To the Editor:It just amazes me how complacent we have become as drivers in this state. As I was sitting and waiting fo someone, I watched one of the stop signs on Second Street just to see how many people actually came to a complete stop. Most people just slowed way down and then went right on ...
Growing up in northern Iowa I learned what tough winters were all about. Then I spent 14 years in Sioux City, a hilly river town where winter driving seems suicidal and the cold north wind blows in unobstructed from the plains of South Dakota.A dozen years in southern Iowa and now 14 years in ...
When you're snowed in and looking for something not too strenuous to occupy your time, it can be a great opportunity to look through some of those items on the shelf waiting for the "someday" you've promised yourself.So during our recent winter weather event, out came my grandma's notebooks ...
So, it's been a while since we've had a storm move in as quickly and as severely as this most recent mess. The blowing, wet, heavy snow caused many schools, businesses and agencies to close their doors and hunker down someplace warm.Someone on Facebook Thursday morning was wondering why ...
Have you ever noticed how a certain fragrance can trigger a memory in a way that our other senses can't? It's interesting how such a thought can come on so quickly from something as fleeting as a hint of a smell wafting by.Or maybe it's something that surrounds us with smell, like the odor of ...
Winter is coping time for wildlife. We humans as members of the planet's most ingenious species do not necessarily endure the weather. Instead, we've found ways to offset the worst climatic extremes.Wild creatures on the other hand, have to tough it out without the benefit of our central ...
Attending weddings has never been near the top of my favorite-things-to-do list. This year, however, I have already attended two, each as a guest of a friend of the families.Either I'm becoming easier-going in my old age or weddings are getting better. I actually enjoyed the two recent ...
We're going to have a whole houseful of family this weekend - the first time in about six months since we've had the opportunity to spend some time together.We missed the Blankenship family Christmas because of a scheduling conflict, so now Grandma Phoebe is coming to town to see Daniel. In ...
Do you want to improve your computer skills? Learn how to use a new software program? Maybe you have a teenager who will be taking the ACT this spring and want them to start preparing for the big test. LearningExpress, a database that you can access for free through the Kendall Young Library ...
To the Editor:Many thanks to the young man in the red car who voluntarily shoveled my sidewalks and driveway at 505 Cedar St. last week.It was very much appreciated.Philis FletchallWebster City
To the Editor:I would like to respond to the article dated Jan. 23, 2014, titled "IBSW suspends Follett's license."I have been seeing Tom as a patient for eight years now. I don't know how my son, husband and my life would have turned out without the therapy he has provided us. I definitely ...
To the Editor:The Friends of the Kendall Young Library would like to publicly thank everyone who made the recent Chocolate Festival such a success.Thanks to all who made such yummy concoctions, to the judges who sampled every entry and took their jobs very seriously, and to everyone who came to ...
Open enrollment under the new health insurance system continues until March 31, so now is the time to get enrolled if you need health insurance. After March 31 most people must wait to buy health insurance until November when they can purchase insurance for 2015. Note: If you experience a life ...
We've talked about this before ... you and I. For obvious reasons, I spend a vast amount of the year noodling around the rural regions of the country. I mean, let's face it, that's where the country is; that's where the outdoors is; and that's where the fishing and hunting opportunities lie.But ...
It was 1966, the year I graduated from high school and the year I began working at the radio station in the county seat.In small market radio stations at that time announcers had to regularly monitor transmitter readings along with everything else. I worked part time in the office until I could ...
These two simple, run-of-the-mill school spiral notebooks sit on the bookshelf in my office. They don't look like much really-just your basic lined paper school notebook. Pretty unimpressive, at least till you open one up.That's when you'll see line after line in each notebook filled with the ...
Amazon, that online repository of books and just about everything else, recently released its list of 100 books to read in a lifetime. As I thumbed through the digital listing of books, I was amazed at how many of the books I had actually finished.Of course, there were a several that I hadn't ...
In preparation for upcoming floor debate and moving forward with proposed legislation, week four at the Capitol has consisted of many subcommittee meetings for multiple bills. After subcommittee meetings are held, these bills will return to their respective committees for discussion and ...
To the Editor:A farm bill is working its way through Congress. If passed, it will pay 62 percent of the farmer's crop insurance. The Des Moines Register reports that travelers have lost 2.5 billion this winter due to weather related issues. Airlines lost 75 to 150 million just in January.In ...
To the Editor:As someone who has benefitted greatly from local counselor, Tom Follett, MSW, I was disturbed to learn of a suspension of his license.Tom goes above and beyond the call of duty when it comes to helping people in their process of and journey to healing. The compassionate care and ...