Kenny Friedly of Fayette takes great pride in his handcrafted projects. One of the last steps in building picnic tables is making sure they are sanded down to be smooth and comfortable.

Using talent to give back

Gina Hoffman

Contributing Writer

As Mahatma Gandhi once said, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” 

Ken Friedly, a longtime resident of the Fayette community, is doing just that. After a lifetime of farming and serving with the military, Friedly moved from the farm into town. However, true retirement was not an option for the ambitious gentleman.  Since his move, he has been putting an impressive carpentry talent to work in order to serve and bring joy to others in the community and those who have made a difference to him during his life.

Mike Johnson and Chandra Ritter are excited about Edward Jones’ new location at 109 North Vine Street, between Salon D’vine and Hair Design. 

Edward Jones moves to North Vine Street

By Chris Deback
cdeback@thefayettecountyunion.com

The Edward Jones office in West Union moved up to North Vine Street on July 12.

The office's new location, which was recently renovated by Heins Construction, is 109 North Vine Street, between Salon D’vine and Hair Design. It will provide Mike Johnson and his receptionist Chandra Ritter approximately 500 more square feet of office space. That means a larger conference room, where the business can continue to host client birthday lunches once a month, and a slightly larger office for Johnson.

Kirkwood student Kayla Lueder of West Union is pictured with a couple of her preschool students, to whom she taught English and from whom she learned a bit of the Swahili language in the process.

Lifelong lessons learned while teaching abroad

Janell Bradley

Contributing Writer

It was the experience of a lifetime, as Kayla Lueder was immersed into another culture in exchange for teaching English to preschool-age children this summer in Africa.

Lueder, a student at Kirkwood Community College, spent June 2-19 in Moshi, Tanzania, as part of a study-abroad program. Dropped off at the school at 7:30 a.m., she typically spent the next five hours teaching English to 3- and 4-year-olds, while her afternoons consisted of learning basic Swahili.

Although 19-year-old Ashley Kurash of Jackson Junction admits that she had a busy year as Winneshiek County Fair Queen, she admits that it has been one of the best and most life-changing experiences of her life. (Zakary Kriener photo)

Kurash reflects on year as Fair Queen

Zakary Kriener

News Writer
zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

Just a little over a year ago, Jackson Junction native Ashley Kurash received the honor of being crowned the 2015 Winneshiek County Fair Queen. With the title came many great responsibilities and opportunities, which, upon looking back, Kurash said were life-changing.

            “One of the most beneficial things I learned throughout the year was how to improve my communication skills,” shared Kurash, who recently completed her first year of college at Viterbo University, where she is pursuing a degree in nursing with a minor in Spanish.

A dedicated group of supporters gathered on Tuesday, June 28, to celebrate the progress of the North Fayette Valley Community Coalition Youth Family Learning Center, located on the grounds of NFV Middle School. Present at the groundbreaking were (front, l-r) Eileen Schlawin, Allen Knox, Melissa Fettkether, Janice Knox, Lawson Peterson (held by Knox), Waylon Peterson, Duane Willhite, Stacie Schroeder, Jenny Stolka, and Kris Peterson; (back) Deb Kahler, Rebecca Fettkether, Nick Fettkether, Rodney Butikofer, Steve Friederich, Amber Knox, Jason Knox, and Mark Howard.

NFVCC Learning Center becoming a reality

Brian Smith
Contributing Writer
bsmith@fayettepublishing.com

   The new North Fayette Valley Community Coalition Youth Family Learning Center is taking shape and getting closer to becoming a reality every day. A groundbreaking ceremony was held Tuesday afternoon, June 28, though the structure is well past the groundbreaking stage and nearing completion. All of this was cause for celebration as a small group of dedicated supporters gathered at the site of the new building, located on the grounds of NFV Middle School near Elgin.

   “Our estimated completion date is Aug. 30, which will allow the building to begin being used at the beginning of the school year. It has all happened pretty quickly once the work got started,” said Stacie Schroeder, NFVCC coordinator.

