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…
Opinion
Spontaneity has eluded me for five decades
I have a very “Squirrel!!!” mind. My wife was chuckling at me the other day…
The Old Thresher’s Steam Whistle: Four Generations of Dewees – Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
It started in the fifties when H.D. Dewees, a farmer from Marion, Iowa, was on…
We are officially the Jetsons
Space Tourists? Did yoouuu seee thaaaat? Elon Musk is a whack job and a total…
The American spirit isn’t what it used to be
When the anniversary of some tragedy rolls around, we are reminded of what was lost…
Miller-Meeks recalls events 20 years ago
This weekend is the 20th anniversary of the September 11th attacks that led to the…
Letter to the Editor – Accountability is coming
Republicans, like any common criminal, selfish child, or cowardly bully, wish fervently to avoid accountability…
Finicky Finney Builds Replicas of Barn – Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
Debbie and Jon Finney of Keosauqua are playing out an age-old tradition of selling the…
Flight of the Pro V – Beside the Point
Golf. It’s a beautiful sport, and sorry, Mayor Mohrfeld, it has a ball. I don’t…
Vigilante justice isn’t the American way
Let’s set aside our views on abortion. Instead, let’s consider one aspect of the new…
Hope Lutheran to celebrate 175th – Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
Out of the corn and soybean fields it rises like a beacon of hope. Its…
Fall in Fort Madison rocks
Sitting at my desk on a sleepy Saturday, and looking over the top of my…
There’s no escaping the chaos of war
The news out of Afghanistan last week about the terrorist bombing at the airport in…
What is Art? From primitive basket weaving to modern NFT’s
Art takes many forms. Quite often it’s the 2D variety that hangs on a wall…
Farmington Resident golfs under his age – Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
It happened on August 5th. 82-year old Dale Netherton, of rural Farmington, shot an 80…
Beautification efforts getting contagious
It seems as though everyone has the bug to work outside, despite the wicked heat…
Central Lee taking new proactive approaches – Letter to the Editor
To the Editor; Over the past year, there has been a lot of noise regarding…
More secrecy unwise in schools’ hiring decisions
Iowa’s three state universities made a U-turn this summer, and they now are headed down…
Art Weekend – Empty Nest, by Curt Swarm
When I saw the artwork of Bisa Butler advertised I knew we had to see…
Iowa’s Amish have some lessons for us
The man who answered the door at a farm house west of Bloomfield one afternoon…
Hard to unpack Thursday at Dyersville
Well, if Iowa isn’t in fact heaven, Thursday night’s first-ever Major League Baseball game in…
What was Cuomo thinking? (And Ernst, too)
Here is one of the persistent questions rattling around in my head: Why are some…
Pastor marks 56 years at 75-year-old church
It’s not unusual for a church to have a 75th Anniversary, but for the pastor…
You can’t “rub dirt” on mental illness – Beside the Point
Typically, this editorial is about something on the lighter side of life. Like say Javy…
Norm and Dolly: Two peas in a pod
It is hard to imagine Norman Borlaug ever joining in singing “Jolene” or “9 to…
Villages of Van Buren Saved From Havoc – Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
I saved the Villages of Van Buren County from havoc, and I did it while…
Baseball, retribution, and a disdain for the heat – Beside the Point
The summer is flyin’ by. It’s flyin’ by so fast I’m three hours late with…
Strange Summer- Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
I couldn’t believe it. I’d been watching some young “punkins” growing on the vine in…
Fiesta marks 100th year
Jamie Mesecher, a descendant of the storied Prado family, wants a red, white, and green…
Iowa’s universities need to learn important lesson
In recent years, Republicans and Democrats in the Iowa Legislature often agree on little.But they…
Squirrels and Thistles – Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
Surrounded by corn, soybeans, and pasture, our two-and-a-half acre Empty Nest Farm was devoid of…
Peace, quiet, and a family fishing derby – Beside the Point
I have a headache. I think it’s oxygen induced. I’ve spent the last four days…
Government cuts corners on public participation – Randy Evans
Several times a week, someone contacts me because they had difficulty learning about a government…
Derecho Scarecrow – Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
Part of our garden this year is doing spectacularly, part of it isn’t. The peaches-and-cream…
Cool July weekend was just what the doctor ordered – Beside the Point
I think this weekend may have been the most beautiful July weather I’ve experienced in…
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…
World Premiere Play in Mt. Pleasant – Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
No fooling. A world premier play is going to be performed in Mt. Pleasant and…
Hounds title on the line at Community Field Monday
We had a little fun with a baseball story earlier this week. That’s because they’re…
Yellowstone – Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
As we pulled out onto the highway for our week-long vacation at Yellowstone National Park,…
A little ‘sole’ searching – Beside the Point
I bought a new pair of shoes this weekend. I have two other pairs –…
This wasn’t one of the court’s finest moments – Randy Evans
Through the long arc of history, the Iowa Supreme Court has developed a reputation for…
Woman’s Pet Chicken Missing – Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
Anna Banana where are you? A sign in the shape of a chicken in the…
Happy Father’s Day, Mom – Beside the Point
My father died when I was six years old. I only remember a powder blue…
Governor is correct – more transparency needed
Gov. Kim Reynolds talked last week about the importance of government leaders keeping other government…
Betty Kilbourn: Resident of Henry County for 100 Years – Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
She doesn’t look a day over 80, but Betty Kilbourn, a resident of the Van…
A book, a pole, and a cup of coffee- Beside the Point
It’s been two years since I’ve thought about a vacation. It’s been longer since my…
Central Lee on solid financial ground – Letter to the Editor
Dear Editor, On September 10, 2019, Central Lee community members went to the polls to…
Partners starts annual fireworks campaign – Letter to the Editor
Fort Madison Community, I know we’re coming off an extremely unusual year and realize many…
U.S. should not treat our friends this way
Too often these days, Americans and our government seem to be incapable of agreeing on…
Messerli’s mess of ties- Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
Ralph Messerli of Fairfield hates ties. But being a high school principal, guidance counselor, coach…