Since I am turning 65 next month, along with Medicare, I probably should be thinking about making a bucket list of what I would like to do and accomplish in life.
      I’ve never been too good about writing down much of anything, other than notes from an interview, a grocery list or Christmas list.
       And most of the time I hit the grocery store with my list in my head, all while texting Debbie and asking her what she needs. 
        And I can’t tell you how many times I’ve showed up for an interview and didn’t have ink pen with me. And there have been a few times I’ve had to ask for some paper to take notes.
      I need to work on the old Boy Scout motto, “Be Prepared.” It’s kind of embarrassing to ask to use someone else’s ink pen or a piece a paper in that type of situation.
        Should I get around to making a bucket list, there will be no trips to world-renown islands, outside of maybe a trip to Alaska.
        I’m doing pretty good to get out of bed for a bathroom break in the middle of the night, let alone travel to a foreign country where I don’t know what I am eating.
      I’ve thought about taking a cruise down the Mississippi River and I wouldn’t mind traveling to Idaho, Oregon, Washington and the Dakotas. And a trip to Boston and Cape Cod wouldn’t be too bad either.
         Outside of trips, I would like a new flag pole.
         Debbie bought me a flag pole kit some years back. In November 2021, I hired a local contractor to install a new gate post on our horse pen. While he was digging and pouring concrete, he installed my new flag pole.
            I was quite proud of it until an Iowa windstorm hit in July 2022 and bent the pole over and laid it on the ground. I didn’t discover it until two days later.
            I’ve been looking at new flag poles ever since, but most cost more than my budget will allow.
         I did find one at the Iowa State Fair that I liked. It is a telescoping, 20-foot all-aluminum model. It is made to hold two 4x6 flags and has a sleeve in the ground, making it easy to remove the entire flag pole should we have a big wind storm.
           The flag pole fellow said all it takes is four bags of concrete mix and I’m good to go. He said the pole is easily removed and if I were to move, I can take the flag pole with me and just replace the sleeve.
           I would also like to write a novel about a fictious farm family from back in the day when steam engines and horse-drawn implements were a way of life.
           I would like to piece together and sew a quilt. My mom made quilts and my grandmother on my mom’s side made all her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren quilts. I don’t know how to sew a button on my pants, let alone make a quilt. I’m sure there is someone who can teach me how to use a sewing machine.
           I would also like to travel around Iowa taking photos of various attractions and out of the way places. It might take several outings to accomplish this task, but what fun it would be. I could even hit a few antique stores along the way.
            I would like to return to the Crater of Diamond State Park in southwest Arkansas and visit Carhenge, a tribute to Stonehenge, in western Nebraska.
            And I wouldn’t mind attending the Red River Rivalry football game between the Oklahoma Sooners and Texas Longhorns and I would like to take Debbie to Norman to watch an OU Sooner softball game.
            Regardless if I accomplish these tasks or any other ones, the best part of life is giving your all each and every day and as my mom taught me from the good book, “Doing unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
             I’ve put it into practice my whole life and doing unto others is the best reward life has to offer.
            Have a great week and always remember that “Good Things are Happening,” every day.

         It’s not every day that I get call from a celebrity, but that was case last week when my cell phone rang.
         I answered the New York City number and the voice on the other end said, “J.O., this is Harry Smith.”
       Yes, you guessed it, the now retired television journalist Harry Smith of CBS and NBC fame was on the line.
     Debbie and I had reached out to Smith, a graduate of Central College in Pella, where Debbie also graduated, asking if he would come speak at our 12th annual All-Iowa Writers’ Conference this fall.
         I happened to know Jeanette Budding, content specialist with the media relations department at Central, and with her help, we were able to make contact with Smith.
      After reaching out to him, Smith wrote me an email a couple weeks ago and I responded. After not hearing from him, Debbie sent a follow up email last week and that resulted in a call.
       We enjoyed a brief conversation and Smith agreed to headline this year’s conference slated for Saturday, Sept. 21 at Community Hope Church in Montezuma.
        He will speak at 9 a.m.
     Smith is teaching a course this fall at Central College on curiosity. When I mentioned that, he said something on the lines of the importance curiosity has in reporting the news.
