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Who will put up these displays of our freedom in the future?

Letters to Editor

To the editor: My husband, granddaughter and I had the privilege to help take down the majestic display of flags in Graceland Cemetery last week. As we took a break, we asked if the volunteers were vets, and were told nearly all were Vietnam vets. These Vietnam Vets are supporting and honoring the WWII heroes that came before them by setting up/tearing down the flags, (which, btw, is an arduous task, even for 20 or so of us.) We asked if they get any younger vets to help with this endeavor and sadly they said no. This gave me pause ... Who will put up these stunning displays of ...

Alex Pruismann thanks voters for their support in the primary

Letters to Editor

To the editor and to the Citizens of Hamilton County: Thank you all so much. The dust has settled on the June 4th primary and the only words I can come up with to truly express my gratitude are “Thank You!” This campaign started on December 7th, 2023 and ever since that day, I’ve gotten so much support, encouragement, words of advice and love from the citizens of Hamilton County that it is truly humbling and overwhelming. It makes me even more excited and honored to be your next Sheriff and serve you to the best of my ability. This was just hurdle #1 for my campaign. Next will be ...

Unless you thought of it yourself

Local Columns

When I was about 11 years old I subscribed to Boy’s Life magazine, the monthly magazine of the Boy Scouts of America. I was not a member of the Boy Scouts but I enjoyed the magazine. It was on the Boy’s Life humor page that I was introduced to a Tom Swifty, which Merriam-Webster defines as “a play on words taking the form of a quotation ascribed to Tom and followed by an adverb.” An example of a Tom Swifty: “I lost my crutches,” said Tom lamely. Another: “The doctor had to remove my left ventricle,” said Tom half-heartedly. A few more for good measure: “I have a ...

Didn't your boss carry a cross?

Local Columns

Didn’t your boss carry a cross? I can’t remember during which one of our countless conversations D.D. shared that memory. Maybe we were eating at the Mongolian barbeque. I know we weren’t eating at Kokoro. That was Japanese. I only forced him to eat there once, and I say forced with meaning. You see, D.D. was born in China and when we had our conversations over food he made it clear he resented the Japanese. The Japanese invaded China when he was a child. That invasion forced his family to flee Hankou down the Yangtze River, headed back to California. He was a college ...

Beauty is as beauty does

Local Columns

Many years ago I arrived home from work to find my son and a friend busy at the kitchen table. The boys were about 10 or 11 years old at the time and I assumed they were working on a school assignment. “What are you guys up to?” I asked, looking over their shoulders. They seemed a bit sheepish and did not respond. I could see they had written on a piece of notebook paper a list of girls’ names with a number adjacent to each name. “What’s this?” I asked. The boys awkwardly explained they had made a list of all the girls in their class and had rated each one on a scale of ...

Former Waterloo police chief endorses Pruismann for sheriff

Letters to Editor

To the editor: I spent almost three decades in the law enforcement profession. I retired as the chief of police in Waterloo. I am currently an elected member of the Black Hawk County Board of Supervisors, serving my second term. I first met Alex Pruismann 10 years ago. We were both in attendance at a Christian conference. I've always been impressed with Alex's foresight, wisdom, professionalism, and integrity. I wholeheartedly endorse Alex to be your sheriff. I have no doubt he would be a sheriff of the people, for the people, and by the people. Dan Trelka Waterloo