November 2019

Wed
27
Nov

Bringing light and joy to the holiday season; WU's Festival of Lights

Volunteers will be hosting the annual Festival of Lights lighting ceremony on Friday, November 29. The event, which is put together by event organizers such as Judy Roach (left) and Laurie Thompson (right) will begin at 5:30 p.m. and will include a visit from Santa Clause himself. (Megan Molseed photo) 

 

Bringing light and joy to the holiday season; WU's Festival of Lights

 

By Megan Molseed
mmolseed@thefayettecountyunion.com

 

Bringing light and joy to the holiday season; WU’s Festival of Lights 

By Megan Molseed

mmolseed@fayettepublishing.com

It may be getting dark earlier and earlier this time of year, but West Union volunteers are bringing light and holiday cheer to the West Union Recreation Complex with the 12th annual Festival of Lights Display.

Wed
27
Nov

Making it official: the Corcoran family

Michael and Heather Corcoran met when Aaliyah was just a few years old.  The couple quickly hit it off, and shortly after Heather and Michael’s wedding, Aaliyah started calling Michael ‘dad.’  On September 7, 2019, Michael officially became the third-graders dad as the adoption process was finalized. Pictured (l-r) Canaan, Aaliyah’s younger brother, Michael, Aaliyah and Heather.  (submitted photo) 

 

Making it official; the Corcoran family

 

By Megan Molseed
mmolseed@thefayettecountyunion.com

 

“We always went to the park to play,” smiled eight-year-old Aaliyah Corcoran of some of the first moments when she met her dad, Michael.  “We’d race on the hill to see who was faster. I think he let me win sometimes!” 

“I never let you win,” grinned Michael.  “If you beat me, it was because you were faster!” 

To watch Aaliyah and Michael together, it is instantly obvious that the father/daughter duo share an unbreakable bond.  The two even seem to share the same vibrant smile.  

“She’s spunky,” laughed Michael of his daughter as he and his wife, Heather, watched Aaliyah and her younger brother, Canaan, toss a toy back and forth in the living room of their West Union home.  

“There is no shortage of energy here,” Heather added with a grin.  

While the connection shared between each member of this loving family is obvious, it can seem surreal that the father/daughter relationship Aaliyah and Michael share is, legally, only a few months old.

“The official adoption was on September 7, of this year,” said Heather of the day her husband officially adopted her first born.  “It was a special day, but overall it didn’t change anything.  It just made everything official.” 

Wed
20
Nov

The magic of Christmas set for Dec. 6-8

The magic of Christmas set for Dec. 6-8

 

 

Final events and activities for the DeSales Magic of Christmas are being finalized for the annual event, which is scheduled for the weekend of Friday, Dec. 6, through Sunday, Dec. 8.  

The Magic of Christmas begins with the Opening Gala and Hors d'oeuvres Buffet being held at Silver Springs Golf and Country Club in Ossian. The gala will feature the first look at dozens of trees, holiday collections and eight holiday tables decorated for the season.  

An array of hors d'oeuvres on the buffet and wine tasting add a spirit of fun to the evening's gala. The gala and buffet runs from 6 until 8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 6. Tickets are $10.

The Magic of Christmas continues on Saturday, Dec. 7, from 10 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. and on Sunday, Dec. 8, from 8:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. It will feature dozens of decorated trees, table settings and holiday collections on display. 

Wed
20
Nov

Holiday Train and more coming to Ossian

The Canadian Pacific Holiday Train will be making its first ever stop in Ossian this year when it roars into town at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday morning, Dec. 7. The festive train will feature musical performances during the event, which will raise money and gather food items for Calmar Greater Area Food Pantry. (Zakary Kriener photo)

 

Holiday Train and more coming to Ossian

 

Zakary Kriener

News Writer
zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

 

 

If you’re looking for the perfect day to enjoy the holiday spirit and celebrate the Christmas season, Ossian is where you are going to want to be on Saturday, Dec. 7. With multiple holiday events planned throughout the community, it will certainly be a day you and your family will not want to miss.

The highlight of the morning will come at 10:30 a.m. sharp when the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train will be making its first ever stop in Ossian. The program will feature music and promote community spirit as it aims to raise money and generate healthy food donations for the Greater Area Food Pantry in Calmar.

The Holiday Train tour begins in Montreal, Canada, on Nov. 25 and will make its way across the northern portion of the United States over the next three-plus weeks as it makes stops in dozens of communities along its path. The program will feature musical performances by Meghan Patrick, Tanika Charles, and Kelly Prescott.

When it arrives in town, the train will stop on the tracks before the Booty Street train crossing, meaning that the crossings at West, Lydia, and Mary streets will be closed between 10:30 and 11 a.m. The train car that will be the stage for the musical performances will be stopped facing north across from the City Park, so event-goers are encouraged to arrive early enough to be sure they are on the correct side of the train. The viewing area for the musical performances will be on Mechanic Street and in the parking lot between the street and the railway.

The City of Ossian will be providing free hot chocolate and cookies in the park shelter. Admission to the event will be either a monetary or healthy food item donation. All funds and food items that are gathered will be presented to the Greater Area Food Pantry following the performances. The local pantry benefits and serves many communities throughout northeast Iowa. 

Wed
20
Nov

Claire Heck

Claire Heck

 

Claire Heck (Clara Mae Heck) died Tuesday, October 22, 2019, at 4 p.m. of natural causes at her Grand Meadows Glen apartment, Postville, Iowa.  She was 96 years young. 

Claire was born July 29, 1923 in Elgin to Florence French, and raised by her grandmother, Florence Baldwin.  Claire graduated as class Valedictorian from Elgin High School in 1940.  

After graduation, Claire received a job offer to work at the John Falb & Sons car dealership in Elgin.  Claire met Gerald (G.J.) Heck when he returned from naval duty in the South Pacific.  They married on July 12, 1947.  She and Jerry (Gerald) purchased a farm in Postville, and Claire became a full time homemaker.  She was one of the original-founding members of the West Post Project Club, served as President.  Claire was active in the Community Presbyterian Church and was circle chairman of Ladies Aide and participated on many church committees.

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