Volunteers Needed for 75th Annual Old Threshers Reunion – Be Part of the Tradition

Mount Pleasant, Iowa — As the Old Threshers Reunion prepares to celebrate its 75th anniversary this year, organizers are calling on the community to join the excitement by volunteering at the gates. The annual event, a cherished tradition in southeast Iowa, draws thousands of visitors from across the country to experience a unique blend of history, entertainment, and community spirit.

With the milestone celebration just around the corner, gate volunteers are especially needed to help ensure smooth operations and a welcoming experience for all attendees. Volunteering offers an opportunity to be part of the behind-the-scenes action and contribute to one of the region’s largest and most iconic events.

Those interested in volunteering can register by calling the Old Threshers office at (319) 385-8937, available for calls from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., or by calling or texting (319) 931-3768 anytime.

The Old Threshers Reunion features antique machinery, steam engines, live music, food vendors, parades, and family-friendly attractions. Volunteers play a key role in making the event a success, and with this year marking a historic 75th year, the need — and the excitement — is greater than ever.

Don’t miss the chance to make memories and support a community tradition. Sign up today and be part of the celebration!

Louisa County Fair 2025 Dog Show Results

Dog:

Champion Intro Class Obedience- Leland Dieckman

Reserve Champion Class Obedience- Audrey Caroll

 

Champion Beginner Novice Obedience- Lily Bishop

Reserve Champion Class Obedience- Lily Bishop

 

Champion Novice Obedience- Ben Gieselman

Reserve Champion Novice Obedience- Kylie Morrison

 

High Score- Leland Dieckman

 

Champion Sub Novice Showman- Leland Dieckman

Reserve Champion Sub Novice- Aurey Carroll

 

Champion Novice Showman- Lily Bishop

Reserve Champion Novice Showman- Layton Carroll

 

Champion Obstacle- Kylie Morrison

Reserve Champion Obstacle- Ben Gieselman

 

Champion Costume- Olivia Buffington

Reserve Champion Costume- Lily Bishop

 

Champion Poster- Grace Keltner

Reserve Champion Poster- Dimitri Leopard

Louisa County Fair 2025 Poultry Results

Poultry:

Champion Broiler- Jackson Mincks

Reserve Champion Broiler- Baylie Laymon

 

Best of Class Meat Production- Baylie Laymon

 

Best Class Egg Production Pen of Three- Olivia Buffington

 

Best of Class Egg Production- Olivia Buffington

 

Champion Home Laid Eggs- Olivia Buffington

 

Best of Class Ornamental Bantam Feathered Leg- Garrett Cooley

 

Best of Class Ornamental Bantam Clean Leg- Garrett Cooley

 

Best of Class Ornamental Standard Feathered Leg- Zoey Ehlers

 

Best of Class Ornamental Standard Clean Leg- Garrick Ball

 

Best Class of Ducks- Baylie Laymon

 

Best Class of Geese- Barrett Starkweather

 

Best Class of Turkey- Jonathan Warnstaff

 

Best of Class Pigeon- Averee Allison

 

Best of Class Other Poultry- Khayden Rees

 

Best of Show Poultry- Olivia Buffington

Reserve Best of Show Poultry- Garrett Cooley

 

Best of Class Pair- Olivia Buffington

 

Best of Class Costume- Owen Hayburn

 

Champion Open Showman- Garrett Cooley

 

Champion Senior Showman- Garrick Ball

 

Champion Intermediate Showman- Olivia Buffington

 

Champion Junior Showman- Zoey Ehlers

Louisa County Fair 2025 Sheep Show Results

Sheep:

Grand Champion Commercial Ewe- Cade Storm

Reserve Grand Champion Commercial Ewe- Remson Lents

 

3rd Overall Commerical Ewe- Madeleine Howell

 

4th Overall Commerical Ewe- Remsen Lents

 

5th Overall Commerical Ewe- Jake Milder

 

Champion Lightweight Madeleine Howell

Reserve Champion Lightweight- Mattilyn Jay

 

Champion Middleweight- Madeleine Howell

Reserve Champion Middleweight- Madeleine Howell

 

Champion Heavyweight- Hannah Anderson

Reserve Champion Heavyweight- Coralene Edwards

 

Champion White Breed Influence- Alanna Edwards

Reserve Champion Whtie Breed Influence- Cade Storm

 

Champion County Raised Lamb- Kamdyn Hahn

Reserve Champion County Raised Lamb- Jake Milder

 

Champion Carcass- Jake Milder

 

Champion Rate of Gain- Jake Milder

 

Grand Champion Market Lamb- Madeleine Howell

Reserve Champion Market Lamb- Hannah Anderson

 

3rd Overall Market Lamb- Madeleine Howell

 

4th Overall Market Lamb- Coralene Edwards

 

5th Overall Market Lamb- Madeleine Howell

Louisa County Fair 2025 Goat show results

Goat:

Champion Diary Goat- Kara Giese

Reserve Champion Diary Goat- Danielle Giese

 

Grand Champion Buck Kid- Lea Stweart

Reserve Grand Champion Buck Kid- Kalley Deese

 

Champion under 1 Year Breeding Doe- Cael Howell

Reserve Champion under 1 Breeding Doe- Hailey Wellington

 

