Category Archives: Tama County

Feb 18

NT boys play tonight after last-second win

Posted on Thursday, February 18, 2021, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

This post is mainly to link to the Newton Daily News article about North Tama beating Baxter on Monday night on a 3-pointer by a freshman. The Redhawk boys play a district basketball semifinal tonight at Meskwaki Settlement. (edit: mistimed … Continue reading →

Posted in Sports, Tama County | Comments Off on NT boys play tonight after last-second win
Jan 27

Grassley makes Traer early stop on 99-county tour

Posted on Wednesday, January 27, 2021, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

It hasn’t been a full year since Sen. Chuck Grassley last visited Tama County, but in four months he checked it off both his 2020 and 2021 lists. The senator visited Clearline Industries on Traer’s south side on Jan. 13 … Continue reading →

Posted in Tama County | Comments Off on Grassley makes Traer early stop on 99-county tour
Jan 26

115th anniversary of ‘Leander Clark College’

Posted on Tuesday, January 26, 2021, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

In southern Linn County, just north of Shueyville, is a map dot called Western. The town came into existence in 1856 and was named because it had the westernmost college of the United Brethren Church. A Western College Road still … Continue reading →

Posted in Tama County | Comments Off on 115th anniversary of ‘Leander Clark College’
Dec 25

Traer UMC Christmas Eve Service

Posted on Friday, December 25, 2020, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

I have missed Christmas Eve services for work but the service was always there. This year, due to rules set at the state level, Traer UMC did not have a Christmas Eve service, but it was recorded and placed online.

Posted in Tama County | Comments Off on Traer UMC Christmas Eve Service
Dec 14

Alice Zimple, 1934-2020

Posted on Monday, December 14, 2020, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

Alice Zimple of Traer died Friday. She is the fourth person Traer United Methodist Church has lost this year, including one to COVID-19. Her obituary is here. Alice was the heart of Traer UMC’s kitchen, no matter what the event. … Continue reading →

Posted in Tama County | Comments Off on Alice Zimple, 1934-2020
Dec 11

When ‘Tama Jim’ honored Ulysses S. Grant (2)

Posted on Friday, December 11, 2020, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

Spring 1885 was approaching, and Iowa’s 5th Congressional District election of 1882 was still in dispute. Republican James Wilson had been declared the winner, but Democrat Benjamin Frederick was still fighting for it, and won the seat outright in November … Continue reading →

Posted in Iowa Miscellaneous, Tama County | Comments Off on When ‘Tama Jim’ honored Ulysses S. Grant (2)
Dec 09

‘Tama Jim’ and his second stint in Congress (1)

Posted on Wednesday, December 9, 2020, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

This is what Iowa’s 11(!) congressional districts looked like for the elections of 1882 and 1884. The 5th District is in orange. A mid-decade redraw after a special census in 1885 created a new map that would be used through … Continue reading →

Posted in Iowa Miscellaneous, Tama County | Comments Off on ‘Tama Jim’ and his second stint in Congress (1)
Nov 16

‘Butter Cow Lady’ statue needs to be restored

Posted on Monday, November 16, 2020, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

In Toledo, on a hill just north of the US 63/Business 30 intersection, is a non-butter sculpture from Iowa State Fair Butter Cow sculptor “Duffy” Lyon. It is of a cow and her calf. The Aug. 10 derecho ripped the … Continue reading →

Posted in Tama County | Comments Off on ‘Butter Cow Lady’ statue needs to be restored
Oct 29

Ride the wind

Posted on Thursday, October 29, 2020, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

October 21, 2020 If you can’t read the sign, it says: “2020 Derecho Scarecrow. Ride the wind and Wind up in Traer.” Traer was the only community in Tama County that had electricity the night of August 10. In other … Continue reading →

Posted in Tama County | Comments Off on Ride the wind
Oct 16

Football seasons ending and starting

Posted on Friday, October 16, 2020, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

The topsy-turvy churn otherwise known as 2020 in sports continues with both ends and starts. High school football playoffs begin tonight. This year, they’re built in a different way. Much like postseasons in basketball and baseball, every team is in … Continue reading →

Posted in Sports, Tama County | Comments Off on Football seasons ending and starting