Monthly Archives: June 2024

Jun 28

CR sells schools right before new law takes effect

A case earlier this school year where a public school district refused to sell a closed building to a private school led to a bill late in the first part of the Iowa legislative session. That bill mandated that if … Continue reading

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Jun 25

Last walk through Goldfield school

My Substack piece looks at the history of the Goldfield school building and neighboring Boone Valley school district. It takes in the building’s current state as an alumna tours the building. Of course Mom recorded everything.

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Jun 21

License Plate Letters — OQX

We’re halfway through the O’s. Back when I was in Des Moines there was a time when I spent Sunday afternoons with a small group of Scrabble players. It took me MONTHS to win my first game, and even then, … Continue reading

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Jun 19

Dysart grocery store in danger of closing

Bobby’s Grocery and BBQ in Dysart, formerly Terry’s Food Center, could close soon without a rapid infusion of cash. Stories: North Tama Telegraph, KWWL, KCRG. KCRG is wrong on one detail: The nearest grocery store is in Traer (9 miles), not … Continue reading

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Jun 17

Lincoln Highway double feature

A Model T Ford crossing the country for the anniversary of the “10 millionth” car doing the same in 1924 was delayed in coming to Iowa. That meant that not only could I check it out last Wednesday, but I … Continue reading

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Jun 14

Orient-Macksburg to dissolve

The Orient-Macksburg school district in southwest Iowa will cease to exist at the end of the 2024-25 school year. The district made the decision Monday. WOI, KCCI, and Iowa Starting Line all have stories. The last goes into the most detail. … Continue reading

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Jun 12

Goldfield school to be demolished; sale Friday

June 10, 2024: The padding and backboards in the Goldfield gym date to before 2007, based on family video archives. The Goldfield school will be torn down starting next month. I got wind of this through an alumna of Goldfield … Continue reading

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Jun 10

An extended correction to the IA 39 page

Good news! I was wrong … mostly. On the page for IA 39, I said that present-day US 30 west of the west edge of Denison, following the railroad, was never part of the Lincoln Highway. Well, in the course … Continue reading

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Jun 07

The kolach inflation index

For the first time in five years, St. Ludmila’s Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids is having a real kolach festival. There was no celebration in 2020 or 2021 (but there were sales), and 2022 was somewhat but not quite normal. … Continue reading

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Jun 05

Des Moines’ Grand-Fleur intersection undergoing big change

The intersection of Fleur Drive (originally SW 21st Street) and Grand Avenue on the west side of downtown Des Moines had a history in the state highway system. Fleur was the main way for downtown traffic to get to the … Continue reading

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