It Comes in Threes – Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
It started when the internet went down. We live in the country so we have…
Curt Swarm
Rosses love their Love Bugs – Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
Linda and Kevin Ross live on the Skunk River near Augusta on the Lee County…
Farewell to Nohema Graber and More- Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
Ginnie and I participated in the First Annual Walk for Nohema in Chautauqua Park in…
Attempt to save a baby fox – Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
Lorrilee McCall-Miller heard something outside their door as she was getting ready for bed. It…
AHFA is there for the kids – Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
Gracie’s mother prostituted her when she was 11. At 13 she stabbed a kid in…
Easter egg hunts should be held on Easter – Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
Easter-egg hunts at our house when I was a kid were conducted on Easter Sunday…
Urge passing of Erin’s Law – Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
Erin Merryn is an Illinois woman who was sexually abused as a child by two…
Vietnam Veteran’s Day – Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
In restaurants or public places he sits in a corner with his back to the…
Can canna-buzz stop tinnitus? Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
I’ve suffered from tinnitus (ringing, buzzing in the ears) for over 20 years. I had…
Father, son debate the “undebatable” – Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
“I disagree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right…
Reader Curt – Empty Nest, by Curt Swarm
I was asked to be a reader at the Mt. Pleasant Public Library—me, an ex-drunk…
Empty Nest Tidbits – by Curt Swarm
With the Pandemic, we’ve been doing a lot of Zoom church attendance. Ginnie still showers…
It takes the Villages of Van Buren County – Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
During the flood of 1947, 17-year old Jack Dorothy was swimming in the flooded waters…
Former Monroe man to compete in Ninja Warrior contest – Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
Eric Robbins, in his late 40’s and 100 pounds over weight, sat in the doctor’s…
Always a good day for MP’s Marvin Day
He started as a dishwasher-busboy at Pizza Hut and rose to be a regional manager. …
Brothers forever – Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
The call came while Ginnie and I were eating supper. It was from a lady…
Olympic Rings and Things – Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
In honor of the Winter Olympics, I fashioned the Olympic Rings out of old wagon…
Mt. Pleasant’s Musician Master – Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
On a table in front of Dr. Joel Brown’s picture window is a large Nativity…
MP, Ottumwa native has Miss America playthings – Empty Nest
Sharon Bortz of Mt. Pleasant, formerly Sharon Smith of Ottumwa, watched the Miss America pageant…
Christmas odd and ends – Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
This is too uncanny to not share. Ginnie and I made a special trip to…
Winter Mouse Invasion! – Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
I stared down at the half-full bucket of water on the barn floor. It was…
Mt. Pleasant author to sign first children’s book – Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
Mount Pleasant has a famous author and motivational speaker. Mark your calendar for Friday, December…
Barber and Pastor reunite after 50 years – Empty Nest
I spent Thanksgiving with Ginnie’s family in Jefferson City, Missouri. We all met and had…
Standby generator – Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
I have a vivid memory from when I was a kid. It was the summer…
Reunited with high school teacher – Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
We called him Mr. Johnson. Today he goes by Bob. He was my high school…
32 years clean and sober – Empty Nest
I’ve been clean and sober for longer than I drank. It just dawned on me…
Brother was veteran and a hero -Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
My oldest brother was 14 years old when I was born. My first memory of…
Fall Garden Full of Surprises – Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
Fall is my favorite season. Call me a romantic if you want, I don’t care. …
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…
The Wall – Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
Author’s note: I ran this article in 2009. But upon rereading, I couldn’t resist resubmitting…
Main Street art center coming to MP – Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
When most other people are whining and crying about the pandemic, economy and lack of…
Washington gallery hosts renowned glob al artist – Empty Nest, by Curt Swarm
French artist and now Burlington resident Cecile Houel (pronounced “well”) has her art on display…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Art Weekend – Empty Nest, by Curt Swarm
When I saw the artwork of Bisa Butler advertised I knew we had to see…
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…
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…
Strange Summer- Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
I couldn’t believe it. I’d been watching some young “punkins” growing on the vine in…
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…
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…
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…
Yellowstone – Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
As we pulled out onto the highway for our week-long vacation at Yellowstone National Park,…
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…
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…
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…
Whatchamacallits become art – Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
I have a number of these whatchamacallits. I make sculptures out of them. I weld…
Hat and bibs for Garden ’21 – Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
I didn’t get the garden in until Wednesday, May 12, this year, Hump Day. (Am…