January 2020

Wed
08
Jan

Cuber overcomes adversity to rise to the top

Parker Sherman is shown with some of the tools of his trade. The cubes come in a variety of combinations and even triangles. (Jack Swanson photo)

 

Cuber overcomes adversity to rise to the top

 

By Jack Swanson
jswanson@fayettecountynewspapers.com

 

Parker Sherman is a cuber, and a good one.

What does that mean exactly?

Cubers manipulate mechanical puzzles that are operated by twisting groups of pieces, commonly known as 'twisty puzzles'. The most famous of these puzzles is the Rubik's Cube, invented by professor Rubik from Hungary.

Many of us have heard of the Rubik’s Cube. A few of us have tried to master it, working on it for days before getting all of the same color squares to aline. Others, perhaps the majority, have played with it for a while then thrown it aside in disgust.

Cubers, like Parker, solve the cube games in a matter of seconds. Some of the best, in under a second. Some of them solve them one-handed, blindfolded and with their feet. The games vary from the simplest (if that term can even be applied) 2X2X2s up to the most difficult, 7X7X7. The world’s record for 2X2X2 is .49 seconds, for 7X7X7, 1:40:89.

When Parker, 12, competes in a cubing tournament, he competes against every other competitor, regardless of age, location or skill level. 

Parker is currently ranked fifth in the State at 2X2X2 competitions with a best time of 1.81 seconds. He is fourth in the state in average of time in 2x2x2 at 3.14 seconds. He’s ranked 450th in North America.

Parker is the son of Matt and Jordan Sherman of Sumner. His mom, Jordan, grew up in Hawkeye and works at the Correctional Facility in West Union. Parker is currently a seventh grader at Sumner-Fredericksburg Middle School. 

A pre-me baby, at 10 he was diagnosed with severe anxiety and OCD, along with other neurological disorders that hampered his fine motor skills. He couldn’t write his name in kindergarten and it wasn’t until he was in third grade before he could tie his shoes.

Parker’s hero in the cubing world is Max Park. Park of the U.S., holds several world records and is ranked close to the top in almost every competition category.  He has 37 world records and 285 gold medals. Parker met Max at the 2019 USA Nationals. Max took the time to give Parker some tips for future competitions. Max is severely autistic.

“These stories aren’t rare in the world of cubic competitions,” Parker’s mom related.

Wed
08
Jan

Wayne Ruroden

Wayne Ruroden

 

Wayne A. Ruroden, 73, of Waukon, IA, died Friday, December 27, 2019, in rural Waukon. A private family gathering will be held at a later date to celebrate Wayne’s life. Martin Funeral Home in Waukon is assisting the family with arrangements. 

Wed
08
Jan

Betty Lou Ott

Betty Lou Ott

 

Betty L. Ott, 78, of Fayette, died Sunday, January 5, 2020, at Maple Crest Manor in Fayette, with her four daughters at her side.

Wed
08
Jan

Arthur Moellers

Arthur Moellers

 

Arthur F. Moellers, 90, of Fayette died Saturday, January 4, 2020 at Ennoble Skilled Nursing and Rehab in Dubuque.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, January 9, 2020, at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Fayette with Rev. Don Komboh celebrating. Burial will follow at the church cemetery, rural Fayette. Visitation will be held from 4 until 7 p.m. Wednesday, January 8, at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Fayette and for one hour preceding the mass on Thursday. There will be a rosary recited at 3:45 p.m. and a time for sharing memories at 6:30 p.m.., both on Wednesday at the church. Memorials may be made to the family for later designation. Becker-Milnes Funeral Home in Fayette is assisting Arthur’s family. Online condolences may be left at www.beckermilnesrettig.com.  

 
Wed
08
Jan

Miriam Golay

Miriam Golay

 

Betty L. Ott, 78, of Fayette, died Sunday, January 5, 2020, at Maple Crest Manor in Fayette, with her four daughters at her side.

Wed
08
Jan

Tiger Hawk bowlers get back to the lanes

TigerHawk bowlers get back to the lanes

 

Zakary Kriener

News Writer
zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

 

 

The TigerHawk boys’ and girls’ bowling teams competed Friday, Jan. 3, at Panther Lanes in Tripoli as the teams saw their first competition of 2020. Results for Tripoli were unavailable at press time, but the TH boys scored 1,730 and the girls tallied 1,813.

