Guest speakers at schools have come a long way. more

Thank goodness someone wants the job. more

In “Impressions” published Nov. 23 last year, entitled “Count your blessings, instead of sheep,” I said I can see, walk and breathe because of advances in medical science. Next month I will turn 75 and be among 3.4 percent of the world’s population that age and older, according to United Nations statistics. The U.S. is among five countries (Canada, Germany, Japan, India) with 25 percent of the world’s population which account for half of persons 75 and older.. more

Sept. 26, 1973: Members of the Eldridge City Council asked the town’s lawyers to prepare an injunction against the City of Davenport, restraining them from continuing annexation proceedings on portions of Scott County that had already been voluntarily annexed into Eldridge. A special question on the Davenport ballot in the Oct. 2 primary election would ask voters to approve a forced annexation that would extend the city’s outer limits further into rural Scott County. more

"What happened to, 'hey we aren't going to let a private company put a pipeline through Iowa so they can get the federal government off their backs' ..." more

"If you are a young family, you should prepare your children to experience 125-degree temps and extreme humidity in our state in the next 20-30 years ..." more

"September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Take one more breathe, take one more step ..." more

Fifty years ago the Vietnam War was winding down, but time on the nightly news that previously reported war casualties and updates, was filled with the latest twists and turns of the Watergate investigation which would lead to the resignation of President Richard Nixon in August 1974. more

Sept. 19, 1973: A busy agenda at the North Scott School Board meeting saw the seating of two newly elected members, Robert Carter of rural Princeton, and Dr. Marvin Elliott of Long Grove. The board also voted to proceed with a $1.2 million bond issue for the construction of a junior high, with an election to be held some time in November. more

The river means something different to everyone. For many, it is a spiritual place for meditation and retreat. Others think of recreation and family outings (for me, it’s one of my favorite places to walk my new puppy, Bailey). At times, the river is a source of anxiety as flooding becomes a more regular concern. more

On Aug. 17,  2023, more than one hundred people gathered at the Beit Shalom Jewish Community building in Davenport, Iowa, to view in person, a physical artifact of the Holocaust: an authentic World War II rail car bound for permanent display at the Danville Station Museum in Danville, Iowa. more

"Still, the legislative work of 2020 and resulting changes to policy are, today, reshaping the landscape of problematic commercial dog breeding in Iowa and will continue to do so in the years to come ..." more

"We have seen too many of these pointless Republican shutdowns before.  Quit wasting taxpayer money on this political sideshow and do your job ..." more

"The law is dangerous because it will weaken public schools, which are the great equalizer in our country.  Weakening public schools by diverting funds together with banning books and muzzling teachers will lead to weakening our democracy too ..." more

Put this in the category of small annoyances, the absence of printed roster sheets at athletic contests, especially high school sports. It started with Covid and then became a fact accomplished, replaced by QR codes which navigate your smart phone to electronic rosters. more

Sept. 12, 1973: As the Iowa Highway Commission worked to finalize its plans for the proposed Highway 561, which would run north-south from Interstate 80 to the Wapsipinicon River, the Eldridge City Council learned that two east-west roads between Eldridge and Mt. Joy could be affected. As proposed, the new highway would stub off Lincoln Road and East Blackhawk Trail. The council wanted assurances that drivers would be able to cross the highway at these junctions. more

Over the last several years, I have had the pleasure of watching the evolution of The Scott County Youth Justice & Rehabilitation Center, which has been a true testament of what authentic youth and family engagement should look like. more

"Buildings can be replaced. The lives of the 2,996 cannot. Pause in silence and thought ..." more

It’s CyHawk week when fans of two great universities put bragging rights on the line in a game that will be played Saturday at Iowa State’s Jack Trice Stadium. The rivalry is an annual tradition since 1977. more

Sept. 5, 1973: Construction was nearly complete on two new grain elevators at the Eldridge Cooperative Company. The elevators stood 137 feet tall, and two work crews alternated 12-hour shifts for eight days to keep construction moving. A new dryer would be able to handle 2,000 bushels per hour. more