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Tonight, the Lynx will ‘Blue Out’ for a fallen officer

Tonight, the Webster City Lynx will “Blue Out” in honor of fallen Algona Police Officer Kevin Cram. This means that Lynx fans will join the ranks of the many who have risen with kindness in support of the loved ones Officer Cram’s death has left behind. At the game, which begins at ...

Watson Covil was an early educator

The other morning, my wife and I were thrilled to watch more than two dozen Doodle Bugs drive by on Ohio Street, a parade of red and white scooters piloted by folks obviously enjoying the ride. For me it was yet another example of what I love about Webster City, the variety of glimpses into ...

Good neighbors are a treasure

Having lived in many places over the years, I have known a lot of neighbors. Though I can remember earlier neighbors, those from when I was a pre-teen are among my favorite memories. This was in the latter half of the 1950s during the post-war baby boom. We had dozens of playmates and tons of fun. I remember the day we moved away from that neighborhood. The truck was loaded and on its way to the new town and we were loading up the family Ford. The realization that we were really leaving this neighborhood struck me and I started bawling like a baby. I got over it … ...

Recalling Castner and his Doodle Bug

I admit there are times when I get a bit confused. A recent example, at least from before today, is when I first heard about Webster City being the location for Doodle Bug manufacturing in the 1940s. In my defense, most other military historians would also assume this refers to the dreaded V-1 ...

You might be boujee but don’t be hinky

Back in the 1950s we would describe something very good or nice as “swell.” It was a slang word, one of many. We called a small child an “ankle biter.” The hipsters used “Daddy-O” as a term of endearment. And while I was still a pre-teen, I had a foggy idea of what “back seat bingo” meant. A decade later — during the 1960s — we had another round of slang. Something that was excellent or beyond description was “far out.” We loved to refer to something new, exciting or fashionable as “groovy.” And something that was relaxing or care-free was “mellow.” I ...

The man who hatched a business

I know I don’t speak for all of us, but there are times when the seemingly infinite number of choices we have become overwhelming. Just go to a “big box” store and look for a simple tube of toothpaste. Please don’t get me wrong; I fully appreciate not having to settle for a single kind ...