Author Archives: Jeff

Aug 11

Winding Stairs Festival marks Traer’s sesquicentennial

Posted on Friday, August 11, 2023, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

July 9, 2023: Happy birthday! We’re celebrating Traer’s 150th birthday this weekend, although many of the activities were back in June. The schedule is on the WSF committee’s Facebook page. My parents are grand marshals for tomorrow’s parade, which starts … Continue reading →

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Aug 09

At long last, a correction in Traer’s highway history

Posted on Wednesday, August 9, 2023, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

For years I have tried to reconcile early 20th century maps of the area just east of Traer with the present alignment of IA 8. I knew that at least part of the diagonal heading east from Second Street did … Continue reading →

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Aug 07

‘Tidings from Traer’

Posted on Monday, August 7, 2023, at 3:00 PM by Jeff

August 9, 2008: The north side of Traer’s business block was constructed after a fire in 1894 burned the whole thing down. Toledo Chronicle, August 7, 1873: The town of Traer, the present terminus of the Pacific branch of the … Continue reading →

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Aug 06

The Big 12’s expansion, copy-edited

Posted on Sunday, August 6, 2023, at 6:00 PM by Jeff

An unemployed copy editor is a hungry copy editor. The news story on Cyclone Fanatic about Big 12 expansion provided a buffet. This is done with Adobe Acrobat’s markup tools, although I used the old-school “remove character” mark for visibility. A … Continue reading →

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Aug 04

The Iowa State Fair: An appreciation

Posted on Friday, August 4, 2023, at 1:00 PM by Jeff

My latest Substack column is about something I love. I admit that after going 0-for-3 in job interviews over five weeks, I’m not feeling the last sentence I wrote for it right now. Please subscribe, with money if you feel … Continue reading →

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Aug 02

IKM-Manning trying again on bond issue

Posted on Wednesday, August 2, 2023, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

For the third time in four years, the IKM-Manning school district is trying to close the building in Irwin by building an addition in Manning. At a meeting in July, the board approved a vote for November, the Carroll Times … Continue reading →

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Jul 31

100th anniversary of Reed-Niland corner in Colo

Posted on Monday, July 31, 2023, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

July 5, 2013: The Colo Motel at the Reed-Niland corner. In 1923, a Colo farmer began a gas station at the east junction of the Lincoln and Jefferson highways. The station, which expanded to include a restaurant and lodging, thrived … Continue reading →

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Jul 28

Pottawattamie County supervisor plan goes up for vote

Posted on Friday, July 28, 2023, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

On August 1, Pottawattamie County is going to find out if its current county supervisors plan is going to change. The county currently has five supervisors elected on an at-large basis. The groups that led the petition drive to change … Continue reading →

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Jul 27

MMMFW

Posted on Thursday, July 27, 2023, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

I have explored the most infamous headline in Iowa history: “Manly Man Marries Fertile Woman.” Read, like, subscribe, etc. over at my Substack.

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Jul 25

Tama-Toledo RAGBRAI maps available

Posted on Tuesday, July 25, 2023, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

July 23, 2008: Riders enter Tama on RAGBRAI XXXVI. Tama-Toledo is again a host community this year. RAGBRAI will be going from Des Moines to Tama-Toledo on Thursday, and highs are expected to be in the upper 90s. By the … Continue reading →

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