         I agree, being curious leads to finding great stories.
       I would love to take his course. What a great opportunity for the Central students who will learn from one of the best in the business. 
        Debbie said I did a great job and didn’t talk too much, one of my many specialties.
        During our brief, yet important call, Smith told me he got the job in television because he could write.
        Debbie and I are both in total awe that Smith is coming to Montezuma.
        He’s done it all in the world of journalism.
       A native of Lansing, Ill., Smith received a BA degree in communications and theater from Central College, graduating in 1973.
    According to Wikipedia, Smith began his broadcasting career in radio and television in Denver and Cincinnati.
    He was a contributor to “The CBS Evening News with Dan Rather,” “48 Hours” and CBS News documentaries. He spent time anchoring the “CBS Morning Show.” He was featured on the CBS Evening news  in a weekly report called “Travels with Harry,” in which he looked at unique people and places around the country.
        He went on to host the A&E Network television series “Biography” and The History Channel’s “Modern Marvels.”
         He went on to serve as a substitute anchor for the “CBS Evening News,” “Face the Nation” and “CBS News Sunday Morning. “He also delivered a daily “Harry Smith Reporting” editorial for the CBS Radio Network.
        He then joined NBC and was a substitute anchor on “NBC Nightly News” and a contributed a weekly story on Sunday mornings on the weekend edition of NBC’s Today in a segment called “Sundays with Harry.”
         He served along with his former colleague Erica Hill from “The Early Show.” And he was part of a rotating group of co-hosts that filled the co-anchor chair after it was vacated by Lester Holt.
         He retired from NBC News in March 2024.
         "I have nothing but gratitude... Every time I would always come on this show, I was always welcomed so generously,” Smith said in retiring. “I've had just this unbelievable array of phenomenal experiences since coming to NBC, and so I'm really full of nothing but gratitude. Every time I've come on, everyone would drop their phones, pay attention to the story and then respond."
           Smith lives in New York City with his wife, sportscaster Andrea Joyce, and their two sons.
         I turn 65 in September and life gets better every day. It’s fun to see where hard work saddled with a “can do” attitude can open doors and make a way to good things.
         Have a great week and always remember that “Good Things are Happening,” every day.

         I’ve never been a fan of trying new foods at the Iowa State Fair.
         Some folks love trying anything new at the state fair, but I’m not one of them.
         And there is a load of new food for the 2024 Iowa State Fair.
       Some of the tasty delights include: Lobster Corn Dog, Pork Belly Corn Dog, Puppy Chow Waffle, Bacon Cheeseburger Eggroll, Deep Fried Uncrustable PB & J, Piggy in a Donut, Beer Belly Fries, Funnel Cake Burger, Candied Bacon Gnocchi: gluten-free, Chicken Mac Attack Bowl, Deep Fried Hot Cheetos, Deep Fried Pepperoni Chips, Golden Fried Veggie Samosas, Salted Beef Bagel, What’s Your Wonton, Pink Lemonade Whoopie Pies, Not Your Daddy’s Burger, Walking Frito Pie, Walleye Fish Tacos and the Loose L’roy Sandwich.
         And if you are looking for something to wash down one of the state fair’s tasty new foods, there’s plenty of non-alcoholic and alcohol-laced drinks available. 
       For my drinking friends, you might consider a Pig Lebowski Beer, Paradise N’ Chill Chill, Spiked Lemonade, Hive2o PB&J Hard, Rainbow Sherbet Sour Beer or Grumpy Old Manhattan Hard Seltzer Cocktail, to name a few.
         And for those of us who don’t partake in drinking alcohol, there are plenty of new drinks available. They include: Berry Dirty Slush, Mango Bliss, Life’s A Peach Dirty Soda, Island Cherry Bomb Lemonade, Cherry Italian Soda, Dr. Pickle, Bubble Gum Soda, Green Monster and the Tilt Nitro Energy Berry.
          I won’t be trying any of these foods or drinks this year or ever.
         Actually, I would rather grill on my Blackstone at the camper and spend time with family and neighbors. It’s hard to beat a tasty cheeseburger or some brats and good conversation. And I’m hearing the weather is going to be great for this year’s fair.
