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The 2025 Montezuma Homecoming Week took on an extra special meaning in the Parker household.
Our youngest nephew, Peyton Tindle, a senior at Montezuma, was crowned Homecoming King during Braves Night activities on Sept. 18. It was a special moment watching him being crowned. It was especially touching since it has been about a year since Peyton rang the cancer free bell at Blank Children’s Hospital in Des Moines. Peyton got a spin around town on the back of a bright red Corvette with Queen Claire Erselius during the Homecoming Parade. And he was also a starter on the Braves football team in the game Friday night against Moravia. Peyton is playing on the line and doing a great job. He last played flag football in elementary school. We are quite proud of Peyton as we are of all our nephews and family. Debbie played a big part in taking care of her nephews through their school years. I can remember going to Sam’s Club and purchasing school supplies many times that Debbie used to hold school during the summer months for all three of the boys. I always enjoyed stopping at McDonalds midweek after my newspaper editorial meeting and buying lunch for everyone. And I can’t forget about spending the day with each nephew doing something different that they each liked. And there have been so many memorable family and holiday gatherings through the years. And a few years ago, the entire family spent four nights at the Lake of the Ozarks where we rode go-carts, went bowling, played Monopoly, went antiquing, visited the Route 66 Museum, stopped at an outlet mall and enjoyed lots of good food and fellowship. And I can’t forget about all the good birthday meals we have enjoyed together as a family, thanks to the grandmas. Time spent with family is always good for the soul. Writers’ Conference In addition to attending Homecoming activities, Debbie and I held our 13th All-Iowa Writers’ Conference in Montezuma on Saturday, Sept. 20. This year’s conference included a presentation by Jay Goodvin, better known as the Iowa Gallivant. Goodvin has written a book, “Rural Iowa Sausage: History & Tradition of Brats on the Back Roads,” which he spoke about. Many know the Iowa Gallivant from his huge social media following where he travels the state eating at all types of restaurants and maw and paw eateries looking for the best tenderloins and all sorts of foods. He records the sessions and posts them to his social media pages. The Gallivant just returned from a tour of my home state of Oklahoma, where he visited about 20 different eateries. I enjoyed talking with him about Southern foods such as okra, meat chili, black eyed peas and sloppy joes. I first heard of the Iowa Gallivant in January and I reached out to him, which led to me doing a column on the food taste tester in overalls. He said the Iowa Gallivant was born out of a family album bet. That column led to Debbie and I inviting him to speak at our conference. Also presenting was Steve Sherman, a Grinnell native, who is a real estate agent and great writer. He has published seven books with one of his latest, “Beer Money,” about the Iowa City Beer Mafia, being made into a movie. Shooting of the production was completed in August with a release date in early 2026. Other speakers included Bethany Kriegel, author of “Buffalo In The Bucket,” and co-owner of Sunset Hills Bison Ranch north of Malcom. She shared about how she used AI to help her design the book, which is based on a real-life baby buffalo rescue at the ranch. Other presenters include Lisa Lucero, Winter Austin and we held a panel featuring Judge Joel Barrows, an author and sitting judge from Scott County, who joined forces with Poweshiek County Sheriff Matt Maschmann, to answer attendee questions. I served as the panel moderator and we explored several topics. It was a huge success for our conference. We appreciate all the support we receive for this event and to the many people who drive from all across the state to attend. We also thank the Community Hope Church in Montezuma for allowing us to use their facilities for our conference. Plans are in the works to host the 14th All-Iowa Writers’ Conference on Sept. 19 in Montezuma. We hope you can make it. Have a great week and always remember that “Good Things are Happening,” every day.
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Sometimes old habits are hard to break.
