Author Archives: Jeff

Sep 09

Against all odds, GameDay coming to Iowa State

Posted on Monday, September 9, 2019, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

This started as a very different blog post. In all the early speculation about “College GameDay could come to Ames!” — see here, and here, and here — I was certain that there was no way it could possibly happen. I was wrong. It … Continue reading →

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Sep 06

Get ready for lots and lots of Rutgers

Posted on Friday, September 6, 2019, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

The untold millions (it is millions, right?) of Rutgers football fans will be turning their eyes toward Iowa City soon. For the second time in Big Ten Conference history, and the first time in Kinnick Stadium, the Hawkeyes will play … Continue reading →

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Sep 05

A Lincoln Highway marker caretaker passes on

Posted on Thursday, September 5, 2019, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

August 24, 2013: A Lincoln Highway marker on Johnson Avenue NW in Cedar Rapids. US 30 used Johnson on its first alignment. In an ode to a 102-year-old “Queen of Johnson Avenue” in Sunday’s Gazette, the writer mentioned this nugget: Dorothy … Continue reading →

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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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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