UIU rings in its 150th anniversary celebration
FAYETTE, IA (January 8, 2007) – Handbell choir Les Cloches d’Or performed on behalf of Upper Iowa University on Sunday, Jan. 7. The concert was held at the United Methodist church in Fayette and kicked off Upper Iowa’s year-long 150th anniversary celebration. Although the university has no religious affiliation today, UIU had strong connections to the Methodist church when it was founded in 1857.
Les Cloches d’Or is one of five handbell choirs at First United Methodist Church in Cedar Falls. It has 
performed at numerous area and national handbell festivals throughout the United States and in Des Moines at the invitation of the governor. The choir performs on five and a half octaves of Schulmerich handbells. Les Cloches d’Or is directed by Aaron Hansen.
Immediately following the concert, guests were invited to the Colgrove-Walker building on Upper Iowa’s campus for refreshments and to witness 150 chimes of the bell atop Alexander-Dickman Hall.
Fayette Postmaster Terrie Allen 
set up an official U.S. Post Office station to distribute envelopes with 150th stamps and a commemorative cancellation. The cancellation and stamps will be available at the Fayette Post Office, upon request, for the next 30 days.
