Well, the big “debate” is in the can. Literally? Let’s keep on enjoying The World’s Greatest County Fair. And it wouldn’t hurt to recall the words attributed to Alexander the Great: “Whatever possessions we gain by our sword cannot be sure or lasting, but the love gained by kindness and moderation is certain and durable.”

So this week is the debate. Built up to be the debate which will decide the future of America. Will it? Your guess is as good as mine.

Q: What comes to mind with the 9/11 anniversary this month?

Matted down, grassy trails in the lawn and missing bark on trees and shrubs in late winter and early spring might be when you first become aware of voles in your landscape. Fall is an important time to protect plants from damage.

Voles are herbivores actively feeding on plants, seeds, bulbs and the trunks and roots of various trees and ornamental plants year-round. Soon after planting you may discover voles have devoured young plants and dug up newly planted seeds and bulbs.

From his childhood to his failed marriage to his rise among the Motion Picture Association leadership and eventual presidency, “Reagan” shows the ups and downs of an iconic leader.

What is the reason a person should take an hour or two off on a Sunday morning and visit a church building?

It has been just over a week into the school year, and many of my peers and I are wishing the summer back again.

Normally, I welcome the school year. I usually like the classes I’m in, and I enjoy being with my friends. This year, however, may be different.

Junior year is famously tough — we aren’t seniors who have all the privilege of ruling the school, nor can we coast through classes by being unaware underclassmen.

When Wini Moranville waited tables at the tender age of 15, little did she know she would become a dining critic known worldwide, traveling the globe in search of the perfect restaurant experience.

Former food critic for the Des Moines Register where she wrote a weekly column, Datebook Diner, and later for dsm magazine, Moranville moved on to write for major publications, one with 15 million readers.

Every so often I get asked what I think about farmland prices. Farmland ownership works as a longterm investment. At least farmland can be physically walked upon while stock values in some instances disappear entirely. There have been better times than others for best opportunities to buy farmland but the timing for selling is most often dictated by other factors such as settling estates and alternative investments opportunities.

Well its been a awhile.

There’s no way to get around it ― I had a stroke.

Wednesday night, Aug. 7, I had spoken with Publisher Brad Hicks about 6-ish and was getting to go home around 6:30 p.m. when I noticed something wrong with my right arm. It was shaking uncontrollably and I couldn’t make it stop.

I tried to stand up. My right leg wouldn’t work either.

Felt like putting my head down for a minute might help. Nope. Made it worse.

I heard some good news the other day. America’s hospitals are saving more premature babies due to improved medical capabilities. On the other hand, there is also the claim by far left abortionists that abortions should be legal up to the viability of the baby outside the womb. You’d think we’d be celebrating the fact that babies born as early as 21 or 22 weeks of gestation are surviving and thriving, given the proper care and support.

No matter where you garden there never seems to be enough time to grow and enjoy all your favorite vegetables. Start preparing now to extend your growing season and continue enjoying garden fresh vegetables even after the first frost.

Some vegetables like cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, kale and Brussels sprouts tolerate frost and even taste better after a slight chill. Most of these can tolerate temperatures as low as 24 to 28 degrees.

Trade may soon not be as globalized as it once was but the world financial system still is. The U.S. increased interest rates more than other countries which incentivized an inflow of foreign capital to take advantage of our higher returns that firmed the U.S. dollar. As U.S. interest rates begin to decline, the cost of financing the U.S. debt should incrementally be reduced as well.

I question if absentee voting by mail is realistic in Iowa. Request forms must be picked up only at the auditor’s office, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday, or printed from online, or a voter may request a form to be mailed to them by calling the Auditor’s Office.

So far, students at Spencer High School have been attending classes for a week. Personally, the new school year has been exhilarating, but exhausting.

As any high school student will tell you, school is very, very tiring. But for many, school is only the half of it.