Vilsack's Farewell to Jimmy Carter, Stories and Strictly Personal Reflections
...music, finding the perfect event space and more
This week’s midweek columns showcase various stories that speak to the resilience of individuals and communities in the face of adversity.
Christie Vilsack’s farewell to Washington offers a deeply personal meditation on history, public service, and legacy, framed by her reflections on President Jimmy Carter. Meanwhile, Michael Judge presents a moving tribute to longtime Iowa Rep. Jim Leach, celebrating a life dedicated to integrity and diplomacy.
Dartanyan L. Brown’s powerful tribute to Edna Griffin and the National Bar Association’s 100th anniversary underscores the enduring fight for justice. At the same time, Dana James’ reflection on an encounter with racism highlights the persistent challenges of racial hostility in America.
On the creative and cultural front, music and storytelling take center stage. Kathryn Severing Fox shares a deeply personal essay on health struggles and resilience accompanied by an unreleased song, while Chip Albright explores the intersection of live music and inclusion. Beth Hoffman introduces a thought-provoking look at Iowa’s agricultural future in her new podcast, and Nicole Baart examines the emotional toll of suppressed anger and its potential for transformation. In lighter fare, Sarah Scull’s humorous column finds unexpected connections between an NCAA bracket and a saintly relic, proving that life’s absurdities often hold profound meaning.
These diverse columns, rich in insight and emotion, provide a robust cross-section of voices navigating history, justice, personal growth, and the quirks of everyday life.
Midweek Columns — Arts, Personal Essays, Dining, Music, Features
Human Interest
Dartanyan L. Brown
A powerful reflection on history, justice, and resilience, this column captures the profound impact of Edna Griffin’s legacy as the National Bar Association marks its 100th anniversary, reminding us that while the road to justice is long, the next generation of legal minds is more determined than ever to walk it.
Read moreVicki Minor
Singer and songwriter Carol Montag, a one-woman show for over 30 years.
Read moreMichael Judge
Honored to publish this lovely tribute to longtime Iowa Rep. Jim Leach by Christopher Merrill, acclaimed poet, journalist, and director of Iowa’s world-renowned International Writing Program.
Read more
Strictly Personal
Dana James
When hate rears its ugly head, how should we respond? Dana James reflects on a shocking encounter with racism during a routine road trip, weaving it into the broader context of rising racial hostility in America—where history, policy, and personal experience collide.
Read moreChristie Vilsack
This column is a deeply personal reflection on a life intertwined with history. It captures a farewell to Washington, a tribute to President Jimmy Carter, and a meditation on public service, character, and legacy. From the grandeur of the National Cathedral to the quiet echoes of Iowa’s small-town politics, it weaves a story of commitment, resilience, and the road home.
Read moreMacey Shofroth
Macey Shofroth shares an essay about what it might take for us all to feel seen in our lives.
Read more
Music
Kathryn Severing Fox
A deeply personal reflection on health struggles, resilience, and the ever-present "second shadow" that challenges but also shapes us—accompanied by an unreleased song for those facing their own battles.
Read moreCarol Montag
Anxiety: Dealing With the Unexpected.
Read moreChip Albright
This is a story of live music and saying yes, but also one of inclusion.
Read more
Personal Growth & Professional Development
Julie Gammack
In a time of uncertainty, we explore how writing can be a tool for resilience, reflection, and finding your voice—plus, an exciting new Substack class to help you share your story.
Read moreNicole Baart
Author Nicole Baart discusses the suppression-to-sadness pipeline and wonders if our anger can spur us on to do good.
Read more
Around Iowa (Features About Places and Things)
Beth Hoffman
Iowa is one of the nation’s agricultural powerhouses, and grows more corn, pigs, eggs, ethanol, and biodiesel than any other state in the US. But what does that mean in a country with changing weather patterns and trade disputes? And how might we utilize Iowa’s fertile soil and abundant agricultural knowledge to create more opportunity for farmers? Beth Hoffman and the Iowa Food System Coalition started a new podcast—At the Iowa Farm Table—to address these issues and more.
Read moreRobert Leonard
Bob Leonard and Violet the Dog wander Cedar Bluffs Natural Area in Mahaska County, Iowa nearly every morning. The Iowa Association of Naturalists were recent visitors, and Bob has the story.
Read more
Food & Dining
Wini Moranville
Hosting a party? Wini Moranville told us about three great options for private dining at local restaurants. But buyer beware! There are things you need to know before you book.
Read more
Diversity in the Heartland
Marianne Fons
Winterset's "Sunday Movie Club" screens award-winning, critically-acclaimed films the third Sunday of each month. It's like a book club, only with movies.
Read more
Humor
Sarah Scull
Divine intervention or pure coincidence? When two "Calcuttas" unexpectedly collide, Sarah Scull muses how the line between the sacred and absurd—or in this case, an NCAA bracket and saintly relic—is delightfully thin. Read on in "March Madness, Mother Teresa, and That Thing on The Mantle."
Read moreVicki Minor
Chasing the Winds of March.
Read more
Iowa at Large
Douglas Burns
The Iowa Mercury's Douglas Burns discusses the Statue of Liberty, Tesla, does a deep dive into DEI, March Madness, books, and provides updates on a moving documentary—all with filmmaker Nik Heftman in their weekly podcast.
Read more
Spiritual
Debra Engle
A changing world may be just what we need to find what we're really looking for.
Read more
Religion
Hanah Breckbill
What did Christianity mean when it first started, what does it mean today in Palestine, and what can American Christians learn from this? Hannah Breckbill reflects on her religion as experienced in Palestine.
Read more
Support Independent Journalism—Become a Paid Subscriber Today!
In a time when corporate media cuts corners and hard truths are buried under clickbait or ignored, independent voices matter more than ever. Becoming a paid subscriber supports this work and ensures that fearless, thought-provoking journalism thrives.
Your subscription frees this platform from ads, paywalls, and corporate influence. It funds investigative reporting, diverse perspectives, and the stories that might otherwise go untold.
Take the next step if you believe in independent journalism, real storytelling, and an engaged, informed community. Subscribe today. Your support makes all the difference.
Pick those you wish to support and become a paid subscriber if you can. It matters.