Skin cancer – Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
Sunburn used to be the badge of courage. As kids, we’d get so sunburned detasseling…
opinion
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…
UFOs, UAPs, and U-turns – Beside the Point
After a lengthy, but lovable rant last week on the comedy of errors resulting from…
Stimulus money meant to stimulate economy – Letter to the Editor
Editor: Several weeks ago, a man wrote that he did not need the stimulus payment….
Charter schools must have sunshine, too
The 2021 session of the Iowa Legislature will end in a few weeks, and one…
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…
Letter to the Editor – Huddlesons thank those who supported
Editor: Our family of Dianne Huddleson would like to extend our sincere thank you to…
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…
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…
We battled more than one pandemic – Letter to the Editor
Dear Editor Here’s what I learned over the last several years, and my greatest fear…
Farmer, Doctor, Glass Blower – Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
Entering Iowa from the south on Highway 81 out of Missouri, the first road sign…
Pepperoni pizza and politics – Beside the Point
I’ve been thinking a lot about my political leanings lately. But to avoid being boring,…
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…
Time to regain position as Beacon of Light – Letter to the Editor
Dear Editor A new presidential administration is the chance for new opportunities. A fresh start….
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…
Locomotive gets new wheels – Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
A day in the life of a writer: I was going to meet another writer…
Friends and fairways coming soon – Beside the Point
My first trip to the golf course was Friday morning. Granted, it was to pedal…
Big Ten tourney kick started an arduous year
I was trying the other day to come up with a memory from one year…
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…
Stewart Acres puts Flag on barn roof – Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
Randy Stewart and his son, Austin, had a brain storm one day. They are patriotic…
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…
These changes won’t improve election security
Iowa’s 2020 election was one for the record books — with 1.7 million people marking…
Where Were You When… Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
There have been three major “Where were you whens…” in my life. I was born…
Today, nothing is Beside the Point
Sorry, but Beside the Point’s a little late this morning. Saturday was a bittersweet day…
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…
Needless confusion about the First Amendment
Forty-five words that were first written with a quill pen 230 years ago form what…
Weight goal achieved – Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
I finally did it! I hit the 180 lb goal I’ve been chasing for a…
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…
The biggest story you’re not paying attention to
The biggest story we think you may not be paying attention to quietly got swept…
Mike Nelson: runner extraordinaire – Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
A lot of runners, myself included, are happy if they place in their age group….