Fortunate to have UPH hospital in Marshalltown

March 26, 2026

I recently visited the Emergency Room at UnityPoint Hospital - Marshalltown, then I was admitted to the hospital for a 15-day stay. What a gem we have here, right in our own city! I found the ER staff to be very capable and efficient with each person doing his/her job quickly and effectively, then getting out of the way for the next staff member. When I was admitted to the hospital, I found the same thing. All my caregivers were friendly, knew their job and performed it quickly and efficiently. I was very impressed! As I said, we are so fortunate to have this facility in Marshalltown! It ...

Grassley’s belly-aching is corporate ag hogwash

March 24, 2026

According to his website, Chuck Grassley is once again railing against California’s Prop 12, a measure voters approved in 2018 by nearly a 2-to-1 margin. Grassley’s belly-aching is nothing but corporate ag hogwash. It’s time to move on, Chuck. Or as The Eagles sang in one of their hit songs, Get Over It! By passing Prop 12, consumers were telling the factory farm industry to treat its animals a bit more humanely. It gave gestating sows a few more square feet to move around in their tightly confined crates, and also said most pork sold in California grocery stores needed to ...

Thankful for community support

March 24, 2026

The American Legion Auxiliary, Unit #46, Marshalltown, thanks the businesses and merchants who provided prizes and gift certificates for our annual St. Patrick’s card party. Many of these businesses generously continue to support the American Legion Auxiliary, Unit 46. We would also like to thank the patrons who attend this annual event. This auxiliary fund raiser supports veteran projects and programs we provide in our community. The following businesses supported this year’s St. Patrick’s card party: 19 Salon & Spa, 3rd Generation Upholstery, Anderson Funeral Home, ...

Jeremiah’s Dilemma

March 19, 2026

Jeremiah was standing in a line of conquered Israelites, heading for Babylon! For a few hundred years, God had given Israel time to repent and change. They had the opportunity to show God they could be His people. But much like today, folks did not believe God would do what He proclaimed; sending a warring nation to destroy Israel. But Babylon came, killed a million folks and took about 100,000 prisoners. Jeremiah was one of the educated kids who had many skills. In disgrace, they were marched to Babylon naked and shackled together. God had begun what he promised. Sin caused God’s ...

2026 National Ag Day

March 18, 2026

Dear Editor, Please join our Mid-Iowa Youth Beef Team to observe National Ag Day on March 24, 2026, with the theme of “Together We Grow” as we celebrate 250 years of agriculture progress. Agriculture producers have made great progress in their production since the 1960’s. Today, cattlemen and women are producing 75% more beef per animal with 43% less environmental emissions on ground that cannot be used for any other crop production and preventing wildfires through controlling the growth by grazing that ground. Cattle producers have contributed to each American farmer today ...

The psychological opposite of racism

March 17, 2026

Seeing both the panoramic vision of racism, destruction of Gaza and the infantcide bombing of an Iranian school I thought about the psychological opposite of racism, the evolution of the art of gift giving. First the greatest gift God’s forgiveness of Cain! Then comes the 3 Magi, Saint Nicholas a Greek bishop of Maya (Modern Day Turkey) up to our present day Santa Clause. Then I recalled Santa was embroiled in controversy last year when a farmer told Trump his son wanted him to come to his house not Santa Clause! Legend Informs us that Santa is very diverse in generosity ...