Finally, we're the "top of the class." Eighth graders at St Joseph's School in Chelsea, Iowa. Top dogs! No more being second-class runts! We're the Cats! Numero Uno! Our 8th grade class of 1963/64 included Lindi, Becky, Jeanne, Connie, Susie, Marlene, Kathy, Tom, Tom, the twins, Jim ...
I believe memory is sometimes a collective thing. Occasionally, a person will have a memory which will cause another to remember something else which will then in turn cause another to remember something entirely different. However, if all this sparks from your Ma remembering something from ...
There’s nothing quite like the Iowa State Fair to remind you what “Iowan culture” really means. Naturally, I went with my friend Tommy to do some deep anthropological research, because what better way to study culture than by watching a group of women holler “Haaaarrrr-old!” at the ...
If you want to understand a place, the U.S. Census is a good place to start. Every ten years, it freezes a community in time, counting every person who calls it home. But here’s the thing—numbers only tell part of the story. In small-town Iowa, the real truth lies between the lines, in the ...
This has been an unprecedented summer. In the last few months I have had experiences that I never imagined possible. The first being the office. So, back in 2023 me and the kid (thats Just Jonathan to those of you familiar with page four of the Chronicle) started with the paper. However, the ...
August is here and we are in the home stretch of summer. July has been very eventful for the Tama County Board of Supervisors. We appointed three new members to the Board of Adjustment and one new member to the Zoning Commission. I welcome the new members who’ve been appointed and am ...
Well, it’s that time again. The sun is setting a little earlier, the cicadas are screaming a little louder, and I am — well, reluctantly — dragging out the storage bins. Because on Aug. 16, I move back to Wartburg College. Whether I’m emotionally ready or not. (I’m not.) To be ...
Some could call it a herculean feat. Some could call it an act of superhuman endurance. Some could call it a fat asthmatic man walking briskly up a hill and back. All would be correct. Okay, so I covered the Cruise with the Blues parade today. Easy right? No big deal? Go across town and ...
I'm sure most remember that show hosted by none other than Art Linkletter. Wonder why we never see re-runs of this. It was hilarious. Well, since school is just around the corner, I thought it would be interesting to read about some funny things kids have said and done---all in a school ...
It’s been a couple months since I’ve written one of these, and I appreciate everyone’s patience. Things have been busy, and while that’s not an excuse, I know how important it is to stay in touch with the people we serve. When I took office, I said I would keep the public in the loop, ...