A Secret About Caitlin Clark’s Predecessor, A Musician’s Haunting Visions, and a Shocking Twist in the James Beard Awards!
...two new members, including a farmer from Decorah who just landed in Palestine
Here on the Flipside: Stories That Inspire, Inform, and Entertain
From world affairs to personal reflections, music to sports, this week’s Flipside roundup is packed with thought-provoking perspectives, fresh voices, and engaging storytelling.
We welcome a new voice to our music category—Cedar Rapids singer-songwriter Carol Montag, whose sound evokes the folk traditions of Joni Mitchell and Judy Collins. In her introductory column, she shares the inspiration behind Marigolds in Winter and offers a glimpse into her creative process. Meanwhile, Kathryn Severing Fox has an ear for vibrations and takes readers through her childhood visions, which still shape her today.
In The Iowa Angle, farmer and community builder Hannah Breckbill shares a deeply personal story about her journey to Palestine, offering readers a local lens on global affairs. She just arrived and will chronicle her experience in this new column.
Rachelle Chase brings history to life in her latest podcast. She takes us inside Jim's Journey: The Huck Finn Freedom Center, where she uncovers overlooked Black history in Hannibal, Missouri.
For food lovers, Wini Moranville dishes on this year’s unexpected James Beard Chef Award nominations and shares a standout ramen spot review with a few quirks.
In sports, Jane Burns revisits the legacy of Iowa's first "logo 3-point shooter," Mary Berdo, ahead of Caitlin Clark’s jersey retirement. At the same time, Daniel P. Finney takes a trip back to 1922 when Babe Ruth barnstormed through Iowa.
Who needs a laugh, raise your hand?
In political comedy, Romen Borsellino explores the case for embracing his own cowardice and choosing to live entirely within a liberal echo chamber.
In this week's humor column, Vicki Minor brings a whimsical take on her digital companion, Grammarly, for those who enjoy a laugh.
On a more serious note, Phoebe Wall Howard delivers a powerful piece in world affairs, recounting how a Detroit newsman was sent to Auschwitz to bear witness—a truth that mattered then and still matters now.
In strictly personal, Macey Shofroth explores the complexities of anger in her latest essay, while Jane Burns finds joy and resilience in watching eagles return to downtown Des Moines.
Our agriculture section highlights the activism of Dolores Huerta, whose work shaped Rockie Lyons' understanding of the food system, as told by Mary Swander in Emerging Voices. Meanwhile, Cheryl Tevis brings us insights from conservation agronomist Ruth McCabe, who challenges us to rethink soil health.
Finally, in poetry, Chip Albright and Avery Gregurich remind us that inspiration can be found in unexpected places—through divine connection or a phone call about a wayward bull.
With so many compelling voices this week, there’s something for everyone. Dive in, explore, and let these stories spark new ideas, fresh perspectives, and maybe even a few unexpected emotions.
Explore the complete list of stories below, each offering a unique perspective on the world around us.
And in our music category, singer/songwriter
joins the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative. If you like the sound of Joni Mitchell and Judy Collins, this Cedar Rapids musician could be a new crush. In her introductory column, she explains what inspired the song “Marigolds in Winter” and links it to the music.The Iowa Angle
Hannah Breckbill:
Hannah Breckbill of Humble Hands Harvest is starting a volunteer stint in Palestine and shares the story of her day of travel to Bethlehem.
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Music
Music
This is my first time at bat. First Time at Bat
This artist’s vibrations are so heightened that she tunes pianos as a vocation, in part. In her new Substack column, she reveals visions she saw as a child and still today, in her very personal disclosures. Fascinating stuff.
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Born from a dark and restless mood, Run, Rabbit began as a haunting melody but transformed into a desperate, hopeful sprint toward the light. This raw, minor-key ballad captures the tension between fear and courage, urging a timid soul to break free before the hound closes in.
Podcast
In Ep. 8 of Reading with Rachelle, author Rachelle Chase traveled to Hannibal, MO, to interview Faye Dant, founder of Jim's Journey: The Huck Finn Freedom Center. This week, Rachelle shares a video that provides a look inside the museum and a bit of Faye's history.
