A new star in the east...

...Quad Cities, that is. Please welcome Alison

Aug 05, 2023

A funny thing happened during columnist Doug Burns's trip to the eastern part of Iowa. A stranger called out: I like your T-shirt. He was wearing the Raygun shirt:

AMERICA NEEDS JOURNALISTS

Thus ensued a conversation between Doug and Alison McGaughey about their respective careers in journalism, and within days, a new Iowa Writers’ Collaborative star was born.

Please welcome Alison. She’s based in the Quad Cities and will offer her Yin to Ed Tibbetts Yang from that part of the state.

The Inquisitive Quad Citizen

For inquiring minds ...

Have you ever heard of a “cosmic wink?” I ask because I wish I could be one of those people who believes that everything happens for a reason. Truly, I do. It surely has to make life easier. But unfortunately I can’t get myself to believe it. (When certain headlines hit - say…

a year ago · 23 likes · 11 comments · Alison McGaughey

TODAY’S ROUNDUP

Ed Tibbetts explains how the banned book policy works in the state, while Laura Belin questions how Governor Reynolds can justify using federal ARP funds to send the National Guard to the Texas border. Art Cullen weaves a delightful column linking shenanigans in Washington to dying coral reefs in his characteristic style. Dave Price evokes tough guy Chuck Norris to tough-talking GOP presidential candidates, and Barry Piatt makes the case that Iowa’s members of Congress will not wear well in the history books over their lack of condemnation of the indicted, pro-coup former president.

All that, then, Dave Busiek ponders unplugging from the news for our collective sanity.

POLITICS

DINING

Wini Moranville discovers a real find in Iowa City and is bringing aboard other writers to join her in covering metro area dining offerings. This week, Andy Lyons visited (revisited) one of his favorite southside haunts.

Wini’s Food Stories

Could The Webster Become Iowa's First Michelin-Starred Restaurant?

I was absolutely smitten with The Webster the moment I walked through the doors, and by the time I left, I felt downright giddy-in-love with the place. Such gushing does not come easily to me … but in this case, I can’t stop myself. It’s an incredibly uplifting spot…

a year ago · 14 likes · 2 comments · Wini Moranville

Wini’s Food Stories

Francie's: A Whole Lotta Yum

Wini’s note: Renowned food photographer and legendary DSM diner Andy Lyons is back—this time with an irresistible review of Francie’s Bar & Grill. Francie’s. A Review by Andy Lyons. Just as I left the bright glaring sunshine outside the front door and walked into the warmly lit room that immediately calms all the stress of the day and provides a little es…

a year ago · 7 likes · 7 comments · Andy Lyons

SPORTS

Steph Copley was aghast by coverage of the U.S Women’s National Team, Pat Kinney honors a long-time sports broadcaster in Waterloo while Rob Gray weighs in on the devasting news related to gambling and a local player.

STEPH COPLEY

It Was Never a Dress

Sorry, Carli.

I was not prepared to be simmering with anger at Carli Lloyd at 4:30 a.m., but that’s exactly where I found myself this morning after the U.S. Women’s National Team’s 0-0 draw against Portugal in the FIFA Women’s World Cup. When live coverage shifted to the FOX Sports studio just after the conclusion of the match, Lloyd, a two-time Olympic Gold Medalist …

a year ago · 7 likes · 2 comments · Steph C

PAT KINNEY

View from the Cedar Valley

An 'iron man' of eastern Iowa sportscasters

Rick Coleman is hardly a shy fellow. But for a guy who’s probably as well known as anyone around eastern Iowa, there’s one thing about him that is largely overlooked. His longevity. The affable sports director at KWWL-TV in Waterloo is probably the longest serving local newscast…

a year ago · 7 likes · 4 comments · Pat Kinney

ROB GRAY

Rob Gray's Area

Gambling, Gambits, Hubris and Greed

AMES — Lamentation, according to Webster’s, is “an expression of sorrow, mourning, or regret : an act or instance of lamenting.” Consider this column mine, now that I can set back, decompress, and reflect on an eventful and occasionally depressing week…

a year ago · 2 likes · Rob Gray

A TRANS AUTHOR IN PELLA

Robert Leonard has an in-depth conversation with a transgender author about her life. She never stays overnight in a town where she has appeared due to safety concerns. And she has advice for those who are allies of those who are transgender.

