Skin cancer – Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
Sunburn used to be the badge of courage. As kids, we’d get so sunburned detasseling…
editorial
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…
Government needs room for common sense
People like to talk about what the law says. And in Iowa, the law has…
88-year-old finds her 98-year-old country school teacher – Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
Eighty-eight-year-old Elna Greenfield of rural Birmingham in Van Buren County had heard that the country-school…
Free audiobooks through July at FM library
BY SARAH CLENDENINGFort Madison Public Library Director FORT MADISON – SYNC Audiobooks for Teens returns…
Is Henbit Cause for Menfit? – Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
Romping through a field of clover, the maiden laid down on the hillside and breathed…
UFOs, UAPs, and U-turns – Beside the Point
After a lengthy, but lovable rant last week on the comedy of errors resulting from…
Charter schools must have sunshine, too
The 2021 session of the Iowa Legislature will end in a few weeks, and one…
Anne Frank pen pal story in Danville – Empty Nest, by Curt Swarm
The little brown sign on Highway 34 is easy to miss, just like the significance…
Things are gettin’ outta hand – Beside the Point
Things are a little crazy in the world right now. My brother and I were…
Where oh where are today’s Bob Rays
It’s hard for those of us of a certain vintage to realize it has been…
Author meet-and-greet April 24 – Empty Nest, by Curt Swarm
It is with great pleasure I announce a book signing and “Meet the Author” for…
Pandemic recovery plan includes lightening up
Gearing up for my second Moderna vaccination on Monday has me going through the filing…
Marina project adds to burgeoning riverfront – Opinion
Social media this week’s been abuzz with observers watching the city’s handling of proposed $6…
Blunt Boehner blisters Republicans in Congress
It’s time for a confession. I have misjudged John Boehner. Oh, I knew he might…
Leathernecks do a little dancing after first win
The video from Western Illinois University’s football locker room after Saturday’s 27-24 win over Youngstown…
Uncanny Kansas – Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
I’m in a mad dash across Kansas on I-70. My brother in Canon City, Colorado,…
Things are cooking again for Easter – Beside the Point
I was rummaging through the rec room Saturday night looking for a bottle of white…
Godfrey case brings light to governor’s powers
The Iowa Supreme Court chamber is a magnificent venue for the seven justices who referee…
Farmer, Doctor, Glass Blower – Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
Entering Iowa from the south on Highway 81 out of Missouri, the first road sign…
How you can still lose while winning in court
Many years ago, during a conversation with an old lawyer, he made a comment I…
Iowa loss will sting Garza for life
March is going to hurt.March delivers more pain that pleasure in the NCAA Tournament. Sixty-seven…
Binge shows get four stars – Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
Ginnie and I have seen some great movies lately right in the comfort of our…
Economics and string theory – Beside the Point
Sitting in the Fort Madison’s City Council meeting Tuesday night I heard something that made…
It’s not quite the same, but we get a bracket
There was something comforting about filling out an NCAA tournament bracket.We didn’t get to do…
Visibility needed in state law enforcement discipline cases
The actions of journalists and police officers were in the spotlight last week in a…
Friends and fairways coming soon – Beside the Point
My first trip to the golf course was Friday morning. Granted, it was to pedal…
There’s more at stake than new road signs
Tucked away among hundreds of bills being considered this year by the Iowa Legislature is…
Copper’s the right stuff – Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
I’ve espoused the benefits of copper before. I completely cured the pain in my left…
The Christmas Tree Is Down – Beside the Point
It’s a record setting year in the Vandenberg funhouse. I took the Christmas tree down…
Much lost – but much to be gained next hoops season
It doesn’t take long to start looking ahead after the prep basketball season ends.There is…
Where Were You When… Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
There have been three major “Where were you whens…” in my life. I was born…
Photo at W-MU kick starts coverage memories
A photo can sometimes be worth a thousand reactions.I was at Winfield-Mount Union High School…
It’s not surprising if Iowans have whiplash
Gov. Kim Reynolds’ message for Iowans has been consistent since the coronavirus pandemic arrived a…
Saga of My Kitten – Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
I’ve always believed in God. It’s the way I was raised. Oh, there have been…
Questions abound in state’s handling of vaccinations
Through the years, the Iowa Legislature has chosen an official state flower and a state…
Curt’s Nerd Word List – Empty Nest
Being a writer with my little ole undergraduate Degree in English from Iowa State, I…
We must choose to be informed – Beside the Point
Fort Madison at-large City Councilman Kevin Rink said at Tuesday’s council meeting that he’s been…
Signing day shines light on tough recruiting year
The bulk of Iowa’s 2021 recruiting class had committed before, or during the early stages…
Political football can be “disgusting” – Beside the Point
Joe Mitchell, the Republican State Rep. from Wayland, said Friday that playing political football with…
Repeat after me: Let the public know
The purpose was pretty simple when the Iowa Legislature wrote the state’s public meetings law…
Leathernecks adjust to winter preseason football
Jared Elliott said it’s easy to get snow off the artificial turf at Western Illinois…
The value of popcorn – Beside the Point
I miss going to the movies. I wanna see the epic-reboot Top Gun: Maverick. I…
Mistaken Identity – Empty Nest, by Curt Swarm
I used to go on long runs on Sunday mornings. This was when we lived…
Mike Nelson: runner extraordinaire – Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
A lot of runners, myself included, are happy if they place in their age group….
Fate lends Stormy a hand – Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
Thursday, December 31, New Year’s Eve Day: The Vintage Raven in Mt. Pleasant posted on…
New Year is good time to support local library
BY SARAH CLENDINENGFort Madison Public Library FORT MADISON – Thank you to everyone who supported…
FEAR: Flight, Fight or Fetal – Empty Nest, by Curt Swarm
What would you do if FEAR was eliminated from your life? If it weren’t for…
Merry Christmas Fort Madison – from You’re Friendly Neighborhood Reporter
We’re just seven days from ending what is undoubtedly the worst year generationally of our…
Hawkeyes staying the course to Music City
The cough, Kirk Ferentz said, wasn’t unusual.It was the end of the season, after all,…