Eight-year-old Wilson Barth stands at home holding a basketball, a symbol of his strength and determination. Diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma in 2024, Wilson underwent a rare rotationplasty surgery and completed chemotherapy in January 2025. He is now cancer-free and the inspiration behind the upcoming Wilson Rocks! benefit concert in Shenandoah.
By LIZ SKILLERN The Page County Post
What started as a simple idea to support a friend’s child has blossomed into a full-fledged summer concert celebration. On Friday, June 20, the Elks Lodge in Shenandoah will come alive with music, food, an auction, and community spirit for Wilson Rocks!, a benefit concert honoring 8-year-old Wilson Barth and his courageous fight against cancer.
Diagnosed in April 2024 with Ewing’s Sarcoma in his left leg, Wilson has endured intensive chemotherapy and ultimately made a heartwrenching decision no child should ever face — to undergo a rotationplasty, a rare surgery that removed his knee and part of his leg, reattaching the lower portion rotated 180 degrees to function as a joint. Despite the pain and setbacks, Wilson completed chemotherapy and rang the bell at the Mayo Clinic in January 2025, declaring proudly: “I’M CANCER FREE!!!” — to the beat of his favorite song, “Believer.”
But his journey hasn’t been without continued challenges. He’s learning to walk with a prosthetic, which he calls his “robot leg,” and recently suffered multiple fractures after a fall. Still, his indomitable spirit shines.
“He’s a chatterbox and makes friends everywhere we go,” said his mom, Devin Barth. “People we’ve never met will come up and say, ‘Hi Wilson!’ and he just talks to them like they’re old friends. It’s been amazing to see how much love people have for him.”
The Wilson Rocks! concert was the brainchild of local contractor and musician Jeff Slater, inspired in part by his daughter Sofia’s friendship with Wilson. “I don’t know the family very well, but Wilson has always been a sweet kid and a good friend to Sofia,” Slater said. “When I thought about what he’s gone through, I knew I had to do something.”
Rather than a typical fundraiser, Slater envisioned giving kids and families a real concert experience — complete with live music and merchandise such as stickers, necklaces, and t-shirts. “I
There's simply no way to send a thank-you card to every single person who helped bring Kaylee Birt home. But please know, from the depths of our hearts, we are eternally grateful. Whether you sent a prayer, a kind word, a
meal, a gift, a donation, a visit, or gave your time and energy on the ground-your compassion has been a profound gift to our family.
We've witnessed people who had never prayed before beginning to pray. That is Kaylee's legacy.
She loved the Lord with all her heart, and we know she would have been moved to hear some of the beautiful testimonies we've received.
— Thank You from Kaylee's families
I am reaching out in the attempt of trying to possibly obtain a special item for Father's Day . This is going to sound kind of out there but my relatives came from the Page County area. ML Hatch was a brick maker and layer in the Coin area.
I was curious to see if there were a way to see if some of those
bricks had the Hatch name or any identifying information.
I thought if I could locate some and gift to my elderly Dad for Father's Day would be extra special.
That's why I am reaching out as it is a bit of a drive for me from Ottumwa and before making the trek if it would even be worth it.
Thank you in advance for any and all information.
— Jennifer Hatch Hucks
EDITOR'S NOTE: If any of our readers can help Jennifer out, please either email her at hatchet1977@gmail.com or call her at 641-891-6962
wanted it to feel like their first concert,” he said.
The event is part of an already established event, “Fridays after Five” (FAF) that is held at the Elks Lodge every Friday in May and June. “I liked the idea of piggybacking off of FAF that would or less guarantee attendance. I wanted to expand on that to make this huge!,” Slater explained.
The night kicks off at 5:30 p.m. with local youth rock band Gas n’ Grass, five Shenandoah students who won the 2023 Iowa Rock and Roll Music Association’s “Iowa Rocks” competition. Then, the fun continues with Fountains of Dane, a highenergy Omaha-area cover band and frequent OEAA nominees. Throughout the sets, a mix of silent and live auctions will feature donated treasures — from handmade quilts and autographed guitars to tattoo sessions and even live music gigs.
Food vendors include the Page County Cattlemen, grilling up ribeyes, burgers, and hot dogs; and The Donut Stop, bringing Wilson’s favorite treat and shaved ice to keep things cool. Concert
merchandise and auction items will be available for purchase, with all proceeds benefiting Wilson and his family.