          One of our favorite eateries at the state fair is Beatie’s Watermelon Stand. It’s just west of JR’s Southpork Ranch and the old giant slide.
        They have giant tenderloins and awesome tasting ham and roast beef sandwiches. Top it off with an order of fries and a cold iced tea, and all is good in the world.
          We love stopping there a few times during the fair. The owners are good people and friends of ours. They buy our books and always want to know when Debbie’s next book is coming out.
           Debbie also enjoys a corn dog and some cheese curds. And I’m glad to let her find a bench as I search for her favorites and return to eat together.
           Outside of eating at the state fair, we are, as in past years, sponsoring two food contests this year in the food building.
           We started sponsoring food contests in 2007 and have held them every year since. 
         We sponsor “Our Front Porch Books Favorite Iowa Foods,” which will be judged at 10 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 11 in Judging Room 1, and “Our Front Porch Books Favorite Book Desserts,” a contest geared toward children, which is slated for 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 14 in Judging Room 2.
           And as in the past, I entered antiques again this year. I’ve entered antiques in the heritage division for a number of years. 
         I’m hoping to pick up a few ribbons this year. My entries include Montezuma, Iowa postcards in the Iowa division, Santa and Christmas postcards, an old metal postal scale, a quilt, a doggy creamer, salt and pepper shakers, a Wizard Of Oz children’s book with 45 record, a small clover dish, a Casper doll and an antique child’s bowling game.
           I enjoy looking at the antiques in Pioneer Hall, watching the chainsaw artist at work, finding benches to take naps, visiting with total strangers, attending the cowboy action shooting, listening to the old-time hymn sings at the log church, going through the 4-H Building, checking out the vendors under the grandstand and watching the miniature horse shows.
          It was 21-years ago that I first met Debbie while doing a story on Montezuma campers at the Iowa State Fair. Last year, we were featured in the old museum on the fairgrounds as one of the couples who found love at the state fair. We will celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary on Sept. 25 this year. How time flies.
      And a new found interest is walking around the campground taking photos of the various camper decorations. There’s everything from flowers to signs and even political thoughts. And it’s a great way to meet new folks from all across this fine state.
          The campground is like a small city with small town charm.
       I hope you can make it out to the Iowa State Fair this year and enjoy a new food or just spend time meeting new people.
          Have a great week and always remember that “Good Things are Happening,” every day

       I’ve taken thousands of photos, written a ton of stories and put together more newspapers and special sections than I can count on my fingers and toes in five years.
       I’ve been involved in the newspaper business for the biggest part of life. It all started on Sept. 1, 1972 when my mom and I started throwing the Tulsa World newspapers in our neighborhood. I wanted a paper route and my mom didn’t want me out on the streets at 4:30 a.m. by myself, so she joined me in the business.
The money I earned helped buy my school clothes and gas for my first car, a 1959 Chevrolet Impala and more.
        By the time I quit, we were throwing nearly 400 newspaper a day, morning and evening, and 400 or more on Sundays. It was a family affair as my brother and dad chipped in most Sundays.
        I spent 7.5 years in newspaper circulation in my hometown of Tulsa. I went back to school and earned an agricultural journalism (photojournalism) degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia at the age of 38.
It’s a testament to the goodness of God, hard work and a never give up attitude.
       I was pushed and I was challenged and I went from barley passing high school English to graduating 19 years later from one of the best journalism programs in the world.
        Anything is possible. All you have to do is believe and make a step.
      I’ve spent nearly 24 years as a community journalist, both as an editor and freelancer, since moving to Iowa in December 1997. I’ve worked or written stories in North English, Montezuma, Brooklyn, Victor and Grinnell. I’ve also did interviews and wrote stories in Williamsburg and Marengo, Searsboro, Malcom, Guernsey, Deep River, Millersburg and Des Moines.
     I’m proud of all the work I’ve done through the years and appreciate the many kind words and even correction and guidance I’ve received from my editors and readers through the years.
       What you are holding in your hands is a testament to my a wife who loves me and believes in me and my love for community journalism.
