Scott Bohner, D.O., will soon be the newest member of the Winneshiek Medical Center (WMC) and Mayo Clinic Health System medical staff in Decorah. Bohner previously practiced in West Union for seven years and three years in Ames before making the decision to move to Winneshiek County. (Zakary Kriener photo)

Bohner returning to northeast Iowa

Zakary Kriener

News Writer
zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

Bohner returning to northeast Iowa

By Zakary Kriener

Winneshiek Medical Center (WMC) and Mayo Clinic Health System are happy to announce that Scott Bohner, D.O., will soon be joining the WMC Decorah Clinic. The family medicine physician is currently accepting new patients but will not officially join the staff until May 8.

A native of Story City, Bohner graduated from Central College in Pella with a Bachelor of Arts in exercise science. He went on to earn his Doctor of Osteopathy from Des Moines University before completing his internship and residency at Broadlawns Medical Center in Des Moines in 2008.

After over 40 years of dedicated service to her job, Vicky Hinsenbrock is set to retire from Winneshiek County Farm Service Agency in April. A small retirement party was held at her Decorah office last week to honor her for her longtime dedication to the organization. (Zakary Kriener photo)

Closing the last chapter on a 40-year career

Zakary Kriener

News Writer
zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

If one were to put together a list of things Iowans are known for, it would be a surefire bet that “hardworking people” and “farming” would be near the top of that list. 

Decorah’s Vicky Hinsenbrock is a perfect example of an individual who would fall into both of those categories. After over 40 years of working for several northeast Iowa Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices, including the past 22 years in Winneshiek County, Hinsenbrock is set to retire on April 3.

“One of the janitors in our building recently told me that he will miss seeing me on the weekends,” laughed Hinsenbrock, who has logged many long days over the last several months on the job to help ease the transition to a new loan manager. “When I first decided that I was going to retire, I was going to be done in January. With early spring being very busy around our office, I decided that I owed it to my co-workers and clients to stick around a little longer.”

Reflecting back on her start as a farm loan manager with the company, a duty that includes making and serving agriculture loans for machinery, livestock, property, and organic operations, it all began when she was a young girl.

Jeana Allen and Troy Ferrell are going to be bringing a little Southern cuisine to Fayette after the couple purchased the former Boike’s Trailside Inn in Fayette from Deb and Dave Boike. The local couple are going to call the restaurant Charlotte Jean’s Southern Cuisine after Allen’s mother, who died last year.  Chris DeBack photo

A touch of Southern cuisine in Fayette

By Chris Deback
cdeback@thefayettecountyunion.com

The former Boike’s Trailside Inn in Fayette has new owners.

Troy Ferrell and Jeana Allen have purchased the restaurant at the corner of South Main and East State streets from Deb and Dave Boike. 

Clermont and Elgin firefighters (l-r) Zach Mitts of Clermont, Doug Schupbach of Elgin, and Kenny Johnson of Elgin enter the fire training simulator hosted by the West Union Fire Department. The firefighters enter the simulator and then travel down a set of stairs on their backsides before fighting fires on the trailer’s main floor. 

Fire simulator training 'very realistic'

By Chris Deback
cdeback@thefayettecountyunion.com

West Union residents may have noticed a large red trailer parked in the empty lot at the corner of West Plum and South Vine streets next to the fire station. 

The West Union Fire Department hosted firefighter training for area firemen on Wednesday and Thursday, March 22-23. The training allowed new firefighters in Firefighter 1 courses to gain valuable experience while giving the veterans a little extra practice. 

Fauser closes wholesale fuel division

By Chris Deback
cdeback@thefayettecountyunion.com

Fauser Energy Resources in Elgin closed its wholesale fuel division last week. 

“A portion of the business is being wound down because of the actions of a top-ten national bank,” said Jim Harney, Harney Management president. “There will not be sufficient funding to run the wholesale side of the business because that is where all the capital is required, but the remainder of Fauser Energy will stay in business.”

Old bicycles sought

The Ossian RAGBRAI Committee is looking for "old and used" bicycles for potential art displays and signage for the event as it goes through town this summer. 

The bicycles do not have to be working and all sizes and styles. 

Bikes can be dropped off at Becker Hardware in Ossian. Contact Clark Goltz with any questions at (563) 380-1999. 

Nearly 10,000 riders are expected to go through Ossian on RAGBRAI XLV, which will roll through town Friday, July .

WCCF awards $120,000 to 30 local nonprofits

The Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa has approved $120,000 in grant funding on recommendations made by the local Winneshiek County Community Foundation (WCCF).  Thirty (30) area nonprofit agencies and organizations will receive grant funding for 2017.  A total of 50 grant applications were reviewed by the WCCF for potential funding.

Jacob Ling, a longtime Scout, recently completed his Eagle Scout project. The South Winneshiek High School senior purchased and replaced 25 tattered and faded flags at Calmar Lutheran Church. (Zakary Kriener photo)

Eagle Scout project flying high

Zakary Kriener

News Writer
zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

For Ossian’s Jacob Ling, the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts have been a strong influence in his life since joining in first grade. The South Winneshiek High School senior recently completed the necessary requirements to earn his Eagle Scout distinction.

“When you become an Eagle Scout, you are an Eagle Scout for life,” said the young Scout. “It shows that you are a hardworking and trustworthy individual.”

With a love of nature, Robert Margroff of rural Elgin bequeathed Fayette County Pheasants Forever (FCPF) $102,000 when he died in 2015. FCPF honored Margroff by using his money to recently purchase 46 acres of Volga River greenbelt land near Maynard.

Pheasants Forever honors Robert Margroff

By Chris Deback
cdeback@thefayettecountyunion.com

The late Robert Margroff of rural Elgin loved nature.

“Margroff had a difficult childhood and became introverted,” said Dick Jensen, one of Margroff’s best friends. “The only solace he found was in the outdoor world. His only friends would have been his dog, his gun and the great outdoors.”

When he died on May 25, 2015, Margroff made sure to honor his one true best friend, the great outdoors, when he bequeathed $102,000 to Fayette County Pheasants Forever and another $50,000 to the Fayette County Soil and Water District Commission.  

Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) Calmar Campus student Leann Bigler-Johnson (right) assesses a fellow classmate during a recent lab exercise at the college. Earlier this year, the NICC nursing program was named the number one practical nursing program in Iowa. (submitted photo)

NICC nursing program the bewst in Iowa

Zakary Kriener

News Writer
zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) was recently ranked as the number-one licenced practical nursing (LPN) program in the state of Iowa, an achievement made possible by a passionate faculty, superior clinical sites, and dedicated students.