Author Archives: Jeff

Sep 04

North Tama continues college football tour

Posted on Wednesday, September 4, 2019, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

On Friday, North Tama will be playing in its fourth college stadium this decade. The first, of course, and the one everyone’s always trying to get back to, is the UNI-Dome. The second was Wartburg College in Waverly in 2013. … Continue reading →

Posted in Sports, Tama County | Comments Off on North Tama continues college football tour
Sep 03

Watching an Iowa legend ply his craft

Posted on Tuesday, September 3, 2019, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

August 16, 2019: Bob Dorr (left) performs “Elvis in Paraguay” with three Elvis impersonators who crashed the concert at the MidAmerican Energy Stage at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. My Iowa State Fair day(s) have typically ended with hypnotist Ron Diamond (except … Continue reading →

Posted in Iowa Miscellaneous | Comments Off on Watching an Iowa legend ply his craft
Aug 30

A weekend to root for the Redhawks

Posted on Friday, August 30, 2019, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

Football? Football! It’s Week 1 for high school and college football seasons. North Tama (preview here) is expected to do well this year. This time, the team had a full offseason with one coach; Mr. McDermott unretired in 2018 when … Continue reading →

Posted in Sports | Comments Off on A weekend to root for the Redhawks
Aug 29

New Mississippi River bridge in Louisiana (no not that Louisiana)

Posted on Thursday, August 29, 2019, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

July 12, 2016: The now-former US 54 bridge across the Mississippi River, whose replacement was built right beside it. My string of unbroken Mississippi River crossings was clipped on Aug. 3 when a replacement for the US 54 Champ Clark Bridge … Continue reading →

Posted in Highway Miscellaneous | Comments Off on New Mississippi River bridge in Louisiana (no not that Louisiana)
Aug 28

The time* I** outscored*** 2 Jeopardy All-Stars

Posted on Wednesday, August 28, 2019, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

April 5, 2003: The Janss steps on the UCLA campus in Los Angeles, among my minimal photographic evidence of being there. The Jeopardy All-Star Games are re-airing this week and next. The novelty tournament brought back 15 talented, fan-friendly contestants for … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on The time* I** outscored*** 2 Jeopardy All-Stars
Aug 27

Ostermann marker placed in Montour

Posted on Tuesday, August 27, 2019, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

Henry Ostermann, the first field secretary of the Lincoln Highway Association, died in 1920 when his car went off the road near Montour. Earlier this month, an interpretive panel was installed at Montour’s cemetery to honor Ostermann. It is a project from … Continue reading →

Posted in Tama County | Comments Off on Ostermann marker placed in Montour
Aug 26

The fan pairing made in heaven, or the opposite

Posted on Monday, August 26, 2019, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

Substitute the word “Cyclones” for “Browns” in the below, and it’s kind of concerning how well it works: To be a Browns fan is to regard any positive development—such as a win, or for that matter a person on the … Continue reading →

Posted in Sports | Comments Off on The fan pairing made in heaven, or the opposite
Aug 23

A convergence I didn’t expect

Posted on Friday, August 23, 2019, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

(Yes, I love “Younger.” The fact it doesn’t have a pyramid of Emmys, even given some of its hiccups, is a shame.) (This is also, weirdly, the second combo reference to “The Orville” and Venn diagrams. But when I might be … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on A convergence I didn’t expect
Aug 21

Re-evaluating Ottumwa’s earliest highways

Posted on Wednesday, August 21, 2019, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

April 13, 2016: Northbound US 63 at one of the newest additions to Ottumwa’s highway chronology, a three-point roundabout with US 34. This is one of the very few places in Iowa a roundabout kind of makes sense. Microfilm research … Continue reading →

Posted in Maps | Comments Off on Re-evaluating Ottumwa’s earliest highways
Aug 19

Mermaids in Traer

Posted on Monday, August 19, 2019, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

KWWL has a story about “mermaid classes” at the Traer swimming pool (the new one, I might add). It’s taught by North Tama’s current art teacher. This looks like a lot of fun, despite — or especially — considering that … Continue reading →

Posted in Tama County | Comments Off on Mermaids in Traer