It's been two weeks since I received a phone call out of nowhere, and ever since, even at my retirement open house, I wrestled with the thought that there was at least one more column to write.

There’s something to be said for indulging your inner child.

Mark Ridolfi and Ross Shinberg debate the pros and cons of coffee.

Last week the Senate Education and Appropriations committees passed Senate File 94, known as the Students First Act. I am receiving a lot of emails, phone calls and comments from constituents on this bill.

Jan. 24, 1973: The Eldridge City Council heard a proposal from Gene Schneckloth on the construction of a nine-hole golf course to be developed on a farm owned by the Schneckloth’s in east Eldridge. The proposed plat also included a 31-unit housing development. Schneckloth said he hoped to begin construction by fall. 

The last several years have certainly provided some unique and substantial challenges. Yet, despite the pandemic, supply chain disruptions, inflation, and a weather whiplash (from flooding to derechos to drought), we continue to see record engagement in our state’s conservation activity. There has never been more awareness, resources, partners, people, and actual conservation work getting done in the state of Iowa than we have today. 

"Taxpayers have no oversight over private school curriculum or how tax dollar are spent ..."

"I suggest that Democrats establish a kind of shadow government to combat trends in the Iowa all-Republican government that are unwise and prejudicial ..."

"Non-partisan research doesn’t support Gov. Reynolds’ conclusions concerning the benefits of vouchers. In fact, the conclusions are that there are no benefits ..."

It's an almost foregone conclusion that Gov. Kim Reynolds will succeed in her plan to shovel taxpayer dollars to private schools – $381 million a year when her plan is fully implemented. She came just a few votes short last year, until members of her own majority Republican Party in the Iowa House said it was a bridge too far. Thank you to two from this area who held the line, Reps. Ross Paustian and Gary Mohr!

Visitation for Dennis B. DeCock, 76, of Davenport, will be held from 4-7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 2, at the Runge Mortuary, Davenport. There will be no services. Cremation rites will be accorded.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date for Lucille M. Kardel, 95, of Davenport. Per her wishes, cremation rites have been accorded. Weerts Funeral Home, Davenport, is assisting the family with arrangements.

A funeral service for Florence W. Whisler, 85, of Eldridge, will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 3, at Faith Lutheran Church, Eldridge. Burial will be in Davenport Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 2, at the Runge Mortuary, Davenport. Additional visitation will be one hour prior to the service on Friday at the church.

A memorial service for Shirley Ann Brockhouse, 87, of Bettendorf, formerly of Pleasant Valley, will be held at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 4, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Pleasant Valley. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service on Saturday at the church. Inurnment will be in the Pleasant Valley Cemetery. McGinnis-Chambers Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Visitation for Janice Lucille Moran, 88, of Eldridge, formerly of Merritt Island, Fla., will be held from 4-7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 31, at the Runge Mortuary, Davenport. A graveside funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 8, in Brevard Memorial Park, Cocoa, Fla.

A funeral service for Frank J. Proske, 97, of Blue Grass, will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, at St. Andrew Catholic Church, Blue Grass. There will be no visitation, but the family will receive guests after the Mass at a luncheon from noon - 2:30 p.m. in the St. Andrew Parish Hall. Cremation rites have been accorded, and inurnment will be in Rose Hill Cemetery, Buffalo, at a later date. Deiter's Funeral Home, Washington, Ill., is assisting the family with arrangements.

Visitation for Randall G. "Randy" Geurink, 64, of Muscatine, formerly of Durant, will be held from 2-6 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 29, at the Bentley Funeral Home, Durant. A private family funeral service will be held.

Mike and Susan Meinert of Maysville celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a dinner with close family and a trip to Mexico.

Rita Kay Glade, 70, formerly of Davenport, passed away Friday, Jan. 13, 2023, at Wheatland Manor, surrounded by her family. 

James W. McGimpsey, 80, of Eldridge, was called home on Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023, at Genesis Medical Center, Davenport.

Richard “Rich” H. Menke, 76, of Long Grove, passed away on Thursday, Jan. 19, 2023, at his home, surrounded by his family. Per his wishes, cremation rites have been accorded. Visitation was held from 4 p.m. – 6 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 22, at Weerts Funeral Home. Celebration of Life was held at 10 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 23, at Eldridge Methodist Church. Memorials may be left to Long Grove Fire Department, Pleasant Valley Education Foundation or Eldridge United Methodist Church. Online condolences may be expressed at www.weertsfh.com.

Jeanette M. Scherer, 95, of Davenport, passed away peacefully Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023, at Genesis East Medical Center. Visitation was held from 2-5 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 22, at the Runge Mortuary. A funeral service was held at 10 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 23, at the mortuary. She was laid to rest in Davenport Memorial Park. Memorials may be made in her honor to the Eldridge Volunteer Fire Department. Online condolences may be expressed at www.rungemortuary.com.

A memorial service will be held at a later date for Keith Seifert, 81, of Palm Springs, Calif.

A funeral service for Shirlene H. Rekemeyer, 83, of Davenport, will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 30, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Davenport. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service Monday at the church. Weerts Funeral Home, Davenport, is assisting the family with arrangements.

A Celebration of Life memorial service for Paul R. Meredith, 87, formerly of Eldridge, will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, at the Reed Funeral Home, Sullivan, Ill. Burial will be in the family plot at French Cemetery, Allenville, Ill. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.