West Union royalty registrations available

       Registrations are now available for Miss West Union and Little Miss/Mr. West Union. The 2024 coronation ceremonies have been scheduled to take place during the Thursday, June 13, Playin’ on the Plaza.

      Miss West Union candidates are required to be a 2024-25 high school junior or senior lady, be 16 years of age by Sunday, Aug. 11, and must reside within the West Union zip code.

      The winner will represent the community in the Fayette County Fair Queen Contest, a parade of her choice, and West Union Main Street Chamber events. The Miss West Union winner receives a $500 scholarship.

      Little Miss and Mr. West Union candidates must be a 2024-25 third or fourth grade student. Candidates are required to reside within West Union.

Salute to mothers 

      Mother’s Day is fast-approaching and the Union Echo Leader staff wants to help recognize the moms, grandmothers, great-grandmothers, and any other special ladies in your family’s lives.

      To do so, we ask that photos, information (name, mother of, grandmother of, etc.), and payment of $10 per submission be dropped off at the Union Echo Leader office at 119 South Vine Street in West Union, emailed to mboess@fayettecountynewspapers.com, or mailed to Fayette Co. Newspapers, PO Box 153, West Union, IA 52175.

WU blood drive May 1

      A West Union Community Blood Drive has been scheduled from 12:30-5:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 1, at the Holy Name Catholic Church Parish Center. Schedule a blood donation appointment online at life-servebloodcenter.org or call 800-287-4903.

VRRA field day May 21

      The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Iowa State University Extension will be showcasing various forestry practices at Volga River State Recreation Area as part of a public field day Tuesday, May 21.

      “We want Volga to be a model of doing forest stewardship correctly,” said Jason Walker, district forester from the Iowa DNR’s office in Charles City. “We are following a plan developed for this 4,000-acre timber and the field day setting is a good way to highlight different management practices and allows for a good discussion.”

      Field day activities include reviewing the recent clear cut, discussions on black walnuts, chronic wasting disease and ruffed grouse, proper planting, pruning and stock selection and participate in a campground planting project at Volga River State Park.

UIU hosting 'Battle of the Generations' Giving Days 

      Upper Iowa University (UIU) has announced its eighth annual Giving Day event, "Battle of the Generations," set to take place today (Wednesday) and Thursday.

      Since the inception of Giving Day in 2017, the UIU community has contributed $750,000 as part of the Universitywide fundraising event. During the online challenge, all alumni, faculty, staff, current and future students, and friends of UIU are invited to participate and support the University.

Troop 54 Omelet Breakfast fundraiser

      North Fayette Valley-area Boy Scout Troop 54 will host an omelet breakfast Sunday, May 5. Serving will be from 8 a.m-1 p.m. in the dance pavilion at the Fayette County Fairgrounds in West Union.

NEIQG annual meeting May 7

       The Northeast Iowa Quilt Guild (NEIQG) will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 7, at the Keystone AEA Building in Decorah. This is a new meeting location as the board continues to explore new ideas and ways to make the meetings more accessible to all members, whether long standing or new.

UIU inauguration celebration begins April 24

Upper Iowa University (UIU) is inviting the public to join in the celebration of Kathy Franken being inaugurated as the university’s first woman president in its history.

The festivities begin at 3 p.m. today (Wednesday) with a Preinaugural Open House in the Student Center at the Fayette campus.

Elgin SAL to meet April 30

      Elgin Sons of the American Legion (SAL) Squadron #352 will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 30. Guest speaker will be Stacie Schroeder, North Fayette Valley Community Coalition (NFVCC) director.

      April is American Legion Children and Youth month. In support of this, Schroeder will speak to NFVCC’s role in the community supporting youth through mentoring and teaching of life-skills to children, parents and community members through mentoring and other outreach programs. The public is invited to attend.

Clermont spring cleanup May 10 

      Clermont spring cleanup has been scheduled for Friday, May 10. For a fee, eligible items to be picked up include car and truck tires, various furniture and appliances, televisions, computer monitors, printers, fax machines and copiers.

      There is no fee for car batteries, file cabinets, metal trash cans and bicycles. Items not being accepted for pick up include semi and tractor tires, paint, vehicles, and hazardous materials.