April 04, 2026
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Top 10 headlines from 2017

By Caleb Nelson

Nancy Pettit, shown conducting her handbell choir at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Fontanelle, says there's something special about making music with others. Pettit and The ELC Ringers were featured in a Fontanelle Observer story Jan. 18. (File Photo)

As 2017 comes to its curtain call, we at the Fontanelle Observer wanted to take a gander back at the past year and the stories we’ve shared with you, our readers, each week.

In chronological order, here are our top 10 favorite stories from 2017.

1. Wednesday, Jan. 18 — Under the direction of Nancy Pettit, the Immanuel Lutheran Church Ringers, that have been around since 2000, continue to get together and practice as well as fellowship each Monday night. Pettit tries to have a unique handbell technique in every song the ringers learn. "I guess I like the idea of having only two bells in your hands and being part of a group to make that big, lovely sound," Pettit said.

2. Wednesday, Feb. 22 — Lola Blazek, 99, of Williamson and Dorothy McCall, 95, of Bridgewater grew up as sisters and are still two of Avondale's finest, partaking in church activities and having traditional Sunday dinner and cards following at McCall's house. Dorothy and Lola both play piano by ear and Lola said "mom stood over us with a yard stick. Mom didn't play but knew if we hit a wrong note."

3. Wednesday, March 1 — Todd and Traci Van Eaton took ownership of the Fontanelle bar in July 2016 after not wanting the town to lose a bar. The goal was to renovate the building to have a nice place for people to go. The bar was purchased at an auction in Atlantic. They chose a racing theme and offer much entertainment with gaming machines, a pool table and television at the establishment called Wreckers or Checkers Bar.

4. Wednesday, March 8 — Doug Miller said he was hoping for maybe 5 percent of the 160 residents of Bridgewater to show up for the first "Take Back Bridgewater, Iowa" meeting. His expectations were exceeded. They addressed graffiti and drug problems in their small community in western Adair County at the first meeting.

5. Wednesday, April 26 —Shortly after the 10-year anniversary of Dean Dwyer's liver transplant, he recalls the memory of that surgery and is thankful today for the liver donation he received that gives him the hope and future to keep going. Dwyer, of Bridgewater, states that "It was the greatest gift I could have gotten."

6. Wednesday, June 21 — Colton Stuva, son of Chris and Heather Stuva of Fontanelle, represented Nodaway Valley High School at the Iowa High School Rodeo Association Finals in Waterloo. Since this was Stuva's first year in high school rodeo, he was eligible for the rookie award. The award goes to the girl or boy who has earned the most points in their event in their first year.

7. Wednesday, July 26 — The Conservation Lifetime Achievement Award was awarded to the family of the late Neil Lundy in his honor at the Adair County Fair. They are the fourth generation to have lived on a family farm in Summit Township, Adair County. They have stories as far back as the 1894 purchase agreement by their grandparents, when they planted with an Allis-Chalmers D17 and a four-row planter. Neil was a no-till farmer for over 40 years, even with some ridicule from his farmer friends. He planted rye and wheat after harvesting soybeans before cover crops were even a discussion in local soil conservation offices.

8. Wednesday, Aug. 16 — Shaw Media, owner of the Creston News Advertiser, announces its purchase of the Adair County Free Press and Fontanelle Observer from Carroll-based Herald Publishing. The sale was effective immediately. CNA publisher Rich Paulsen said "we are looking forward to serving the communities of Adair County and we look to continue the outstanding tradition of journalism in the papers." In October, Tom Walk began as advertising representative for the papers and Caleb Nelson was named news editor with Scott Vicker serving as managing editor.

9. Wednesday, Nov. 1 — The Nodaway Valley Wolverine cross country team earned its third-straight state championship in boys cross country at the State Cross Country Championships in Fort Dodge. They were led individually by senior Brycen Wallace's third place finish.

10. Wednesday, Dec. 13 — The Friends of the Fontanelle Library hosted their first Secret Santa Shop for children to shop for Christmas presents for their family members. The event was held in conjunction with the Fontanelle Lion's Club's Pancake Day and the town's annual visit from Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus. Items were donated and cost the children 25 cents each.