ROBERT LEONARD

Deep Midwest: Politics and Culture

"It's Not a Culture War"

Diana Goetsch was in Pella, Iowa for a reading last week. She is an American poet and memoirist. Her book, “This Body I Wore: a Memoir,” was a 2023 American Library Association Notable Books List Selection and named a best book of 2022 by The Washington Post. She has numerous other publications, including representation in “Best American Poetry…

a year ago · 17 likes · 12 comments · Robert Leonard

IOWA LIFE

Our State Fair is a great state fair, and the Iowa Boy Chuck Offenburger reviews an Iowa Public Television documentary about the annual happening, while columnist Jeff Morrison gives his perspective on the traditional visits he’s made through the years.

Larry Stone takes us on a walk in the woods and portrays in words and photographs the gems contained there.

Jane Nguyen discovers a family-friendly treat in Waterloo, while John Naughton shares the plight of a historic Ottumwa Naval Base.

Julie Gammack’s column reports on a women’s potluck tradition and includes a podcast interview with the Marvelous Marilyn Maye, a cabaret singer who is still going strong at 95.

CHUCK OFFENBURGER

Iowa Boy Chuck Offenburger

Must-see TV: "Our Great State Fair"

DES MOINES, Iowa — When Theresa Knight, a producer & director at Iowa PBS television, called me last fall and said she wanted to interview me for a new documentary on the Iowa State Fair, I asked her, “What part of it? What’s going to be your focus…

a year ago · 9 likes · 2 comments · Chuck Offenburger

JEFF MORRISON

Between Two Rivers

The great, glorious, genuine Iowa State Fair

It was the longest 731 days of my life. (At least, so far.) From August 16, 2019, to August 16, 2021, I did not set foot on the Iowa State Fairgrounds. Never before, and God willing never again until …

a year ago · 3 likes · Jeff Morrison

LARRY STONE

Listening to the Land

Summer Songs

all photos by Larry A. Stone…

a year ago · 1 like · 4 comments · Larry Stone

JOHN NAUGHTON

My Life, in Color

Ottumwa Naval air base faces a new battle

The plot of land near the Ottumwa Regional Airport has a rich history involving World War II, a President and an uncertain future. The U.S. Naval Air Station graduated 4,626 student pilots from a complex known as the Carrier on the Prairie from 1942 to 1947…

a year ago · 1 like · John Naughton

JULIE GAMMACK

Julie Gammack's Iowa Potluck

Neil Hamilton zoom link, Marilyn Maye podcast conversation, and women's potluck revival

Breaking news: Six spots left for the Okoboji Writers’ Retreat: https://okobojiwritersretreat.com September 17-20…

a year ago · 9 likes · 1 comment · Julie Gammack

JANE NGUYEN

The Asian Iowan

Lost Island

Before the new school year began, I wanted to take my sons, ages 12 and 15, for a day of fun. I decided on Lost Island Themepark in Waterloo. We enjoyed our time at Lost Island Waterpark a few years ago and I had heard the new theme park was now open. The two parks are located next to each other, but they are separate. When we went to the water park, it…

a year ago · 3 likes · Jane Nguyen

AGRICULTURE

Cheryl Tevis introduces us to women’s agriculture issues in Nigeria, by way of a visiting conference attendee, while Mary Swander introduces us to an emerging writer who extols the benefits of nurturing a sanctuary of sorts on Iowa farmland.

Unfinished Business

I met a woman this week who is on a mission, and I'd like you to know her, too. The Iowa Women in Agriculture Conference at the FFA Enrichment Center in Ankeny attracts women from across the state, but it's unusual when a woman travels 6,359 miles to attend…

a year ago · 3 likes · Cheryl Tevis

MARY SWANDER’S EMERGING VOICES: RUSS MULLEN

Mary Swander's Emerging Voices

The Need for Farmland Sanctuaries

I grew up on a diversified farm in southwest Iowa during the 1950s and 1960s when chickens, hogs, cattle, hay crops, and pasture dotted the landscapes. Farmers used small tractors by today’s standards, bulldozers were rare, and genetically modified grain crops for use with specific herbicides were not invented. Almost every farm h…

a year ago · 5 likes · 6 comments · Mary Swander

HUBERT HUMPHREY

Kurt Meyer reflects upon the accomplishments of our neighboring U. S. Senator and former Vice President, Hubert Humphrey.

