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Not a Jimmy or Debbie in the bunch

Local Columns

Having spent the past 70+ years spelling my name for people who have never heard it before, I am particularly observant of unusual given names. Though I wanted to be a Billy or Tommy when I was a kid, I’m okay with Arvid. It has served me well over the years. My ancestors came to the United States from northwest Germany’s East Friesland region and from the Netherland’s Groningen and Friesland provinces. My mother, named after an aunt, was given the Old Country name Harmina (hahr-MY-nuh.) Harmina Catherina. Mom claimed she didn’t like her name but I thought it was ...

Preserve the downtown feeling

Letters to Editor

To the Editor, As a historic preservation enthusiast, I am glad to hear of the efforts to continue restoration work on historic buildings downtown while also being disappointed by the recent news that several of the old buildings must be demolished. I applaud the efforts to save as much as possible, especially given that restoring an entire structure is a huge undertaking. I also understand that restoration is not always feasible, and what cannot be restored must be removed for public safety. On that note, when the buildings themselves cannot be preserved, I propose that we, as a ...

The Doodle Bug Club of America thanks Webster City for its wonderful hospitality

Letters to Editor

To the Editor: The Doodle Bug Club of America would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the entire Webster City community for the warm welcome and wonderful hospitality shown to our members during this year’s reunion.This year, we welcomed riders from as far away as Alaska, Florida, New Hampshire, New York, California, and many other states. Some members were attending a Doodle Bug reunion for the first time, and the experience was so enjoyable that they are already looking forward to returning next year. It would be impossible to thank everyone individually who helped make ...

Let not your hearts be troubled…have faith

Local Columns

What stills the heart and comforts the troubled conscience? Only the Gospel of Christ Jesus crucified and raised for sinners. Jesus says to His disciples in John 14:1 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.” Trouble and worry can come upon us from all sides. Worldly dangers threaten our mortal bodies, temptations bombard us every waking hour, and Satan seeks to undermine our faith with the old evil question: “did God really say?” (Genesis 3:1). Psalm 46 and Psalm 91 remind us of the Lord’s providence and protection. The Holy Spirit says through ...

Is our team broken?

Local Columns

I believe in working as a team, I like building relationships, and I like to be open about everything that I do. Ask anyone who has ever worked with me. I give a lot of details. If you read what I write, that is often the case. But I’ve done this in every area of my career. I’ve created financial reports that are easy to read, information that goes to everyone that is involved. Newsletters that explain things in depth. Open conversations. So it’s disturbing when I hear from our elected officials that all the departments need to work together better, then not see them ...

Old station wagon helps us remember

Local Columns

My 40-something daughter loves learning. After earning her PhD and securing a good job she learned to play jazz guitar. More recently she began art classes. When she gave me a belated Father’s Day gift a few weeks ago, it was accompanied by her illustration of our family’s most memorable automobile ̶ a 1977 Dodge Royal Monaco Brougham station wagon. We acquired the station wagon a few months after our daughter was born. A Dodge Dart had taken good care of us until we also needed to take along baby things. Our four-year-old son was growing fast and now the Dart had become ...