Category Archives: Opinion

35 years ago (1980) Grades kindergarten through fifth grade of the Sully Christian School presented the operetta “Heidi” at the school. Some of the students involved were Sharla Lanser and Angie Zylstra, proper ladies; Paul Arkema, grandfather; Mike Jansen, Pete the goatboy; and Greg Stravers, sailor. Receiving awards at the 28th Annual FFA Parent-Member Banquet of the...

Maybe I just wasn’t very observant, but how long have area schools observed grandparents day anyway? They certainly didn’t happen when I was in school, nor when my daughters were in school. I’ve only been a grandparent for eight years, which means I have only been “eligible” to have gone to grandparents day at school...

I am writing in regards to a recent article published in “The Des Moines Register.” The article discussed teenage fatalities in motor vehicle accidents and suggested an age increase for teenagers to obtain driving permits and licenses. I understand the concern for safety, but there are several other areas of consideration to take into account. First, don’t...

Apr. 22 is National Jelly Bean Day. Who doesn’t love a jelly bean, from good old cherry, orange, or lemon to the more adventurous flavors like buttered popcorn, latte, and chili mango? Jelly beans are a classic candy with a soft, chewy center and a thin candy coating. The flavor possibilities are endless, which has...

If I were to say things are getting busier as the weather gets warmer, that would be a huge understatement. The farmers are very busy getting to the field, especially putting on anhydrous, which brings a lot of safety concerns of its own. The school kids and school officials are busy finishing up the school...

April is National Letter-Writing Month, which was created to encourage us to send letters, postcards, and cards in April. That means a real letter, written on paper, placed in an envelope, and mailed, not an email, tweet, or instant message. Of course, if everyone in the world who can read and write were to do...

My wife attended a funeral for an old aunt she rarely saw. Most of my wife’s aunts and uncles had a large number of children, some from eight to 12 kids. My wife came from a family of eight. She met nine female first cousins she had not seen for decades. After the funeral when they all...