December 2014

Wed
17
Dec

Warriors competitive at S-F duals

 

Senior Ethan Kipp works the cradle on his way to a 0:56, opening-round pin at the South Winn Invite on Saturday. Kipp finished in third place in the 285 pound bracket. (Zakary Kriener photo)

 

Warriors competitive at S-F duals

 

 

Zakary Kriener
News Writer
zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

 

 

The South Winneshiek wrestling team traveled to Sumner on Thursday, Dec. 11, for a dual meet with the Sumner-Fredericksburg Cougars and the Wapsie Valley Warriors.

Despite being competitive in both matches, SW fell to Wapsie Valley, 43-36, and to the Class 1A no. 9 S-F Cougars, 44-33. Class 1A no. 2-ranked 170-pounder Ryan Hageman was not in either of the lineups during Thursday night’s meet.

Pins decided eight of the 10 matches wrestled against Wapsie Valley, with each team recording four wins. Criteria remained even, with each team picking up a pair of wins by forfeit.

Wed
17
Dec

SW boys fall to pair of UIC opponents

 

Warrior senior Christian Kleve releases a mid-range jumper over two MFL/MarMac defenders in Tuesday night’s (Dec. 9) action. Kleve knocked down 10 points in the game as South Winn lost a close one, 43-42. (Zakary Kriener photo)

 

SW boys fall to pair of UIC opponents

 

 

Zakary Kriener
News Writer
zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

 

 

Despite getting out to an early lead over MFL/MarMac Tuesday, Dec. 9, the South Winn boys’ basketball team fell in a one-point loss to the Bulldogs, 43-42.

The Warriors were unable to get back on track Friday night at Clayton Ridge, falling to the Eagles, 61-51.

Wed
17
Dec

SW girls drop pair in UIC play

 

Senior Brittany Shindelar squares up before she drives to knock down two of her team-high 15 points in the Tuesday, Dec. 9, matchup with the MFL/MarMac Bulldogs. Despite fighting back late, the Warriors fell, 45-35, in the UIC contest. Shindelar tallied seven points on Friday night in the South Winn loss at Clayton Ridge. (Zakary Kriener photo) 

 

SW girls drop pair in UIC play

 

 

Zakary Kriener
News Writer
zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

 

 

The South Winneshiek girls’ basketball team hosted MFL/MarMac in Calmar last Tuesday, Dec. 9. The Warriors fell to the Bulldogs, 45-35, despite putting up a strong fight in the second half.

On Friday, the girls traveled to Clayton Ridge to take on the Eagles in a UIC matchup. The Warriors could not overcome a slow start, eventually falling, 49-26.

Wed
17
Dec

Rural roots attract pastor to small town

Zion Lutheran Church in Castalia has recently welcomed a new face to the community in Pastor Alan Wicks. Wicks has been an ordained minister for over 35 years at five different parishes, but he and his wife, Kathy, enjoy the small-town feel that Castalia has to offer. (Zakary Kriener photo)

 

Rural roots attract pastor to small town

 

 

Zakary Kriener
News Writer
zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

 

 

When a town the size of Castalia acquires a new resident, it doesn’t take long for all 172 residents to find out. That is exactly what new Zion Lutheran Church pastor Alan Wicks enjoys most about his new home and community.

Wicks and his wife of 39 years, Kathy, moved to town in September 2014, when he accepted a part-time position as the church’s pastor.

“I really enjoy being in  a small town,” noted Wicks, who had previously lived in several much larger communities. “The people here have been very welcoming, and I enjoy making connections with members of the community.”

Wicks, who is from Nevada, Ia., began his career path toward becoming a pastor after graduating from Luther College in 1973. During his time at the college, he was a member of the Norse basketball team.

Wed
17
Dec

Keeping family tradition alive at Knotty Pine

 

The Merrill family, including (front, l-r) Asher and Jeremy; (back) Landon and Stacy, enjoy the decorated Christmas tree and the cozy fireplace at Knotty Pine Guesthouse. The family plans to spend every Christmas together at the cabin, which is located near Fort Atkinson. (submitted photo)

 

Keeping family tradition alive at Knotty Pine

 

 

Zakary Kriener
News Writer
zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

 

 

It’s no secret to most that the rural country roads of Winneshiek County offer some of the most beautiful scenery in the state. Down a secluded, dead-end road near Fort Atkinson is a property that appears as if it were taken directly from a fancy Christmas movie set.