KURT MEYER

Showing Up

Bright Sunshine and a Moral Test

“I think Tony’s friend might just become Vice President.” I heard Grandpa -- Mom’s dad, Mense -- predict this in the spring of 1964. Dear Grandpa was a staunch Republican and my extended family was NOT well connected, except knowing many people in a rural community straddling the Iowa-Minnesota state line. Familiarity was rooted in generations living for…

a year ago · 1 like · Kurtis Meyer

TRAVEL

Dana James had what she described as her best week ever in Washington, D.C. Read why:

DANA JAMES

New Black Iowa

My visit to Washington, D.C. had everything: Donald Trump's arraignment, the National Press Club and a Pulitizer prize winner

Best week ever. I traveled to Washington, D.C., with my sister in tow, for a writing workshop arranged by the Journalism & Women Symposium (JAWS). I am part of a JAWS health fellowship where I’m writing about Black maternal health. The fellows and I attended a phenomenal narrative writing workshop by Pulitzer Prize winner…

a year ago · 1 like · New Black Iowa

POETRY

In this touching piece of poetry, Suzanna de Baca wonders how algorithms got her so wrong.

SUZANNA DE BACA

Dispatches from the Heartland

We’ve Got You Covered

You’ll never have this much fun says the headline in my inbox and how can I not click on that? Every style of AK you could want, the site boasts, offering me a vast array of options: semi-automatic pistol, ammunition case with canister, semi-automatic rifle with underfold stock, chrome lined barrel, comp bayonet lug described as…

a year ago · 4 likes · 2 comments · Suzanna de Baca

We, the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative members, are grateful for your support of our work. Please consider becoming a paid subscriber to our individual columnists. They put great effort into providing content you won’t find elsewhere. If it is not possible, consider sharing this roundup with those you think might be interested in joining our subscriber base.

Laura Belin: Iowa Politics with Laura Belin, Windsor Heights

Doug Burns: The Iowa Mercury, Carroll

Dave Busiek: Dave Busiek on Media, Des Moines

Iowa Writers’ Collaborative, Roundup

Steph Copley: It Was Never a Dress, Johnston

Art Cullen: Art Cullen’s Notebook, Storm Lake

Suzanna de Baca: Dispatches from the Heartland, Huxley

Debra Engle: A Whole New World, Madison County

Julie Gammack: Julie Gammack’s Iowa Potluck, Des Moines and Okoboji

Joe Geha: Fern and Joe, Ames

Jody Gifford: Benign Inspiration, West Des Moines

Rob Gray: Rob Gray’s Area, Ankeny

Nik Heftman: The Seven Times, Los Angeles and Iowa

Beth Hoffman: In the Dirt, Lovilla

Dana James: New Black Iowa, Des Moines

Pat Kinney: View from Cedar Valley, Waterloo

Fern Kupfer: Fern and Joe, Ames

Robert Leonard: Deep Midwest: Politics and Culture, Bussey

Letters from Iowans, Iowa

Tar Macias: Hola Iowa, Iowa

Alison McGaughey, The Inquisitive Quad Citizen, Quad Cities

Kurt Meyer: Showing Up, St. Ansgar

Wini Moranville: Wini’s Food Stories, Des Moines

Jeff Morrison: Between Two Rivers, Cedar Rapids

Kyle Munson: Kyle Munson’s Main Street, Des Moines

Jane Nguyen: The Asian Iowan, West Des Moines

John Naughton: My Life, in Color, Des Moines

Chuck Offenburger: Iowa Boy Chuck Offenburger, Jefferson and Des Moines

Barry Piatt: Piatt on Politics Behind the Curtain, Washington, D.C.

Dave Price: Dave Price’s Perspective, Des Moines

Macey Spensley: The Midwest Creative, Iowa

Larry Stone: Listening to the Land, Elkader

Mary Swander: Mary Swander’s Buggy Land, Kalona

Mary Swander: Mary Swander’s Emerging Voices, Kalona

Cheryl Tevis: Unfinished Business, Boone County

Ed Tibbetts: Along the Mississippi, Davenport

Teresa Zilk: Talking Good, Des Moines

The Iowa Writers Collaborative is also proud to ally with Iowa Capital Dispatch.

PODCASTS

Robert Leonard has a service where he compiles podcasts about and for Iowans, called the Iowa Podcast Collaborative. Subscribe if you’re looking for new audio to keep you company on the road, or wherever:

Iowa Writers Collaborative Roundup

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