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Information of little importance or value

Local Columns

While I don’t enjoy playing most board games (bored games) I do enjoy playing Trivial Pursuit. That’s because I appreciate trivia; you know: “details, considerations or pieces of information of little importance or value.” That’s how the dictionary defines it. Sadly, my brain stores more of this kind of information than important stuff like how to make a million dollars or why dogs howl at the moon. The Internet has made harvesting trivia easier than ever and here a few of the things I have reaped recently — You know that frustrating feeling when you’re trying to ...

Use caution as cyclists roll through Webster City Tuesday

Editorials

Webster City is going to welcome a lot of visitors Tuesday — probably more than 15,00 people. All of those 15,000 people will be here as RAGBRAI rolls into town. While Webster City is not an overnight stop on the route, the bicyclists will be taking a break here. There will be food and entertainment downtown. To safely accommodate the bicycles and provide their riders with a good time, some streets will be closed Tuesday. Those who live and work in Webster City will need to be flexible and accept some temporary changes to their daily routine. Patience and caution will be needed ...

Faster trolling for faster fishing action

Local Columns

Fish are cold-blooded creatures. Water temperatures have an effect on their way of doing things. When the water is cold, the fish prefer a slow moving bait. Their metabolism is slower in cold water, so they don’t move as fast. When water temperatures warm up to where they are now, fish are ...

Be sure to attend the Hamilton County Fair

Editorials

Times change. Even so there are a few constants in life. One is the pleasure provided by the county fairs that continue to be a highlight of summer in the Hawkeye State. For as far back as anyone who now lives in this part of Iowa can remember, these summer festivals have been much-anticipated and much-enjoyed features of summertime. The fairs, of course, have changed over the decades. One central theme, however, remains much the same - a celebration of farm life and the assorted positive educational and personal-growth pursuits that are treasured features of life in rural and ...

Iowa nice in the rest of the country

Local Columns

Most Iowans pride themselves on what is often referred to as “Iowa Nice.” Since the precise meaning of this phrase is difficult to express, I will refer to Wikipedia which claims “Iowa nice is a cultural label used to describe the stereotypical attitudes and behaviors of residents within the… state of Iowa, particularly in terms of the friendly agreeableness and emotional trust shown by individuals who are otherwise strangers… It can be analogized to the similar notions of Minnesota nice and Southern hospitality.” Frankly, I have run into nice people everywhere I have ...

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 ...