Elizabeth Goddard and her sister Mattison sign "I love you" into the camera.

Elizabeth Goddard continues to heal

submitted article

On May 20^th, Elizabeth Goddard's life was changed forever. Elizabeth is the 15-year-old daughter of Dennis and Joanie Goddard of Clermont. She was involved in a bike accident that left her in a coma for 33 days, a coma that doctors didn't think she would come out of.

With his 1954 Ford NAA tractor primed and ready to go, Elgin resident Don Sutter is looking forward to participating in this year’s North Iowa Tractor Ride. The two-day ride will begin in West Union each day and visit the communities of Fayette, Arlington, Elgin, Ft. Atkinson, and Ossian, covering a total of over 100 miles. (Brian Smith photo)

Sutter to give North Iowa Tractor Ride a whirl

Brian Smith
bsmith@fayettepublishing.com

Don Sutter of Elgin will be one of over 200 tractor drivers, several of whom are from Fayette County, who have preregistered and will be driving their tractors in the North Iowa Tractor Ride scheduled for Friday and Saturday, July 17-18. The starting point for the event is at the Fayette County Fairgrounds in West Union, where registration will take place on Thursday, July 16, with a tractor parade scheduled in downtown West Union that evening.

           Sutter, who at one time owned seven different tractors, will be taking his 1954 Ford NAA on the tour. Only the second owner of this tractor, he has had it for approximately 15 years now. Don is looking forward to going on the North Iowa Tractor Ride for the first time.

‘Born to be a farmer’ 88-year old A.W. Martin can hardly wait for Saturday, September 12 when Marlan Farms will host its landmark sale in a barn on the farm where his oldest son, Doug and wife, DeLoise reside on K. Avenue, south of Fayette.

150 Years Marland Farms landmark sale set for September

Janell Bradley
Contributing Writer

When A.W. Martin and family host their 150th hog sale this fall, they can proudly say that four generations of Martins are behind the success of what Marland Farms has become.

         And at age 88, Albert William Martin believes farmers don't retire, so he'll still be sitting next to the auctioneer, looking over the show ring and working for the best bid.

        On Sept. 12, as Fayette celebrates Watermelon Days, Marland Farms will host its landmark sale in a barn on the farm where A.W.'s oldest son, Doug, and wife DeLois, reside on K Avenue, south of Fayette.

Police chief search continues; new Blessing owner named

Janell Bradley
Contributing Writer

The Fayette City Council will return to the process of hiring a new police chief, as its ongoing methods failed to result in the hire of a new chief.

After selecting two candidates following an interview process, a candidate from Florida and another from Texas met members of the council at a meet-and-greet in May, but as the interviews continued, it was decided the City still hadn't found a good match for the supervisory role it sought to fill.

Kindred Minds will kick off 'Playin' on the Plaza' Thursday night in West Union. Local talents include (l-r) Jan and Art Roseland, Karen Keele Kober and Greg James. (Submitted photo)

Kindred Minds to open 'Playin' on the Plaza' concert series

The “Playin’ on the Plaza” summer concert series kicks off Thursday, July 9, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at West Union’s downtown Civic Plaza with a performance from a familiar local group.

Kindred Minds, a musical group formed over a decade ago at West Union’s United Methodist Church, launches this year’s series with an impressive repertoire of songs including bluegrass, Celtic, gospel and folk music.

Morgan Wolfs, 2014 Miss West Union, passes the crown to Hanna Moser, 2015 Miss West Union.  Hanna will represent West Union in many parades and activities, as well in the Fayette County Fair Queen contest in August.

2015 Miss West Union

W.U. the place to be on July 16!

There is a whole lot of fun to be had in West Union July 16-18 with a tractor ride, block party, concert and vendor show!

The North Iowa Tractor Ride will stop in five local communities and will be headquartered at the Fayette County Fairgrounds in West Union Thursday-Saturday, July 16-18.

Vaughn Drewes and his wife, Joann, have turned tractor rides into a hobby and even hosted a lunch during Fayette’s Watermelon Days tractor ride in 2014. The Drewes will be among 200 other tractor enthusiasts who will show off their John Deere’s and Farmall’s in the 2015 North Iowa Tractor Ride hosted at the Fayette County Fairgrounds.

Tractor enthusiasts 'on the road again'

By Chris Deback
cdeback@thefayettecountyunion.com

For West Union resident Vaughn Drewes, tractor rides have turned into a hobby over the last five years.

This year alone, Drewes and his wife, Joann, hope to attend five of them, including the North Iowa Tractor Ride July 16-18 right here in West Union. They will also attend Watermelon Days in Fayette. The couple went on the Hawkeye Days tractor ride, but few people attended that one because of the rain. Vaughn and Joann will be hitting up Elgin’s in early August.

FDC considers narrowing options

Zakary Kriener

News Writer
zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

The South Winneshiek Future Direction Committee (SWFDC) met in the South Winneshiek High School library in Calmar Wednesday night, June 24.

With only about a dozen of the committee members present, co-chairman Tom Bushman and district board secretary Kris Smith shared what they learned from attending a joint meeting between the New Hampton and Turkey Valley school districts.

Five area girls vie for Fair Queen

Zakary Kriener

News Writer
zkriener@fayettepublishing.com

Five area teens will vie for 2015 Winneshiek County Fair Queen honors. The fair kicks off Tuesday, July 7, at the Winneshiek County Fairgrounds in Decorah.

The coronation is set to take place as part of the opening ceremonies in the grandstand, beginning at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Marissa Foels

Marissa Foels is the 16-year-old daughter of Loren and JoEllen Foels of Postville. She will be a junior at Decorah High School this fall.

Katey Forde

Katey Forde is the 16-year-old daughter of Keith and Jody Forde of Decorah. She will be a junior at Decorah High School this fall.