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Food & Dining
Wini Moranville also had some thoughts about this year's local nominations for the James Beard Chef Awards. There's a major surprise!
Big News—James Beard Awards
found a place for some superior ramen, though she noted a few quirks about the restaurant itself. Terrific Ramen—With a Side of Quirks
Around Iowa
Marianne Fons reports from Quiltropolis, celebrating her father's talent as an artist and wondering about her own.
Quiltropolis Report
Pat Kinney is repentant. He stopped scoffing at folks camping out in the cold for basketball tickets at Iowa State University's Hilton Coliseum when he realized he did the same thing for concert tickets for The Who 45 years ago.
I Was a Crazy Hilton Coliseum Camper
Books, Art
Author Nicole Baart shares the new title and cover for her November 25 release from Atria Books.
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Alison McGaughey:
The author of a book that racked up “Best of 2024” accolades is originally from Cedar Rapids. Read about her journey from Waterloo community college student to internationally published illustrator in Alison McGaughey's Q&A with the author.
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Steve Semken:
Publisher Steve Semken insists on color in "Amidst A Tomato Sunset".
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Entertainment & Travel
Nik Heftman:
Documentary filmmaker Nik Heftman of The Seven Times recounts a magical night of music, poetry, and film at XBK Live in Des Moines – where he screened his film "The Negro Artist" on January 10.
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Kyle Munson explains why bicycling is the world’s top transportation – as well as a major economic boost to Iowa, to the tune of $1.4 billion annually, according to a new study. Kyle visited two big Iowa bicycling events over the weekend and learned about this year's (fairly flat and easy) RAGBRAI route.
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Sports
There once was an Iowa Hawkeye who wore #22 and amazed fans with 3-pointers from way behind the line. Caitlin Clark? Nah, that was Mary Berdo. With Clark’s jersey retirement ceremony days away, Jane Burns talks to Iowa’s first logo 3-point shooter, who is now deputy athletic director at Yale.
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Religion
The Peanut Gallery at Washington National Cathedral
We use the phrase "speaking truth to power" a lot, and it takes all forms. Bishop Mariann Budde embodied one such example during the inaugural prayer service, and whoo-boy, did it ruffle some feathers. Joan Zwagerman writes about that event.
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National Politics
Bishop Mariann Budde is a Rockstar
Bishop Mariann Budde is a rockstar, even to people who have no tolerance for religion, generally. Guess who else has no tolerance? Read Joan Zwagerman's thoughts on the subject.
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Humor
A Whimsical Dialogue with Grammarly: My Virtual Companion.
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World Affairs
Phoebe Wall Howard:
When the President sent a Detroit newsman to Auschwitz to bring home the truth—and he did—the truth mattered then. It matters now.
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Strictly Personal
Macey Shofroth
Macey Shofroth shares her perspective on the current moment in a personal essay on anger.
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Jane Burns
Jane Burns writes about how spending time watching eagles in downtown Des Moines brings a special joy not just for their beauty and grandeur, but the miracle of seeing the return of something that was nearly lost forever.
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Agriculture
(Emerging Voices)Dolores Huerta's immigrant labor activism opened Rockie Lyons' eyes to the bigger picture of the American food system. From Mary Swander's Emerging Voices.
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Cheryl Tevis highlights soil-searching comments from conservation agronomist Ruth McCabe's address at the Practical Farmers of Iowa conference.
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Political Comedy
This week, Romen explores the case for embracing his cowardice and living entirely within a liberal echo chamber.
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Poetry
Chip Albright
Corporations and political parties are designed to obsess over profits and power plays rather than human self-actualization. Still, we all have the power to find inspiration and seek the “Divine” in this world. Hear what poems Des Moines leaders selected as favorites.
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Attention Paid subscribers!
Iowa Writers’ Collaborative Zoom Call, The Office Lounge, for paid Subscribers
Hosted by
Date: Friday, January 31, 2025
Time: noon Central time
Cost: Paid subscription to any of the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative members
URL for Zoom Call: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87111036189
Here’s the Sunday Iowa Writers’ Collaborative Roundup incase you missed it:
