Author Archives: Jeff

Sep 05

Football? I guess?

Posted on Saturday, September 5, 2026, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

This is painfully, horribly accurate. I couldn’t name one if I tried. The Athletic expects ISU to go 0-fer in conference and lose to Iowa. [deep, exasperated sigh] (I’m a bit disappointed in SEC Shorts’ embrace of AI for its … Continue reading →

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Sep 02

An intra-Tama County forfeit

Posted on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

Meskwaki Settlement has forfeited Friday’s game to Gladbrook-Reinbeck, KCCI reports. The school cites player numbers and injury concerns. Meskwaki lost its opener to HLV/Tri-County 64-16. Meswaki and GR are both in North Tama’s district now that the Redhawks have dropped … Continue reading →

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Aug 27

Clayton County Museum Crawl 3

Posted on Thursday, August 27, 2026, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

Dolls, tiny museums, and opera houses that no longer have operas but do have plays, are part of the third installment of the 2026 Clayton County Museum Crawl. I was not compensated at the time of the posts, but a … Continue reading →

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Aug 25

St. Joseph’s last Mass

Posted on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

Cindy Hadish of Homegrown Iowan visited St. Joseph’s Parish in Chelsea, among others, as they prepared to have a final Mass. The Archdiocese of Dubuque is engaged in a restructuring process, and the reduction in services and realignment of pastorates … Continue reading →

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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 →

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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.

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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 →

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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 →

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