Ok. So here I go into an arena that I’m not really primed for. I haven’t been a fan of women’s basketball. Not until now. My brother was a girls' head coach for more than 20 years …

Most people go through life never stepping foot inside a courtroom. Most people, that is, except for attorneys, judges, journalists, the few of us chosen to be jurors, and an even more select group, …

I know I've said this before, and one of my readers was quick to point it out, but “The Covenant of Water” is the best book I have ever read.  How do I know?  Well, I'll take …

I’ve sat through about 50 graduations in my lifetime. They always seem to have me thinking about paths and choices. I’m a people watcher. It’s one of my favorite things to do when …

This business cracks me up. I saw something the other day that made me so proud to feel like a Fort Madisonian or Fort Madisonite or Fort Madisonator whatever you naturalized Fort Madison people call …

I’m feeling a bit closed off lately. What’s going on in the world? I was talking with my nephew this weekend and said I’d heard that the U.S. wants to put another person on the …

I found a little treasure on Saturday about three hours from my house. It wasn’t the pretentious little Korgies that walked on short leashes, while the affluent in golfie attire and watches …

The events of the past six months in Israel and Gaza have me wishing it were possible to have just one more lunch with a friend who died four years ago. My friend was Jewish. In today’s …

On July 11 of this year it will be 60 years since Hans Trousil of West Burlington immigrated from Germany to the United States.  It was 1964, he was 11 years old and in the 6th grade.  He …

You know there are just things that make your nose crinkle up and put a chill in ya. For me it’s wet socks. I hate wet socks. It’s a legitimate peeve that makes you feel cold inside and …

Drawing on her experience as an educator and motivational speaker, and her love of children, animals and the farm, Denise McCormick is about to announce the publication of her second children's book, …

I miss the days of typewriters. Not really. A few key strokes and a Word document is in someone else’s hands or pasted into a page design software and you’re off and running. But …