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The big plate glass window where it all started

Local Columns

Did you have a childhood experience that precipitated your eventual adult career? I did. I remember the experience vividly. My family had moved from the farm into a two-bedroom apartment on the main street of Ellsworth in early February 1953. I had just turned five and enjoyed playing with the other children who lived in the downtown area. There was Jackie whose parents ran the drug store, Larry whose father worked at the produce and several other kids, including Marla, whose parents ran the weekly newspaper. One day that spring I found myself standing in front of the Ellsworth ...

I used to be more exciting

Local Columns

On a recent Saturday night my wife went to bed around 8 p.m. and I planned on retiring for the evening around 10 p.m. We kissed each other goodnight and I was about to head for my recliner to watch a few more YouTube videos when I was struck by a sobering thought. “I was a lot more exciting on Saturday nights 60 years ago,” I told Julie. “What are you talking about?” she asked. So I began to explain. It was a busier than normal Saturday for us. In the morning I tagged along to a craft sale at a little country Methodist church not too far from our home. I went along ...

With a little help from AI

Local Columns

It is no secret that AI has captured the imagination of most of us. It has, in particular, captured the imagination of the media. The gist of the media’s wonder is: How can we use AI? Well, in the interest of answering that question, I launched an experiment. I asked AI what we can do about draconian politics. Here’s how AI would replace me as a commentator. You might want to note that even the subhead above was generated by AI. Below, AI’s words are in quotes. “In recent years, the term ‘draconian’ has been used frequently to describe policies and political ...

Where has all the wisdom gone, long time passing?

Letters to Editor

To the editor: Where has all the wisdom gone, long time passing? One difference between Trump and myself is I believe this quote and he doesn’t. “Government is instituted for the common good, for the protection, safety, prosperity and happiness of the people and not for the profit, honor or private interest of any one man, family or class of man.” John Adams, second president of the United States. Another pretty smart guy, Albert Einstein, said, “The only thing more dangerous than ignorance is arrogance,” and Trump has both. And for a third quote, “If you want to ...

Support Scot Ely for Webster City school board

Letters to Editor

To the Editor: I am writing to encourage my fellow community members to support Scot Ely in his campaign for school board. Scot is exactly the type of leader we need guiding the future of our schools. As a former Webster City Police Officer and currently an Iowa DCI Special Agent in the Major Crimes Unit, Scot has built his career on keeping people safe and making sound, responsible decisions. He understands the importance of fiscal responsibility and will ensure that taxpayer dollars are managed wisely while keeping the focus on students. Scot is deeply rooted in our community. He ...

Soybeans are big business in Iowa

Editorials

No one knows exactly how long humans have cultivated the soybean, but agricultural historians seem quite certain its domestication as a crop in China dates back three millennia. There are actually Chinese records documenting soybean growth as far back as the 11th century. There is some disagreement about who first introduced soybeans into North America, but researchers seem to agree that by the 1760s, soybean seed had reached Georgia. Whatever the origin, few would dispute that in the 21st century, soybean cultivation is important to the world as a food source and a great deal more. ...