What Do Quilts, Cryoablation, Mamdani, and Country Songs Have in Common? Iowa.
...at least in this column
This week’s Roundup captures the range of Iowa storytelling — from murals on old silos and quilts-in-progress to tributes, humor, and heart. Abena Sankofa Imhotep and Pat Kinney take us into communities where art and history meet everyday heroes, while Marianne Fons and Michael Judge remind us of the creative and reflective power of craft and memory. Christie Vilsack continues her thoughtful Common Ground conversations about literacy, kindness, and rural life, adding depth and warmth to the mix. Personal essays by Joan Zwagerman, Rick Morain, Macey Shofroth, and Kelsey Bigelow dig into what makes a life meaningful, while Romen Borsellino and Tory Brecht bring laughter and grit to politics, sports, and the quirks of being human. Add in the musical storytelling of Chip Albright, a heartwarming tribute from Hola Iowa, and apple-cider sweetness from Connie Taylor.
Around Iowa (features about places and things)
Abena Sankofa Imhotep — It started when my colleagues shared an image of a massive mural depicting common town folk holding clay pots on an old grain silo. To my surprise, one depiction was of a Black woman, Charlene Washington, a Fort Dodge resident whose determination helped reshape education in her community. Read more
Pat Kinney — Every Wednesday is Veterans Day at a Waterloo military museum, as third graders from various Northeast Iowa schools visit a well-attended weekly veterans coffee as part of a “Museum School” curriculum to thank veterans for their service. Read more
Books, Art
Michael Judge — A ‘Sudden Silence’: Remembering the great American writer and World War II veteran Kurt Vonnegut on Armistice Day, his birthday. Read more
Marianne Fons — Marianne Fons starts a new quilt so she can sew therapeutically during the editing process of her novel, The Dressmaker of Winterset, due out in 2027. Read more
Strictly Personal
Rick Morain — The old carriage house behind our home shelters a ton of personal memories. Read more
Joan Zwagerman — What’s the measure of a life? Jay Lohman knew the secret to achieving a happy life. Lucky are those who knew him. Read along and draft on his greatness. Read more
Macey Shofroth — Macey Shofroth shares a thoughtful personal essay on the importance of storytelling and the dangers of ignoring it. Read more
Kelsey Bigelow — Life shows us parallels through every stage we face. We must keep reaching through them for our purpose. Kelsey Bigelow shares her journey from a 19-year-old who felt stuck to a 32-year-old who is dedicated to reaching her goals. Read more
Art Cullen — After two years of bad news, Art Cullen finally shares a story of hope: a groundbreaking cryoablation procedure at Mayo Clinic has left him seemingly cancer-free — and more convinced than ever that everyone deserves access to world-class care, not just those with the right insurance. Read more
Political Comedy
Romen Borsellino — A number of Iowans are heading for the exits while some New Yorkers are threatening to leave their own city. Hear me out on this. Read more
Music
Chip Albright — In The Rise of Kenni Falls, Chip Albright shares the backstory of the emerging Iowa-based singer-songwriter who’s overcome incredible hardship to share with the world that “hating yourself isn’t romantic anymore.” Read more
Humor
Daniel P. Finney — We’ve become snowflakes about snowflakes. Read more
Daniel P. Finney — FINNEY’S 5: What Elon Musk is going to spend his $1-trillion compensation package on. Read more
Daniel P. Finney — FINNEY’S 5: Why there are only 5 things in the Finney’s 5. Read more
Sports
Tory Brecht — The Iowa Hawkeyes fought valiantly yet again against a Top 10 team inside a cold and drizzly Kinnick, but once again fell just short in a heartbreaker. There is hope amidst the despair, however. Read more
Human Interest (interviews)
Hola Iowa — Father Guillermo Treviño, a beloved priest known for his deep faith and unwavering commitment to the immigrant community, died on October 31, 2025, in Iowa City shortly after returning from a meeting with the Pope. His life left a lasting impact on everyone who knew him. Read more
Christie Vilsack — Part 2 of Christie Vilsack’s conversation on Getting to 3rd Space with Tom Klaus and Lamar Roth is now live. In this episode, they continue exploring literacy, kindness, and life in rural America—carrying forward the spirit of her Common Ground column. Read more
Food & Dining
Connie Taylor — What is better than apple cider and donuts? Nothing—until you combine them into one spectacular bite! Connie shares her version of this fall treat, along with a bit of family-donut history. Read more
Winnie Moranville — Where to find the best pies, sides, and even smoked leg of lamb this Thanksgiving—three trusted local cooks, their menus, and ordering deadlines, all taste-tested and recommended. Read more
Invitation
Diana Wright — We are hosting a Writers’ Happy Hour event this Wednesday and would love for others to attend as part of IWC! We’d love to receive feedback from our subscribers, meet new friends interested in writing or entrepreneurship, and celebrate the progress the writing community has made in Iowa! Read more
Iowa Writers’ Collaborative
The IWC Holiday Party will be Wednesday, December 17 at the Harkin Institute in Des Moines at 7pm. It’s FREE for any paid subscriber to any IWC writer column, including this one, or $35 the night of the event. The award-winning duo Weary Ramblers will be performing and IWC authors will be on hand for socialization and goodwill. Please RSVP here.
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