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The end of an era

Editorials

It was known as a cozy gathering place for an intimate dinner. Businesses and organizations gaveled in thousands of meetings in the iconic Quarry Room. And were there any local children who didn’t insist that the family sit at the table by the aquarium? The 2nd Street Emporium, in business for more than 40 years in downtown Webster City, closed its doors June 30. Owners Scott and Candy Rector decided the time was right to retire. Once the business closure was announced, diners flocked to the restaurant to have one last lunch or dinner at the establishment. The Rectors purchased ...

I scream for ice cream

Local Columns

If God had chosen me to be the first man instead of Adam, I would have never fallen for Eve’s “try it, you’ll like it” line. Naked lady or no naked lady, I would not have messed up Creation for a stupid apple or whatever fruit she was playing temptress with. However, had Eve turned to me with a double-dip strawberry cheesecake ice cream cone (waffle cone, of course) and said, “Cool your wisdom teeth on this, big boy,” humankind would have been doomed. Of all the taste temptations available, ice cream is my favorite. To paraphrase Will Rogers, I’ve never met an ice ...

Choices and their consequences

Local Columns

The group discussion focused on advice. Given the opportunity, we were asked, what parting advice would we leave with our children upon our demise? Several good responses were volunteered. One answer, however, made particularly good sense. “Make the right choices,” one parent said. That would be her parting counsel to her children. Frankly, I couldn’t think of a better answer. I’ve come to the conclusion that many of our experiences here on earth ̶ our joys and our sorrows ̶ are the result of choices we make. It sounds simplistic, I know, but as I ponder the issue I ...

Mid-summer fishing ideas

Local Columns

Many people consider the 4th of July to be the doorway to summer. I suggest that summer came a lot earlier this year than most years. It’s been hotter than usual according to the people who keep track of those things, and those same people predict that the warmer than ordinary weather will ...

Happy Birthday to the Interstate Highway System

Local Columns

Though no major celebrations are planned, the United States is experiencing an important anniversary this summer. Our nation’s Interstate Highway System turns 65 years old! On June 29, 1956, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the Federal Highway Act which created our Interstate highway system. Today the 47,622-mile super highway network ­­- representing only one percent of all U.S. road miles­­ - carries 21 percent of the nation’s traffic. President Eisenhower’s primary motivation for building an interstate highway system was national defense. The former general wanted a ...

Grateful for those who attended benefit

Letters to Editor

To the Editor: On behalf of Wong Thongsouk’s family, we are extremely thankful for those that came and bought from Kona Ice on Wednesday, June 23. Also, we want to thank those who dropped off a donation. Thank you Emily Baker for doing this fundraiser for Wong and his family. Shylo Olson Webster City