Easter Decorating Contest 

      The Union Echo Leader, in conjunction with participating merchants, is once again sponsoring its annual Easter Decorating Contest. All children through age 12 are invited to participate. Prizes will be awarded in three age groups. Each entry must be the original work of the child. All entries must be received by the Union office no later than 5 p.m. Friday, March 29.

Don Drahn card shower 

      In honor of his 80th birthday on Friday, March 15, Don Drahn’s family is hosting a card shower. Greetings may be sent to:

      Don DrahN
      PO Box 447
      Monona, IA 52159

      A longtime teacher and coach, Don would enjoy hearing from family, friends, former students and athletes.

Clermont EMT Pancake Breakfast 

      The Clermont EMT Pancake Breakfast will be held Sunday, March 17. Serving will be from 8 a.m.-noon at the Clermont Fire Station. The menu includes pancakes, sausage, scrambled eggs, applesauce, juice, milk and coffee.

West Union Main Street Chamber members including (l-r) Deb Thies, Matt Marsala and Sabrina Schmitt are looking forward to hosting the organization’s 9-pin bowling tournament Saturday at Lilac Lanes in West Union. (Mike Van Sickle photo)

WU Chamber Bowling Tournament Saturday

      The first bowling ball will be tossed at the West Union Main Street Chamber 9-pin bowling tournament at noon Saturday at Lilac Lanes in West Union. Registration begins at 11 a.m.

      A second round of bowlers will follow at 3 p.m., and if needed a third shift begins at 6 p.m.

Blood drive in Oelwein

      A LifeServe blood drive will be held from 12:30-5 p.m. Thursday at 402 E. Charles St. in Oelwein. Persons may schedule a blood donation appointment online at lifeservebloodcenter.org or by calling 800.287.4903.

Iowa State recognition

The following area students have been ranked among the top 2% of students in their respective college at Iowa State University: Junior Alexis Steffens of Clermont, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences; Sophomore Justine Cowley of Fayette, College of Engineering; Senior Jeremiah Bicknese of Hawkeye, College of Engineering.

Celebrating 99th birthday

Dorothy Teepe Wedemeier Miller will be celebrating her 99th birthday. Born March 29, 1925, Dorothy lived in Donnan and Waverly, and for the past 65 years in Fayette. Her careers have included farming, running Lowell’s Lounge, the UIU cafeteria, and cleaning for people. Joining Dorothy in her celebration are her daughter Mary (Ken) Lawless, granddaughter Amanda Lawless, and great grandson Luke Lawless Anderson. Persons may send cards to The Maples Memory Lane, attn: Dorothy Miller, 98 Bolger Dr., Fayette, IA 52142.

  WU-IRSPA meeting March 13     

       The West Union Area Iowa Retired School Personnel Association (WU-IRSPA) will hold it’s first 2024 spring meeting at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 13, at the Fayette County Historical building in West Union. This meeting is when members will first evaluate the Dr. Louise P. Herring Scholarship applications of seniors from the public schools across Fayette County. Final selection of scholarship recipients will take place at the April 10 meeting.

Learn to make maple syrup with TAKO

      Fayette Take A Kid Outdoors (TAKO) is partnering with Turkey Valley Maples to explain the process of making maple syrup on Saturday, March 16. In addition to providing a group tour, Turkey Valley Maples will host a pancake and sausage brunch from 9 a.m.- 1 p.m. There is a cost for the brunch.

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.