From Fraud to Film, Iowa Libraries, Pizza Legends
This Week's Iowa Writers' Collaborative Highlights:
From the surprising success of a debut documentary to heartfelt poetry inspired by Walt Whitman’s birthday, our latest roundup spans the state—and the globe. Christie Vilsack champions a small-town library in Fenton, while Mary Swander uncovers mystery and mayhem on the Irish coast. Nik Heftman shares his filmmaking journey, and Douglas Burns tracks Iowa athletes in world-class competition. You'll also find nostalgic tributes to pizza legends, reflections on menopause and memory, and a mayonnaise chocolate cake that defies expectations (and taste buds). Whether you're in the mood for travel tales, faith and politics, or just a good laugh about corporate Disney layoffs, and the return of Iowa’s own globe-trotting sailor, David Thoreson—fresh from the Pacific Ocean.
Around Iowa
Darcy Maulsby
“If these old walls could talk” could be the calling card of Jerry Sobotka’s century-old barn south of Laurens—but these stories have plenty of wild twists and turns.
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Christie Vilsack
Christie Vilsack shares an inspiring tale of community resilience in Fenton, Iowa, where residents successfully rallied together to protect their beloved small-town library from funding cuts.
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Business
Chuck Offenburger
A new documentary on the $16.5 million Hot Lotto fraud that happened in Iowa 15 years ago is an excellent telling of that bizarre story, says Iowa Boy Chuck Offenburger.
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Tej Dhawan
A serial entrepreneur, true to the name and practice, shares how his professional career spans for-profit and non-profit work, doing what he and his family love.
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Entertainment & Travel
Nik Heftman
Award-winning filmmaker Nik Heftman reflects on the success of his debut documentary film The Negro Artist.
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Kurtis Meyer
Kurt's rural North Iowa community has a terrific summer theatre program. This week, he steps aside and lets four different actors tell you about it.
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Food & Dining
Wini Moranville
Wini Moranville is hosting a giveaway for two free tickets to Winefest's "Sips in the City." The odds of winning are great!
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John Naughton
An Omaha pizza legend has passed into memory. Johnny Sortino's, which opened in 1965, closed last month. John Naughton got a few bites in before it closed.
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Connie Taylor
Mayonnaise Chocolate Cake: It's not Ewwww...it's Oooohhh! Connie shares the story of how a treasured family recipe was lost, rediscovered, and brought back cherished memories.
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Humor
Daniel P. Finney
How did your favorite Disney characters fare in the recent corporate layoffs? Finney's 5 has the hilarious answer.
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Vicki Minor
The Missing Piece
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Human Interest (interviews)
Vicki Minor
Suzanna de Baca: Leading with Purpose, Writing with Heart
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Poetry
Michael Judge
A poem for my son on Walt Whitman’s birthday.
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Kelsey Bigelow
Metaphors and life lessons are all around us, even in an espresso tonic. See how this coffee order can remind us to reframe our thinking.
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Religion
Joan Zwagerman
If you understand democracy, it's incomprehensible that Christians want to establish a theocracy. This movement has a name and it’s been growing.
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Pat Kinney
The new pope has an opportunity to reach out to more survivors of clergy sex abuse—who are knocking at the door.
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Sports
Douglas Burns
A seemingly slow time in the sports season is actually an exciting one for Iowa-connected athletes—from the Women’s College World Series to the French Open.
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Strictly Personal
Sarah Scull
What if becoming isn’t about changing, but remembering? Reentering a hospital lab reminded Sarah of an earlier self where art and science coexist.
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Alison McGaughey
Since I’ve been in full-on meno, my "executive" is not only no longer functioning, she appears to have left the building.
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Julie Gammack
A single question—what would you do if you had two years to live?—sparks a heartfelt reflection on purpose, presence, and the quiet adventure of choosing connection over spectacle.
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Travel
Mary Swander (Buggy Land)
A rescue helicopter circles above Mary Swander's cottage in Ireland, and she uncovers the mystery of two disappeared fishermen.
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David Thoreson
"My Return to 'Normal' Life": A profound and uplifting experience on the Pacific Ocean is tested by a nasty bout of Covid upon return.
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The Iowa Writers’ Collaborative
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You're Invited: A Night with the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative in Winterset
Join us for a special evening in Winterset as we gather on the historic town square to watch Storm Lake—the award-winning documentary featuring our own Art Cullen.
🗓 Date: July 26
📍 Location: The Iowa Theater, Winterset
🎬 Event: Screening of Storm Lake
🎤 Q&A with Art Cullen to follow
🎉 After-party: Nearby venue with food, drinks, and great company
This is your chance to meet many of the talented writers behind the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative, connect with fellow readers, and enjoy an evening celebrating storytelling, journalism, and community.
Feel free to bring a guest—there’s a nominal charge to help us cover costs.
Let us know if you can make it so we can save you a seat!
To Joan Zwagerman regarding Shadow Christianity and the interplay of politics. You mention “hard-right-leaning Christians”. Are there hard-left-leaning Christians? Might you hide in that closet? You speak about Deists believing man took the reins of “working out the affairs of life” after our Creator put the world in motion. There’s the big rub and lie. Deists don’t “need” God meddling with their work. Au Contraire. Man, without guidance and knowledge from God would have exhausted our species from this planet eons ago. You speak of “the unholiness of the re-president”. I would simply say: the Holy Spirit convicts, Jesus saves and (only) God judges. Your entire piece reeks of judgement. You might think about that in the future. Lastly, of course DJT is not without flaws (let him without sin cast the first stone) and God could have used Biden as His instrument. God can do anything. Now, with hindsight clearly visible, I think it’s obvious He allowed (directed?) #46 to run amuck so far as to wake this nation from its slumber. Keep trying to slander Christians. It’s hilarious. Creepy - but hilarious.