Opinion

To the editor:Hero or felon?Dec. 11, 2011, when CNN acclaimed Robin Lim (a former Iowan) as the ?Hero of the Year,? midwives and mothers the world over rejoiced. ?Mother Robin? earned the title for her humanitarian work in Indonesia, where she has founded two free, midwife-staffed maternity clinics.Ironically, the very practice of midwifery which has gained Lim international renown could have landed her a ...

Last nesting season there was much increased interest in the Decorah Eagles? Nest Webcam, with millions of hits on the website. Schoolchildren, retirees, working folks with access to a computer, college students, in short, just about everyone, myself included, was tuned in to the happenings at the nest in Decorah.I was fortunate enough to be an official nest monitor for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources ...

To the editor:Fairfield 1st Fridays Art Walk is pleased to announce the youth art exhibit at the Fairfield Public Library was a success! We encourage everyone who did not have a chance to enjoy this exhibit on art walk night to stop by before Saturday, Jan. 14, to view it. Fairfield?s youth, grades kindergarten through 12th, were represented at this event and exhibited a large collection of whimsical, fun, and ...

To the editor:Our family went to see Harvey, the Pulitzer prize-winning play Saturday night, at the Sondheim Center for the Performing Arts. It was absolutely wonderful theater that takes us back to James Stewart and the early 1950s. The show has a great cast, (splendid acting), funny and intelligent dialogue, and charming music that brings back memories from days gone by. We encourage those who love theater to ...

I always wanted to jog across Iowa. Logistics, age, and lack of ambition were major stumbling blocks. When Relay Iowa came along, I figured this would be my best shot.Relay Iowa is not a race, but a benefit for an Aids Orphanage in Africa. This is the fourth year for the benefit. It?s basically teams of runners that relay run across the state from Sioux City to Dubuque. Last year there were four teams, this year ...

The trembling coursed through her body like it never had before in her 21 years. Her bridesmaids ? her best friend and two sisters ? had walked down the aisle. The groomsmen, the best man and the groom had emerged from the small waiting room at the opposite end of the church.The bride was alone for what seemed like an hour while waiting for the organist to play the notes that would be her cue to open the door to ...

When I was a young boy, June meant one thing and one thing only: baseball. Little League baseball seemed to consume the entire month through practices, games or playing catch in the backyard.I thought about those Little League days recently when one of my favorite players retired from the majors. Kerry Wood, a pitcher for the Chicago Cubs, was having a rough 2012 season. He spent part of the year on the disabled ...

June 8, 2012Wellman, Iowa To the Editor: This letter?s purpose is to provide additional details to the community concerning Alvin Miller?s letter appearing in Wednesday?s newspaper.On May 14, 2012, a letter was mailed to Mr. Miller from me. It stated the following:?This letter is a follow-up to today?s telephone conversation. As I stated, at its June 11th meeting, the Mid-Prairie School Board will consider ...

June 6, 2012Wellman, Iowa To the Editor: It is time to bring the following information to the attention of the Mid-Prairie school district.As we have been hearing, the Mid-Prairie District Administration Building has recently been condemned due to mold in the basement and to major structural issues. Having this building demolished is currently on the agenda by the current school board.The Charles Polton ...

To the editor:Last night I witnessed a wonderful thing. Last night, in the super crowded Commons of the Fairfield High School 800+ Jefferson County Caucus Goers smiled, opened doors for one another, cracked jokes, visited, waved and were just plain neighborly.This was quite remarkable since I, wearing my Ron Paul button, and my neighbor wearing her Santorum button and the lady seated next to me, buttonless, but ...

To the editor: Ron Stearns (?Homosexuality shouldn?t be condoned,? Dec. 22) is not describing how the world really works. He claims ?it is the parents who teach their children prejudice.? No, you cannot evade responsibility that easily. It is ALL adult authority figures who teach children by words and example to despise, mock and bully: teachers, coaches, shopkeepers, clerics, politicians, TV personalities ...

To the editor:For 12 years now the strategy has been not to talk to me or listen to me. But as far as I?m concerned you all have had the facts put in front of you. If you choose not to listen you?ve made your choice.Around 2.5 years ago you chose to run me out of town. What does this all prove? The scripture is true that a prophet gets no respect in his own country.The president and governor both know of me ...