The Fayette County Fair has a jammed packed fair schedule complete with an event in the Grandstand every night. The Johnny Rogers Show: The History of Rock-’n’-Roll — Buddy and Beyond will kick things off in the Grandstand at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 25.  submitted photo

Johnny Rogers to rock opening night

By Chris Deback
cdeback@thefayettecountyunion.com

Johnny Rogers kicks off the Fayette County Fair

Chris DeBack

The 164th Fayette County Fair, July 25-29, will kick off a week of events in the Grandstand with a bang with The Johnny Rogers Show: “The History of Rock-’n’-Roll — Buddy and Beyond.”

Willys Fritz, 83, of West Union died from injuries sustained in a car accident involving a West Union police officer. Fritz failed to yield as he pulled out of the Quillin’s parking lot into the Hwy. 150 northbound lane and was struck on his passenger side by Officer Bryson Hennigar, 23. Fritz’s truck did a 180 upon impact and came to a rest in the ditch.  (Chris DeBack photo)

Accident claims life of longtime WU businessman

Decorah Fire Department’s DJI Inspire I drone has been a game-changer for the local agency’s search-and-rescue capabilities. The small aerial unit, operated by DFD’s Zach Kerndt (left) while fellow volunteers Steve Vanden Brink and Marcus Hageman look on, has an optic and flare (heat-detecting) camera. The drone is capable of traveling 40 mph and has a payload capacity of up to five pounds. (Zakary Kriener photo)

'Another tool in the toolbox'

Zakary Kriener

News Writer
zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

When it comes to members of the community, visitors, and members of neighboring communities, safety is the number-one goal of the Decorah Fire Department.

While the local volunteer firefighters handle their fair share of fire calls, they do much more than respond to those area blazes.

“We respond to and assist on a lot of search-and-rescue calls every year,” explained Steve Vanden Brink, a Decorah paramedic and volunteer firefighter. “With the rivers we have here in Decorah and around Winneshiek County, a lot of those search-and-rescue calls are on the water.”

To help expand the capabilities of the local department’s search-and-rescue efforts, the Decorah Fire Department purchased a drone approximately one year ago.

2017 Winneshiek Co. Fair starts next week!

Zakary Kriener

News Writer
zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

It’s here! The 2017 Winneshiek County Fair in Decorah is set to begin next week!

While the official Fair week begins Tuesday, July 11, the 4-H/FFA Dog Show was moved to Monday to accommodate a large number of entries.

In total, the fair will offer five full days of fun and entertainment for visitors of all ages.

A list of every scheduled event this year (Grandstand events requiring a button are bolded), along with its time and location, is as follows:

Monday, July 10

•  9:30 a.m. – 4-H/FFA Dog Show – Show Barn.

Tuesday, July 11

River Road Show coming to Fayette County

 An Iowa Rivers Revival event, The River Road Show, will be held in mid- July on the Turkey River in Fayette County. The River Road Show is an opportunity to connect citizens and leaders to the 70,000 miles of interior rivers and streams located in Iowa, a valuable natural resource.

    Iowa Rivers Revival (IRR), a nonprofit statewide leader in river education and advocacy, is committed to protecting Iowa rivers and streams. IRR works to engage individuals, organizations, communities, and government leaders in river awareness, responsibility, and enjoyment to improve and enhance the condition of Iowa waterways – ensuring a quality, safe and lasting resource for future generations.

    “The rivers of Iowa have a long and rich story to tell, but the most important lesson we can learn from them is that we are all connected. I look forward to reaching out and connecting with scientists, public agencies and departments, legislators, students, teachers, business leaders, paddlers, and sportsmen and women through events like this one,” said IRR Executive Director Molly Hanson.

    The River Road Show will include representatives from Iowa Rivers Revival, the Fayette County Conservation Board, Northeast Iowa Resource Conservation and Development, the Turkey River Recreational Corridor, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, and local legislators.
     “The day will include a working lunch at which leaders can discuss their communities’ unique issues and projects. After that, we will paddle the river, giving participants a chance to view their community from a new perspective, the river’s edge,” noted Hanson.

