Viewpoints: A stronger community begins when we listen

July 31, 2026

I recently attended an out of state family wedding. It was a joyful experience, spending time with family I rarely see, and truly celebrating a great union. I felt fortunate to see so much love in one place at one time. But I also felt fortunate because we were talking face to face. To attend the event required traveling and I was fortunate to travel with my niece, Suzanne, who teaches vocal music in South Sioux City, Nebraska. We had a large amount of time together, to talk about teaching, family, and changes in our world. To me this was a great gift. Our life experiences ...

An 8-year-old boy still lives

July 27, 2026

Country Roads Column for week of July 27, 2026 Seventy years ago many Iowa elementary classrooms displayed bright yellow cards appropriately called “dental cards.” The cards bore the signatures of dentists confirming that the student named thereon had visited said dentist and the condition of his or her teeth was duly approved. Most years the Huisman kids did not have a dental card pinned to the wall. Our parents took their six children to the dentist when the need arose but preventative dental care was not in the family budget. The first dentist visit I can remember occurred ...

‘Getting Old’ is getting old

July 24, 2026

It came to me about a year ago. My brother and I were talking on the phone and I mentioned the phrase, which we both immediately agreed would make a good bumper sticker or something. That Christmas, a daughter-in-law of mine surprised me with two T-shirts that had the expression printed on them; one for me and the second for my brother. Not that everything is more difficult as we age. As one who travels quite a bit, I was actually disappointed when the airport TSA agent told me I wouldn’t have to remove my shoes as I was “obviously old enough”… and I even wear Sketchers simply ...

An inside look at the Hamilton County Jail

July 22, 2026

When people think about the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office, they usually picture deputies making traffic stops, responding to emergencies, investigating crimes, or attending community events. Those are certainly some of the most visible parts of our job, but there is another division that is essential to public safety and the daily operation of our office that often goes unnoticed. That division is the Hamilton County Jail. The jail is much more than a place where individuals are housed after an arrest. It is one of the most important pieces of the criminal justice system in ...

The loving hand of discipline

July 20, 2026

Many years ago, long before Facebook memes were a thing, I saw a plaque with an inscription which read, “Discipline your children now so correction officers don’t have to do it later.” I was raised by parents who probably never saw that inscription but certainly believed in its message. They took to heart the Biblical admonition of Proverbs 13:24 ̶ “Whoever spares the rod hates their children, but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them.” You don’t have to look far these days to see the disturbing results of parents who are unwilling to discipline ...

Be sure to attend your county fair

July 17, 2026

Times change. Even so, there are a few constants in life. One is the pleasure provided by the county fairs that continue to be a highlight of summer in Iowa. For as far back as anyone who now lives in this part of Iowa can remember, these summer festivals have been much-anticipated and much-enjoyed features of summertime. The fairs, of course, have changed over the decades. One central theme, however, remains much the same — a celebration of farm life and the assorted positive educational and personal-growth pursuits that are treasured features of life in rural and small-town ...