State literally brought out the best -Beside the Point
There’s something about being back at home after a weekend away. I don’t know if…
Chuck Vandenberg
Chewing on the idea of a crunchy Fort Madison
I just don’t get it. If someone would have asked me a month ago if…
Bachin’ it for a week – Beside the Point
It’s been an interesting past several days. The wife went to Nawlins with the daughter…
Life is the prize – Beside the Point
Life is the prize. Sometimes we ask ourselves, unfortunate as it may seem, why we…
SIREPA is no “Mickey Mouse” organization – Beside the Point
I wanted to write this week about Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ spitting match with Disney…
Moments and memories of NYC 2022 – Beside the Point
The buds are out again on the sugar maple out my front window. It’s a…
41 years is a long time… and not
They say it’s not good juju to talk about your competition, but I don’t give…
Work to do to correct illegal breeding in Lee County – Beside the Point
Close to 300 animals were taken from a home in rural Lee County over the…
My spring starts with college hoops championships
Bohannon didn’t call glass on that 23-footer, but that didn’t keep me from backwards somersaulting…
Gas hikes may literally be the price we pay for invasion
A good portion of my morning was spent writing replies on Facebook to people who…
Befuddled by landfill rate hike reactions – Beside the Point
We just went through an emotional reaction to the Back the Blue law and the…
It’s not just the wage increases that should have our attention
Lee County is in a fish bowl when it comes to the Back the Blue…
City rings out fallen firefighter Kern
A firefighter stood guard over a large silver bell and LeeComm called out a final…
Local governments should carry different spirit to public input – Beside the Point
One of the rights and responsibilities of the general public is to challenge the philosophies,…
Governor’s proposals more partyline politics
If nothing else was learned from Tuesday’s Condition of the State address, it’s this –…
Meller to donate former Iowan property to county
Family to donate close to eight acres valued at about $117,000 BY CHUCK VANDENBERGPCC EDITOR…
My wife and daughter are becoming Wing Nuts – Beside the Point
This holiday was a short one. It seems like it came and went very fast….
First snowfall a nice symbol of a fresh year
Another Christmas has come and gone and the New Year greeted us with fresh hope…
Marina work a bewilderment in many ways – Beside the Point
This marina project really is a neat thing. That’s kinda simple for someone who likes…
Depot ribbon cutting touches lives of many
I’ve jumped on a train before. I like the smooth ride of the rails and…
Comp Board mandate is a 10-mile run to go two blocks – Beside the Point
I sat in a meeting last week that was a source of frustration for me…
Fort Madison has a different feel to it – Beside the Point
Taylor was in town for a couple days and she likes to walk through the…
Being bold and fearless isn’t a nationalist sentiment – Beside the Point
This week was a weird week of news. It started with a grandmother who, despite…
A Herky lift and a Hawkeye win
I thought about wearing shorts to the Iowa game on Saturday. My friend, Noah, got…
We now must find our way – Beside The Point
Fort Madison took a punch in the face Wednesday. And for someone who knows what…
County gets more than 30 applications for ARPA funds
BY PCC STAFF LEE COUNTY – A Lee County panel working through the distribution of…
Wilkerson should be shoe in for school board
It’s election time again, and as with every other election that’s been held in the…
Educators need us now more than ever
I sat through a marathon school board meeting Monday night. I’m serious, this thing was,…
A 41-minute 5K – Beside the Point
Harvest time allergies racked me for the past three weeks, but Saturday I got up…
A lesson in Good cop-Bad cop
Walking into Shottenkirk Gymnasium Thursday night for the WACO v. No. 5 Holy Trinity Catholic…
Spontaneity has eluded me for five decades
I have a very “Squirrel!!!” mind. My wife was chuckling at me the other day…
We are officially the Jetsons
Space Tourists? Did yoouuu seee thaaaat? Elon Musk is a whack job and a total…
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…
Fall in Fort Madison rocks
Sitting at my desk on a sleepy Saturday, and looking over the top of my…
Beautification efforts getting contagious
It seems as though everyone has the bug to work outside, despite the wicked heat…
Hard to unpack Thursday at Dyersville
Well, if Iowa isn’t in fact heaven, Thursday night’s first-ever Major League Baseball game in…
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…
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…
Fiesta marks 100th year
Jamie Mesecher, a descendant of the storied Prado family, wants a red, white, and green…
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…
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…
A little ‘sole’ searching – Beside the Point
I bought a new pair of shoes this weekend. I have two other pairs –…
Happy Father’s Day, Mom – Beside the Point
My father died when I was six years old. I only remember a powder blue…
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…
Corks and Barrels tour brings back senses of Ivy – Beside the Point
Stepping into the historic Hesse building again on the northeast corner of 7th and Avenue…
Ding-dong ditching and glass packs – Beside the Point
Back in college, we used to watch a lot of David Letterman. As a matter…
Steps out the door – Beside the Point
It’s the season for graduations. A time typically reserved for celebration, family, a small cash…
Whew… Chinese rocket should miss Fort Madison – Beside the Point
Well, I for one, feel better. The European Space Agency has determined that 100-foot, 22-ton…
UFOs, UAPs, and U-turns – Beside the Point
After a lengthy, but lovable rant last week on the comedy of errors resulting from…
Things are gettin’ outta hand – Beside the Point
Things are a little crazy in the world right now. My brother and I were…