Wed
08
Jan

Girls' basketball notches fifth straight win

Alyssa Bohr looks for an open teammate during a recent NFV matchup. In the team’s first game following the holiday break, the TigerHawks defeated the Hawks of Kee on Friday night, 45-28. (Zakary Kriener photo)

 

Girls' basketball notches fifth straight win

 

Zakary Kriener

News Writer
zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

 

 

The NFV girls continued to stay hot out of the holiday break as the team picked up its fifth straight and sixth overall win of the season.

“This was a good win on the road against a solid Kee team,” said coach Jim Calkins after the 45-28 win. “The ladies did a nice job of staying in control for most of the game.”

While individual statistics were unavailable via Quik Stats at press time, Calkins noted that senior Gina Gibson had an impressive game with eight rebounds, four assists, and 3-4 steals.

Wed
08
Jan

NFV boys win in return to the court

Sam Freitag looks to move the ball around during recent TigerHawk boys’ basketball action. In the team’s first game following the holiday break on Friday night, NFV defeated Kee, 42-34. (Zakary Kriener photo)

 

NFV boys win in return to the court

 

Zakary Kriener

News Writer
zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

 

 

It was a slow start for the North Fayette Valley boys’ basketball team on Friday night, but the TigerHawks prevailed in the end.

“Kee is always a tough place to play and it proved to be again on this night,” said coach Matt Krambeer after the 42-34 win. “We got off to a slow start and missed a lot of easy shots in the first half.”

Kee jumped out to a 7-2 first quarter lead and then extended it to 19-12 at the half, but the feisty TigerHawks refused to go down that easy after putting up a season-low first-half total.

Wed
08
Jan

Kay Glass Eble

Kay Glass Eble

 

The family of Kay Glass Eble is hosting a card shower in honor of her 90th Birthday on January 23rd, 2020.

Kay has three children: Vince, Greg and Kila; 2 step children: Doug Eble and Diane Schoning; Many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Cards and well wishes may be sent to: Kay Glass Eble, 114 Quarry Heights Dr., Clermont, IA 52135

Wed
08
Jan

A whole lot of winter fun at Winter Fest 2020 Saturday evening

Tracy Nuss (left) and Neal Bentley (right) are already for a little skating and hockey with West Union Parks and Rec director, Kathy Guyer, as it is finally cold enough to fill the West Union skating rink week.  The rink will be available during the first annual Winter Fest on Saturday, January 11 at Rotary Park in West Union.  (Megan Molseed photo) 

 

A whole lot of winter fun at Winter Fest 2020 Saturday evening

 

By Megan Molseed
mmolseed@thefayettecountyunion.com

 

 

Whether or not it’s true that someone forgot to order the cold weather, it looks as though it may finally be here!  With that cold weather comes some winter excitement as West Union area residents gear up for the first annual Winter Fest celebration this Saturday, January 11.   

“We’ve had to adjust some things here and there,” noted West Union Parks and Rec director, Kathy Guyer of the event, which was originally scheduled for January 4.  

“We were waiting for it to get cold enough to fill the ice-rink,” she continued.  “Well, not just fill it, but cold enough to make sure it froze so people could actually use it!” 

Originally, the Winter Fest event was to include a variety of winter fun events including cross-country skiing and Skijoring (cross country skiing with a k-9 companion) both of which will likely not be occurring during the weekend event.

“Unless some miracle comes through giving us at least four inches of snow in time for us to make the paths, those events are out for this year,” said Guyer.  “That is okay, though, because we have plenty of other things for people to do!” 

This first annual event is the result of some brainstorming between Guyer and some community members.

“The original idea was to hold a fireworks display on New Years Eve,” Guyer explained.

“With New Years Eve falling midweek, the idea changed to holding it that following weekend,” she continued.  “As everyone started talking about it, the ideas grew and grew into what we now call Winter Fest!” 

The event will be held from 4- 8 p.m. on Saturday, January 11 at Rotary Park in West Union.  There will also be scenic carriage rides throughout the West Union Rec Center lights display during the event.    

“The Festival of Lights committee has graciously agreed to keep most of its display up through the 11th, so people can drive through the lights,” noted Guyer, adding that carriage rides will be free to all.  “The carriage will pick up the sight-seers at the pool and take them through the displays.” 

The event will also include an all-motorized vehicle Poker Run, which will end at 5 p.m.

Business sponsoring the poker run are: Turkey River Saloon, Shooter’s, The Zipper, Horseshoe, Bambino’s, Jimmy D’s, Tap’t Out Stein ‘n’ Dine, Brick City, Top Hat, Whiskey Grove, The Fort, Casa Mexico Tequila, and Aphea’s.

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