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.