Elgin native Jason Butikofer has been named deputy athletic director at Purdue University. (Submitted photo)

Local boy makes it really big

By Jerry Wadian
jwadian@thefayettecountyunion.com

When Elgin native Jason Butikofer was the manager for the University of Iowa’s men’s basketball team under Dr. Tom Davis, he dreamed of how wonderful it would be to someday be an administrator of a big-time basketball program.

Last week the former Valley Tiger and stock boy at Moore’s IGA in Elgin surpassed even his biggest childhood dreams when he was hired to be the new deputy athletic director at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind.

Having led the Fayette Girl Scout troops for nearly 25 years, retiring troop leader Shirley Ungerer has collected many photos, cards and Girl Scout memorabilia over the years.

More than just a motto to Scout leader Ungerer

Megan Molseed

Contributing Writer

“…To help people at all times, and to live by the Girl Scout Law” is the motto that volunteer Girl Scout leader Shirley Ungerer taught her girls.  It’s a motto that she, along with the kids, take to heart.  

“I always wanted to be a Girl Scout, but when I was a kid, we just didn’t have anyone to lead the troops,” recalled the retiring troop leader, as she recounted how she got involved as Fayette troop leader over 25 years ago. “I was looking for a way to help out in the community and this came up.  I was excited to get involved.”  

Every year Ungerer plans a variety of once-in-a-lifetime activities, from whitewater rafting in the Colorado Rockies and helicopter rides over Mount Rushmore in the famous Black Hills of South Dakota to baseball games and “ghost tours” in Tennessee.  

“We’ve had some pretty great adventures,” Shirley related.  

The West Union-based group Kindred Minds will kick off this summer’s Playin’ on the Plaza concert series with their mix of folk, traditional, and gospel music. Members of Kindred Minds are (l-r) Jan Roseland, Art Roseland, Karen Keele Kober, and Greg James.

Playin' on the Plaza to open with Kindred Minds

Brian Smith
Contributing Writer
bsmith@fayettepublishing.com

    West Union’s Playin’ on the Plaza summer concert series begins on Thursday evening, July 6, with a performance from Kindred Minds. The concert starts at 6 p.m. on the courthouse square and is scheduled to entertain the crowd until 8 p.m.

    A musical group formed over a decade ago at West Union’s United Methodist Church, Kindred Minds includes the instrumental and vocal talents of Art and Jan Roseland, Greg James and Karen Keele Kober. The four-piece acoustic string ensemble includes a hammer dulcimer, guitars and a stand-up bass.

A member of United Methodist Church in West Union since 1958 and an organ player there for the past 35 years, Steve Story of rural Hawkeye has retired from playing at Sunday services. He and three others volunteered their services beginning in 1982, and the former longtime West Union resident continued to serve up until his final Sunday a few weeks ago.

Longtime organist's service ends with final chord

Brian Smith
Contributing Writer
bsmith@fayettepublishing.com

  It began with a mother’s desire for her son to learn to play the piano and eventually turned into 35 years of playing the organ on Sundays at United Methodist Church in West Union. Steve Story’s desire to serve when the church needed an organist is typical of the way he lives his life – helping out whenever needed.

     “I am not a professional at all, but I can play church music and some historical pieces, and it turned into something that I really do enjoy. Mostly, though, I was just trying to help out,” explained Story, who has been a member of United Methodist since 1958.

Kale Rodgers (right) gave the house of Ray Harford and his wife, Marian (not pictured), new life when he donated a roof to the family as his Eagle Scout project. A band of community members volunteered their time to assist Rodgers in the endeavor, which was completed over a weekend, June 24-25. Jerry Blue photo

Eagle Scout project offers way to give back

Brian Smith
Contributing Writer
bsmith@fayettepublishing.com

Eagle Scout project offers way to give back

Brian Smith

     An Eagle Scout project has provided an opportunity for many former Scouts and several community members to give back in a unique and personal way. Kale Rodgers of West Union came up with the idea in 2016 while considering what he should do for his upcoming Eagle Scout project.

    “I had gone over to Ray Harford’s house to work on a merit badge, and we had just had a pretty big rain. When we went in, I noticed that their roof was leaking and they definitely had a need for a new one. That is where it all started,” said Rodgers, who began his Scouting career as a first-grader.