Author Archives: Jeff

Aug 19

Photos from RAGBRAI LIII

Posted on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, at 11:00 AM by Jeff

Instead of a story from this year’s RAGBRAI route, I did a photo gallery. (Time is not a luxury, alas.)

Posted in Iowa Miscellaneous, Trip Reports | Comments Off on Photos from RAGBRAI LIII
Aug 17

The 1996 Iowa State Fair and a ribbon that connects generations

Posted on Monday, August 17, 2026, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

OK, I admit I should have made this particular headline a little more SEO-friendly. Also, although I donated it, it might not actually BE on display at the Iowa State Fair this year, and I feel part of that is … Continue reading →

Posted in Iowa Miscellaneous | Comments Off on The 1996 Iowa State Fair and a ribbon that connects generations
Aug 11

Clayton County Museum Crawl 2

Posted on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

Here’s the second half of my six-museum marathon from one day in June.

Posted in Iowa Miscellaneous, Trip Reports | Comments Off on Clayton County Museum Crawl 2
Aug 06

Always looking for the local connection

Posted on Thursday, August 6, 2026, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

Le Grand Reporter 4/13/23: Herbert Hoover calls on relatives LeGrand included in Iowa itinerary — Uncle Davis and Aunt Amelia warmly greeted LeGrand entertained distinguished company Thursday afternoon and evening. Herbert Hoover, member of President Harding’s cabinet and one of … Continue reading →

Posted in Iowa Miscellaneous | Comments Off on Always looking for the local connection
Aug 04

Final design set for Merrill rail crossing

Posted on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

Waiting for a train on US 75 in Merrill is an experience one wants to have as little as possible. I endured it once last year. Now it’s going to be fixed. The Iowa DOT has settled on a design … Continue reading →

Posted in Construction | Comments Off on Final design set for Merrill rail crossing
Jul 29

US 20/59 intersections to be converted to J-turns

Posted on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

Good news: US 20 will not be getting a roundabout in Holstein! Bad news: Both intersections with US 59 are going to become J-turns! The story from KTIV says that this was selected over the roundabout due to right-of-way issues. … Continue reading →

Posted in Construction | Comments Off on US 20/59 intersections to be converted to J-turns
Jul 27

Hardy Consolidated, then un-consolidated

Posted on Monday, July 27, 2026, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

Here’s a story about a school district dissolving before formation of modern school districts was really a thing in Iowa.

Posted in Schools | Comments Off on Hardy Consolidated, then un-consolidated
Jul 24

License Plate Letters — QYT

Posted on Friday, July 24, 2026, at 10:20 AM by Jeff

Are we “quite” through with the Q’s in the Iowa license plate alphabet, after about a year, maybe a little less? It appears so. The next thing to watch for is when the E’s, F’s, and G’s get replaced, which … Continue reading →

Posted in License Plates | Comments Off on License Plate Letters — QYT
Jul 22

A history of the Meskwaki in Iowa

Posted on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

The final event in the Iowa DOT’s America 250 Scenic Byways series was close to home. Three speakers, including historian Johnathan Buffalo, gave presentations about the Meskwaki tribe’s presence in Iowa, which has been continuous since 1735.

Posted in Iowa Miscellaneous, Tama County | Comments Off on A history of the Meskwaki in Iowa
Jul 20

Exira/Elk Horn-Kimballton’s longest day

Posted on Monday, July 20, 2026, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

It’s championship or bust for Exira/Elk Horn-Kimballton — not only in softball, but for all but one of its sports teams, period. The Spartans are a 1-seed playing in Fort Dodge today at noon. Seven hours later, in Audubon, the … Continue reading →

Posted in Schools, Sports | Comments Off on Exira/Elk Horn-Kimballton’s longest day