Two weeks ago, organizers with The Lakes Project sat in our front office and told me about the group's efforts to respond to the crisis in Ukraine by helping feed refugees who have fled the country.

A couple of days later, I shared the article which came from that interview on my personal social media pages, saying the follow up coverage of the upcoming meal-assembly would likely make for a great visual.

It turned out to be much more than that.

This session, the Legislature established an Opioid Settlement Fund, which receives the state’s share of legal settlements with opioid manufacturers and distributors. The state is expecting tens of millions of dollars to both the state and local governments from settlements with drug companies that unnecessarily pushed opioids on the public.

Being a grandmother is one of my favorite roles. Three women, in particular, have served as role models.

My sister-in-law in Minnesota has 12 grandchildren ranging from 3 months to 22 years old. They all adore her. It is no wonder they do. She devotes as much time and energy to them as she can even though she battled a brain tumor six years ago, breast cancer three years ago and now faces lung cancer.

With some of the junk dropping in movie theaters, I find it difficult to understand why an enjoyable sci-fi project like “Prey,” would find itself relegated to streaming on Hulu. Despite the limited audience, “Prey” continues the ongoing “Predator” film franchise which began 35 years ago when Arnold Schwarzenegger and his team of elite Navy SEALS battled the alien hunter in the jungle. Since then the foreign hostile race has faced off against L.A.

The “Diamond Ring and the Devil Tour” made a stop in Okoboji to perform at the Pearson Lakes Art Center on Aug. 10.

Knives, saws and axes are every boy’s enjoyment during the long boring days of summer. Mix in a little water and a few fires and you have just described most of my junior high summers. Camping, pioneering and outdoors were first nature. But in all of my days chopping wood and swinging an axe I’ve never experienced what happened to the college student I recently read about. I’ll share with you what I read, then make a few observations.

The Peoples Liberation Army refers to the U.S. in their documents as the "Strong Enemy." China is maneuvering to expand its reach and ability to control its strategic interests in the Pacific and Indian oceans. Remember Guadalcanal during World War II in the Solomon Islands northeast of Australia? The Japanese had an airbase there and a major base at Rabaul through which they tried to extend leverage controlling supply lines via sea lanes to Australia from the U.S.

I want to share a Facebook post with you which I read Sunday which is a prime example of the horrific results of bullying.

Let me introduce you to Drayke Hardman.

He was 12 years old.

This week, he hung himself with his favorite hoodie from his bunk bed.

His bunk bed.

“Children are resilient”

No.

They are people.

Not too long ago, there was a little hubbub over some talks at the county level regarding some potential charges for providing records.

Boy has it been hot lately. I even heard one guy say that it’s too hot to go fishing. While some say that “it’s never too hot to go fishing” they also suggest going early or late in the day and take plenty of water and sunscreen. They say that even when it’s hot the fish will bite, and they’re right.

Looking around at all the yard signs and hearing politicians tell us on television what a lying crook their competition is, I have to admit I miss Guv Reeve.

Keep enjoying your homegrown herbs all year round. Harvest throughout the growing season and include them in garden-fresh meals. Then preserve a few for the winter ahead.

The 2022 Iowa State Fair runs 11 days, from Thursday through Sunday. If you visit the fair, I recommend that you check out the 4-H exhibits at the Bruce L. Rastetter 4-H Exhibits Building. It features 41,000 square feet of exhibit space and will showcase the amazing projects from 4-Hers in all of Iowa’s 99 counties.

National Financial Awareness day is Aug. 14 and is the ideal time to review your financial situation and goals. Everyone is on their own financial journey and increasing your financial knowledge to be better financially aware is important for all Iowans no matter your age or stage of the journey.

On my 39 County Tour, I have spoken with hundreds of independent cattle producers across Northwest Iowa. In my conversations with them, they all express the same concern that the big four meatpacking companies are reaping record profits while family-owned cattle farms are barely scraping by.