Iowa banned someone from the ballot, DeSantis challenged in Osky, and other holiday stories
...food, fun, angst, lights, and other delightful tidbits today
This week, Laura Belin had an exclusive story on the big salary boost Governor Kim Reynolds gave senior staff. She also has a link to her co-hosted radio show, and a look at what’s happening at the State Capitol, including the rematch of a legislative race.
Dave Busiek reminds us about the well-known Iowan and office-holder who was banned from the ballot, not because he staged an insurrection.
The List, by Dave Price, or what Santa could bring these Iowa politicians and visitors.
Fern and Joe weigh in on University presidents, free speech, and how things have changed in the Halls of Ivy.
Hope? Hope? Is Art Cullen writing about the stirrings of something positive in the wind in local agricultural production?
And our man, Robert Leonard, is on the Satanic Temple beat this week, including conversations he had with the organizers. Leonard also attended a Ron DeSantis event in Oskaloosa where the candidate was ‘in the groove until he encountered a protester. He has a video of the kerfuffle and talked with the woman who caused his ire.
Iowa Republicans have yelled at President Biden for months about immigration, but now they’re changing their tune. Ed Tibbetts tells us why — along with a prediction that those same Republicans will pay a price for “Trump chaos” in the general election.
Chris Jones dances around an entertaining description of tofurkey until he gets to the meat of his point: He names Senator Zach Wahls his ‘Tofurkey of the Year’ and, after scrutinizing campaign finance disclosure information, has a different understanding of why the Iowa legislature does not appear to have any interest in getting to the source of environmental issues here.
Around Iowa
Iowa Boy Chuck Offenburger roams around Iowa more than anyone we know who is not running for president. In this week’s column, he didn’t have to go far to find the perfect cinnamon roll.
Our own Beth Hoffman appeared on Iowa Public Television’s Market to Market. Read about ‘On Farming and Neighboring.’
Dorothy, I stole your shoes, is the headline for a column by fashionista: John Naughton. As you might imagine, they are red, and sparkly.
Vicki Minor experienced a Relatively Minor death and wrote about it in her humor column this week. Minor is the editor of the Winterset Madisonian and one of our newest members.
Another new columnist from the Quad Cities joined us. Tory Brecht writes about one of the most influential citizens of Moline you might not have heard of before.
He’s back! Richard Gilbert is an irregular columnist through Julie Gammack’s Potluck. He titles his posts: Sh*t Richard Says. He writes about his brush with Henry Kissinger, among other things.
And Kurt Meyer recalls being seated at a dinner next to Dick Cheney, and hilarity ensued.
Jefferson musician, songwriter, and visual artist Chad Elliott appeared last week on Julie Gammacks's Monday Zoom lunch call. Tune into the discussion and why Julie is adding a songwriting track to her Okoboji Writers’ Retreat.
Jeff Morrison recaps his columns for the Collaborative and passes on a few from other members in 2023 that are worth another look.
And Macey Shofroth tells about what she’s reading and why.
Food Stories
Wini Moranville works hard to bring you news and information about the local dining scene. Check out her top finds in the Des Moines dining scene for 2023.
Seasons Greetings from Various Perspectives
Mary Swander’s holiday post about Christmas in her beloved Buggyland earned top praise in the Substack community and was mentioned nationally as one of the best reads. Check out: Adeste Fideles in Chinese.
Remember when baking sourdough bread became a thing during the pandemic? One Quad Cities guy turned that hobby into a business, and now it’s a delightful (and delicious) spot in downtown Davenport. But it needs more people through the doors. Here’s the story from our Inquisitive Quad Citizen, Alison McGaughey.
Nicole Baart reprints a piece written during a darker holiday time, while Ray Young Bear explains how he, a Meskwaki, views this time of year.
Pat Kinney counts his Christmas blessings by recalling the sacrifice of Iowans long ago in his new ‘View from the Cedar Valley’ column: Pat Kinney
Cheryl Tevis takes readers on a holiday road trip to Oskaloosa’s City Square lighting displays. On the way there, she shares the inspirational story of the spirit of giving back to this community and the difference we all could make in the lives of others, Lighting the Way.
And Debra Engle has a commentary post about finding peace in difficult times.
Ma Humbug writes Jody Gifford about the traditional role many women assume during the holidays.
Jane Nguyen has a story about Santa's Ride, an annual event for local refugees to visit Santa and bring home clothing, supplies and toys.
Around the World
Larry Stone’s column is taken over by his daughter, who traveled with the folks to Hawaii and ‘listened to the volcanoes.’
Poetry
Our resident poet, Suzanna de Baca, reflects on the solstice, the year's longest night, and what is to come.
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