        Debbie pushes me and challenges me every day and or oldest nephew, Gavin, helped get this publication from an idea to an actual product.
        I’ve never published my own newspaper and I’m proud of what we did together. And I hope you are, too!
       There has been so much change in the newspaper world. I know how important the printed product can be.
      As quick and easy as websites and social media can be, there’s nothing like holding an actual printed newspaper in your hands written by someone local who knows the community and area.
        Historical societies use the newspaper for keeping records and families save them for when their child or children graduate from high school and college or scored the winning basket or touchdown at state.
         I’m sad that a lot of that has gone to the wayside.
         That’s why printing this newspaper is important to us and I hope it is to you.
       I appreciate all the advertisers who opened their pocket books and made this happen. It’s entirely funded by them.
         It’s free of charge because of the advertisers.
         Please try and support them if you can.
         And thank you for supporting what we are doing.
          Let me know your thoughts and enjoy reading about our corner of Iowa.
          Have a great week and always remember that “Good Things are Happening,” every day.

            I lost my ballcap on Saturday.
            It’s not just any ballcap. It’s my OU Sooners ballcap.
            I love that ballcap and wear it faithfully.
           I attended the play “The Big Five-OH” at the Brooklyn Opera House. I was there to take photos and write a story for this publication.
           I found my way to the balcony for a better vantage point to take photos. I laid my ballcap on my camera backpack, I think, and that is the last time I knew its whereabouts.
            After the play, which by the way was a hoot, I made my way to the lobby to interview some of the guests and cast members.
            The play was written and produced by Brian Mitchell of Grinnell. I talked to Brian and plan to interview him soon.
            He asked me what I thought of the play. I said it was hilarious and I never knew from one scene to the next what was going to happen.
            Brian smiled, saying that is the way it’s supposed to be.
            Anyway, at one point, I wondered where my hat was, but I didn’t go back upstairs to check. I thought maybe I had left it in my Suburban and didn’t realize where it was.
            I got home and there was no ballcap.
            Debbie looked in the Suburban on Sunday and I looked again, too. No ballcap!
            I wrote a cast member who had contacted me about coming and taking photos and told her that I had lost my ballcap. She said that she would check for it on Sunday.
            She wrote me later to tell me that she didn’t find my ballcap. She even asked the custodian and was told that no one left a ballcap or turned one in.
            I paid $30 for that hat and now I don’t have it anymore.
            Maybe I’m becoming absentminded? Or disorganized?
            I don’t know!
            I will be 65 in late September and will go on Medicare.
            Losing my ballcap is awful, almost depressing, but going on Medicare is even worse.
            I was just a kid the other day.
            I’ve been out of high school for 46 years. I remember going to my mom’s 50th class reunion in 2005 in southern Missouri. My 50th class reunion is just around the corner in 2028.
           To put it all in perspective, the original Star Wars movies were released in 1977 in the summer between my junior and senior years of high school.
            Well, back to Medicare.
          In early June, I attended a public session at the Grinnell Library regarding signing up for Medicare. I then went and met with a SHIP councilor in Grinnell a couple weeks later.
            SHIP offers one-on-one assistance, counseling and education to Medicare beneficiaries, their families and caregivers to help them make informed decisions about their care and benefits. SHIP is part of the Iowa Insurance Division and the service is free.
            Anyway, I’m more confused now than I was before.
            I think my next move is to get a Medicare card. Even signing up for that is confusing. 
            Do I get a Part “A” and Part “B”? What about a drug plan? The SHIP councilor said I get a drug plan for .50 cents per month.
            That’s either a testament to living a good life or is a blessing from God. I think it is the blessing part. That’s where the credit goes.
            Maybe I’m a little stubborn. I hate taking medicine.
            I will eat a couple Tums when my tummy hurts or take an aspirin if I need one, but that is about it.
            And there are all these other parts that I can chose from. There is Part “C”, Part “D”, Part “G” and so on. And I can’t forget about the Advantage plan which, unlike the traditional plan of Part “A” and Part “B”, is offered directly through insurance companies.
            It’s all crazy, confusing and expensive!
            Why do I need all these parts?
            How does that help me?