If one follows the sidewalk up to the front door of the property’s attractive log cabin, a “Welcome to Knotty Pine Guesthouse” chalkboard message greets visitors, and the true beauty of the surroundings really begins to set in.

As one walks through the door, a stone fireplace, reaching all the way to the top of the cathedral ceiling, casts a welcoming glow throughout the cabin, making visitors feel right at home.

This beautiful cabin, owned and maintained by Jeremy and Stacy Merrill, was designed and built by Jeremy’s late father, Tim, in the late ‘70s.

Wed
17
Dec

Alvin B. Erickson

Alvin B. Erickson

 

 

Alvin B. Erickson, 94, Clermont, Iowa, died Thursday, Dec. 11, 2014, at Palmer Lutheran Health Center in West Union, Iowa.

Funeral Services were held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 13, at the East Clermont Lutheran Church, rural Clermont. Rev. Ron Roberts was the officiant.

 

Friends were invited to call from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, at the church.

Interment was held in the East Clermont Lutheran Cemetery.

 

Schutte-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Clermont, assisted the family with the arrangements.

 

Wed
17
Dec

Russell West

Russell West

 

 

Russell Dale West, 76, of Elgin, Iowa died Saturday, Dec. 6, at Allen Hospital in Waterloo, Iowa.

Visitation was held on Thursday, Dec. 11, from 4-7 p.m. at Elgin Lutheran Church, and one-hour before services at the church on Friday.

 

Funeral Services were held at 10 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 12, at Highland Lutheran Church of rural Elkader.

 

Inurnment will be held at Highland Lutheran Cemetery at a later date.

Leonard-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service assisted the family with the arrangements.

He was born on Sept. 24, 1938 to Abby and Bertha Mae (Meisner) West in Highland Township, Clayton County, Iowa. He was baptized in the parsonage of Peace Church in Elkader. Russ attended Cook Country School in the rural Elkader/Elgin area. He also attended Elgin Town School through the tenth grade.

 

Wed
17
Dec

Fire chief appointed, franchise agreement discussed

Fire chief appointed, franchise agreement discussed

 

 

Brian Smith
bsmith@fayettepublishing.com

The Elgin City Council appointed Matt Ellis as fire chief for Elgin for 2015 at its meeting on Monday night. Ellis was elected by the fire department and presented by Mayor Bill Pfister to the council to be so appointed. The council approved the appointment unanimously.

           The council also discussed a franchise agreement with Alpine Communications that, to date, has not been signed. The agreement is in regard to using the right-of-way to lay cable in Elgin. City Clerk Rhonda Dales has been in contact with Alpine as well as City Attorney David Katsumes. She explained that the agreement could include franchise fees which Alpine would have to pay to the City.

Wed
17
Dec

Making Christmas a little sweeter

 

Rhonda Dales does her baking in her Clermont home by herself. However, her granddaughter, Aaliyah, can often be found helping grandma any way she can. Dales’ love of baking has allowed her to help her family in many ways, including helping her daughter, Heather Rosenthal, through nursing school.

 

 

Making Christmas a little sweeter

 

 

 

Megan Mohlis
Contributing Writer

 

As the holidays creep closer, a mad rush of present-buying and festivity-planning can leave many without time to spend in the kitchen. While holiday baking is almost always in the plans, it can be easily forgotten during the busy schedules that surround the Christmas season. That is where Rhonda Dales, “the cookie and candy lady,” has found her niche.

                  Growing up, Dales would watch her stepgrandmother, Grace Durnan, bake hundreds of sugar cookies for all the families of her 19 kids. Seeing the tables and tables of cookies, Rhonda aspired to one day make cookies just like her stepgrandmother had done. However, it wasn’t until later in life that baking at this extreme level would begin.

                  Sixteen years ago Dales, who is also the city clerk of Elgin, started to bake and frost sugar cookies for her friends to enjoy. One of these friends approached her and asked if she would be interested in doing a craft show, bringing some cookies to sell and seeing how it went. Doing quite well at the show, she decided to offer her talents to those who didn’t have the time to bake during the holidays.

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