The Fairfield Ledger & Town Crier

07/31/2019

Fairfield provided their roots, and their talent gave them wings.

The town has been fortunate to have so many talented performers pass through its proverbial doors on their way to stardom. This weekend, they will gather at the Stephen Sondheim Center for the Performing Arts for the Coming Home – Coming Together Concert. Residents will get to hear musicians and vocalists with decades of experience, and others who are just beginning their climb.

The town has been fortunate to have so many talented performers pass through its proverbial doors on their way to stardom. This weekend, they will gather at the Stephen Sondheim Center for the Performing Arts for the Coming Home – Coming Together Concert. Residents will get to hear musicians and v...

07/29/2019

Fairfield RAGBRAI 2019’s executive committee has received nothing but compliments about the town’s accommodations and entertainment Thursday during the great bicycle ride’s overnight stop.

“I think it went great. The riders were happy, and we talked to the Des Moines RAGBRAI group, who told us that Fairfield never disappoints,” said Tammy Dunbar, one of the executive chairs. “We couldn’t have asked for better weather. The volunteers really stepped up and did their part.”

Fairfield RAGBRAI 2019’s executive committee has received nothing but compliments about the town’s accommodations and entertainment Thursday during the great bicycle ride’s overnight stop.

07/26/2019

“RAGBRAI is physically challenging but emotionally satisfying.”

Those were the words of Mike Bodaken, uttered after he rolled into Fairfield Thursday on his bike. His comment perfectly captures the experience of riding across the state of Iowa in a week’s time. It’s a grueling trek, but one made so worthwhile through the sights seen and friendships formed.

Bodaken spent Thursday night at the home of Stephen and Afton Pedrick, who hosted a second rider, Audie Foster. Both Bodaken and Foster grew up in Iowa – Bodaken in Storm Lake and Foster in Spencer – but have since moved to other states. This week has been a homecoming of sorts for the two, and they’re both glad to be back in the Midwest.

Those were the words of Mike Bodaken, uttered after he rolled into Fairfield Thursday on his bike. His comment perfectly captures the experience of riding across the state of Iowa in a week’s time. It’s a grueling trek, but one made so worthwhile through the sights seen and friendships formed.

07/25/2019

07/24/2019

One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.

That old adage fit to a “T” the situation facing the Pekin Community School District. For the past two years, the district has won grants to replace school buses that no longer meet the Environmental Protection Agency’s emission standards.

The district received $40,000 to replace two buses. The only catch was that Pekin had to stop using two old buses that were replaced. In fact, the district had to disable the buses so they could never be driven again.

Gary Dickey of the Packwood Fire Department heard this news and saw an opportunity.

That old adage fit to a “T” the situation facing the Pekin Community School District. For the past two years, the district has won grants to replace school buses that no longer meet the Environmental Protection Agency’s emission standards.

07/23/2019

Did one of the "Pipe Dreams" sculptures catch your eye? Silent auction bidding starts Thursday, just in time for the RAGBRAI visit.
www.ffledger.com/subject/life/pipe-dreams-art-going-up-for-bids-20190723

07/22/2019

This is the week of the Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa, a time when thousands of cyclists are embarking on a 427-mile journey from Council Bluffs to Keokuk, stopping in Fairfield along the way.

But truth be told, Fairfield has already been visited by a cyclist on a long journey. Just last week, a man named John Link spent a few days here in Silicorn Valley, pausing to catch his breath in the midst of a bicycle ride of epic proportions. Link is visiting friends and family throughout the eastern half of the United States, and he’s doing it all atop his 1989 Centurion Ironman road bike.

This is the week of the Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa, a time when thousands of cyclists are embarking on a 427-mile journey from Council Bluffs to Keokuk, stopping in Fairfield along the way.

07/22/2019

Do you remember Brownie the bear out at the Harken Farm? Reminisce a little with the Harken Farm "kids" in today's Fairfield Ledger.
https://www.ffledger.com/subject/news/business-harken-farm-families-reunite-20190722

07/12/2019

Trojans defeat Keokuk in round one of the playoffs and will travel to Mt. Pleasant on Saturday for the Class 4A region 6 semifinal.

The Fairfield varsity softball team eliminated Keokuk from the Class 4A region 6 playoffs Thursday evening with a 7-1 home victory over the Chiefs who finish the year 3-31.

07/12/2019

Class 3A's No. 8 ranked Trojans mercy-ruled top-ranked Wilton from Class 2A, 17-3 Thursday night on the road.

The Fairfield varsity baseball team has won six games in a row and five of those contests have come in the last six days with the Trojans accumulating 57 runs scored in that time while allowing just 21 opposing tallies.

