When you think of it, in our lives there are many little things that happen practically as an afterthought that often stay with us and have an impact on our lives. It might be what someone says to us or an act of kindness or a perhaps a few "thinking of you" words left on a scrap of paper ...
Estimates by federal agencies that they in effect threw away nearly $100 billion last year should infuriate taxpayers. It is our hard-earned money, after all.But of even more concern should be that the figure represents reports from the very agencies that wasted the money. Analysts at the ...
There's an odd collection of things on my kitchen table this week and I fear it will only get worse in the coming week.Dog treats, training collars, a grooming brush and dog toothpaste - chicken flavored to be precise - are there amongst the mail and keys that seem to get dropped on the table. ...
Looking for something new in your life? The library is a great resource for learning a new skill or taking up a new hobby, whether it is brewing beer or finally learning how to knit. Try one of the books below, or take some time to browse the nonfiction stacks yourself to find your new favorite ...
Jam of the Week: "Lately" by MemoryhouseAbout two years ago, I was the new face in the office of The Daily Freeman-Journal. When I joined on, I had no idea that my time here would help me grow so much professionally and as a person.I was recently invited to talk at a meeting of the Diamond K ...
To the Editor:In the past for holidays, the American Legion normally puts up six flags on the Boulevard of Valor. On July 3, I thought it would be nice to fly the flags along Beach Street and Ohio Street which represent 110 beautiful American Flags.I called up 10 people, got a hold of Custom ...
Tomatoes not setting fruit this year? With the number inquires received lately at local ISU Extension Offices, this is a problem being experienced by many folks in our area. Although the most popular and easiest to grow vegetable; tomatoes are warm season plants, with pollination and fruit ...
It's this time of year every year when I re-remember some things. If you keep some of these things in mind, you may be more successful and enjoy your time on the water even more.The mosquitoes are especially unpleasant this year, or at least they are in all the places I've been. Once you're ...
It was a rainy day and I had a strong thirst for a cup of coffee. I pulled into the coffee shop parking lot and parked next to a familiar vehicle Eb Griper's old Studebaker pick-up.Inside the coffee shop I scouted the booths for my irascible old buddy and, sure enough, he was sitting by ...
So there I was one day last week, zipping north down a county blacktop road about noon, minding my own business as I marveled at the beauty of the summer day around me. Of course at that time of day on a weekday in the country there was very little traffic. Acreages and farms I went by were ...
Jam of the Week: "Through the Night" by GrumThe more I've been cooking, the more new things I've tried. However, most of those things have been picked up at the grocery store.With that in mind, it was a very cool experience to go with Mike Krebill and several workshop attendees out into Briggs ...
Fifty-six people, most of them old women selling food to make money so they could eat, died when Boko Haram terrorists set off a bomb in a Nigerian marketplace last Tuesday.Boko Haram still holds at least 219 school girls the Islamic terrorists kidnapped in April. During just the past two ...
While our temps have been cooler than usual lately, we are bound to get some hot summer weather eventually, right? Or maybe you and your family will be will be headed out on a family vacation. Whether you are relaxing on the beach, at your favorite vacation place or just at home, here are some ...
To the Editor:The 27th annual First State Bank Firecracker 5K was held July 4. This year we had great weather and a great turn out.A total of 220 runners/walkers completed the race. The kids fun run was held making the total over 240 participants.We would like to thank our major contributors: ...
OK folks the unwanted Japanese beetle has arrived to local gardens. First appearing in eastern Iowa in 1994, this beetle devours over 300 types of garden plants and flowers, favorites being roses, grapes and linden trees. These beetles look similar to a June bug - but have a distinctive row ...
In the Midwest, the walleye is the favorite fish of many anglers, and for good reason. They are abundant in many waters, they are susceptible to a wide variety of presentations, and they taste great on the table. But as good as the walleye fishing can be in the Midwest, the largemouth bass ...
One of the things I enjoy about being back home in rural Iowa is the farmer wave. Out here where there seems to be a little less skepticism about the people around you many drivers wave when they meet you on the street or highway.For many, the "farmer wave" is a simple lifting of the index ...
I know I'm not the only gardener in Hamilton County feeling sad about Monday's storm, but, oh, my garden was looking so good before that mean storm hit a week ago. Now all the foliage is tattered and broken. The tall green tops of my rows of onions are now all bent over, the green bean plants ...
To the Editor:The June 26 edition of the Daily Freeman Journal reported that the Hotel Motel Tax Board reduced funding for one of the applicants because the applicants advertising encouraged visitors to stay in the cabins in Briggs Woods Park and not hotels and motels where the tax is ...
Celebrating the 4th of July brings family, friends and neighbors together for backyard barbecues, pool parties and patriotic parades. It's also the time to reflect on the charter of freedom that immortalized our destiny for 238 years and counting.In the months leading up to America's historic ...