Laura Weidemann (right) hands candy to (l-r) Natalie and Eli Ritter as the children get excited for Trunk ’n’ Treat to be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 23, on the courthouse square in West Union. The popular annual event is sponsored by the West Union Chamber-A Main Street Community and a host of local businesses and individuals. Submitted photo

Annual Trunk 'n' Treat

West Union’s annual Trunk ‘n’ Treat event is right around the corner from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 23, on the courthouse square in West Union.

From 2 to 3 p.m. will be games and ghoulish fun, and from 3 to 4 p.m. is trick-or-treating from the trunk of cars.

The event is for all children in a costume. Bags will be available for trick-or-treaters. A rain date of Sunday, Oct. 30, has been scheduled. 

Rick and Jackie Trumm are the proud owners of the newly opened Tindell Shoes, located at 100 South Vine Street in West Union. Tindell Shoes was established in Postville by Glenn Tindell in 1928 and remained there until it closed in 2015. (LeAnn Larson photo)

Tindell Shoes a great fit for WU

By Chris Deback
cdeback@thefayettecountyunion.com

In need of a new pair of shoes?

Well, one no longer needs to travel to Oelwein or Decorah, and there is no need to hope those shoes you bought online fit. West Union residents and those from the surrounding area have a long-established, but new choice in the retail shoe business.

Tindell Shoes is now open in West Union!

West Union Elementary was named a 2016 Blue Ribbon School by the National Blue Ribbon School program. Faculty and staff at West Union Elementary including (front, l-r) Ashley Henderson, Jessie Bushman, Stephanie Wagner, Kris Kamm, Sherri Imoehl, Morgan Deering, Ann Bruso, Val Lechtenberg, Karissa Butikofer, Jennifer Everitt, Becky Denburger, and Principal Travis Elliott; Jessica White, Laurie Post, Yvonne Kleppe, Renee Larson, Karen Schmitz, Angie Boehm, Stephanie Wirtz, Kelli Lau, Shelly Crandall, and Peggy Bentley; (back) Superintendent Duane Willhite, Karen Hertges, Stephanie Michael, Joni Walvatne, Dawn Halverson, Leah Sayer, Lauren Thoms, Mike Elsbernd, Shelly Sieck, Leslie Poppen, Mina Fantz, Elly Lehs, Brittany Heins, and Laurie Uthoff, are proud of this accomplishment. It’s the first time a school in the North Fayette School District has received this honor. Chris DeBack photo

A Blue Ribbon School

By Chris Deback
cdeback@thefayettecountyunion.com

Teachers, students and staff at West Union Elementary have reason to celebrate after recently being named a 2016 National Blue Ribbon School by the National Blue Ribbon School program.

“We are very proud,” said Travis Elliott, West Union Elementary principal. “It is pretty exciting and one of the biggest excitements is that it is a national recognition. We consider ourselves pretty proud to be one of the top schools in the nation.”

For 42 years, Ossian’s Marilyn Breitsprecher has been giving piano lessons to local students like third-grader Evan Monroe. Over the years, the local musical influence has taken hundreds under her wing and taught them a skill pianists can use their entire lives.  (Zakary Kriener photo)

Seeing the smiles is 'key' for Breitsprecher

Zakary Kriener

News Writer
zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

For over 42 years, Ossian’s Marilyn Breitsprecher has been the go-to person for hundreds of students when it comes to piano lessons.

“The biggest thing I get out of this is seeing the kids smile,” shared Breitsprecher, who has been playing the piano since she was five years old. “It is a great feeling, as a teacher, to be able to see the look in a students’ face when they grasp a new concept. It makes me feel proud.”

Flood repairs discussed at council meeting

Megan Molseed

Contributing Writer

The recent flooding that affected many parts of Fayette County last month was a focus during Monday’s Clermont City Council meeting.

The council heard from City Superintendent Brian Schroeder as he reviewed the damage the city’s water pumps experienced as a result of the flooding.  

Flooding issues, annexation discussed

Brian Smith
Contributing Writer
bsmith@fayettepublishing.com

Recent flooding issues and their effects on Elgin’s water and sewer system, as well as a possible annexation of the Elgin Co-Op were the major issues discussed at Monday evening’s City Council meeting.

   City Superintendent Tom Martin gave the council an update on the most recent flooding that has occurred in Elgin. He noted that an estimated 2.9 million gallons have been pumped out of the city’s lagoon to date.

Sandhagen newest Fayette City Council member

Janell Bradley

Contributing Writer

The Fayette City Council appointed Randy Sandhagen to the City Council to fill the vacancy left when Councilman Kris McGrane resigned Sept. 7 to accept the position of city clerk/administrator.

On behalf of Upper Iowa University, President William R. Duffy and his wife, Sharon, will host an open house of the newly renovated President’s Home on Friday, Oct. 7. The event is among the many special festivities planned during the University’s “Blue Pride Worldwide” 100^th Homecoming celebration Oct. 6-8. (photo submitted)

Upper Iowa Homecoming festivities kick off Thursday

After two years of renovations, the doors to the Upper Iowa University (UIU) President’s Home in Fayette will once again be open to the Peacock community. On behalf of UIU, President William R. Duffy and his wife, Sharon, will celebrate the occasion by hosting an open house during the University’s “Blue Pride Worldwide” 100^th Homecoming on Friday, Oct. 7.

Fayette Administrator/City Clerk Christie Dennis will retire from public service on Friday, Oct. 28. She is pictured outside City Hall, by the Veterans Memorial and landscaping for which she was an advocate. In her 23-year career, she personally advocated for and acquired grants totaling more than $4 million and assisted with getting funding and loans for the city totaling several million dollars more. (Janell Bradley photo)

Dennis retires after 23-year career

Janell Bradley

Contributing Writer

It never hurts to dream big.

Growing up on a farm in central Missouri, Christie Dennis is proof that a small-town girl with motivation and a work ethic can have a life full of adventure, live around the world and have a rewarding career while helping others.

On Friday, Oct. 28, Dennis will retire from a 23-year tenure as Fayette administrator/city clerk. It is only the second job of her career, and she leaves big shoes to fill, having brought in $4 million in grants, state funding and savings to the city she has served.

August 16, 2016, is a date that will forever be remembered by Bridget Parker and her family, including husband Brent and children Brenna and Bristol (l-r). It was on that date that Bridget learned that she had stage 3 breast cancer. As she continues to fight, she is able to rest a little easier knowing that her wonderful family and friends are there to support her every step of the way. (Zakary Kriener photo)

Getting the upper hand on cancer

Zakary Kriener

News Writer
zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

August 16, 2016, is a date that changed the lives of Decorah’s Brent and Bridget Parker and family. For the couple, who were both born and raised in Fayette County, Aug. 16 was the day that Bridget was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer.

“I was in disbelief when we first found out,” shared Parker. “I have no family history of anything like this, so it was the furthest thing from my mind.”