We’re tired of waiting on leaders to lead – Randy Evans
Aaron Salter Jr., 55, was on duty at the security job that supplemented his retirement…
Guest Authors
Much to marvel at in the human spirit
You have to marvel at the capacity of the human spirit — especially the ability…
Marina project is in full swing – Mayor Matt Mohrfeld
Driving by the river on the east end of town you will immediately notice a…
Earl’s Bull and Pig Story – Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
My farmer friend, Earl—we call him Earl the Pearl for no good reason except it…
These men have eloquent guidance – Randy Evans
Richard Deming, the son of a grain elevator worker and grocery store clerk from small-town…
Ottumwa Class of ’54 Swings! – Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
“Seventeen, hot rod queen, cutest girl you’ve ever seen, tell the world I’m really keen…
It’s difficult to stop the march of progress – Randy Evans
Controversy, of sorts, arrived in my driveway last week. There was no commotion. There were…
Government needs room for common sense
People like to talk about what the law says. And in Iowa, the law has…
88-year-old finds her 98-year-old country school teacher – Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
Eighty-eight-year-old Elna Greenfield of rural Birmingham in Van Buren County had heard that the country-school…
Free audiobooks through July at FM library
BY SARAH CLENDENINGFort Madison Public Library Director FORT MADISON – SYNC Audiobooks for Teens returns…
Author meet-and-greet April 24 – Empty Nest, by Curt Swarm
It is with great pleasure I announce a book signing and “Meet the Author” for…
Locomotive gets new wheels – Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
A day in the life of a writer: I was going to meet another writer…
There’s more at stake than new road signs
Tucked away among hundreds of bills being considered this year by the Iowa Legislature is…
These changes won’t improve election security
Iowa’s 2020 election was one for the record books — with 1.7 million people marking…
Weight goal achieved – Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
I finally did it! I hit the 180 lb goal I’ve been chasing for a…
Mike Nelson: runner extraordinaire – Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
A lot of runners, myself included, are happy if they place in their age group….
New Year is good time to support local library
BY SARAH CLENDINENGFort Madison Public Library FORT MADISON – Thank you to everyone who supported…
FEAR: Flight, Fight or Fetal – Empty Nest, by Curt Swarm
What would you do if FEAR was eliminated from your life? If it weren’t for…
“Superman in a Business Suit” – Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
During a blizzard in the late 70’s a city worker in Mt. Pleasant was driving…
Retired nurse pens first novel – Empty Nest, by Curt Swarm
Every once-in-a-while a writer comes along who stands head and shoulders above the rest. This…
Shingles Part II now playing at Empty Nest – by Curt Swarm
I had the shingles 10 years ago, plus the shingles’ vaccination. I should be good…
Swarm work to benefit FMAAA
Okay, folks, here’s your chance to get some genuine Curt Swarm junk, I mean art….
From Jerry’s to Caseys – Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
“Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.” Dr. Seuss It’s the people she…
160 plows on 160 acres in Bloomfield – Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
Northeast of Bloomfield or Southeast of Floris is what might be considered an outdoor museum…
Iowa’s small barns disappearing – Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
You may have noticed the big, beautiful, red barn beside the highway. It’s just west…
Birthday ends in trip to Wall Street – Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
On August 27, the night before Ginnie’s birthday, the moon and Mars lined up side-by-side,…
“The Virus” is very real to area woman – Empty Nest, by Curt Swarm
Families gotta start back getting together for Sunday dinner and family reunions…not just funerals. –…
Schiller’s link to Nepal goes back to his childhood – Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
Ernie Schiller is a well known figure in Lee Country and SE Iowa, as well…
Park running a new outlet for MP man – Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
“It doesn’t need to be your personal best. It doesn’t need to look pretty. It…
Unexpected gift yields good news – Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
Except when I was 13 and got a Winchester single shot, .22 rifle, this may…
Chaneys revive natural prairie by Skunk – Empty Nest, by Curt Swarm
Dog park, grooming, boarding, training, world class Yorkies, pigeons for dog training, wildlife habitat and…
COVID art didn’t jinx – Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
Ironically, I may have brought this on myself. Being an artist, I see beauty in…
Small privileges come to light during pandemic – By Katie Scoville
College is a time to spread your wings and move out of your comfort zone….
Detasseling was summer right of passage – Empty Nest, by Curt Swarm
My only goal was to keep up with Ray in the row beside me and…
Gardening and drinking from the hose – Empty Nest, by Curt Swarm
I made an uncanny observation the other day while watering our garden. Hose water tastes…
Garden undergoes a Chipmunk funk – Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
I did not know that chipmunks, also known as “squinneys,” can destroy a garden. They’re…
Newspaper clipped by pandemic -Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
It’s worth a road trip to see. Located in Traer, Iowa, north of Tama, the…
He shed turns into art studio – Empty Nest, by Curt Swarm
Leave it to an artist. Artists usually have many talents, not just one art form….
Finches say it’s time to put in the garden – Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
I tilled a pick-up load of composted sheep manure into our garden. I know I…
Some have a bit more social distance – Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
We might think we have it rough with restaurants closed, “shelter in place” (fancy words…
Salem pastor started at a young age – Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
Diego knew he was on the right path, that God had spoken to him. Coming…
Procedure good for mind, body- Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
My wife and I mark our time together by Colonoscopies. Yup. You see, we had…
Cancer survivor reaching for the stars – Empty Nest, by Curt Swarm
He wants to be an astronaut or a flight director, the person who leads the…
Syndicated or not, it’s working – Empty Nest, by Curt Swarm
I’m often asked, by aspiring writers, how I got my column into so many newspapers….
Thank You notes have started year right
Empty Nest – by Curt Swarm “If you have one friend, you’re a wealthy person.”…
Dodging the pitfalls of an aging body- Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
It all started when an old hernia surgery scar began hurting—real bad! What was going…
A full list of holiday dining hot spots – Empty Nest, by Curt Swarm
With the eating season upon us—Thanksgiving through Easter—here is where Ginnie and I like to…
“Give this day a good pull” – Empty Nest, by Curt Swarm
They, the omniscient “they,” say that when you retire the majority of your time is…
Ancestry search turns up pain – Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
From an early age Scott Pieper (pronounced “Pipe-er” not “Peep-er”) wanted to be a mortician….
Mud run mirrors 30 years of sobriety – Empty Nest, by Curt Swarm
November 3, 1989, a day I shall never forget. I had fallen drunk through the…