High School Voter Registration Day Tuesday

      Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate has announced Tuesday, Feb. 13, as the 2024 Statewide High School Voter Registration Day. On this day, Iowa high school students are encouraged to take steps to register to vote, make a plan to vote when they are eligible, and learn more about Iowa’s voting process.

      There are currently more than 4,500 17-year-olds already registered to vote in Iowa. This number is significantly higher than the 3,400-plus 17-year-olds registered to vote in September 2023. Iowa law allows 17-year-olds to register to vote and participate in primary elections if they turn 18 prior to or on the day of the General Election.

      Pate is encouraging high schools in all 99 counties to host a voter registration drive and educate students on the voter registration and participation process. Iowa law requires high schools to conduct two voter registration drives every school year.

Caregiver support group meets Feb. 19

       Northeast Iowa Area Agency on Aging (NEI3A) is hosting monthly in-person support group meetings from 10-11 a.m. the third Monday of each month in the Spectrum Network Conference Room in Decorah.

      The next meeting will take place Feb. 19. This is a free group setting, and all caregivers of persons with chronic illness or disability are welcome and encouraged to attend. New caregivers are always welcome. No reservations are needed.

      If you are interested in attending the meetings and need more information, please contact Kelly Kuennen, NEI3A family caregiver specialist, at 563-277-6024.

      With a mission of empowering older individuals to age with dignity and independence, NEI3A strives to improve older Iowans' lives, their caregivers, and their communities by providing information, services, and support to enable aging at home.

Koch named to dean’s list

Ellsworth Community College has announced Nicholas Koch of West Union was named to the college’s fall dean’s list. To be eligible for the dean's list, students must have earned a minimum of 12 credit hours during the semester (a full-time class load) and had at least a 3.5 grade point average for the semester.

Ellsworth Community College, located in Iowa Falls, is a member of the Iowa Valley Community College District. The district serves a broad range of students and businesses throughout central Iowa.

St. Paul's Souper Bowl Sunday

The St. Paul United Methodist Church is hosting its 16^th annual Souper Bowl Sunday from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at the church. The meal will consist of a wide variety of homemade soups, maid rites, bars and beverages. A free will donation will be requested. Carry outs and delivery in Elgin will be available by calling 563 426-5131. 

Lake Meyer ice fishing derby canceled

The 2024 Lake Meyer Ice Fishing Derby, which was scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 4, has been canceled due to weather and ice conditions.

Pianist performance at Fayette Opera house

      Pianist Abbie Brewer will present “Snapshots: Americana” at the Fayette Opera House in Fayette Friday, Feb. 9. The free listen and learn event is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.

      A freewill donation dessert bar will be provided by the Fayette Opera House Board, Friends of Fayette Community Library, and other community members supporting the arts.  Audience members will have an opportunity to interact with the music in a different way than a formal concert.

Free movie at the library

      Friends of the Library of West Union will host a free movie at 1 p.m. Thursday in the West Union Community Library Windsor Room.

      In the 2022 Columbia Pictures film, street-smart Nathan Drake (Tom Holland) is recruited by seasoned treasure hunter Victor “Sully” Sullivan (Mark Wahlberg) to recover a fortune amassed by Ferdinand Magellan and lost 500 years ago by the House of Moncada.

      What starts as a heist job for the duo becomes a globe-trotting, white-knuckle race to reach the prize before the ruthless Santiago Moncada (Antonio Banderas), who believes he and his family are the rightful heirs.

      If Nate and Sully can decipher the clues and solve one of the world’s oldest mysteries, they stand to find $5 billion in treasure and perhaps even Nate’s long-lost brother...but only if they can learn to work together.
     

Elgin Legion Lunch Sunday

Elgin American Legion Post 352 will host a Soup and Sandwich Lunch Sunday, Feb. 4, at the Veterans Memorial Community building in Elgin. Serving is from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

In addition to a choice of chili or chicken noodle soup, the menu includes pulled pork sandwiches, desserts, coffee and milk. Cost is a freewill donation. All proceeds from the event will go toward a new roof on the building.

Board of Health meets Friday

The Fayette County Board of Health will meet at 8 a.m. Friday, Feb. 2, in Gundersen Palmer Lutheran Hospital Boeke-Freed Room 2 in West Union. The board meetings are open to community members unless otherwise specified.

Blood drives Feb. 7-8

      LifeServe Blood Center is urging community members to roll up a sleeve and give a blood donation during the Elgin/Clermont/Wadena Communities Blood Drive from 12:30-5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 7, at 308 Mill Avenue in Elgin, and the Oelwein Community Blood Drive from 12:30-5 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 8, at 402 East Charles Street in Oelwein.

      Participants may schedule a blood donation appointment online at lifeservebloodcenter.org or by calling 800.287.4903.