Read Between the Rhymes: Iowa Writers on Love, Loss, Resistance and Wienerschnitzel
...on edge to edgy
Welcome to this week’s eclectic and electric roundup from the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative—fresh voices, soul-baring ballads, offbeat business bites, and essays that punch you in the gut (in the best way). Whether you’re craving a glimpse behind the curtain of Iowa’s rich music scene, a hot dog-themed business digest, or a meditation on grief, patriotism, or Mountain Dew salad (yes, really), we’ve got you covered. These columns, podcasts, songs, and stories showcase the bold and brilliant range of what happens when Iowans pick up the mic—and dare to speak, sing, and stand up.
Music
Kathryn Severing Fox
Peel back the metaphor and wade into the waters of vulnerability with “Troublesome Creek,” a soul-stirring song from Sweet Beginnings—where healing, curiosity, and the muse collide.
Maxwell Schaeffer
When two soulful storytellers find a harmony all their own, you get Driftwood—the genre-blending, heart-thumping new album by Weary Ramblers, born from a quarantine spark and crafted with the kind of creative fire that makes you believe in music (and maybe even humanity) again.
Carol Montag
Taking a Leap of Faith - a new album emerging!
Performing on Saturday, June 14, 2025 at 3:30 at the MacNider Arts Festival, Mason City, IA
🔗 Read it here
Business
Phoebe Wall Howard
New travel data shows that Canadians remain unified in their boycott of the U.S. over 51st state claims and businesses are feeling pain, preparing for layoffs.
🔗 Read it here
Tej Dhawan
The story of a couple who launched a hardware business in 1962 by betting on themselves, audaciously secured national distribution rights to a Japanese device, served other Iowa manufacturers, subsequently built a national presence and left a legacy that continues to this day. Now in hands of the world's largest family-owned maker of grain storage equipment.
🔗 Read it here
Rick Jost
Rick Jost serves up a sizzling sampler of business oddities—from hot dog etiquette and Wienerschnitzel’s Walmart debut to nutmobiles on the move and Ankeny’s surprising rise to suburban stardom—in this week’s bite-sized Biz Whispers
Creativity
Kelsey Bigelow
Answering the most validating and terrifying question a creative can be asked: What's next? It's not an easy feat, but this poet brings us along and shares how we can all help.
🔗 Read it here
Diversity in the Heartland
Black Iowa News
This youth of color-led renaissance festival highlighting Iowa culture is just what your summer needs.
🔗 Read it here
Hola Iowa
In a world that seeks to erase him, Wezz De La Rosa’s mission and work reminds us all that experiencing and sharing joy is a powerful act of resistance.
🔗 Read it here
Pat Kinney
A Pride Month profile on Black Hawk County's first openly gay elected official, Dubuque native and University of Northern Iowa graduate Chris Schwartz of Waterloo.
🔗 Read it here
Father’s Day
Darcy Maulsby
Good fathers provide and guide--even if some of those lessons my dad taught me on the farm were learned the hard way.
🔗 Read it here
Avery Gregurich
On this edition of The Five and Dime, Avery Gregurich shares an audio version of a new short story, titled "Thumper."
"I ran over a Bible with my car."
🔗 Read it here
Food…
Nostalgia
Connie Taylor
Mountain Dew Salad...or is it Mountain Don't Salad? Either way, this Jello salad contains 2 full cups of Mountain Dew and was a treasure back in the day. But if this is not your cup of tea (or bowl of Jello), Connie has included a recipe for the always delicious Seafoam Salad - a Jello must-have at many family gatherings.
🔗 Read it here
Food
Review
Wini Moranville
Wini Moranville tried Iowa's only restaurant to receive a James Beard “Best Chef” nomination this year. Check out her candid review.
🔗 Read it here
Iowa History
Chip Albright
Songwriter Chip Albright takes us deep into the history of the Hopkins Grove community. Located in central Iowa, Hopkins Grove's history is rooted in the Underground Railroad and stands today as an example of community resilience with historical significance.
🔗 Read it here
Sarah Scull
A visit to Muscatine for a preservation summit becomes an unexpected reminder that historical preservation isn’t just about what we save, but how we share, and ultimately how we heal.
🔗 Read it here
Memoir
Debra Engle
Sometimes the smallest moment reveals who we're becoming.
🔗 Read it here
Music/Review
John Naughton
Kendrick Lamar delivered a stunning, controversial Super Bowl halftime show. John Naughton takes you on a trip to St. Louis to see him in concert with SZA.
🔗 Read it here
Personal Essay
Christie Vilsack
We celebrate Flag Day Saturday. Each of us has a complex relationship with our country's flag. On September 11, 2001 I felt like I was understanding the Pledge of Allegiance for the first time.
🔗 Read it here
Julie Gammack
This Flag Day, while tanks roll and the president throws himself a birthday parade, it’s time for those of us with lily-white, Iowa Nice asses to show up, speak out, and stand up for the U.S. Constitution.
🔗 Read it here
Christina Fernández-Morrow
Widowhood doesn't come with a manual. At 31, Christina gained a label she never wanted: navigating grief, judgment, and a society that still doesn't know what to do with young widows. From inappropriate fashion critiques to dating timelines pulled from nowhere, she's heard it all. Here's what she learned after more than a decade: there's no right way to be a widow—no matter what anyone says.
