordon Kleppe

Gordon Kleppe

 

 

Gordon Kleppe of West Union will celebrate his 80th birthday on Sunday, May 6.

Friends and relatives are invited to join in a card shower to celebrate the occasion.

Birthday cards will reach Gordon at 326 E. Main St., West Union, IA 52175.

Wed
02
May

UIU alum to be keynote speaker at May 5 Commencement

Marshall Richards

 

UIU alum to be keynote speaker at May 5 Commencement

 

 

Marshall Richards, an Upper Iowa University (UIU) alumnus and Peacock Hall of Fame inductee from Phoenix, Ariz., will deliver the keynote address during the university's 156th Commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 5, at Harms-Eischeid Stadium in Fayette.

Over 600 students will be participating in the 2018 Commencement ceremonies. Graduates of the University's MBA, School of Business, and School of Science and Mathematics programs will participate in a 10 a.m. ceremony. This ceremony also includes associate degrees with an emphasis in general business.

The ceremony will be held at 2:30 p.m. for MPA, MSC, MEd, MSA, Andres School of Education, and School of Liberal Arts graduates. Associate degrees with an emphasis in liberal arts, criminal justice and psychology will also be awarded during this program.

Wed
02
May

Fayette County Food Shelf expanding to meet needs

 

Fayette County Food Shelf manager Karen Martin is gearing up to break ground on an expansion to the local charity.  Martin has said she is excited for the expansion to help the Food Shelf become much more self-sufficient. (Megan Molseed photo)

 

Fayette County Food Shelf expanding to meet needs

 

 

By Meagan Molseed
mmolseed@thefayettecountyunion.com

 

 

“Our goal is for this place to become self-sustainable,” said Fayette County Food Shelf manager Karen Martin.  

“This upcoming expansion will give us the space we need to take more items, sort items faster, and keep things running in the most efficient manner.” 

The current Fayette County Food Shelf opened in its current location for nearly four years after a fire destroyed the previous building, including the over $100,000 worth of contents in December 2013.  

Wed
02
May

Elizabeth Barrett

Elizabeth Barrett

 

 

Elizabeth “Betty” Barrett, 82, of Phoenix, Ariz., formerly of West Union, died Monday, April 23, 2018, in Phoenix.

A Celebration of Life was held Saturday, April 28, at La Siena Senior Living Residence in Phoenix, Ariz.

Inurnment will be held at a later date at Graceland Cemetery in Sioux City, Iowa.

Elizabeth Ann “Betty” Erkonen was born May 24, 1936, to Edward and Jane Anne Erkonen in Yankton, S.D.

She graduated from Central High School in Sioux City, Iowa, in 1954.

On Aug. 26, 1956, Betty was united in marriage with William Gene Barrett in Sioux City. They became the parents of two daughters, Susan and Cindy.

The couple made their home in West Union from 1964 until 1991. 

Betty was active in the women’s groups and served as a Stephens minister at Bethel Presbyterian Church. She was also honored as West Union’s Volunteer of the Year in Religion in the 1980s.

Pages

Comment Here