Champion over 1 Year Breeding Doe- Tate Travis

Reserve Champion over 1 Year Breeding Doe- Eloise Keltner

 

Champion Breeding Doe Pair- Barrett Starkweather

Reserve Champion Breeding Doe Pair- Jase Howell

 

Grand Champion Breeding Doe- Cael Howell

Reserve Champion Breeding Doe- Hailey Wellington

3rd Overall Breeding Doe- Kamdyn Hahn

4th Overall Breeding Doe- Tate Travis

3rd Overall Breeding Doe- Eloise Keltner

 

Grand Champion Market Goat- Cael Howell

Overall Reserve Champion Market Goat- Kamdyn Hahn

3rd Overall Market Goat- Lucy Wellington

4th Overall Market Goat- Hailey Wellington

5th Overall Market Goat- Garrett Cooley

 

Champion Rate of Gain- Kamdyn Hahn

 

Champion Ultrasound Production Goat- Garrett Cooley

 

Champion Home Raised Goat- Hailey Wellington

 

Champion County Raised Goat- Tate Travis

 

Open Showman- Eloise Keltner

 

Senior Showman- Hailey Wellington

 

Junior Showman- Isabel Warnstaff

Brenda M. McDowell

Brenda M. McDowell

Brenda M. McDowell, 60, of Mt. Pleasant, died Tuesday, July 22, 2025 in the Emergency Room of Henry County Health Center.

Brenda Marie Keck was born December 1, 1964 in Mt. Pleasant, IA. She was the daughter of Larry Lester and Sharon Kay (Steward) Keck. She attended school in Morning Sun, IA. On August 21, 1982 in Mt. Pleasant, Brenda was united in marriage to Emmett Milton McDowell.

Brenda was a longtime homemaker. She had previously worked for Wal-Mart and in the Housekeeping Dept. of the Iris Motel and AmericInn in Mt. Pleasant. Her grandchildren were her greatest joy and loved to spend time with them.

Those thankful for sharing in Brenda’s Life include her husband of over 40 years, Emmett of Salem; 3 children – Tina McDowell of Mt. Pleasant, Justin McDowell and his fiancée Tori Moore of Kahoka, MO and Colton Keck and his wife Amanda of Mt. Pleasant; a sister – Shelby Kinney and her husband Paul of Mt. Pleasant, and 14 grandchildren.

Her parents – Larry Keck and Sharon Keck Vaughn, two sisters – Debra Volner and Kim Morris and a brother, Monte Keck, precede Brenda in death.

No services will be held per Brenda’s request. Cremation rites have been entrusted to the Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 North Main Street, Mount Pleasant.

Those considering an expression of sympathy may direct memorials to the family. Online condolences may be left at www.kimzeyfh.com

Darrell Eugene Schenk

Darrell Eugene Schenk, 89, of Winfield, died Tuesday, July 22, 2025 at Henry County Health Center, Mt. Pleasant.  He was born June 17, 1936 in Mt. Union to Carl and Francys Helphrey Schenk.  He was a 1954 graduate of Winfield High School and graduated Cum Laude from Iowa Wesleyan College.

Darrell married Carolyn Watkins in Pleasant Grove and they later divorced.  He taught junior high and high school science in area schools and retired from Mediapolis where he taught jr. high science and in his earlier years, he enjoyed coaching basketball.  He farmed his entire life and enjoyed ballroom dancing; watching high school and college sports; the stock market; talking politics; and traveling.  He loved reading about his genealogy and family history, and was a lifelong learner and educator.

Survivors include his children Michelle Bentler of Ft. Madison and Kelvin (Cay) Schenk of Albuquerque, New Mexico; grandchildren Kaitlyn (Matthew) Schmelzer, Isa and Alex Schenk; great-granddaughter Maeve Schmelzer; sister Mary Jane Robertson of Mediapolis; one niece, nephews and many cousins.  He was preceded in death by his parents and brother-in-law Ray Robertson.

Visitation for Mr. Schenk will begin at noon on Saturday, July 26, 2025 at Elliott Chapel, New London, with the family receiving friends from 3:00 -4:00 pm.  A graveside inurnment service will immediately follow in procession to Trinity Cemetery, rural Mt. Union with Pastor Nancy Sutherland officiating.  A light summer supper will be held at the New London Community Hall immediately following the burial.  Memorials have been established for the teachers at the Winfield Mt-Union School District and the Sunrise Terrace Activity Fund.  Online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.

Cade Storm Wins Grand Champion Breeding Commercial Ewe at Louisa County Fair

It was a hot day in the show ring at the Louisa County Fair, but that didn’t stop Cade Storm from earning top honors. Representing the Columbus City Wildcats 4-H Club, Cade was crowned Grand Champion in the Breeding Commercial Ewe division.

 

Cade is the son of Matt and Stacey Storm and says this moment is one to remember despite the blur of excitement surrounding the victory.

In addition to the champion ewe, Cade is also showing two market lambs later in the fair—a speckled face white face lamb and a regular crossbred middleweight lamb. While sheep are Cade’s focus, he’s not showing any other species this year.

The Louisa County Fair continues this week with more livestock competitions, activities, and community celebrations. Congratulations to Cade Storm on a well-earned champion title