FAIRFIELD — Fairfield Arts & Convention Center announces the new Summer Sun Series—a
season of free outdoor concerts on alternating Wednesday evenings from June 2nd through
August 11th this summer.
Featuring local and Iowa-based artists, the series of 6 outdoor concerts will take place at 7 pm
on the street in front of the Center at 200 N. Main Street in Fairfield. Admission is free and
audiences are encouraged to bring their lawn chairs for seating.
“As the restrictions continue to relax and we’re starting to see the other side of this pandemic, I
think folks are really ready to experience live music again,” says Lindsay Bauer, Executive
Director of the FACC. “With vaccination rates rising and infection rates falling here in Fairfield,
we felt good about moving forward with outdoor concerts this summer. That felt responsible.”
The Summer Sun series is produced in partnership with local nonprofit Fairfield Muse. Bauer
says, “Tim Britton of Fairfield Muse was instrumental (no pun intended!) in curating the lineup.
I’ve worked in the arts in Iowa a long time and definitely have some favorite Iowa artists myself,
but Tim really gave me the rundown on the huge roster of talented musicians we have here in
Fairfield.”
Laughs Bauer, “I have a list several lifetimes long now of amazing local bands I want to work
with.” She says as plans for hosting concerts again were beginning to coalesce, FACC wanted to
start with local and regional artists first. “Without local art there is no art. We had the funding to
provide paying work to artists again, and we were adamant about starting close to home.”
The free concert series is supported in part by 2021-22 Season Sponsors of the FACC as well as a
pending grant from the Arts Midwest GIG Fund. Last year’s 17-week live-streamed series, “Live
From the Sondheim,” was provided entirely on a volunteer basis by both performers and staff as
the organization reeled after funding and revenue losses due to the pandemic. Now, Bauer says,
FACC is financially sound and ready to get back to work.
The series is also supported by a memorial fund dedicated to the memory of Brian MacQueen, a
former staff member at FACC who recently passed away this March. MacQueen’s sister, Jennifer
Hamilton, started a fund in his honor to purchase the necessary upgrades to sound equipment
which will make outdoor concerts possible. When the summer series ends, the new equipment
will also improve the sound quality for indoor concerts in the 2021-22 Artist Series this fall.The full Summer Sun lineup is available on FACC’s website at fairfieldacc.com and audience
members are encouraged to follow the events on the organization’s Facebook page for
up-to-the-moment updates.
Brueck, Gaylord named SCC 2021 Distinguished Alumni
Southeastern Community College will host receptions for this year’s Distinguished Alumni honorees prior to the May 12 and May 13 SCC commencement ceremonies.
Keokuk 2021 Distinguished Alumnus, Paul Gaylord, will be honored at a reception on Wednesday, May 12, at 5 p.m. on SCC’s Keokuk campus.
West Burlington 2021 Distinguished Alumnus, Judy Brueck, will be honored at a reception at 5 p.m. on Thursday, May 13, in the banquet room at Burlington Memorial Auditorium.
Meghan Meenerts, Gaylord’s granddaughter, will present the keynote speech at Keokuk’s commencement, to be held outdoors at Keokuk’s campus. Brueck will present a keynote address during West Burlington’s commencement at the Burlington Memorial Auditorium.
Gaylord dedicated his life to education and advocating for his hometown, Keokuk.
He earned an associate degree from Keokuk Community College in 1958 and a bachelor’s degree in education from Western Illinois University in 1960. He went on to earn a master’s degree in counseling and school administration in 1964 from Illinois State University.
Gaylord worked in the Keokuk Community School District for 28 years, serving as counselor, assistant principal, and eventually as principal of Keokuk Middle School for 16 years. One of the many highlights of Gaylord’s career was in 1988 when he received an award as one of the top 150 schools in the U.S for Excellence in Education on behalf of Keokuk Middle School from President Ronald Reagan at a ceremony at the White House.
In appreciation for his dedication to the Keokuk Community School District, then-mayor Ronald O. Bramhall declared June 4 to be Paul Gaylord Day.
Gaylord served his community diligently for the benefit of children, he encouraged everyone he knew to take pride in the city, and served as a positive role model for students and parents alike. The fruits of his life’s work continue to make a difference in his community and in the lives of all the people he served.
Gaylord passed away on February 23, 2019.
Brueck earned her licensed practical nurse diploma from SCC’s Keokuk campus in 1970.
She worked the night shift in Burlington Medical Center’s (BMC) Intensive Care Unit before returning to SCC’s West Burlington campus to complete her associate degree in nursing in 1979.
In 1980, Brueck was among the first nurses selected to staff BMC’s new oncology unit. A few years later, she went on to help start its home health/home hospice service, spending the next 20 years providing end-of-life care and family support.
Brueck joined the BMC Case Management Department in 2000 where she managed patient and medical services data records. Her work contributed to the department’s data validation rate of 98% as measured by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, earning BMC a Get with the Guidelines quality improvement award in 2018.
She earned a bachelor’s degree in business from Western Illinois University in 2005.
She retired from Great River Health Systems August 7, 2020 as the only employee in the hospital’s history with 50 years of continuous service.
In addition to her professional career, Brueck was active in a number of community organizations over the years, including the Boy Scouts, the Danville School Board, Des Moines County Sheriff’s Civil Service Commission, and the Burlington Fine Arts League.
