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A visit to the filling station

Local Columns

If you were educated in an Iowa school system in the 1950s you undoubtedly remember those little yellow dental cards. How could you forget? Early in the school year we were given a dental card in need of our dentist’s signature confirming that our teeth were in good shape. Of course, that often meant that we needed some dental work first. Our family struggled financially when I was a kid and there were some years when circumstances did not permit a visit to the dentist. However, we did get to the dentist when toothaches dictated. When we did return the signed card to our teacher, ...

Learn about AEA before changing it

Letters to Editor

To the Editor; Even though I’ve lived out of state for several years I still keep tabs on happenings in my home state and home town (Webster City). Having worked for the local Area Education Agency (5) in the past, I was troubled to learn of the proposed legislation to (basically) decimate that agency system and the quality services it provides to the education community in the state, including Hamilton County. The best argument I’ve seen in opposition to that was recently written by a professional colleague of mine, Randy Allison, who worked for AEA 11 in Johnston. As Randy ...

A gentleman's guide to Valentine's Day gift giving

Local Columns

We’re in for a month of romance, folks. This February brings us Valentine’s Day and Leap Year Day to boot. As difficult as it may be to believe I am not, nor have I ever been, a Romeo. I do, however, have nearly 60 years of experience in this game and I would like to share what I have learned about romantic gift-giving. Just keep in mind that I have experienced failure. VALENTINE CARD: A carefully selected Valentine card is the first and most important component of a gentleman’s gift -giving plan. Most gals prefer a sensitive card but if you never say anything sweet or ...

An open letter to Iowa state senators and representatives regarding the AEA system

Letters to Editor

An open letter to Iowa State Senators and Representatives regarding the AEA System: My name is David Tilly and I was the deputy director at the Iowa Department of Education (IDE) between 2012 and 2020. I administered the state education budget for PK-12 Education at the IDE during those years, and I managed all of the Department’s PK-12 programs and staff. I am a special educator by training (my Ph.D. is in School Psychology) and I worked for over 30 years in Iowa at all levels of the education system. Through these experiences, I learned quite a bit about how Iowa’s education ...

Voters, it's time to oust legislators who won't get tougher on gun control

Letters to Editor

To the editor: Iowans, how close does it have to get? Does it have to be your town, your school, your family before you do something? Don’t tell me there’s nothing you can do. It’s one little four-lettered word: VOTE. Vote out these people who give you worthless thoughts and prayers. Vote in people who will legislate better gun laws. Vote out legislators who care about kids because that’s exactly where we are at right now. The Freeman-Journal says 332 Iowans die from gun violence annually. Is that acceptable to you? Dave Haynes Duncombe

Litchfield made ag equipment

Local Columns

The cold snap we had recently certainly caught me by surprise. It made me wonder what heating homes must have been like a hundred years ago. Being cooped up with the trusty laptop and internet unfazed by the frigid weather outside, I started to look and found … Lyman Litchfield was born ...