Category Archives: Opinion

Last week, I spent some time in the “Show-Me-State.” How did Missouri get that nickname? The state has no official nickname but “Show-Me-State” does appear on its license plates. There are several stories concerning the origin of the "show me" slogan. The most widely known story gives credit to Missouri's U.S. Congressman Willard Duncan Vandiver...

Someday, I hope to write a book of short stories about my 50 years of looking through the windshield of a truck. Driving a truck is the only job I ever had. There are hundreds of strange things that happened to me during my driving career. I want to mention a few to see if...

The recent discussion over the Hometown Press running an ad featuring Greg Louganis and his partner has raised a number of current social issues. One letter writer asserted that the Christian organization Family Research Council should perhaps be considered a hate group for its stance on homosexual behavior. Of course, the “hate card” gets played...

35 years ago (1980) William John Zylstra, of rural Kellogg, announced his candidacy for Jasper County Supervisor on the Republican ticket. Terpstra Plbg., Htg., and Electric advertised a 30,000 BTU outdoor central air conditioner by Lennox for $949. Mr. and Mrs. Tunis Blom advertised their auction of machinery and household items as they prepared to move from the...

I’ve been collecting some “why” questions for awhile and recently someone sent me several so I think I have enough for a column. Why do supermarkets make the sick walk all the way to the back of the store to get their prescriptions, while healthy people can buy cigarettes at the front? Why do people order double...

Many people told me I would be so bored since I don’t work anymore. As of yet, that has not happened. It helps when you do most of your jobs wrong the first time. It takes twice as much time to get it done the second time and sometimes a third time. I wanted to remove some...

35 years ago (1980) Twenty-two projects from the Lynnville-Sully School were eligible to compete in the Hawkeye Science Fair in Des Moines. Four students from Lynnville-Sully also received the distinction of earning medals at the Des Moines River Conference Fair. Rick Sward won a first-place medal along with his blue ribbon. Receiving second-place medals were Sherryl...