🔗 Read it here
Nicole Baart
Are you feeling stuck or anxious as the news headlines swirl? Nicole Baart invites you to Walk in Solidarity with our refugee and immigrant neighbors, an opportunity to both raise awareness and walk off your stress.
🔗 Read it here
Debra Engle
In this tender meditation on writing, memory, and spiritual growth, Deb revisits a moment of emotional reckoning on a quiet country drive—inviting us to ask ourselves a deceptively simple question: Can I be satisfied?
Podcast
Rachelle Chase
This week on the Reading with Rachelle podcast, author Rachelle Chase discusses the book "Last Seen: The Enduring Search by Formerly Enslaved People to Find Their Lost Families" with the author, Dr. Judith Giesberg.
🔗 Read it here
Avery Gregurich
On this edition of The Five and Dime, Avery Gregurich shares an audio version of a new short story, titled "Thumper."
"I ran over a Bible with my car."
🔗 Read it here
Humor
Vicki Minor
Nothing rhymes With...
🔗 Read it here
Daniel P. Finney
Trump plans to use the National Guard for more than just breaking up protests — like attacking McDonald’s restaurants where the ice cream machine is down
🔗 Read it here
Daniel P. Finney
Crack investigative team at Finney’s 5 uncovers Trump-Musk breakup texts
🔗 Read it here
Writers’ Retreat
Marianne Fons
Marianne Fons steals content from fellow IWC columnist Bob Leonard, inviting everyone everywhere to come to Okoboji, Iowa, this fall to hear her brand new lecture.
🔗 Read it here
Pride Month
Pat Kinney
A Pride Month profile on Black Hawk County's first openly gay elected official, Dubuque native and University of Northern Iowa graduate Chris Schwartz of Waterloo.
🔗 Read it here
Religion
Kurtis Meyer
Kurt Meyer explores a hymn he predicts will be sung in your church this Sunday.
🔗 Read it here
Dan Henderson
Quoir’s new book is hitting Amazon on June 24. It is written by a group of writers who have unique and powerful insights into the Christian Nationalist movement. Many were once a part of that movement, as I was. I’m honored to be able to contribute one chapter to this effort called “Ideas of Consequences.” The focus of that chapter (9) is the Christian Nationalist attack on public education. Each chapter tackles a different aspect of white Christian nationalism.
🔗 Read it here
Hanah Breckbill
Originally shared at the UCC church in Decorah for Pentecost Sunday, Hannah weaves together reflections on her time in Palestine with insights on the early Christian church as a politics of resistance, and tops it all off with thoughts about resisting fascism today.
🔗 Read it here
Theatre, Film and Media
Lea Donovan
Good Night, Good Luck, and Good Murrow
🔗 Read it here
Joan Zwagerman
The Washington Post was once a great paper. Joan reflects on two movies that tell the stories of the Post's courage by publishing the Pentagon Papers ("The Post") and reporting on Watergate ("All the President's Men").
🔗 Read it here
WWII History
Pat Kinney
Scenic Madison County has more than historic covered bridges and John Wayne's birthplace. It has a heritage of about 50 real-life heroes who gave their lives in World War II on land, sea and air, from Normandy to the Battle of the Bulge to the Pacific to Japanese and Nazi POW camps.
🔗 Read it here
Sailing/Climate
David Thoreson
"Sailing Across an Ocean Wilderness — Part Four: Understanding our climate system will take you a long way.
Enjoy some nuts and bolts of sailing, challenges and fun along the way with the crew of Polar Sun as we finally arrive in French Polynesia."
🔗 Read it here
Are you a paid subscriber to any member of the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative?
If so, thank you. Whether you're sending $5 to $8 a month, $100 a year, or are one of our generous Founding Members, you are the reason this collaborative—and the incredible community behind it—can thrive.
To show our appreciation, we’re throwing a party in Winterset on Saturday, July 26, and you’re invited to celebrate with us!
🎬 3:00–5:00 PM
Private Screening of Storm Lake
At the Iowa Theater (yes, the one on the square!), join us for a special showing of the award-winning documentary about Art Cullen and the Storm Lake Times.
Free for IWC writers and paid subscribers—includes popcorn and a post-film Q&A with Art Cullen, moderated by Julie Gammack.
(Non-subscribers are welcome for $20.)
🍴 5:30–7:00 PM
After-Party at The Winterset Livery
Enjoy robust appetizers and a cash bar in a stunning venue just off the square. Free for paid subscribers.
(If you purchased a ticket to the movie as a non-subscriber, you’re welcome to join us at the Livery too!)
🎟 RSVP here: https://forms.gle/HLYymryPAmkNbSvy5
Not a paid subscriber yet? Now’s the perfect time to join us—and be part of something meaningful.
Another perk for paid subscribers: The Office Lounge
Join a bunch of us on a Zoom call the last Friday of the month. It’s a chance for our writers to meet with paid subscribers.
leads the call, and there are usually 10-15 Iowa Writers’ Collaborative members present.It’s a lively conversation, and exchange of ideas.
Mark your calendar for the next one to be held June 27 at noon central time.