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Conversing with Chicago cab drivers

Local Columns

Forty years ago my job at the Sioux City Journal involved, among a host of other duties, regular travel to call on major advertisers headquartered in other Midwestern cities. Some of those sales calls necessitated air travel. The Sioux City Airport was only a 10 to 15 minute-drive from our home which made getting to and from the airport quick and easy. On most air trips, I rented a car at the destination airport and drove to appointments. Chicago presented a bigger challenge. I usually rented a car to make sales calls in the suburbs, dropped off the rental car at a downtown drop-off ...

New postmaster in Webster City is honored to serve the community

Letters to Editor

To the editor: As the newly installed Postmaster for Webster City, I am honored to serve this incredible community and be a part of your daily lives. The U.S. Postal Service has been a trusted institution for nearly 250 years, and as we celebrate this milestone anniversary, we are as committed as ever to providing exceptional service to you. This year, USPS is rolling out exciting new products and services aimed at making your mailing and shipping experiences faster, easier, and more convenient and affordable. From new P.O. Box offerings to our expanded USPS Connect service for local ...

Of tea and newspapers

Local Columns

Breakfast has always been my favorite meal. It has several origins: My Scottish and English forebears, for whom a substantial first-meal-of-the-day was an article of faith; my maternal grandmother preparing a bounteous spread for farm hands at 5.30 a.m. in her farm kitchen; and a lifetime of travel and, with it, hotel breakfasts eaten all over the world. Now, in retirement, I see the wisdom of John Gunther, the American journalist and writer, who famously said: “All happiness depends on a leisurely breakfast.” Once you get in the habit, it has a way of drawing you in. The prospect ...

Eb shops for his Valentine

Local Columns

I could spot him halfway across the big box store. The trademark bib overalls and plaid flannel shirt — it had to be Ebeneezer Griper, my irascible old friend. Eb was surveying the candy inventory as I approached and stuck out my hand. “Howdy, Eb!” I said with a smile. “You and that stupid grin,” Eb scowled. “Do you know how stupid you look?” Eb has never won the Mr. Congeniality Award. “I like you too, Eb,” I teased, shaking his hand. “Picking out a Valentine present for Hilda?” “No, I’m shopping for a new truss,” he grumbled. “I take it you’re ...

An expression of gratitude

Local Columns

Hi! I am Alex H. Pruismann, your newly-elected Hamilton County sheriff. Thank you for taking a few moments to read a brief message from myself. The month of January for myself was one packed with change, learning, budgets, quick responses, press releases, and so much more. But none of that compares to how much I have learned to lean on my employees that I am blessed and tasked to lead — everyone from the deputies, office staff, dispatchers and the jail personnel. I knew the title of “sheriff” would be one that I would have no idea what truly went into it until I was in the ...

It all started with kindergarten

Local Columns

Having heard it was about to be demolished, one Sunday afternoon in the late 1950s my father drove by his old one-room country school. While his young sons watched from the car, Dad parked along the gravel road, climbed a fence and walked into the dilapidated structure. He spent several minutes in the rural building, apparently remembering the eight years he had spent there. I now understand his visit. After all these years I still have memories of my old school buildings. My family moved frequently when I was a youngster so I attended several schools over the years, the first ...