“The money we raise won’t go toward medical bills,” Slater explained. “It’s for all the hidden costs families face — travel, lost wages, special accommodations. We want them to have a great summer without worrying about finances.”
Community support has been overwhelming. Northwest Bank and Wilson Insurance Agency, cosponsors of Shenandoah’s Fridays After Five events, are covering the bands. Businesses like Nebel Roofing, Wild Rose Chevrolet, JK Ag, and Josh O’Neil Designs have gone “above and beyond” in sponsorships. Fareway, HyVee, and Walmart are pitching in for food and service items, and the Elks are providing the venue and beverage service.
“It’s full-time right now,” said Slater, who’s turned down other summer gigs to focus on the concert.
“But everyone’s stepped
My wife Kay died on May 21, 2025. During the difficult times that follow, we have received tremendous support from our community. My family and I appreciate that support. Thank you! — Rodney Johnston & family
up. Our committee has been incredible; it includes Amanda Branson, Dani Maher, Casey Johnson, AJ Lyman, Lesley Brooks, and Ann Slater.”
For Wilson and his family, it’s yet another reminder of just how strong their community is.
“We never expected this much support,” Devin Barth said. “At some point you think, surely people have done enough — and then something like this happens. It just keeps growing.”
Through it all, Wilson keeps smiling, gaming with friends on Minecraft, and spending time with his classmates. “He’s got a great
group of friends,” his mom said. “They call each other on Messenger and play together — it really lifts his spirits.”
Even as he navigates a recovery from his latest injury, Wilson has shown remarkable grit — returning to school, regaining strength, and learning to balance life with his “robot leg.”
Wilson grinned when asked about the Wilson Rocks! event. “I really like music and can’t wait to be with my friends and being able to go to a concert! My favorite band is Imagine Dragons!”
The one thing Wilson would like to say to everybody involved in Wilson Rocks!?
“Thank you, thank you,” he exclaimed.
Asked what she’s learned from her son, Devin tearfully paused. “He’s shown us what
real courage looks like. It’s not about never falling — it’s about getting back up every time.”
Wilson Rocks! concert details:
• Friday, June 20
• Shenandoah Elks Lodge
• Eastside lawn
• Gates open at 5 p.m.
• Gas n’ Grass at 5:30 p.m., followed by auction and Fountains of Dane
• Admission: $5
• Food, drinks, merchandise, and auction items available for purchase
To donate or learn more: Find the Wilson Rocks! event on Facebook, Venmo @wilson-rocks, or donate at Bank Iowa in Shenandoah. All proceeds benefit Wilson Barth and his family.
By LIZ SKILLERN
The Page County Post
Shenandoah Mayor Roger McQueen announced this week that he will seek a second term in office.
“It has been my honor to serve this city,” McQueen said in a written statement.
“Because of the love I have for this community, my wife Julie and I would like to announce that this fall I will seek re-election to the office of Mayor.”
McQueen cited the city’s ongoing projects, economic development, and community revitalization efforts as his primary motivation for continuing to serve.
“There’s just so many things we’ve got going right now,” McQueen said in an interview. “The Fremont aquifer project, the wastewater treatment plant, and other plans in the works — I want to see them through.”
McQueen, who was first elected mayor in 2021, said his decision echoes his time on the city’s Park Board, where he chose to serve a second term to see improvement projects — like those at Priest Park — through to completion.
“I didn’t want to just say, ‘Well, I was in on the beginning,’” he said. “I wanted to be there for the whole thing.”
At the heart of McQueen’s priorities is Shenandoah’s long-term access to clean water.
The city’s conservation measures during a period of drought drew mixed public response, but McQueen remains firm in his belief that they were necessary. “I have no regrets,” he
See MCQUEEN, PAGE 5
said. “When you look at other cities in Iowa - they’re having water trucked in because they didn’t think they’d ever run out. We did the right thing.”
McQueen said he’s proud that Shenandoah maintained water for daily living and fire protection without having to ration. “We asked people to conserve, not go without. That’s a big difference.”