Megan’s father, Paul Mohlis (left) was instrumental in building the Little Free Library at Gilbertson campground in Elgin. He and Gilbertson park ranger Isaac Sedlmayr helped get the library set up in May.

Little Free Library 'always a gift'

Brian Smith
Contributing Writer
bsmith@fayettepublishing.com

   “Always a gift, never for sale” is the motto of what has become a worldwide movement to encourage people everywhere to take advantage of the power of books. It is called a Little Free Library, and one of these miniature storehouses for books that appeal to all age levels has now sprung up in Elgin.

   “I first found out about Little Free Libraries by talking with Roy Carlson of Fayette, who established a small library at Klock’s Island. Although his wasn’t registered as an ‘official’ Little Free Library at the time, I just loved the idea,” said Megan Mohlis, who maintains the library now located in the Gilbertson campground area in Elgin.

Robert Henn (back) was quite surprised when his son, Jonathan (far right), rolled around the corner with the restored John Deere 60 tractor. Robert had no clue that (l-r) wife Jean Ann and sons Nicholas and Jeremy, banded together to restore the tractor that was delivered to his father on the day Robert was born on July 22, 1956. 

Robert Henn gets surprise of a lifetime

By Chris Deback
cdeback@thefayettecountyunion.com

It was the surprise of a lifetime when Hawkeye resident Robert Henn got an early 60th birthday present. His family restored their 1956 John Deere 60 Tractor to like-new condition.

“I couldn’t believe it,” Robert recalled with amazement. “We were supposed to go over to Brian and Kim Harper’s house for a party. We went to go pick up Jonathan, who lives around the corner; I got out of the car and was standing there, and pretty soon Jonathan came around the corner with the tractor.

Playin’ on the Plaza is back, with the kickoff to this summer’s concerts featuring the ‘50s-‘70s rock and roll music of Flashback. Members of Flashback include (l-r) Dave Lantz, Scott Johnson, Eric Stahr, and Dave Shatek.

Playin' on the Plaza to feature Flashback

Flashback will be the featured band for the first installment of this summer’s Playin’ on the Plaza concert series set for Thursday, July 7, in West Union.  

Iowa Governor Terry Branstad (left) congratulates Bob Bouska, plant manager of East Penn Manufacturing in Oelwein, on the Tuesday, June 28, groundbreaking of an expansion that is expected to bring more than 300 jobs to the area. (Janell Bradley photo)

East Penn expansion to bring 300+ jobs to Oelwein area

Janell Bradley

Contributing Writer

A groundbreaking ceremony held Tuesday, June 28, celebrated the news that East Penn Manufacturing will bring more than 300 jobs to the Oelwein area in 2018.

The event was held at the site of the proposed 300,000-sq.-ft. plant on Industrial Drive, near the RAMS Center and a tech center that will be used by Northeast Iowa Community College to train potential employees for skilled positions.

Since 1971, the Barrel Drive In in West Union has been owned by (l-r) Bev and Lynn Kelck. With help from their two daughters (l-r) Kellie and Krista, the Barrel Drive In is truly a family affair. LeAnn Larson photo

We're 'rolling out the Barrel' as we celebrate 50 years in business!

By Chris Deback
cdeback@thefayettecountyunion.com

The Barrel Drive In in West Union turned 50 years old this year and to honor the occasion, owners Lynn and Bev Kelck will host a 50th anniversary celebration on July 10, which also happens to be the couple’s wedding anniversary.

They agreed, the key to the Barrel’s success has been its consistency. Not much has changed in 50 years. Sure, there have been items added to the menu, sizes and prices have changed, and the drive-in even changed from Coke to Pepsi products in the ‘90s. However, what hasn’t changed are the same quality products and friendly service to which the community has become accustomed to. The Hi-Boy with its special sauce, and the homemade onion rings remain among the Barrel’s most popular items.