Mt. Pleasant News

Looking for something to do in retirement, something that is rewarding and benefits others? You might consider forensic genealogy. Talk to Donna Martin-Netherton of rural Farmington in beautiful Van Buren County. Just the trip to her and her husband?s home, tucked away on the scenic Des Moines River, puts a smile on your face.In her early 70s, Donna retired after 26 years as a pediatric nurse practitioner. She ...

I hadn?t intended for it to be some kind of St. Patrick?s Day themed movie night, I had just been desperately waiting to see this film and it was the first chance I had.?Brooklyn? is the story of Eilis Lacey, a young woman from a small town in Ireland who immigrates to the United States in the 1950s in order to find work and a better life.Now, as much as I would love to give you all a play-by-play of the movie, ...

In the summer of 1990, a pregnant woman pretended she was about to go into labor outside of a fence at Wrigley field so she could get through enough people to cut through the front of the line to get autographs from Chicago Cubs players.The plan was thought up by her two twin brothers, who knew that was their best shot of being able to interact with any of their beloved Cubbies.When the woman got to the front, ...

You?ve heard the saying time flies when you?re having fun, which I do think is true. But I think it?s more accurate to say that very often, time flies when you wish it away.Earlier this week, as I was killing some time on my lunch break, I was going through my Facebook and cellphone photos, a good chunk of which are of my two nephews, ages three and two.While I was flipping through groups of photos, I came ...

It is not news that the community of Mt. Pleasant public schools (students, graduates, faculty, staff, parents and members of the school board), indeed, all the folks at Mt. Pleasant have had a rough ? a challenging ? week.Many questions have been asked that demand answers; but, the answers offered have proved lacking ? inadequate. As much we may wish differently, there are events in our lives that make no sense ...

To the editor:Hello! My name is Chris R. I am a fifth grade student at Harlan Intermediate School in Harlan, Iowa. My class is studying the geography and history of the United States. I am excited to learn more about the wonderful state that I live in, Iowa. I would really appreciate it if you could send me postcards, information or souvenirs on our amazing state.My teacher, Mrs. Newlin, would like a car ...

Greed is one of life?s many Achilles? heels. You?ve heard the saying, ?Money is the root of all evil.? I don?t have a clue if that is true, but I will take somebody?s word for it.I do know, however, that greed can adversely affect perspectives.While it is prudent to set goals in life, those goals must be realistic. You can shoot for the stars but if you realize that is not attainable, it is time to re-assess ...

To the editor:I am dismayed. Last Saturday (Feb. 20) the Mt. Pleasant High School sent their Jazz I and Jazz II ensembles to the Tall Corn Jazz Fest at UNI, in Cedar Falls. A total of 11 bands participated in Class 3A. Our Jazz I placed 1st, and Jazz II placed 8th. I understand that one musician from Jazz I was selected to be the outstanding soloist.I have not noticed one word in the newspaper of this event and ...

Dutch Schakel, of Farmington, is 95.With his trademark beret, he has the timeless look of an artist years younger. He is tall and slim and can still get into his World War II military uniform, which he does occasionally, for parades and veterans celebrations.Dutch has lived in the same two-story house for 58 years. He taught high school English for 37 years, most of it in Farmington, now called Harmony. His ...

Parents want their children to have better lives than they?ve had. That?s a given.I remember my dad telling me that a few times; I believed him. However, I didn?t believe when he told me while disciplining me, ?This hurts me more than you.?Recently, I thought about the better lives thing again.The thought was sparked by a text message my youngest daughter sent me. She is my basketball daughter, the one I wrote ...

I can?t stop reading.Printed material to me is like lifeblood. It makes no difference whether it?s a hardbound book, the Kindle, National Geographic, Time Magazine, or newspapers?we get six of them a day?my brain requires a daily dose of written words.Here?s three books I recommend for winter reading, all by the same author, Anthony Doerr. Doerr won the Pulitzer Prize in 2015 for ?All the Light We Cannot See,? ...

Snakes and extreme heights ? those two things really scare me and have for as long as I can remember. But it wasn?t until I moved to college a few years ago that I realized another fear of mine.No, it wasn?t the intimidating, stoic college wrestlers that filled my government classes, or the dreaded 7 a.m. class held on the far end of campus that had me shaking in my boots. It was, in fact, the gym. Yes, gyms ...