Both pre-graduation receptions are open to the public and include hot and cold hors d’oeuvres and beverages for a free will donation.
Distinguished alumni are selected by the SCC Alumni Association board from nominations. Nominate an exceptional alum scciowa.edu. The deadline for nominations is August 1.
For reservations, call the SCC Alumni Association Office at (319) 208-5062 or email lhunter@scciowa.edu .
Henry County Supervisors Meeting Agenda
Assault With a Taser
On May 9th at approximately 5:21 p.m., the Henry County Sheriff’s Office received report of an Assault with an Electrical Stun Device that occurred in Oakland Mills.
After investigation, Sherrie Benedict, 38, of Fairfield was arrested and charged with Assault With A Dangerous Weapon (Aggravated Misdemeanor), and Intimidation With A Dangerous Weapon – Injure or Provoke Fear (Felony C).
Sherrie was detained by Fairfield Police Department and transported back to Henry County Jail.
A Search Warrant was later conducted in which the weapon was recovered.
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and Fairfield Police Department assisted in this investigation.
***A criminal charge is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.***
May 10th – May 16th, 2021
Happy Birthday
05/10/21 – Susan Beard
05/10/21 – Angie McGehearty
05/10/21 – Thelma Scarff
05/10/21 – Kerri Anderson
05/11/21 – Mary Kay Rappenecker
05/11/21 – Mike Holdefer
05/11/21 – Mike Hampton
05/12/21 – Wanda Hatch – 87
05/12/21 – Dan Campbell – 65
05/12/21 – Susan Smith
05/12/21 – Liam Barnett – 12 on the 12th
05/13/21 – Jennifer Estrada *belated from Wednesday*
05/13/21 – Maryann Dupree
05/13/21 – Robert Smith
05/13/21 – Catherine Veith
05/13/21 – Max Curran
05/14/21 – Lisa Ockenfeld
05/14/21 – Martha Newton
05/14/21 – Vicki Wilson
05/14/21 – Abigail Shelangoski
05/14/21 – Catherine Tansey
05/14/21 – Nancy Mattocks – 70
05/15/21 – Belle Miller
05/15/21 – Frank Conner
05/15/21 – Jesse Howard
05/16/21 – Rick Mullin
05/16/21 – Colin Pogemore
05/16/21 – Janis White
05/16/21 – Jan Towne and JonViev Whitaker (grandma and granddaughter)
Happy Anniversary
05/13/21 – Mitch & Jo Sankey
Juveniles Arrested for Vandelism
Three juveniles were charged in connection with vandalism in the area of the Mount Pleasant Central Park square that occurred May 6. Apparently, damage was done to numerous businesses by two 14 year olds and a 12 year old. All three are charged with criminal mischief in the second degree. One of the juveniles is also charged with threats of terrorism and harassment in the first degree after he threatened to shoot up a school and made statements about blowing up an officer’s house. Police said they received assistance from business owners and citizens who came forward with physical and video information and they thanked everyone who helped with the investigation.
Keith Baccam
Keith Jerry Baccam passed away Monday, May 3, 2021 at his home.
Keith was born April 28, 1952 in Son La,Vietnam and immigrated to Iowa in November 1975. On June 11, 1982 he was married to Pheuy Kavanh in Keosauqua. They made their home in Mount Pleasant where Keith worked as a machine operator at Mackay Envelope. Pheuy passed away in 2008. Keith later married Khay.
Keith retired in 2017 and was excited for retirement and being able to enjoy being outdoors more often. He had many hobbies that reflected his love for being outside. One of his favorite things to do was go fishing early in the morning and then sharing his daily catch with friends. There was always an abundant supply of fish at home that he would proudly boast about. He hunted in the winter and also enjoyed gardening in the summer while sharing fruits from his pear trees and vegetables he had grown with neighbors. Keith also enjoyed cooking and was known for making sausages, sauces and other specialties. He also had a knack for striking up random conversations with many people in town and building relationships with those he met.
Keith is survived by a son Jeffrey Baccam of Iowa City; two daughters: Loraine (Sagar) Patel of Fairfield; Emily (Nic) Youngers of Urbandale. Three brothers: Oat Baccam, Sang Baccam, and Viengsack Baccam; and 3 sisters: Bock Babcock, Von Thong Baccam and Vongkham Tuazon. He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, Pheuy, and siblings: Thien, Chon, and Xuan.
Memorial services are pending at the Olson-Powell Memorial Chapel in Mount Pleasant.
Khay Baccam
Khay Baccam, 46, passed away Monday, May 3, 2021 at her home.
Khay was born May 3, 1975, in Laos. She was married to Keith Baccam and worked for West Liberty Foods. Khay was always kind and welcoming to everyone around her and made friends with those that she met. She enjoyed cooking and was well known for making eggrolls, crab rangoons and other specialties that she shared with others. She enjoyed shopping and spending time with friends in her past time. She also devoted her time to working hard so that she could care for her mother and siblings overseas.
Khay is survived by a step son, Jeffrey Baccam of Iowa City; 2 step daughters: Loraine (Sagar) Patel of Fairfield; Emily (Nic) Youngers of Urbandale; her mother and siblings. She was preceded in death by her father.
Memorial services are pending at the Olson-Powell Memorial Chapel in Mount Pleasant.