Opinion

2020 gave us silver linings, lessons to be learned

Published by admin on Thu, 01/14/2021 - 9:40am

     It’s been a rough year. We started 2020 with all eyes on Iowa for the first-in-the-nation presidential nominating contest. The Iowa Caucuses took place under the cloud of a presidential impeachment. That surreal moment in history was eclipsed by a deadly virus that disrupted life as we know it.

Words on Wellness

Published by admin on Thu, 01/14/2021 - 9:39am

Geocaching – A Treasure Hunt Around the Corner

     Geocaching is a modern-day treasure hunt. It takes people to places they otherwise may have never gone. It’s a low-cost way for the whole family to stay active. You can enjoy outdoor adventures year-round. In fact, winter can be the best time to geocache – no bugs and fewer people.

New Year’s resolutions: Yea or nay?

Published by admin on Fri, 01/08/2021 - 7:58am

     I tend not to set New Year’s resolutions for myself. For one, I’m not one to follow through on such measures. The only attainable goals I set are in terms of how many books I want to read in a year. And I even failed at that in 2020, a year when we had all the time in the world to read.

     I recently came across an article by two writers, each taking a stance as to whether setting annual New Year’s resolutions is beneficial or not. For some, perhaps they are needed.

As we head into the New Year, I will always put Iowa first

Published by admin on Fri, 01/08/2021 - 7:56am

     2020 has presented unique challenges for folks all across our state. The global pandemic coupled with a devastating derecho has been tough, but through it all we’ve witnessed the resilient spirit of Iowans.

     As I safely and responsibly traveled Iowa on my sixth annual 99 County Tour – visiting every county in our beautiful state – I continued to listen to your stories, challenges, and successes to take your voices back to Washington.

City codes are not being enforced

Published by admin on Fri, 01/08/2021 - 7:54am

To the Editor,

     Welcome to the New Year and the still-ineffective city code!

     After wasting so much time going over the code to tighten it up and make it more effective, it continues to be unenforced and unenforceable.

     Why one would ask? Because it is so large and cumbersome and continues to contain such exacting things like the number of cats and dogs you are allowed to have.

Interesting (useless) Google searches in 2020

Published by admin on Wed, 12/30/2020 - 10:04am

     Sometimes it’s a struggle for me to come up with a weekly column idea. Lately, it hasn’t been too bad, though.

     This week I had several ideas come to mind…

     My 2020 reading challenge. Let’s just say I read half the number of books I assumed I would read this year: 8/15. So I failed at that, but I did read some fantastic fiction, which is unusual for me. I highly recommend “The Lies That Bind” by Emily Giffin, “Summer of ‘69” by Elin Hilderbrand, and “A Spark of Light” by Jodi Picoult.

Classic films selected for national preservation

Published by admin on Wed, 12/23/2020 - 9:04am

     I am a movie fanatic! Right now, thanks to COVID-19, not being able to go to movie theaters and watch movies is so hard.

     The National Library of Congress oversees the National Film Registry. They recently announced the list of 25 films that were just inducted into the National Film Registry.

     The National Film Registry selects a number of films each year that they deem worthy of preservation. Their mission “is to ensure the survival, conservation, and increased public availability of America’s film heritage.”

     There are some rules:

Increased alcohol sales come with costs for Iowans

Published by admin on Wed, 12/23/2020 - 9:04am

To the Editor,

     As we celebrate Christmas, let us remember the words of James Allan Francis about our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ:

Concerns regarding Ely’s Stone Bridge

Published by admin on Wed, 12/23/2020 - 9:03am

To the Editor,

     I am writing this in an attempt to bring attention to a situation that many may not be aware of.

     This past week, the county added even more barriers to prevent people from accessing the Ely Stone Bridge. This included metal reflective posts lined up in the ditch to prevent anyone from driving around the cattle gates to drive down to the bridge (from the south), or under the bridge on an ATV (from the north). That, although an eye sore, is not where my concern has come in.

Two women, working hard for Jones County

Published by admin on Tue, 12/22/2020 - 10:40am

     I don’t make it a habit of singling out people in my columns, but two women who are leaders in Jones County deserve some praise.

     Sherri Hunt and Heather Weers have done and continue to do some amazing things for families and children of this county.

     Hunt is the Cedar/Jones County ECI (Early Childhood Iowa) Coordinator. Weers is the DECAT/CPPC (Community Partnerships for Protecting Children) Coordinator. In addition Weers is also the Jones County Grade Level Reading (GLR)/Every Child Reads coordinator.

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