In my case, it’s learning to be a better listener. Back in the day in elementary school, my report card often noted that I needed to pay better attention in class and listen instead of talking and flapping my lips. It wasn’t that detailed and drawn out on my report cards, just that I usually didn’t listen. I was once reported to the dean’s office in high school by my drafting teacher for talking too much in class. That really upset my mom and she ended up calling and having a discussion with the dean about kids who were smoking between classes and all I was doing was talking. I understand both sides of the story, but my thought is that talking is part of learning. And I think listening is, too. Debbie and I were having a discussion the other day and I apparently and rudely talked over her. She quickly, in a loving way, reminded me to be a better listener. She’s right, I do need to pay better attention, especially to her. Maybe I need to visit the ear doctor to see if my ears are clogged or if there is some other issue. It’s never too late to make changes in one’s life. Outside of needing to work on being a better listener, I have made a number of positive changes in my life, mostly after turning 30. A couple that come to mind include returning to college and earning my BS degree in Agricultural Journalism from the University of Missouri-Columbia in December 1997 at the age of 38. And secondly, but more important than an education, was getting married to Debbie. We will celebrate our 21st wedding anniversary on Sept. 25, and I turn age 66 on Sept. 26. I’m having a tough time wrapping my mind around the fact that I turn 66. For our anniversary and birthday gift to each other, we are planning to get a new puppy from a friend in Missouri. We got a puppy from our friend two years ago Labor Day weekend, 2023. Getting another puppy is a must since our nearly 15-year-old chocolate lab, Rex, passed away earlier this summer. We are both excited to welcome the puppy to our family. She will be joining our dog, Boomer, three miniature horses, Gazer, Harmony and Sophie, a host of kitty cats and our 15 chickens. We got the chickens earlier this year and they are laying eggs lightning fast. Somedays, Debbie will gather a dozen and upwards to 20 eggs. In addition to our new puppy and other animals, Debbie and I are planning on celebrating our anniversary and birthdays with lunch or supper at an area restaurant. I’m looking forward to a tasty salad with cheese, croutons, salt and pepper and Thousand Island dressing. Being on blood thinners until a week ago, I had to stay away from Vitamin K foods such as salad and coleslaw. I’ve missed it dearly and I am thankful that I can once again have a tasty salad. I’ve been in a phase in my life in recent times of learning the importance of being thankful and seeing the positives in life. Having colon cancer will do that to a person. As I’ve noted before, life is full of challenges and things that happen that are hard to wrap your mind and heart around. My advice is to keep moving forward and don’t look back. Have a great week and always remember that “Good Things are Happening,” every day. I’ve visited more doctors and had more blood tests and poking and prodding this year than I have my entire 65 plus years on this earth.
It was a terrible upset stomach that started in early December last year that led doctors to discover I had colon cancer in March. The cancer was discovered on March 11 and two days later, we were was in Des Moines visiting with a surgeon. I remember sitting in his office. “This is routine surgery,” he said. “I do this kind of surgery all the time.” I was operated on in late March followed by 10 days and nine nights in the hospital. Following a couple rounds of chemo, I discovered I had a blood clot in early June in my right leg calf. After three months of blood thinners and a scan of my leg, I learned on Monday this week that the blood clot is gone. No more thinner medicine and I can have a salad again. Foods with vitamin K, which is salad and leafy greens, are a no no when taking blood thinner. But through all of this God has sustained and protected me and for that I am most thankful. I’m also most thankful for my lovely bride of almost 21 years who has stayed by my side, encouraged me and kept me dreaming and moving forward. I am also thankful for all the well wishes, phone calls, emails, texts, kind thoughts, prayers and hugs I have received from my many friends. It’s all appreciated. I had a CT scan with contrast on Aug. 21 and received a good report. I will have another CT scan on Nov. 21 to make sure all is good. I’m thankful that I am moving in a positive direction. I’m staying busy, but also getting lots of rest. And after the surgery, I decided to retire in late May from my day job of 7.5 years. That has freed up time for me to continue freelancing and writing feature stories. And in early June, Debbie and I were able to attend a cousin reunion on my mom’s side in my hometown of Tulsa. While there, we caught up with friends and enjoyed spending time with my brother. We then traveled to Fayetteville, Ark. to visit with my last living aunt. We are so thankful for that as she passed recently. And we spent a couple weeks or more this summer going through our stuff in the garage and basement with plans are to hold a Parker household reduction on-line auction this fall. There will be bargains galore. We got our garage cleaned out enough that I can now get our Suburban parked inside. And of course we attended the Iowa State Fair and the Midwest Old Threshers Reunion this summer. And on the horizon, Debbie and I along with our oldest nephew will be attending some craft events selling our books and other offerings this fall. No matter what life throws at you, I want to encourage you to get up every day and be thankful. Try and find the good in things and in people. Do good things for others and say kind words. There is a lot of craziness going on in the world and social media is full of everyone’s opinions, thoughts and negative words. And when you run into a negative Nellie or some challenge in life, I share this bit of wisdom. Some years ago, I was watching a documentary about six of the most elite photographers in the world. These men and women were at the World Trade Centers on 9-11. The moderator asked one of the photographers what he did when running into police roadblock, or someone trying to keep him from doing his job. His replied by asking what happens when water hits a rock? He said it goes around on either side, so that is what he did. He went around and took photos from another angle. Sometimes in our lives, we have to go around the negative and find the positive. Have a great week and always remember that “Good Things are Happening,” every day. I’ve met and visited with many fine men and women and stopped to talk with lots of total strangers during my 65 plus years on this earth.
