Back in March, one of the items in my daily Religion News email was entitled, “Jimmy Carter’s religious values were never far from his presidency or his policy.” The essay was by Lovett H. Weems Jr., who was a United Methodist pastor in Mississippi during the Carter presidency and now is professor emeritus of church leadership at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C.

Dec. 10, 2008: The Boldt family, who farmed near West Lake Park, always celebrated the end of the harvest by picking the last few rows of corn by hand to honor their ancestors. This year was a special harvest, as it marked the 100th year the farm was owned by the family. This year’s hand pickers included Mike Fink, Jared Boldt, Jake Peeters, Jorden Boldt, Kylie Boldt, Bonnie Boldt, Kaylee Wulf and Jerry Boldt.

" ... It took a lot of courage for Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds to endorse Ron DeSantis. Why? Because she had to weigh the endorsement against the likelihood of threats once Trump the thug vented his rage ..."

"President Biden’s driving force from day one has been to save our democracy ..."

"Another successful Hometown Holiday is in the books! We are thankful Mother Nature cooperated. We are also so thankful to all of the local businesses and organizations that donate their time and efforts into helping us provide a free event for families ..."

Taxpayers in the city of Davenport wouldn’t know this, but a lawsuit filed against the North Scott School District in the late 1980s led to the law which required the disclosure last week of the $1.6-million buyout of their now-former city administrator, Corri Spiegel.

Nov. 28, 1973: The Eldridge Businessmen’s Association cancelled an order for new lighted Christmas decorations. President Richard Nixon had called for a ban on decorative Christmas lighting in a speech on the energy crisis.

ESG stands for environmental, social, governance. Large corporate directors and business investors, with indirect input from the federal government, designate these scores based on how well the person or small business or company adheres to a number of policies, such as green, climate change-inspired policies, opposition to the use of fossil fuels, opposition to production agriculture, opposition to gun manufacture, beliefs about racial equity informed by Critical Race Theory (CRT), including anti-racism, white privilege, etc., support for abortion on demand and/or adherence to LGBT ideology.

"If Sen. Cournoyer wants to micromanage local spending maybe she should run for a local office instead of tying local elected officials’ hands ..."

Twice, I copped a ride with my friend, John Ockenfels, of Swisher, near Cedar Rapids, to Rotary events, first at Cleveland, Ohio, in 2016, and then Erie, Pa., in 2018. During those flights he told me of his dream to fly around the world in a single-engine airplane. Yeah, right, I thought – but John was serious.

Dennis Arlo Fahrenkrog passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023, with his family by his side.  There was a visitation from 8:30 a.m. till 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 25, at the Runge Mortuary, followed by a funeral service at 10a.m. in the Runge Chapel.  Burial was in Davenport Memorial Park.  Condolences may be shared at www.rungemortuary.com.

Donna M. Furrow, 83, of Park View, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2023, at her residence.

Joann Delores Gottschalk, 90, of Ottumwa, died at 5:35 a.m. Nov. 26, 2023, at Iowa Jewish Life Center in Des Moines.

Melvin G. Hill, 86, of Eldridge, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2023, at Harmony Utica Ridge Davenport.  Visitation was 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 5, at the Runge Mortuary, Davenport.  The funeral service followed at 12 p.m. Tuesday in the Runge Chapel.  Burial was in Pleasant Valley Cemetery, Pleasant Valley.  Memorials may be made to Alzheimer Association, ATTN: Megan Olsen, 1225 E. River Dr., Suite 130, Davenport, IA 52803.  Please share condolences at www.Rungemortuary.com.

Carol Ann Klemme, 88, of Long Grove, passed away Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023, at Genesis East Medical Center.  Services were Thursday, Nov. 30, at 12 p.m. at The Runge Mortuary. Visitation was Thursday from 10 a.m. until the noon service, at the mortuary. Her final resting place was in Davenport Memorial Park Cemetery.  Memorials may go to McCausland Fire Department. Online condolences may be left at rungemortuary.com.

Schary L. Shouse, 75, most recently of Chesterton, Ind., passed away peacefully on Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023, at Residences at Coffee Creek in Chesterton.

Eldon L. Lindsey, 76, of Eldridge, died Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023, at his home. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Chambers Funeral Home, Eldridge, is assisting the family with arrangements.

A funeral service for Ruth L. Petersen, 88, of Davenport, will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 8, at Chambers Funeral Home, Eldridge. Visitation will be two hours prior to the service on Friday at the funeral home. Burial will in the Maysville Cemetery. 

A funeral service for Melvin G. Hill, 86, of Eldridge, will be held at noon on Tuesday, Dec. 5, in the Runge Chapel, Davenport. Visitation will be two hours prior to the service on Tuesday at the mortuary. Burial will be in the Pleasant Valley Cemetery.

Marvin Reimers, of 9540 New Liberty Road, Maysville, will celebrate his 90th birthday with a party on Sunday, Dec. 3. Friends and family are invited to call from 1:30-4:30 p.m. at the Walcott Coliseum. Becky Plays will perform. No gifts, please.

A funeral service for Dwight J. Dickman, 84, of Eldridge, will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 29, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Davenport, with Pastor Sara Olson-Smith officiating. Visitation was Tuesday, Nov. 28, from 4-7 p.m. at the church. Burial will be in the Garnavillo (Iowa) Community Cemetery.

A funeral service for Carol Ann Klemme, 88, of Long Grove, will be held at noon on Thursday, Nov. 30, at the Runge Mortuary, Davenport. Visitation will be two hours prior to the service on Thursday at the mortuary. Burial will be in Davenport Memorial Park Cemetery.

Harry Arp Jr., 92, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 15, at Genesis East. He was born on the family farm on Blackhawk Trail Road near Eldridge, the son of Harry and Leona (Dreyer) Arp, on Nov. 4, 1931.

Kenneth “Ken” Francis Mickelson, a devoted husband, loving father, and cherished member of his community, peacefully passed away on Nov. 16, 2023, in Wilmington, N.C. He was born on March 21, 1951, in Davenport. He was preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth Roseland Mickelson and Mercedes McAllister Mickelson and infant sister Marleen.

Dennis L. Schmidt, 75, of Eldridge, passed away on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023, surrounded by his family. A funeral service will be held at 12 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 27, at the Runge Mortuary, with visitation two hours prior to the service. He will be laid to rest at Davenport Memorial Park. Memorials may be made in his name to the Eldridge VFW. Online condolences may be expressed at www.rungemortuary.com.