07/11/2019

Construction has begun on a park in downtown Fairfield.

The park will be on the southwest corner of North Main Street and West Briggs Avenue, on a vacant lot where the Tribune Building once stood. The building was torn down in July 2014 after it was found to be structurally unsound, and has been an empty slab ever since.

Fairfield resident Alex Stanley purchased the lot from Ross Walker, and agreed to donate it to the city on the condition it become a park. The park will be named “Petra’s Place” in honor of Stanley’s wife of 29 years, Petra, who died of cancer in 2016.

The park will be on the southwest corner of North Main Street and West Briggs Avenue, on a vacant lot where the Tribune Building once stood. The building was torn down in July 2014 after it was found to be structurally unsound, and has been an empty slab ever since.

07/11/2019

Jirak slams Warriors past Highland, sets up duel with Pekin at home Friday! Cardinal eliminated.

The Van Buren varsity softball team improved to 15-11 with a 4-3 victory at Highland Wednesday night, setting up a Class 2A region 8 semifinal match up with Pekin Friday night at Packwood.

07/11/2019

Trojan treasures: Tiff Widmer talks about his life and passions as he turned 52 this week!

“I was born in Fairfield on July 8, 1967 and graduated from FHS in 1986,” explained the Jefferson County native who has left town a few times, just to find himself returning back home.

07/08/2019

Residents both past and present congregated in Richland last weekend for the town’s Homecoming celebration.

Richland puts on Homecoming once every five years, and has done so ever since the first Homecoming in 1909 (except in 1944 when Homecoming was skipped because of World War II). Korwin Hinshaw, president of the Richland Community Club responsible for organizing the event, said the generosity of the sponsoring businesses and the donations from private individuals made this one of the most successful Homecomings ever.

Richland puts on Homecoming once every five years, and has done so ever since the first Homecoming in 1909 (except in 1944 when Homecoming was skipped because of World War II). Korwin Hinshaw, president of the Richland Community Club responsible for organizing the event, said the generosity of the s...

07/03/2019

A German woman wants to reconnect with Fairfield, where she attended school as an American Field Service exchange student more than 60 years ago.

Ingeborg “Inga” Asmussen attended Fairfield High School as an American Field Service exchange student during the 1952-1953 academic year. She stayed with H.L. (Si) and Helen Sellers at 605 S. Main St. Another German, Dieter Müller, was also an exchange student at Fairfield that same year. Inga, her husband Joachim, and Dieter all flew from Germany to attend the Class of 1953’s 40th reunion in 1993.

A German woman wants to reconnect with Fairfield, where she attended school as an American Field Service exchange student more than 60 years ago.

07/03/2019

Entomologist Moni Hayne will be sharing her knowledge during Insect Week at Jefferson County Park.

Hayne will present three different programs. All programs meet at the Jefferson County Park Nature Center. No registration is required. All children must be accompanied by an adult.

07/03/2019

Get a look at the newest Greater Fairfield Area Habitat for Humanity home during its dedication ceremony Sunday.

https://www.ffledger.com/subject/life/dedication-ceremony-for-newest-habitat-home-planned-sunday-20190702

07/02/2019

Trojans comeback to force share of SEC softball crown!

After falling 5-1 in the first game of the defacto SEC championship doubleheader at home against Mt. Pleasant Monday night, the Trojan softball team rallied for a 3-2 come-from-behind win that gave the two conference rivals a split on the night, the season and each a share of the league title.

07/02/2019

A group of volunteers painted the Ron Prill Bandstand in Central Park Friday morning.

The project was organized by the Fairfield Beautification Commission, with a helping hand from Cambridge Investment Research. Five Cambridge employees helped paint the bandstand, until a storm came through that forced all the volunteers to take cover.

Beautification commission member Susan Gail said her group wanted to paint the bandstand last year. It hadn’t been painted in more than five years.

“The paint was peeling off. It just needed to be freshened up,” she said.

The project was organized by the Fairfield Beautification Commission, with a helping hand from Cambridge Investment Research. Five Cambridge employees helped paint the bandstand, until a storm came through that forced all the volunteers to take cover.

07/01/2019

The 2019 Greater Jefferson County Fair has come to a close.

A mild month of June gave way to a mid-summer heat wave during the week of the fair. It meant exhibitors had to keep a close eye on their animals’ water supply, and make sure they were staying cool by giving them frequent baths or placing them near a fan.

Thirteen-year-old Maddi Woodburn participated in Saturday’s beef show. As soon as the show ended, Woodburn made a beeline for the water hoses near the Dairy Barn, where she bathed her heifer “Midnight,” who was ready to rest after her competition.

