Residents voice concerns to Council

Zakary Kriener

News Writer
zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

The Ossian City Council meeting on Monday evening drew in a crowd of nearly 30 community members, many of whom were wishing to address the council in regard to the upcoming Jessie/Brooks/West streets project.

Much of the concern voiced during the open hearing was by residents who own property or live on Jessie Street and are seeking answers in regard to the high assessment cost that they will be forced to pay.

The cast for South Winneshiek’s presentation of “Mary Poppins” includes (front, l-r) Paxten DeVilbiss, Kaelan Boe, Trey Kriener, Kelley Schroeder, Tiana Bullerman, Karissa Kleve, Hanna Schmitt, and Aubrey Hoffert; (second) Eric Franzen, Madelyn Monroe, Skyler Luzum, Christina Nesvik, Sawyer Breitsprecher, Morgan Martin, Alyssa Timp, Chloe Suckow, Samantha Bohr, and Ethan Timp; (back) Abraham Schmitt, Danae Taylor, Manning Kuboushek, Ashley Kriener, Helen Neuzil, Sierra Breitsprecher, Lucas Feltz, Josie Kriener, Melissa Ward, Ashley Davis, Logan Humpal, and Dalyn Wurzer. (Zakary Kriener photo)

Mary Poppins coming to SW

Beginning this week, students at South Winneshiek High School will present several performances of the musical Mary Poppins.

The fun and heart-warming musical tells the story of a magical nanny that helps reunite the meaning of family within a family that has become too busy to take time for one another.

Golden Road is now reopen

Fayette County Engineer Joel Fantz said Golden Road is now open and will remain open until construction begins on the road in 2017. 

West Central will present “Back to the ‘80s…A Totally Awesome Musical” at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 10 and Sunday, Nov. 13, in the West Central auditorium in Maynard. The cast includes (front, l-r) Ayrrian Harsen (Miss Brannigan), Cooper Ingels (Feargal McFerrin III), Hailey Weidemann (Eileen), Nevaeh Martin (Jen), Brice Martin (Lionel), Cam Wollschlager (Billy); (back) D.C. Tenney (Kirk), Noah Green (Corey Jr.), Taylor Hepperle (Alf), Rosita Hepperle (Debbie), Kaitlin Grimm (Laura), Mary McDonough (Tiffany), Rachel Walenceus (Cyndi), Cortney Rohde (Kim), Akira Wagenknecht (Mel), Dein Gosse (Michael), Dawson Wirtz (Huey), Mason Harn (Mr. Cocker). Chris DeBack photo

WC takes audience 'Back to the '80s'

By Chris Deback
cdeback@thefayettecountyunion.com

Area residents looking to relive the glory days of the ‘80s have to look no further than the West Central production “Back to the ‘80s...The Totally Awesome Musical!” that was written by Neil Gooding and narrated by 1991 West Central graduate Mark Carey.

For Jake Skurdal (back, center) and his wife, Liz (on Jake’s right), the road to parenthood hasn’t been the one most traveled. The couple have adopted six children, (l-r) Brielynn, Destiny, Cole, J.J. Braden, and Adi, after having them as foster children for quite some time. 

An unexpected path to parenthood

By Chris Deback
cdeback@thefayettecountyunion.com

Growing up during the ‘90s in West Union, Jake Skurdal was an athlete, good student and a little bit of a goofball. However, with November as National Adoption Month, many residents may be surprised to find out that Jake, of all the Skurdal boys, is the one who has adopted six children.

It definitely wasn’t in his and wife Liz’s plans, that’s for sure. Like so many other parents, Skurdal found out that you don’t always take the most obvious path to parenthood.

Isaiah Stansbery (middle) was a military intelligence analyst in the United States Army for eight years. He is pictured with his three sons, (l-r) Gabe, Tytus, and Zeke, on his last day of active duty Nov. 11, 2009. 

NFV Veterans Day Program: 'Service, Sacrifice, Honor'

By Chris Deback
cdeback@thefayettecountyunion.com

On Nov. 11, schools, businesses, and citizens across Iowa will gather to celebrate Veterans Day. It's a day meant to celebrate the men and women who put their lives on the line to protect the American people’s freedoms.

North Fayette Valley High School’s annual program will begin at 10 a.m. in the Performing Arts Center with special guest speakers Isaiah and Kassie Stansbery of West Union.

