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Opinion

You’ll Figure It Out: Politics-Smolitics!

Local Columns

Ya know, for the most part I'm pretty easy going. Just ask my wife. Hmmm, maybe not. But today's column is going to be "therapy" for me because there are things in the political world that's really bustin' my chops. Yea, I'm not a real happy camper these days. In fact I'm vexed to the ...

Magic Mike 6XL: Ode to a toilet seat

Local Columns

I wanted to talk about Thanksgiving this week. Maybe tell some funny story about me and a turkey or something. But I can't. There's something else that needs to be talked about today. I'll begin with the fact that there are four people in my family. And we are all nestled under one roof. To ...

Slices of Life: A new pair of shoes

Editorials

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 ...

Magic Mike 6XL: Just another Howard Hughes

Local Columns

At any moment, at any time, I have it in me to walk inside my house and never walk out again. Quarantine was hard for some folks, but for me, it was a nice fall breeze. Why? Because I've done it before, and chances are, I'll do it again. Ya see, as ya know, I am not a normal person. And with ...

You’ll figure it out!: Thanksgiving thoughts!

Local Columns

Hard to believe that Thanksgiving is just around the corner. But alas, it's that "one day" of the year that we have to be thankful for. I guess. So here's my thankful list in no particular order… -Meat! Good hamburger, roast, hot dog....makes no difference, I am thankful for ...

Slices of Life: Being invited

Editorials

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 ...

Magic Mike 6XL: It could only happen to me

Local Columns

Have you ever stood naked in your bedroom and wondered, "What if a man walks in looking for directions?" Well, you should. Do you all remember that old blues song 'Born Under a Bad Sign'? Well, Google it then; because that dude was singing about me. All my life. I've had bad luck. Or at least ...

You’ll Figure It Out: Thank you Tama County veterans!

Local Columns

On Saturday, Nov. 11, we will tip our caps and simply say Thank You to the 1,012 Veterans today living in Tama County. I wish I could call each and every one of you and thank you for your service to our country and for a job well done. An interesting fact about Veterans Day is that no ...

Iowa Outdoors

Editorials

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 ...