Looking ahead, he says the completion of the Fremont aquifer project, expected within the next 18 to 20 months, is a top priority. “Once that’s done, I can breathe a big sigh of relief, knowing we have a continuous source of clean water.”
and downtown growth
Reflecting on his first term, McQueen pointed to
tangible progress on key issues raised by citizens during his initial campaign, such as what to do with vacant downtown buildings like the Johnson Brothers Mill and the former Sac ‘N Save block.
“We’re seeing movement,” he said. “The Johnson Brothers Mill
The Nishnabotna Water Defenders held their second Shenandoah event on Saturday, May 31, at Rapp Park.
The event's focus was to gather community members interested in taking action to improve the health of their environment.
In addition to the clean-up, attendees learned about issues facing Southwest Iowa's water quality and quantity, and how to become community scientists by testing their local water for nitrates.
Michelle Spunaugle, Director of Page County Conservation, was
Twenty-seven people of all ages participated in removing trash and improperly dumped household items from the park grounds.
MCQUEEN FROM PAGE 5
turned around quickly thanks to someone like Margaret Brady getting involved. The Sac ‘N Save block is in process. Housing projects take time, and we have to be patient.”
He’s also proud of business development on the Highway 59 corridor and revitalization uptown, including the emergence of niche retail shops. “We’re never going to have a JCPenney or Sears again, but we have to look at new innovations. Little towns have to reinvent themselves.”
McQueen cited the popularity of Thursday nights at The Mill, open-air music events at the Depot
and Elks Lodge as well as new and local businesses like the Sugar Makery or the newly managed businesses uptown as signs of a progressive community that’s finding new ways to thrive.
Supporting returnees and entrepreneurs A trend McQueen finds especially encouraging is the return of young people to Shenandoah to start businesses or raise families. He pointed to several Shenandoah graduates who have returned and invested in the community. “We need to keep these people here,” he said. “We have to help them find a way to succeed. I love seeing young families and entrepreneurs making a go of it.”
in attendance and provided trash bags, a handwashing station, and a trailer for the refuse.
She was grateful for everyone's hard work, stating, "This event brought community members together to work together, learn together, and make an impact in our public parks. Making sure our parks are clean of trash debris helps
Two businesses that stand out to McQueen are the Donut Stop and Mondo’s — longtime Shenandoah businesses that have been part of Shenandoah's community for decades and have been recently taken over by a younger generation. “Those places are iconic. I’m so glad they’re keeping them alive.”
Housing and economic development
McQueen addressed concerns about available housing, noting that having 30-plus homes for sale in Shenandoah isn’t a sign of decline, but part of a healthy housing market. “People are upgrading or downsizing — not leaving town,” he said.
Projects like the new senior living complex have created a ripple effect,
Email phil@pagecountypost.com to place your classified ad.
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sheep, chickens.
If you're wondering whether or not you should try to sell your item in the classifieds, the answer is, "Yes!"
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the animals thrive in their natural habitat. This event saved the conservation employees valuable time to work on larger projects that consume the majority of our work hours."
The group also shared a meal and discussed ideas for future potential events focused on spreading the message of clean, safe water for all.
freeing up homes for firsttime buyers. “We’ve seen positive movement in housing. We’re offering people options.”
McQueen also emphasized the arrival of businesses like Seedbox Solutions as a good sign, despite some online backlash. “They picked Shenandoah because they liked it here. They’re hiring locally. That’s a win for us.”
Challenges ahead
While McQueen is
Jodi Reese, NWD board member, said, "Caring for our environment is caring for one another".
To join the Nishnabotna Water Defenders or have them come to your area, email nishh2odefenders@gmail. com, check out their Facebook page, or their website: Nishnabotnawaterdefenders.org.
optimistic, he acknowledges challenges remain.
Beyond the water issue, he sees continued economic development, housing, and workforce retention as ongoing efforts.
“We have to keep giving people a reason to live here,” he said.
“We may never have 8,000 people again or multiple nurseries like we used to, but that doesn’t mean we stop building. We keep working together — City Hall, the Chamber and
all organizations to make Shenandoah a place people want to call home.”
With the next city election approaching in November, McQueen said he’s ready for another term — not for the paycheck, but for the pride he feels in what Shenandoah is becoming.
“I enjoy this. I think we’ve made real accomplishments, and I want to keep the momentum going,” he said. “We’re in a good place— and I believe the best is yet to come.”
