Oliver Westpfahl is pictured celebrating his 97th birthday with friends and family at Trinity Lutheran Church on Sunday, May 24.

Oliver Westpfahl to lead 2015 Fun Days parade

Janell Bradley
Contributing Writer

Long time Hawkeye resident and community supporter Oliver Westpfahl Sr. has been chosen as the 2015 Hawkeye Fun Day parade marshal.

On May 21, Oliver celebrated his 97th birthday with family. He was congratulated by many more of his friends with a cake following Sunday services at his church, Trinity Lutheran in Hawkeye. Remembering it was Pentecost Sunday, Oliver not only wore his navy blue suit coat, but specifically chose a red tie for the occasion, in honor of Pentecost. His memory for such details, including keeping straight all of his great-grandchildren and even the number of great-great grandchildren, amazes all who know him.

Max Crabtree

Max Elias Crabtree, age 95 of Fredericksburg, IA passed away on Friday, June 5, 2015 at Mercy Medical Center in New Hampton, IA.

Service for Max will be held at 10:30 AM on Friday, June 12, 2015 at United Methodist Church in Fredericksburg, IA with Betty Ann Schmudlach officiating.

Burial will be at Rose Hill Cemetery in Fredericksburg, Max will have his last ride with old friends Tom and June Rieck.

Visitation will be from 4:00-7:00 PM on Thursday, June 11, 2015 at United Methodist Church in Fredericksburg, and will continue at the church one hour prior to the service on Friday.

Online condolences for Max’s family may be left at www.conway-markhamfh.com.

Memorials may be directed to the family.

New NuCara Pharmacist Hannah Stanbrough describes a new medication to a patient at the pharmacy.  Stanbrough takes over for Ken Steege, who recently retired (Chris DeBack photo).

'Prescription filled' with hometown pharmacist

By Chris Deback
cdeback@thefayettecountyunion.com

It was a homecoming for NuCara’s newest pharmacist, Hannah Stanbrough.

Stanbrough, a West Union native and 2006 North Fayette graduate, is very familiar with the clientele, which made her a natural selection to take over the reins from recently retired Ken Steege.

She had worked as a technician at Steege Pharmacy, now NuCara, since spring 2007. There Steege observed the potential his young mentee had that Stanbrough will come to realize as she settles into her new role.

“She is a local girl with a terrific drive,” Steege said. “She is friendly and very smart. She is a small-town girl. I really wanted to hold on for Hannah. When Hannah wanted to come back, I was ready to quit just because she and Caitlin (Reinking) are perfect fits for that store.”

Three contend for Miss West Union crown

Brian Smith
Contributing Writer
bsmith@fayettepublishing.com

            Three young ladies have submitted their applications, obtained sponsors, and are seeking to hold the title of Miss West Union 2015. The West Union Chamber of Commerce has assisted in naming a new Miss West Union for a number of years and will be choosing a candidate that will uphold high moral standards and represent the city in a positive manner. This year Isabelle Gardner, Hanna Moser, and Madylin Wirtz will vie for the crown of Miss West Union.

Fayette County Sheriff Marty Fisher will begin his 41st year in law enforcement in July. Straight from high school, Fisher enlisted in the U.S. Army and graduated from the Military Police Academy. Following his three year stint as an MP, he returned to West Union and joined the local police department. (Janell Bradley photo)

Four decades of experience: Fisher says there is more to be done

Fayette County may be a small geographical region in a very rural Midwest, but that doesn’t mean the police protection afforded its residents has to be compromised.

As far as Sheriff Marty Fisher is concerned, the people of his county deserve everything technology and the local budget can afford.

Fisher, who first became county sheriff in December 2000, will mark his 41st year in providing law enforcement protection this July, with 38 of those years being right here in Fayette County. He and his wife, Judy, with whom he went to school in the North Fayette County Community School District, have been married 34 years.

Born on a farm north of Lawler,Fisher and his family came to West Union in 1970. Right out of high school, Marty enlisted in the U.S. Army and attended military police school in Ft. Gordon, Ga. 

"I thought I'd go into law enforcement and see where it would take me," he said. While in the military police corps stationed in Hawaii, Fisher attended night classes at the University of Hawaii, where he studied criminal justice.