A mild month of June gave way to a mid-summer heat wave during the week of the fair. It meant exhibitors had to keep a close eye on their animals’ water supply, and make sure they were staying cool by giving them frequent baths or placing them near a fan.

06/28/2019

James Kurka, Dante Cingere and Hunter Drish all spoke with The Ledger about their freshmen years of college ball recently.

Three Fairfield High Class of 2018 alum were recently spotted together at a Trojan baseball game and the trio was nice enough to chat with The Ledger about their freshman year experiences.

06/27/2019

Kaitlyn Post has been named the 2019 Greater Jefferson County Fair Queen.

The 2018 county fair queen, Kristen Daugherty, passed the crown to Post during the queen contest Wednesday in the show arena at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds.

The 2018 county fair queen, Kristen Daugherty, passed the crown to Post during the queen contest Wednesday in the show arena at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds. The coronation concluded a day of interviews for the three queen candidates: Post, Sophia Mineart (first runner-up) and Celsey Horton (sec...

06/26/2019

Hailey Swan, the 2018 Iowa State Fair Queen, tossed out candy during the Greater Jefferson County Fair Parade 2019 Tuesday in Fairfield. Swan, of Davis County, is seen here sitting next to 2018 Jefferson County Fair Queen Kristen Daugherty, and riding with the three county fair queen contestants for this year: Kaitlyn Post, Celsey Horton and Sophia Mineart.

Hailey Swan, the 2018 Iowa State Fair Queen, tosses out candy during the Greater Jefferson County Fair Parade 2019 Tuesday in Fairfield. Swan, of Davis County, is sitting next to 2018 Jefferson County Fair Queen Kristen Daugherty, and riding with the three county fair queen contestants for this year...

06/24/2019

Norbert and Marie Hammes have long been a model of commitment, and now they are the benchmark.

The Fairfield couple has been married more than 78 years. The United States had not yet entered World War II when Norbert and Marie tied the knot on Nov. 28, 1940. As a matter of fact, the couple has been married so long that they have received a certificate for their achievement.

The organization Worldwide Marriage Encounter has undertaken a project to identify the longest married couple in every state. On May 15, WME declared that the honor for Iowa’s longest married couple of 2019 belongs to Norbert and Marie.

The Fairfield couple has been married more than 78 years. The United States had not yet entered World War II when Norbert and Marie tied the knot on Nov. 28, 1940. As a matter of fact, the couple has been married so long that they have received a certificate for their achievement.

06/21/2019

TrafFix Devices Inc. of Fairfield completed one big expansion last year, and is following that with a second one this year.

The business grew by 80,000 square feet during an expansion in late 2017-early 2018. The concrete barely had time to settle on that project when the business embarked on another, this time a 17,000-square-foot addition to its roto mold facility.

TrafFix Devices Inc. of Fairfield completed one big expansion last year, and is following that with a second one this year.

06/20/2019

Packwood Lions Club is hosting a breakfast 7-9 a.m. Saturday at the Packwood Community Center.
The breakfast will include pancakes, french toast, sausage patties, coffee and juice.
A freewill offering will be collected to benefit the Lions KidSight program.
https://www.ffledger.com/subject/life/clubs-organizations-packwood-lions-hosting-breakfast-solitaires-carpooling-to-lunch-20190620

06/19/2019

Fairfield isn’t the only town in the county busy making preparations for RAGBRAI’s arrival next month.

Before spending the night in Fairfield on July 25, the 10,000 cyclists will pass through Libertyville, where they will be welcomed with food, games and live music. It will be the first time in RAGBRAI’s 47 years that it has ever come through the town.

The theme of Libertyville’s RAGBRAI celebration is “A slice of paradise,” and will have a tropical theme.

Before spending the night in Fairfield on July 25, the 10,000 cyclists will pass through Libertyville, where they will be welcomed with food, games and live music. It will be the first time in RAGBRAI’s 47 years that it has ever come through the town.

06/19/2019

Trojans take two from Washington and improve to 9-1 in the SEC!

Fairfield softball is now 15-10 overall after sweeping Washington with 4-3 and 5-3 victories Monday night that also improved their mark to 9-1 in the Southeast Conference.

06/19/2019

Pekin baseball win at Highland makes four straight for the Panthers!

After losing four straight games two weeks ago, the Pekin baseball team has won four straight to improve their overall record to 9-6 after a 4-2 victory at Highland Tuesday night.

06/19/2019

Pekin's Kylie Davis got the win Tuesday night at Highland and the Panthers went back-to-back-to-back with three straight jacks! FInd out who hit the trio of long balls.

The Panthers smacked three straight homers against the Huskies in the sixth inning when senior Ellie Ledger and sophomores Emi Zook and Erika Coleman went back-to-back-to-back.