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A fan of the bizarre

Local Columns

Before the Internet and search engines like Google, I spent a lot of time with reference books. I’m one of those nerds who enjoys reading encyclopedias and almanacs and love learning new (and sometimes weird) things. Here are a few of the things I have learned lately while looking for something else on the Internet ̶ You should take good care of your feet. Did you know that you have 26 bones in each of your feet ̶ 52 bones in both feet? Your entire body has 206 bones so more than a quarter of your bones are in your feet. Like I said, take good care of your tootsies. Back in ...

Here’s another place where Iowa needs more transparency

Editorials

There has been a lot of talk lately about why Iowa’s K-12 school districts need to be more transparent, and more accessible and more accountable, to parents and the rest of the tax-paying people of Iowa. That is the justification offered for a bulging backpack full of bills introduced in the Legislature this year. But lawmakers should not stop with their push for improved transparency in schools. There are bills before the Legislature this year that would require a monitoring camera be installed in every classroom, online lists of every book in every school library and every book ...

Almost time to spring ahead again

Local Columns

Are you ready for Daylight Savings Time again? We “spring ahead” at 2 a.m. on Sunday, March 13. Daylight Savings Time is okay; I just hate losing that hour of sleep on March 13. I know, we’ll get the hour back on November 6 but it still messes me up for a few weeks. I’m not ready for bed at bedtime. I’m not ready to get up at my normal “getting’ up” time. I’m not ready to eat… wait, that’s never a problem. This wasn’t such a big deal when I was younger. Maybe age is making me less tolerant of change. I have noticed that in other areas of life. When I was a ...

Various fish through the ice

Local Columns

The ice fishing season is winding down. In some parts of ice fishing territory, the season has closed for a couple species of fish. However, there are still lots of fish to chase in the remaining weeks of ice fishing. Perch, crappies, and other panfish are fair game in most places, and so are ...

Walleye memories

Local Columns

The recent cold weather in some parts of the Midwest has me thinking about warmer weather fishing, and when I do that, I think about previous fishing experiences. I recently visited a fishing message board and was impressed with how walleye fishing knowledge has evolved. Walleye anglers today, ...

Eb Griper’s marital frustrations

Local Columns

Most of the booths appeared full when I walked into the coffee shop. As I searched for an open seat I was surprised to see Ebenezer Griper. Eb is an irascible old acquaintance who lives several miles out of town. On this morning he was sitting alone, reading a newspaper. “May I join you?” I asked as I slid into the opposite bench. “Haven’t seen you in a coon’s age,” Eb muttered as he looked up over his smeared eyeglasses. “I guess my luck has ended.” “It’s a joy to see you, too, Eb!” I replied. “A day or two ago I got to wondering about what happened to that ...