Ossian has its very own bleachers section of Wrigley Field right here in town as Ossian Senior Hospice residents (l-r) Cleon Hageman, Jerry Oyloe, Lucile Holthaus, and Niddy Tieskoetter have been cheering on the Chicago Cubs this year in their first World Series appearance since 1945. (Zakary Kriener photo)

Locals cheering on Cubbies in World Series

Zakary Kriener

News Writer
zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

“Hey, Chicago! What do you say? The Cubs are gonna win today!”

Those song lyrics, which are sacred to any true Chicago Cubs fan, have gotten a significant amount of playtime over the speakers at Wrigley Field in Chicago over the past several months.

In perhaps the biggest win in over 70 years at the historic ballpark, the Cubs punched their ticket to their first World Series appearance since 1945 with a game 6 win over the Dodgers just a few weeks ago.

Now, with the Cubs hoping to win its first championship since 1908, some of their biggest local fans have been doing their part to cheer them on.

“The last time the Cubs played in the World Series, I had to listen to it on the radio,” recalled lifelong fan Cleon Hageman. “Not many households had a television back them.”

This year’s spectacular team, which one a league-best 103 games in the regular season, can be watched by Hageman and fellow Ossian Senior Hospice fans Jerry Oyloe, Lucile Holthaus, and Niddy Tieskoetter from the comfort of their own rooms.

For the first time at South Winneshiek Middle School, 100 percent of fifth grade students are out for band. Members of the fifth grade class include (front, l-r) Paige Jaster, Riannah King, Hannah Pahl, Kendra Elsbernd, Annie Ondrashek, Liz Hageman, Rachel Meyer, Aubrey Willey, Austin Taylor, Phoenix Klimesh, and Vince Hakim; (back) Aiden Feickert, Quinn Huinker, Braden Massman, Brady Ohrt, Emma Panos, Kaydn Meyer, Evan Monroe, Eric Kriener, Kole Hageman, Benjamin Wangsness, Adrian Hageman, Josie Tieskoetter, Josie Tollefsrud, Kira Ellingson, Chandler Riehle, Parker Timp, and Brody Tieskoetter. (Zakary Kriener photo)

100% of SW 5th-graders in band

Zakary Kriener

News Writer
zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

For South Winneshiek band instructor Nathan Miller, who is in his eighth year with the district, 2016 marks the first time the program has experienced a 100 percent participation rate for the fifth-grade class.

“This is huge for the program,” said the young instructor. “Band is one of the few classes where students elect to take it. To have this type of reception is key to the success of the program down the road.”

Teri Wagner (center), a paraprofessional at Valley Elementary in Elgin for five years, is excited to take over duties as secretary. Standing alongside Valley fourth-graders (l-r) Lincoln Aeschliman, Mattison Goddard, Jacob Halverson, and Zach McLellan, Wagner is looking forward to many different opportunities in her new role at the school. (Zakary Kriener photo)

Wagner excited to start as Valley secretary

Zakary Kriener

News Writer
zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

Although there is not an official effective date, Valley Elementary in Elgin is pleased to announce the hiring of Teri Wagner as its new secretary.

“I am very excited about this new opportunity,” shared Wagner, who previously worked as a paraprofessional at Valley for over five years. “I think I am most looking forward to getting to know more of the parents and to have the chance to work with a wider range of students.”

The 2016-2017 Fayette County Fair Board members are (front, l-r) Jim Granger, Mark Putney, Chelsey Matthias, Mike Darnall, Justin Steinlage (treasurer), and Jason Decker; (back) Randy Roberts (vice president), Brian Boess, Jerem White (new member), Keith Koch, and Kevin Converse (president). Not pictured is Matt Egan (secretary, new member). (Chris DeBack photo)

Ag Society elects new Fair Board members

By Chris Deback
cdeback@thefayettecountyunion.com

The Fayette County Agricultural Society held its annual meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 25, at the Dance Pavilion on the Fayette County Fairgrounds in West Union.

The society held elections for new Fair Board members. Up for re-election were Jon Francis, Kevin Converse, Justin Steinlage and Travis Scholbrock. Scholbrock was the only one of the four up for re-election who chose not to run again. Including the three seeking re-election, 10 Ag Society members were nominated for the four Fair Board seats.