The other day, I was at a softball game in Ellsworth, watching my eight-year-old granddaughter play the best she could. Struggling to the plate in her catcher’s garb, she still managed a smile at her overly proud Grandpa. A vivid memory flashed through my mind, bringing me back to some ...
From time to time, I’ll catch a little bit of Harry Chapin’s classic song, “Cat’s in the Cradle.” The cat’s in the cradle and the silver spoon, little boy blue and the man in the moon. “When you coming home, dad,” “I don’t know when,” but we’ll get together then. ...
The neighborhood is alive today; the chirping of innumerable baby birds, scampering squirrels running everywhere and folks walking, jogging (completely foreign to this retired Postal worker), biking or being exercised by their pets, makes it a fun, active environment. “Pretty as a ...
Dear Editor, I represent U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley in 21 counties across central and south central Iowa. Part of my job is to hold annual open meetings in each county to listen and take opinions about the issues of the day and help Iowans with personal issues and requests. This can range from getting a milestone birthday greeting from Senator Grassley or the President of the United States, a flag flown over the Capitol, Capitol tours or helping with federal agencies. Examples of assistance with federal agencies would be aiding in Social Security, the VA, the IRS, USDA, the ...
If you use the term “walking beans” today, a lot of younger people may need an explanation. Back in the 60s, however, many Midwest teenagers earned money each summer by pulling and chopping weeds from soybean fields for area farmers. “Bean walking” or “walking beans” we called it ...
This is my ninth week writing about “Our Neighborhood,” the area in Webster City that I am so pleased to now call home. I’ve written, so far, about some of the former residents of this fine city; people I’m happy to have as neighbors, of a sort. The home my wife and I purchased in ...
