Writing the lead for this week’s Roundup of columns is almost impossible. How to rank them? Long-time KCCI-TV newsman Dave Busiek advised me to put them in order of interest after I told him it didn’t feel right just listing the columns in alphabetical order each week.
They are all interesting, dagnabit. Busiek’s take on local television journalism is a must-read. Fern and Joe give us a hilarious conversation about the Christmas season. John Naughton, one of the best-known sportswriters in Iowa, submitted his first column this week. It’s a hoot.
But Cheryl Tevis’ moving story of her cousin, Gary, is powerful and expertly told. Another must-read.
Well, heck, they all are.
Kyle Munson honored the life of musician Sam Salamone, who was a fixture in the live music scene. Munson is a master storyteller, and Salmone will be missed. Columns like this one underscore how vital the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative is. Salamone deserves this send-off by a premier writer.
Of course, Laura Belin’s view of politics is the way to stay informed. Her insight scoops and tireless effort to keep us informed are so important.
And just as I was compiling this, Bob Leonard’s column landed in my inbox. His story of a teacher’s cruelty and how it shaped his young life will make you cry.
Then, there’s Art Cullen. In his column this week, he offers a glimmer of hope about how conservation efforts are paying off by reporting on Zack Smith’s results on his Winnebago County farm. How can I not put an ‘Art Cullen’ column as a top-ranked read? Of course, it is.
Just read them all. You’ll be glad you did. Julie Gammack
Please welcome John Naughton, our newest columnist. You are gonna love the colorful adventures of this legendary Iowa sportswriter.
JOHN NAUGHTON
ROBERT LEONARD
FERN AND JOE
SUZANNA DE BACA
ED TIBBETTS
MARY SWANDER
KYLE MUNSON
BARRY PIATT
DEBRA ENGLE
CHUCK OFFENBURGER
LAURA BELIN
JULIE GAMMACK
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Iowa Writers’ Collaborative Columnists
Laura Belin: Iowa Politics with Laura Belin, Windsor Heights
Doug Burns: The Iowa Mercury, Carroll
Dave Busiek: Dave Busiek on Media, Des Moines
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
Beth Hoffman: In the Dirt, Lovilla
Dana James: New Black Iowa, Des Moines
Tar Macias: Hola Iowa, Iowa
Fern Kupfer: Fern and Joe, Ames
Robert Leonard: Deep Midwest: Politics and Culture, Bussey
Kyle Munson, Kyle Munson’s Main Street, Des Moines
John Naughton: My Life, in Color, Des Moines
Chuck Offenburger: Iowa Boy Chuck Offenburger, Jefferson and Des Moines
Barry Piatt: Behind the Curtain, Washington, D.C.
Mary Swander: Mary Swander’s Buggy Land, Kalona
Cheryl Tevis: Unfinished Business, Boone County
Ed Tibbetts: Along the Mississippi, Davenport
Teresa Zilk: Talking Good, Des Moines
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