Stephen Gail Fletcher
Stephen Gail Fletcher, son of Everett Troy & Alice Alcista (Wimer) Fletcher, was born December 26, 1953, at Mount Ayr, Iowa. Steve, better known as Fluff, grew up in the Diagonal community. He graduated from Diagonal High School in 1972. Fluff moved to Colorado and worked out there before returning back to Iowa. While in…
Read MoreSnapshots of History: McNeiley’s Drug Store
By Mike Avitt Finis Edward McNeiley purchased the Lawhead Drug Company in Mount Ayr in January 1941. Dr. C. C. Lawhead, the former owner of the drug store, retained ownership of the building. Dr. Lawhead opened this business in October 1934 and was associated with Walgreen products, known then as The Walgreen System. Horne Pharmacy,…
Read MoreRobert (Bob) Lewis Walker
Robert (Bob) Lewis Walker, husband, father, farmer, and steward of the land, was born February 26, 1934, and died December 25, 2024, surrounded by family. He is remembered by his wife of 67 years, Loy, (Alice Loy Buffington Walker), four children, 16 grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren. Bob’s legacy is one of generosity, stewardship, an appreciation…
Read MoreSister Joan Sheil, CHM
Sister Joan Sheil, CHM, 90, died December 24, 2024, at Bishop Drumm Retirement Center in Johnston, Iowa. Services at Bishop Drumm Our Lady of Peace Chapel will be on Saturday, December 28, 2:30-3:30 pm, Visitation and 3:30 pm, Memorial Service. Services at Humility of Mary Center, Davenport, Iowa, are on Monday, December 30, 4 pm,…
Read MoreWind and Rain
Readers note: I hope you love my short story. As the winds dance by I wonder if it will rain, and if it does, I would love mothers warm welcome soup. I catch rain water and watch the ducks going for a swim. Come in, mother called. I came in. I made you soup. Thank…
Read MoreThe Trump Titantic sails
To the editor: As the SS Trump Titanic prepares to leave Mar-a-Lago for Washington D.C. let’s take a look at some of the motley crew. As his proposed Secretary of Education, there is Linda McMahon, longtime Trump loyalist and financial backer. What is her qualification? A professional wrestling magnate who lied about having a degree…
Read MoreLooking Back
One Hundred Years Ago (From the Mount Ayr Record-News,Thursday, January 7, 1925.) Peter Westevelt, an aged man living with his sister in the Grand River neighborhood, was robbed recently of a sum of money and a quantity of Liberty Bonds. Mr. Westevelt was in the habit, it was said, of keeping considerable money around the…
Read MoreNew year brings rental housing inspections
The Mount Ayr city council approved the third reading of the rental housing ordinance and discussed next steps at their regular meeting last month, Wednesday, December 18. While the council formally passed the new Rental Housing Code, it now moves on to Mayor Steve Fetty for his signature of acceptance or veto. Council member Jessica…
Read MoreMount Ayr by the numbers
The changing of the new year marked the halfway point between the most recent U.S. Census in 2020 and the next one in 2030. However, the Census Bureau periodically updates its estimates, and below are the latest numbers pertaining to the demographic statistics for Mount Ayr. Residents Mount Ayr has a population of 1,626 within…
Read MoreDental care returns to Mount Ayr
Rodney Gold, DDS initially began providing dental care in Mount Ayr and Leon on June 1, 2023 before taking a short break. Dr. Gold returned to Infinity Health roughly four months ago, and has been providing dental services in Mount Ayr every Monday and Thursday. As a federally qualified dental center, Infinity Health serves patients…
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