June 2015

Wed
17
Jun

SW/TV hear from NFV officials

SW/TV hear from NFV officials

 

 

Zakary Kriener

News Writer
zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

 

 

The South Winneshiek Future Direction Committee (SWFDC) met in a special session Wednesday, June 10, at Northeast Iowa Community College in Calmar. The SWFDC was joined by the Turkey Valley Future Direction Committee, which is going through the same process of deciding the future of its district. The two committees were joined by officials from North Fayette Valley, who made themselves available for a question-and-answer session.

Shared-superintendant Clark Goltz, who is shared between both South Winneshiek and Turkey Valley, welcomed the room of over 50 attendees. He then turned the floor over to North Fayette Valley Superintendent Duane Willhite.

Willhite began the presentation by describing the process that North Fayette and Valley went through to achieve whole-grade sharing status.

Wed
17
Jun

A little piece of the Rockies in Iowa

 

Dan and Deb Hageman, who moved into their new home in early November 2014, run Serenity Valley Bed and Breakfast in the lower level of the log cabin. It wasn’t until the rural Ossian couple was midway through the design process for the home that they had the idea of starting the bed and breakfast. (Zakary Kriener photo)

 

A little piece of the Rockies in Iowa

 

 

Zakary Kriener

News Writer
zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

 

 

“A house like that should be sitting at the foot of the Rocky Mountains,” expressed Dan and Deb Hageman’s youngest son, Adam, the first time he saw his parents’ new log cabin home/bed and breakfast.

“We love it too much here in Iowa,” replied Deb, “and we don’t have to deal with all of the Colorado traffic.”

Dan purchased the property from his father in the early ‘90s. His father, Arnold, had owned the property since 1976.

When Dan and Deb acquired the acreage near Ossian, it resembled nothing close to how it appears today.

“In 2004, we put in the first and largest pond,” explained Dan. “Over the years, we continued cleaning brush and planting new trees and vegetation.”

In 2010, three additional ponds were added to the evolving property.

“Every year, we clear a little more brush and plant some new trees,” noted Dan, a longtime farmer. “We put in about 50 to 70 trees every year.”

When the Hagemans sat down and started planning their new home, they had no intentions of incorporating a bed and breakfast.

Wed
17
Jun

Making a name for himself

 

Darin Monroe, a 2004 graduate of South Winneshiek, and his 8-month-old daughter, Grace, celebrate Rock Valley’s second consecutive National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) softball championship. Monroe has been the head softball coach at the Rockville, Ill., junior college for four years. (submitted photo)

 

Making a name for himself

 

 

Zakary Kriener

News Writer
zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

 

 

For Ossian native Darin Monroe, it all started several years ago when he first began coaching Little League.

“I always knew that I wanted to follow in my grandpa’s footsteps,” shared Monroe, whose grandfather Paul Doubek coached the Fort Atkinson Little League program for many years.

Monroe actually got his first taste of coaching in Fort Atkinson, where he began after his freshman year of high school at South Winneshiek.

Wed
17
Jun

Marjorie Amundson

Marjorie Amundson

 

 

taught for six years in three rural schools in Grand Meadow Township before marrying Almer Amundson.

Marjorie was a member of East Clermont Lutheran Church, WELCA, Grand Meadow Study Club, Clermont Study Club, Town Ladies Aid, Clermont Historical Society, and Luren Ladies Auxiliary. She taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School for many years and was a 4-H leader for fifteen years. Marjorie was the secretary for East and West Clermont Lutheran Churches for twenty-five years, too.

Marjorie enjoyed doing ceramics, flowers, watching the Goldfinches at her window feeder, cooking/baking, and being with family. Marjorie was baptized on April 15, 1917, confirmed on May 17, 1931, and married Almer Amundson on May 28, 1941, all at East Clermont Lutheran Church.

Wed
17
Jun

Valley board approves administration contracts

Valley board approves administration contracts

 

 

Brian Smith
Contributing Writer
bsmith@fayettepublishing.co

 

 

            The Valley school board approved a 3 percent increase for all administrators and central office staff, with the exception of Valley Elementary/NFV Middle School Principal Micah Gearhart, who received a 5 percent increase.

           “Due to previous experience as a principal, he has been undervalued in compensation compared to others of his experience level. I also, at his request, recommend making his contract a two-year contract, which we will roll over each year,” explained Superintendent Duane Willhite.