            I think to start, I’m going to go with the least amount of coverage I can to get by. I think if I understand it right, I can make changes to my plan every year.
            First things first, I have to find my lost ballcap.
            Have a great week and always remember that “Good Things are Happening,” every day.

         I was enjoying lunch at the Poweshiek County Fair on Friday a week ago when I received a text from Jo Ahrens at Three Sisters Fabric and Fashion in Montezuma.
         “Are you working today?,” she asked.
         “I’m at the county fair,” I replied.
         “You won’t want to miss this,” Jo said. “Hurry.”
         “What’s going on?,” I asked
       “Your photojournalism professor (from the University of Missouri-Columbia) stopped here to find you,” explained Jo. “They just went to Yolanda’s for lunch. I think he sent you a text.”
         “Did you get a name?,” I asked
         “Dave,” she replied.
        “Dave Rees,” I replied. “I will head that way. If you can let him know I’m coming, it would be appreciated.”
          “How soon would you get here?,” she asked.
         “25 minutes, maybe sooner,” I replied.
         “We are letting them know,” Jo said.
         “Thanks, I’m on my way,” I said.
     I headed for the Suburban and hit the road for Montezuma while shoveling in the last bite of my cheeseburger and taking a swig of ice tea.
         I took the backroads across the gravel in hopes of not missing Dave.
        I arrived at Yolanda’s and Dave got up and gave me hug. He introduced me to his girlfriend and said they were on their way to Minnesota and then on to Wisconsin and wanted to stop and find me.
       They were driving around town and saw Three Sisters, so they went inside and asked about me. As one person said, isn’t it nice to live in a town where someone knows you and can find you if needed. I have to agree.
       I haven’t seen Dave in 15 or more years, so it was nice to catch up after all those years. I appreciate him thinking of me and taking the time to look me up while in town.
      Dave mentioned about me being a friend of the MU Chancellor. I hadn’t been at MU long when I was reading stories in the school newspaper, “The Maneater,” about the new chancellor and his new vehicle and all of his benefits and how it was raising tuition.
       I was tired of listening to all the gripping, so I wrote the chancellor, Dr. Charles Kiesler, a letter thanking him for being at MU and shared about my journey and plans to earn a degree in my 30s.
      “I don’t think young people today understand that at one time you were where they are now,” I wrote in the letter.
        It wasn’t my best written letter, but it had a message and it touched him.
      Three weeks later, I received a personal letter from Dr. Kiesler thanking me for my kind words and inviting me to come meet him, as he wanted to help me.
      Long story short, I met with Dr. Kiesler about six weeks later and he helped me land a job at MU as a custodian. I was only in his office for five minutes, but it was good.
       I remember it well. I had returned to Oklahoma in the summer of 1993 and went fishing with my dad. We got back to my parent’s farm and there was a message from the MU employment office asking me to come see them as I had been recommended by the chancellor.
      I spent just more than four years sweeping floors and cleaning toilets while I worked my way through college and journalism school.
       I remember my academic advisor in the School of Agriculture calling me to ask about my meeting with the chancellor. He said the vice provost of MU Extension couldn’t get a meeting with the chancellor, but I did. The chance meeting was the talk of the journalism and agriculture schools.
     I graduated with a degree in Agricultural Journalism. It was duel program between the schools of Journalism and Agriculture.
        Dave and I had our photo taken together and we kept visiting, as I followed him and his girlfriend to their vehicle, which was parked on Third Street across from the courthouse.
      Dave taught the “Introduction to Photojournalism” course at MU when I was  a student. That’s where I learned to photograph emotion, interactions, window light, shadows, reflection and so much more.
       Part of my school studies include spending a semester at MU working the news desk and also a semester in the photo department at the Columbia Missourian.
      Dave was my class instructor during the Columbia Missourian experience. I was nominated and received photo of the week honors three or four times that summer.
      Back in day, I shot film. When I started journalism school, digital cameras were just starting to hit the market. They were big, clanky and heavy cameras. I can’t image carrying one of those cameras around now.
      I’m so thankful for the experiences I had at MU. I learned from some of the best at the Schools of Journalism and Agriculture. Returning to college and graduating at age 38 was a great experience and one that I will take to heart forever.
