West Central students were welcomed back to classes on Tuesday, Aug. 12, with several new faces, including  (l-r) cook Tammy Richards of Fayette, 1-on-1 instructor Kallie Kleitsch of Maynard, preschool paraeducator Bobbie Hepker of Maynard, preschool paraeducator Kelli Kleppe of Maynard, school nurse Bonnie West of Maynard, and K-6 special education instructor Chris Sanford, originally of Polo, Ill. (Jerry Blue photo)

High school open house August 20

For the first time in many years, there will be an open house at North Fayette Valley High School in West Union. The event has been set up in a workshop model with a variety of breakout sessions being held continuously throughout the evening.  

“A number of parents, particularly those on our Parent Advisory Committee, have suggested that we have a night in which we share information with them about a number of things we do at the high school,” said high school principal Todd Wolverton on Friday. 

In preparation for the start of the upcoming school year, North Fayette Principal Travis Elliott reviews some paperwork with elementary secretary Stephanie Michael. The new school administrator looks forward to working with the current elementary staff in focusing on student achievement and continuing to implement the school district’s educational guidelines already in place. (Mike Van Sickle photo) 

New principal 'excited to start new adventure'

By Mike Van Sickle
News Editor
mvansickle@thefayettecountyunion.com

Throughout his life, Travis Elliott has enjoyed working with kids, seeing them grow, and achieving the goals they have set for themselves. In addition to gaining experience by helping in a third-grade classroom as a high school senior, he grew increasingly intrigued with an education career by working with youth in basketball camps and middle school sports.

The North Fayette Board of Directors unanimously approved the hiring of Elliott as the school’s new elementary principal in March. He officially began his duties in mid-July. The 34-year-old replaces Kathy Bauer, who retired after the last school year.

Accompanied by his friend Joyce Wolfgram, Mark Mihm made sure he was his granddaughter Jill (Kuehner) Heins’ first customer after she attained ownership of Mark’s Jewelry in St Lucas in July. Mihm originally opened a barbershop-jewelry store in the St. Lucas bank building in 1946, before moving the jewelry store to its current location in 1977. (Courtesy photo)   

Sparkling opportunity for third-generation jeweler

By Mike Van Sickle
News Editor
mvansickle@thefayettecountyunion.com

Mark’s Jewelry in St. Lucas has served generations of customers in this small Fayette County community for nearly 70 years. Similarly, the area jewelry store has maintained its own family tradition with third-generation owner Jill (Kuehner) Heins, who attained ownership of the business in July.

Mark’s Jewelry has been located at its present site in downtown St. Lucas since 1977. Original owner Mark Mihm sold the business to his daughter Mary Pat (Ridout) in 1986.

Ossian resident Francis Wenthold (left) and Boy Scout Lucas Feltz share a laugh as they relax on a new bench that Feltz placed at the new Ossian Fire Station as part of his Eagle Scout project. (submitted photo)

Eagle Scout Project looking good

Lucas Feltz’s Eagle Scout project is ready to be viewed at the Ossian Fire Station. 

With the help of Troop 88 members Andrew Wagner, Paxten DeVilbiss, Jacob Ling, and Austin Covell along with adult helpers Rodney Franzen, Rick Gunderson, Brad Crary, Todd Wagner, Brian Lyons, and Scoutmaster LaVerne Anderson, Lucas’ project came together in less than two hours Thursday, July 24.

“The whole setup looks good!” said Fire Chief Denis Holien. “The bench is what really makes it look sharp. We are lucky that Lucas came looking for an Eagle Scout project just as we were finishing up our new fire station. Everything fell into place for both parties.”

Taken from a trail camera, this photo shows a black bear that has been spotted in the woods of northeast Iowa. It may be the same bear that has attacked some of Bob Fassbinder’s beehives located in the Volga and Turkey river watershed areas.

Bears present challenge for beekeeper

Brian Smith
Contributing Writer
bsmith@fayettepublishing.com

The possibility of black bears taking up residence in northeast Iowa has created a scenario about which Bob Fassbinder, owner of Fassbinder Apiaries of Elgin, is not quite sure how he feels. The local beekeeper has had 10 of his bee colonies completely destroyed and 25 other hives suffering damage from bear attacks in the last few weeks.

Customers throughout northeast Iowa may see a new name “Farmers Win Coop” but can expect some expanded services with the merger of Fredericksburg Farmers Coop and Winn Coop that took effect Aug. 1. Pictured are assistant general manager Doug Van Sloten (l) and general manager Jim Erickson in front of the company’s main office in Fredericksburg. (Brian Smith photo)

'Farmers Win' with merger

Becky Walz
News Editor
bwalz@fayettepublishing.com

Farming has changed so much in the past five years as ever-changing technology pushes farmers to get bigger and more sophisticated equipment.

As farmers grow, so do their needs in products and services.

Northeast Iowa farmers knew in March that they had to grasp the opportunity presented to them as over 80 percent of the members from Winn Co-op in Decorah and Fredericksburg Farmers Co-op in Fredericksburg voted to merge.

“We have been working together for several years buying agricultural products that we furnish to customers, which was advantageous for volume purchases. So we decided that we would put them together as one company,” said Farmers Win Coop general manager Jim Erickson.

122 grand opening celebration

Brian Smith
Contributing Writer
bsmith@thefayettecountyunion.com

            A grand opening celebration is planned for Saturday, Aug. 9, at 122 in West Union. Owner Travis Rovang, who took over the establishment Dec. 1, 2013, has waited to hold the event until now in order to utilize the deck located in back of the restaurant.

            “With warmer weather, we can use the deck and accommodate more people for our celebration. Happy-hour specials will be available from 4 to 6 p.m., along with door prizes and entertainment in the evening,” said Rovang, who has enjoyed running the business over the past several months.

Local rock band Crystal Axe will not only be inducted into the Iowa Rock-n-Roll Music Association (IRRMA) Hall of Fame on Aug. 31, but also perform live during the Induction Concert in Arnolds Park Amusement Park. Looking forward to the ceremony and performance are longtime members (front) vocalist/keyboard player Kathy Bauer; (back, l-r) production assistant Gary Berns, drummer Brent Woodson, vocalist/bass guitarist Steve Manges, guitarist Kent Moore, founder/guitarist Harley Sunnes. Not pictured is guitarist Dale DeMaris. (Courtesy photo)

Crystal Axe rocks into Hall of Fame

By Mike Van Sickle
News Editor
mvansickle@thefayettecountyunion.com

For the third time in five years, band members with ties to the North High/North Fayette Valley community will be inducted into the Iowa Rock-n-Roll Music Association (IRRMA) Hall of Fame over the Labor Day weekend.

With its 2014 enshrinement at Arnolds Park on Sunday, Aug. 31, Crystal Axe joins local musicians from The Rubber Band, Class of 2010, and Memory Brothers, Class of 2013.

Over the past few weeks, Crystal Axe founding member Harley Sunnes of Hawkeye has been joined by band members Kathleen “Kat” Bauer, Dale DeMaris, Kent Moore, Steve Manges, and Brent Woodson not only to prepare to officially accept the distinguished honor, but also to perform at the famed Induction Concert at the Roof Garden in Arnolds Park Amusement Park on the evening of Aug. 31.