It was during that time Fisher began thinking about moving to Bakersfield, Calif. However, after graduating from the Military Police Academy and completing his three-year enlistment with the Army, he returned home to West Union. It only took a week before he was offered a position with the West Union Police Department.

"They were hiring temporary help, and it was just the day after I'd gotten back home. I didn't even put in an application," he recalled about being just 22 years old with a couple of years as MP under his belt. 

Fisher enjoyed his work with the WUPD and worked his way up the ranks to sergeant. After 12 years with the local police force, he applied for a position as a deputy sheriff in three counties, including Fayette. Scoring at the top of the rankings, he was hired by then sheriff Eugene Dietzenbach.

The Winneshiek Medical Center Ossian Clinic celebrated its first anniversary with an open house on Wednesday, May 27. Karl Schroeder spends some time interacting with physical therapist Rebecca Moonen as he walks on one of the treadmills, which are part of Occupational Health Services at the Ossian location. (Zakary Kriener photo)

Ossian Clinic holds open house

South Winneshiek High School counselor Connie Euans (r) evaluates future dual-credit classes for 2015-16 sophomores Cassidy Frana and Noah Faldet. Over the course of the past three years, South Winn students enrolled in dual-credit courses at Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) have saved over $1.5 million and jump-started their college educations. (Zakary Kriener photo)

Dual credit provides jump-start to college

Zakary Kriener

News Writer
zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

The last three graduating classes at South Winneshiek High School have saved a combined $1.5 million in college tuition. Yes, you read that right. Approximately $500,000 has been saved by each class over the past three school years.

Thanks to a trend that has steadily been gaining popularity over the past decade, high school students are able to not only save a significant amount of money on college tuition, but also get a jump-start on their postsecondary education and professional careers, better preparing them for the road ahead.

 “Dual-credit courses have become popular all over the state,” explained high school guidance counselor Connie Euans. “What is unique about South Winneshiek is that juniors and seniors can take concurrent credit classes right here within the high school building, keeping the students together with their schoolmates and high school instructors.”

Gabrielle Hemesath was presented with a framed certificate that proclaimed Monday, June 1, as Gabrielle Hemesath Day. The proclamation was made in honor of Hemesath’s current title of American Honey Queen. Making the presentation is Clermont Mayor Jim Matt.

Clermont council recognizes Honey Queen

Brian Smith
Contributing Writer
bsmith@fayettepublishing.com

            The Clermont City Council approved a resolution at its meeting on Monday night proclaiming Monday, June 1, as Gabrielle Hemesath Day in honor of her position as American Honey Queen.

            Hemesath was present at the meeting to address the council regarding the importance of honey bees in the environment and practical ways in which their presence can be encouraged in communities. She also talked to the council about her responsibilities as American Honey Queen and her schedule for the upcoming months.

Jordan Einck (left) explains some of the decisions that his group made on how to build their table for a coffee shop, while the other members of his group wait for their turn to speak. Other members of the group, all of which are involved in the Project Lead The Way program at North Fayette Valley are (from left) Jayde Blue, William Miller, and Jared Kerr.

NFV students participate in design challenge

Brian Smith
Contributing Writer

bsmith@fayettepublishing.com            

Students in North Fayette Valley High School’s Project Lead The Way course participated in a group project designed to enhance their engineering and design process skills. Four teams of students presented ideas for a modular table to be used in a coffee shop to an audience of their classmates; their instructor, Neal Bentley; and other adults.

The condition of Big Rock Road, leading to Fayette’s 18-hole golf course is less than ideal, with the asphalt surface largely crumbled in several areas. Although scheduled for resurfacing, the city decided to delay making improvements until work on the wastewater treatment plant is complete. Sludge removal from the lagoons that are adjacent to the golf course, will take place late this summer or early fall, and will involve heavy truck traffic on Big Rock Road. (Janell Bradley photos.)

City delays resurfacing of Big Rock Road

Janell Bradley

Contributing Writer

The condition of Big Rock Road, leading to Fayette’s 18-hole golf course and Big Rock Country Club, is no doubt a bone of contention with motorists traveling the road, but the Fayette City Council begs the public’s patience as it awaits completion of improvements to the wastewater treatment plant.