By now, I’m usually humming along every time I hear “Carol of the Bells” and looking forward to watching my favorite Christmas movie. No, it’s not “A Christmas Carol” or “It’s a Wonderful Life.” It’s Ice Cube’s “Friday After Next.” Yes, “Friday After Next” is ...
When I read the Christmas story, I always wonder: How was it that Mary came to give birth in a barn? The Gospels say simply: “There was no room in the inn.” But could it be that the real reason was there wasn’t enough room in people’s hearts? Ever since I was a boy ...
I hope you can enjoy this holiday season. Take some time to relax and reflect on this year. Appreciate the time you spend with one another throughout the holiday season. It can be busy driving from one celebration to the next but find time to take a breather and cherish the moments. Life ...
Many people wonder why Christmas is celebrated on December 25. The key to determining the date of Jesus’s birth lies in the date of his death at Passover, for which information was available. Around 200 AD, Roman theologians calculated that the day Jesus was crucified according to the ...
Consider giving this holiday season. While giving to one’s family is important, if one celebrates Christmas, anyone who has the means should participate in the season of giving. A special feeling comes from either donating time or money. Most people should get the chance to have the good ...
We’re nearly three years past the start of the COVID pandemic and life is returning to pre-pandemic times, except for one area — education. Parents got an unprecedented opportunity for an up-close view into the education their children were being provided. Awareness brought about an ...
Clutier holds a special place in my heart. Many years of my youth were spent around this town whether it be visiting my grandma or attending the annual Clutier celebration during the first week of August. Every time I drive around this quaint town, I always wonder what the now closed school ...
This holiday season, pitching in to support a small business may be easier than you think. Many small towns are proud to feature a vibrant main street, and rightfully so. Busy storefronts are a sign of activity and growth. They also indicate strong community support. But not every ...
It won’t be long before empty parking spaces near the Iowa Capitol will be as hard to find as a compromise between Democrats and Republicans. The Legislature returns to Des Moines on Jan. 9, more firmly in Republican control than it was on May 24, when this year’s session ended. With ...
Rural advocacy groups in Iowa have released their priorities for the 2023 Farm Bill, which is already being discussed in Washington, D.C. The Center for Rural Affairs has spent months gathering input from Iowa farmers, which the group wants lawmakers to consider. The Center is focusing on ...