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One Man’s Perspective: Heroes outweigh the zeros in Texas flooding aftermath

In the immediate aftermath of the horrendous flooding experienced in Texas over the Fourth of July three-day weekend, I posted on social media my immediate sympathy to the families who lost loved ones — many of them children — as a result of the overnight rapidly rising floodwaters.

Pastor’s Column: Bear (all of) one another’s burdens

"Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." Some of us read this text from Galatians 6 in worship last Sunday. The "law of Christ," according to Jesus when asked what was the greatest commandment, included loving others as we love ourselves. Bearing one another's burdens is a broad category, and in context, it is actually about restoring people who have brought shame upon themselves.

The CommStock Report: Message sent to Iowa legislators over HR 639 vote

There is a huge market developing for Sustainable Aviation Fuel that has biofuel processors the world over attempting to meet. No place is better positioned than Iowa with its ethanol industry to take advantage of it. SAF feedstock must have a Carbon Intensity Score of 32 or lower to qualify while the carbon score for Midwest ethanol plants currently averages near 55.

Extension Outreach: 4-H/FFA CCF entry season has arrived

We are under 60 days until the gates open at the World’s Greatest County Fair, and we are excited to welcome 4-H/FFA exhibitors from all over Iowa and parts of Minnesota, South Dakota and Nebraska. Be sure to make plans to attend 4-H/FFA shows at the Clay County Fair! From beef to fashion to rabbits, the youth exhibit it all and there is something for everyone.

Randy’s Review: ‘Jurassic World Rebirth’

If you don’t know what "Jurassic Park" films are about, allow me to educate you. It’s about mixing dinosaurs of the past with present-day humans — and why it’s a bad idea.

Outdoors: In the good old summertime

Summer is sometimes thought of as a time when the fish don’t want to bite a bait. While it is true that there is an abundance of food in the water for the fish to eat, and weather systems can put the fish in a bit of a funk, the summer months can provide some outstanding fishing. And much of that outstanding fishing will take place in a river.

Letter to the Editor: Grand Avenue boulevard trees

Years ago, Spencer citizens planted and maintained the flowers on the Grand Avenue boulevard until it was deemed too dangerous.

Now they have planted trees on this same boulevard. The rule is whenever the trees become too big, they are to be removed and replanted with smaller trees. Which is not happening, and these larger trees are blocking the Grand Avenue streetlights from properly lighting Grand Avenue.

Lawn & Garden: Bring the garden to your next gathering

Make every dining experience fun and flavorful by including garden fresh herbs, vegetables and flowers in your meals. Allowing guests to harvest and season their drinks, entrees and sides from the garden or container creates an interactive experience they are sure to remember.

One Man’s Perspective:​​​​​​​ Celebrate all that the US is

Each year, we have a unique experience to celebrate this amazing country — the best without a doubt — filled with opportunity for those who choose to do what it takes to get it to succeed on their own merits.

I don’t mean climbing the ladder by using the person next to you as a rung, but instead, by lifting one another other up. We accomplish more together.

Writers & Writing: Memoir describes grief and survival

The first question a person should ask before writing is memoir is pretty simple: Would other people be interested in reading about my life?

For Susan Huehn, author of “A Widow’s Guide To Becoming A Handyman,” the answer is a resounding yes.

The CommStock Report: 40 years of farm interest advocacy comes down to this

Is the NH3 pipeline going through one of my farms, public or private? It is privately owned but serves the need of providing farmers fertilizer. Wasn’t the Dakota Access pipeline a private project? … but we all need oil or what it does for us. How about power lines? Warren Buffett’s utility company owns a share of them, but the public needs electricity.

Extension Outreach: Encouraging growth at the fair

Today, I want to start out with words from Mitch Hoyer — head of Iowa 4-H. He sends regular emails to county staff that are reminders of the roots of the program. This is part of what he had to say in his last email.

Randy’s Review: ‘M3GAN 2.0’

Like the "Terminator" series, "M3GAN" offers cautionary tales about the potential dangers of AI built to outthink its creator. But unlike the original, in 2002, which was truly a horror picture, "M3GAN 2.0" is more "Terminator 2" and beyond where the thinking doll is brought back to fight an even more powerful thinking doll.

Randy’s Review: ‘F1’

From many of the same people who brought you 2022’s “Top Gun: Maverick,” timeless Tom Cruise’s very popular, albeit very distant sequel, to his 1986 hit, “Top Gun,” we now get “F1.” Substitute equally timeless Brad Pitt for Cruise, Damon Idris as Miles Teller and fighter pilots for Formula 1 drivers, and you have the same movie … basically.

Letter to the Editor: Flood poem 2024

The rains came overnight

and the next day the sun was shining

and water slithered and rushed into the town

finding pathways along railroad tracks,

overflowing drains,

and low, open spaces

 

Lawn & Garden: Gardening in extreme heat

The recent heat wave that swept across much of the country is a good reminder to take extra care of our plants and ourselves as temperatures climb. Extreme temperatures can take their toll even on plants normally suited to the growing conditions.

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