The offices of the Des Moines Register’s opinion staff were mostly empty when my telephone rang late one afternoon about 15 years ago. The guard at the lobby security desk said two men were there …

 I played Pinehurts this weekend. It’s where Payne Stewart won the U.S. Open in 1993 and did his famous Goofy “Perfect Cast” move on the 18th green after beating Phil Mickelson on the …

There are holidays, and then there’s St. Patrick’s Day at Horan's Cabaret. Let’s be clear, the Irish spirit lives at Horan’s all year long. But when March rolls around and St. Patrick’s Day …

It started by tearing out Buddy's dog pen, which was right outside our kitchen door.  We had to put Buddy to sleep.  Walking out the kitchen door and seeing his vacant pen was too much of a …

With the winter sports season in the rearview mirror, there’s time for some late night thoughts without running out to this high school or that. My thoughts are centered around efforts currently …

We all need reminders now and then. Some of us believe there is only one correct way to think and speak and act in these United States of America. But that is not true. Americans are not who we are …

You’ve all seen the pictures of Kelsey surrounded by sunflowers in our e-edition this week and online this week, if you’re reading or watching. We memorialize her in sunflowers because she loved …

On the farm, pets tend to be of the wider variety than for urban folks.  Pigs make good pets, as do chickens, horses, ducks, geese, cows, sheep, llamas, or anything alive on the farm.  For …

Sunday musings are typically for lighter fare. Consumption with coffee and a cruller or a piece of toast. Today, I don’t get to be light. Today I delve into a subject that seems to be more and more …

My ancestors trace their roots in America to before the days the Founding Fathers signed the Declaration of Independence. You may have seen my distant cousin, Joseph Hewes, in the massive painting …

For most dog lovers, the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in Madison Square Garden, New York City, is the Super Bowl of dog shows.  This year, since it was the 150th Anniversary, was a special …

With Valentine’s Day coming up this weekend, romance is already on a lot of minds. But one thing I love about Fort Madison is that it doesn’t limit romance to just one holiday. Around here, love …