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Memories of Opa

Local Columns

This is the story of a man of humble origins who moved to a new country and worked hard but never acquired wealth or fame. This man was my maternal grandfather and this year will mark the 60th anniversary of his passing. My grandfather was born in an East Frisian village near Weener, Germany, in 1892. He was named after his father, Dirk Gelder, but I knew him as Opa, the German and Dutch word for “grandpa.” Opa’s father died in 1899 leaving his mother a penniless widow with seven children, Dirk being the youngest. According to family lore, Hinderk, the oldest of Opa’s ...

Blizzard: 0 Hamilton County: 1

Editorials

On behalf of everyone who looked out their windows Wednesday, sincerely grateful they did not have to go outside, thank you to everyone who did. You know who you are: Hamilton County Sheriff’s deputies, Webster City Police officers, the line crews, street crews, and all emergency ...

It’s amazing how over time stories intertwine

Letters to Editor

To the editor: I read with interest the story on financials involved in the city income and expenses. I took several accounting classes in college and never appreciated them until I became a manager and discovered the things that could be done with accounting. When I read about the city water plant I remembered a story my grandfather had told me. He worked at the water plant from about 1930 to about 1960. He was hired the same day he was laid off from the Monarch Manufacturing plant and it was just by chance as he walked home that he bumped into the water plant manager, who he had ...

History will remember that power and cruelty were prioritized

Letters to Editor

To the editor: Never in my lifetime did I think my friends — whose skin is a different color than mine — would live in fear. Never in my lifetime did I think those who love someone of the same sex would be afraid to exist as themselves. Never in my lifetime did I think my older friends, who worked their whole lives and now depend on Social Security, would fear for their future. Never in my lifetime did I think families struggling to put food on the table — relying on aid meant to help them survive — would fear losing what little they have left. This is 2025. This is ...

Wonder what Dad has been up to today

Local Columns

While reviewing bills recently I noticed my monthly cell phone bill had increased by $18. I searched the statement looking for a reason for the increase but found none. I’m not a parsimonious old coot, but I am frugal and I was upset by an unannounced increase in the bill with no explanation for the increase. I found the provider’s phone number and decided to call for customer assistance. “Upset” probably isn’t an accurate description of my mood at the time. I was ticked off. This big corporation was sticking it to me. I was ready to share my irritation with someone. Then ...

Good people

Local Columns

I was reminded not too long ago that good people voted for our current president and his standards. The message came from a social media acquaintance who called me out for my morality. The irony of this is that anyone who has known me long enough knows very well that I am far from perfect. My life, as I see it, has been a journey towards becoming a better person. In my heart, I always thought that was the intention of the path. FYI: I apply that to the actions of others, especially our public representatives. Which leaves me disappointed. In Iowa right now, it feels like the mean ...