            The board unanimously approved the recommended increases, which will total an increase of $15,157 for the entire package.

Wed
17
Jun

'Music in the Park' in Elgin

Getting ready for the upcoming performance of “Music in the Park: A Musical Review” are members of the cast, (kneeling, l-r) Chloe Cummings, Savannah Halva, Carissa Bauch; (standing) Spenser Schmitt, Jen Hutchinson, Tim Hanson, Liz Roach, Beth Merkle, Marc Cratton, Rod Marlatt, Larry Popenhagen, Kelly Wachal, Donna Bausch, Carol Katsumes, and Jean Merkle. In the foreground is director Mallory Marlatt.

 

'Music in the Park' in Elgin

 

 

Brian Smith
Contributing Writer
bsmith@fayettepublishing.com

 

 

Though this isn’t a Homecoming year, you will still be able to enjoy a musical production in the Elgin park this summer. “Music in the Park: A Musical Review” is scheduled for Friday and Sunday, June 26 and 28, and will feature a mixture of classic and modern Broadway songs for all to enjoy.

            “Traditionally, every five years the community of Elgin has celebrated Homecoming, and last year Jen Frieden directed ‘It’s Broadway, Baby! A Musical Review.’ The cast had so much fun doing it that we decided to do a small production every summer on the beautiful stage in Elgin’s downtown city park,” said Mallory Marlatt, the show’s director.

Wed
17
Jun

Clermont City Council addresses compost ban

Clermont City Council addresses compost ban

 

 

Megan Mohlis
Contributing Writer

 

 

Monday night’s Clermont City Council meeting saw the end to the temporary compost pile that had been put in place behind the town’s opera house. Just weeks after opening the area to be used by Clermont residents, a citizen complaint was received by the DNR for items that are not biodegradable being placed in the compost area.

Doug Hawker,  environmental specialist senior for the DNR, stated in a letter to the City that upon the inspection that took place on June 3, several of the nonorganic items mentioned in the complaint were found, justifying the complaint. However, the additional concerns of burning of the materials and, most importantly, the potential hazard for the waste to make its way into Dibble Creek and the Turkey River further warranted his decision to close the area and require the removal of nonorganic material within 45 days.

Wed
17
Jun

Blue Devils take two on rain shortened week

Blue Devils take two on rain shortened week

 

 

By Chris Deback
cdeback@thefayettecountyunion.com

 

 

The West Central Blue Devils’ busy week was partially interrupted by rain, but the weather couldn't stop them from squeaking in two wins last week.

They started the week off at Central Elkader on Monday, June 8, where they split a doubleheader with the Warriors, losing the first game, 4-3, and winning the second, 14-11.

Wed
17
Jun

Jose Garcia

Jose Garcia

 

 

Jose Aniceto Garcia, 91, of Maynard, passed away on Sunday, June 7, 2015 at Covenant Medical Center in Waterloo, IA. 

Visitation was held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday, June 13, 2015 at the Geilenfeld Funeral Home in Oelwein. 

Funeral services followed at 1:30 p.m. with his son, Pastor Joe Luis Garcia officiating. 

He was laid to rest in Long Grove Cemetery at Maynard, IA. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family. 

For condolences, please visit www.geilenfeldfh.com.

Wed
17
Jun

Former fire chief chosen as grand marshal

 

Maynard Days grand marshall Jon Harrison is a veteran of the Maynard Fire Department. He poses for a picture with the pump truck he helps operate in emergencies.

 

Former fire chief chosen as grand marshal

 

 

By Chris Deback
cdeback@thefayettecountyunion.com

 

 

Former fire chief, business owner and lifelong Maynard resident Jon Harrison has been selected as the Maynard Days parade grand marshal.

Harrison joked, “I tell everybody [they selected me] because the other 517 turned it down.”

The 69-year-old man was born in Oelwein and raised on a century farm about four miles outside Maynard. The farm has been in his family since his great-grandfather bought the 160 acres in 1872. Jon still co-owns it with his sister, Barbara Gripp, and they currently rent the farm to Allen and Kathy Rausch. 

“Growing up on a dairy farm, I learned the ethics of work,” the Maynard man said.

Harrison has dedicated his life to public service. He has served on the Maynard Fire Department for over 43 years, two of which, 1977-1979, he spent as fire chief. He was also assistant fire chief for 12 years and a Lieutenant in the department for another 10 years. Currently, the local firefighter helps run the pumping truck. 

Pages

Comment Here