         Have a great week and always remember that “Good Things are Happening,” every day.

       “What do you enjoy about photography?” the young 4-H’er asked me after I judged her photos at the Washington County Fair on Saturday, July 13.
         I’ve never had a 4-H’er ask me that question, so it took me a few seconds to gather my thoughts. Then I told her that I enjoy taking photos of people and covering community events.
          “I like mirroring words and pictures together to tell a story,” I said.
        I enjoy talking with the 4-H’ers and even talked basketball with a couple high schoolers from nearby Keota who are part of a Washington County 4-H Club.
       I make it a practice to focus on the positive. These young people are learning and as a judge, it’s important for me to teach and encourage.
          This was my second time to judge photography at the Washington County Fair in the southeast part of the state and the first time since I last judged there in July 2013.
          It was a great day and I saw some beautiful photos. I handed out nearly 20 purple ribbons, lots of blues and a handful of reds, mostly for out-of-focus photos.
          I had three of the photos I judged qualify for the state fair. Washington County is sending 14 total to the state fair.
      The county also hands out several special honors, one being for the best beef photo. I’m sure it is sponsored by the county cattleman’s association.
       It didn’t win, but my pick was a photo of steaks on a grill. Another approach to the photo would be someone in the photo cooking the steaks on a grill. 
        The winner was a traditional photo of a momma cow and her calf. It was a beautiful photo, but the steaks on the grill was better.
        I’m probably about as non-traditional of a judge as there is in the state. I don’t bring in tools or rule of third guidelines or worry about all the photography rules. I just use a piece of paper and my hand to show 4-H’ers how to crop their photos, what to do so the horizon is offset and how to display them.
        I share with them about filling the frame, watching out for things growing out of people’s heads and on occasion, I talk about the need to step back or get closer when taking a photo. I often talk about the importance of the project write up and providing information about the photo and experience of taking it. It’s almost as important as taking the photo.
       I remember one 4-H’er some years ago who not only did an excellent job with the write up, she also did individual stories of each photo. All the photos were taken at her grandparent’s home and by the time the county fair rolled around, a tornado had destroyed the house.
      What a memory and keepsake for that young lady to have for down the road. I awarded her several purple ribbons for her work.
        The Washington County Fairgrounds has nice facilities and the county extension office is right there on the grounds. I appreciate the invitation to judge there and hope I get asked to come back.
        In addition to judging in Washington County, I also judged open class photography at the Iowa County Fair on Tuesday, July 9.
         It was a great day and I judged around 125 photos. I started shortly after 1 p.m. and it was just after 5 p.m. when I wrapped up the day.
        My best of the show honor went to a high schooler with a beautiful photo of a sea shell. I handed out two award of excellence ribbons for a beautiful photo of a rock formation with a reflection and another of young girl enjoy a drink while wearing a American Needs Farmers (ANF) hat. There was a small dribble of her drink on the young girl’s chin. It was a cute photo and well deserving of the honor.
        At Iowa County, there is also an open class section for professional photographers, or those who make money taking photos. My top honor went to an agricultural scene of a three combines harvesting crops. I also handed out an award of excellence for a photo taken at a rodeo. Overall, there were some great photos to judge and good people to work alongside.
        I’ve judged 4-H and open class photography every year but one since 2012. Cathy Lents, the Poweshiek County Extension Educational Director, encouraged me to be a judge and she helped me get signed up for the training, which I took in Polk County in November 2011.
        In 2019, I judged 4-H photography at the Iowa State Fair. I struggled a bit with that challenge as I enjoy talking with the youth. At the state fair, it’s just the photo and the 4-H’ers write up. I about wore out three erasers writing down my thoughts and then making changes.
        One long-time judge had a laptop and small printer. He wrote his thoughts about each photo on a form, printed it out, cut out the comments and glued them to the 4-H’ers entry sheet. The general public doesn’t see those comments.
         I’m looking forward to seeing how my selects fare at the state fair.
        I enjoy working one-on-one with the 4-H’ers and will probably stick with judging on the county level in the coming years.
         Have a great week and always remember that “Good Things are Happening,” every day.