Our children’s education is one of the most important and most sacred responsibilities of parents. Parents have the largest impact on their child’s education and parent involvement is one of the most significant indicators of a child’s success in school (Mapp, Carver, & Lander, 2017). ...
Dear Tama County Voters, As Iowans, we have a unique opportunity to impact policy that governs our lives. The Iowa Caucuses will be held January 15, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. At the caucuses, there are many ways to make a difference. In Tama County, we will gather with our neighbors at precinct ...
I strongly suggest that all Iowans consider participating in the upcoming Iowa Caucuses on Monday, January 15, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. Both Democrats and Republicans “caucus” separately in their local precincts to perform basic party functions. Although the 2024 Democratic caucuses have not ...
The expansion of wind generation has been, and continues to be, a boon for rural development. Wind energy is one of the fastest-growing sources of electricity across the nation. Several Midwest states, including Iowa, are leading the charge in its development, according to recent reports from ...
I live in Northwest Missouri…land of corn and beans, and if the corporate agriculture groups have any say in it, the land of CAFOS. Concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) are large, mostly corporate farms that house at least 1,000 confined or stabled animals. Since 2019, when the ...
A new pair of shoes I love my wardrobe. Heck, I love clothes. A lot. But for years (for decades, people) I put that all on the back burner. I was due to the kids. It’s always due to the kids, isn’t it? They always bear the brunt of our angst. We sacrifice for them. Gladly. Because that ...
For much of my life, I’ve been the inviter. I enjoyed planning and inviting people to those plans. But in the last few years I haven’t invited much of anyone anywhere. I didn’t have the heart for it. I lacked momentum and (to be honest) felt broken so I took on a rather new role. I ...
The annual August roadside survey of pheasants found Iowa’s statewide pheasant population to be nearly 23 birds per survey route; a 15 percent increase over 2022. The biggest increases were in the southwest, northwest and northeast regions. Our pheasant population is the highest it’s been ...
Life isn’t easy. And the epitome of that, perhaps, might be parenting. (Okay, maybe the epitome is death, but let’s take a week away from that topic, shall we?) In regards to parenting being difficult: stop the judgmental comments already. I know what you’re thinking. People who ...
In simple terms, life can be summed up as moments of “good news” and “bad news.” I’ve come to believe it’s best to embrace both: the good and the bad because each makes us who we are. Each molds us. Each helps us grow as we are supposed to, meant to, during our time here on this ...