Author Archives: Jeff

Aug 23

A convergence I didn’t expect

(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

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Aug 21

Re-evaluating Ottumwa’s earliest highways

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

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Aug 19

Mermaids in Traer

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

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Aug 16

Things to do in Des Moines when you’re alive

With all the national media in Iowa this week, we were bound to get some dispatches from the frontier-style stories. Roll Call has a 15-minute audio experience of the Iowa State Fair. The reporter spent “a day in the deep-fried … Continue reading

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Aug 15

Fair Squares, 2010-2018

The Rice Krispie Bar on a Stick (that couldn’t be called that) is off the menu at the Iowa State Fair. The fair board discontinued selling the treat this year, the Register reports, because of falling sales. That’s even after … Continue reading

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Aug 14

‘Thanks for giving Iowa a try’ (2)

I write about the Iowa State Fair Singers and Jazz Band, with a single-out of 1989, and then I find a barely-seen video of that very year. The thanks song comes at the end. (Those very benches, or similar ones, … Continue reading

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Aug 13

‘Thanks for giving Iowa a try’

I loved watching the Iowa State Fair Singers and Jazz Band. It was something we saw at the fair at the stage by the Cultural Center at least a few times, if not every year. I certainly loved it when … Continue reading

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Aug 12

NT volleyball in preseason ‘Super Ten’

The Gazette’s Jeff Linder ranks North Tama tenth in his all-class power rankings of regional volleyball teams. It’s the only small-school team on the list. NT is first in his Class 1A list. It could be an interesting season, or … Continue reading

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Aug 09

North Tama’s Class of 1969 rides again

Wonder if any of these will show up tomorrow… It’s been 50 years since the largest senior class in North Tama school history graduated. At nearly 100 strong (95), much of this particular group has shared a lot in the decades … Continue reading

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Aug 08

Recent numbers to think about

More than half of the Class 1A state baseball titles in the 21st century have been won by private schools. Six of those, including the most recent three, are Mason City Newman’s. Three private schools were in this year’s semifinals. … Continue reading

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