What makes Christmas one of the best holidays is not the gifts, not the eerily similar meal to Thanksgiving, but the traditions. Of all the holidays, everyone has a variety of traditions they do as a group or individual. Whether it is the Christmas spirit or seeing old friends and family, it ...

An editorial from an edition of the Traer Star-Clipper published on Friday, August 28, 1953, caught my eye this past week while searching through our archive books for stories on the late LeRoy Kopriva — 1954 Traer High School graduate, Redhawks starting quarterback, and great-uncle to this ...

Every year it comes. I swear it will not bother me, and I am wrong every time. The snow comes. It does not matter if it sticks or not. When the snow comes, it ruins the day. Believing this to be the year winter will be more exciting, yet the snow shows up and my attitude goes from ...

“Addams Family 2” Held over this weekend at the Traer Theatre is the new animated family movie, “Addams Family 2.” Everyone's favorite spooky family is back in the animated comedy sequel, “Addams Family 2.” In this all new movie we find Morticia and Gomez distraught that ...

The beginning of October means “spooky” season is here. As a child, Halloween is a fun holiday. It means a night of endless candy and costumes. While the trick or treating goes away as one gets older, the costumes stick around. Whether it is for a party, work, or a fandom of Halloween, ...

Spending money is not something one enjoys doing unless it is on a vacation or delicious ice cream. Spending on utilities, groceries, or anything else in between is not fun. Watching the greenbacks leave the wallet and never come back is not a fulfilling feeling. An important part of spending ...

Looking out for each other is the best action one can do in society. Trying one’s best to help the greater good is the best one can do. It is hard. Self-interest is the easiest and most comfortable route but volunteering or giving service to the community rises the community’s tide. ...

Labor Day is here. This marks the end of summer, and fortunately, the end of the heat. There might be near-unanimous agreement for the heat to be gone. Unfortunately, Iowa autumns are as rare as bears in Iowa. Once in a blue moon, one comes, but more than likely, it stays in hiding. The worst ...

Going back to school is not an experience I have had for over five years for college and over ten years for high school. While having all the time in the world to hang out with friends to experience summer was great, it was the worst to step back in the school halls after this glorious period. ...

I am afraid to admit it, but the old ladies out played me in bingo. I was not hunkered down with a hat and sunglasses like a true bingo fanatic for the entire festival, but winning was for my grasp. One game felt like someone got bingo within the first ten balls. Besides this disappointment, ...