I’m a believer that strangers don’t become friends unless you take an interest in them. When meeting people, some enjoy visiting or finding a connection, while others have no interest or time to talk. And that is OK! My Iowa family and I attended the Midwest Old Threshers Reunion, Aug. 27 – Sept. 1. When walking the grounds or strolling through the campground, I often look for folks to visit with. It might be a shirt or hat they are wearing that grabs my attention or I might be seated next to someone on a bench by an OT attraction or museum, train or trolley stop or about anywhere on the grounds. On Monday, I found myself talking with one of the train personal/volunteers with the Midwest Central Railroad. I enjoyed visiting with him for a short time. My dad was a master visitor. To him, no one was a stranger. He’d strike up a conversion with someone in a restaurant or at fishing hole. He had an uncanny ability of finding folks with connections to his growing up days in the sticks east of Tulsa. In June 1989, my dad and I took a trip from Tulsa to the Grand Canyon, traveling through Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Colorado and Kansas over a 11-day period. My dad loved to visit and back in the day, I was more keen on minding my own business. I learned a lot from my dad and what used to bother me is now part of my life every day. While at the OT Reunion, I stopped and visited with a number of attendees on the grounds and campgrounds. I met several from the State of Missouri, of which have a connection, and visited with one family in the campground from southern Arkansas. They told me it takes 11 hours pulling their camper to get home from Mount Pleasant. I saw a lady near the north village wearing a Lambert’s Café T-shirt. I said something to her about enjoying eating there and that I once traveled to Sikeston, Mo., to take photos at the restaurant for a story a fellow journalist was doing on the eatery. She wasn’t too interested in visiting more, so I moved on to someone else. And while out visiting garage sales in Mount Pleasant, I took time to pray with one woman at one of the sales. I bought some CDs and got ready to leave when I felt a nudge in my heart to pray for this woman. I asked God to bless her and heal her. And many times, my family has to wait for me to catch up when I stop to talk with someone. Knowing how much I like to visit and talk to compete strangers, our oldest nephew suggested I write a column about never meeting a man (or woman) I didn’t like. I thought that was a good idea. “I never met a man I didn’t like,” was a popular quote by Will Rogers, a humorist, vaudeville actor, movie star, newspaper columnist, social commentator and trick roper, from the 1920s and 30s. Born and raised in the Indian Territory, just outside of Oolagah, a small community northeast of Tulsa, Rogers was considered Oklahoma’s favorite son. He and his pilot, Wiley Post, were killed in a plane crash at Barrow, Alaska on Aug. 15, 1935. I’m quite familiar with Rogers as I attended Will Rogers High School in my hometown of Tulsa. Rogers is the third oldest high school in Tulsa, following behind Central and Webster. The first graduating class at the art deco masterpiece building located near Tulsa University was 1940. The school just celebrated its 85th birthday. Anyway, according to the internet, the quote was taken from a longer quote by Rogers. The full version is, “I joked about every prominent man in my lifetime, but I never met one I didn’t like.” I can say with confidence that I have more friends than enemies. I’ve learned of many newspaper stories and features through meeting total strangers. I’m confident that I have many more friends than foes in my life and for that, I’m most grateful. I stay connected with many through Facebook and social media. I challenge you to say hello or stop and strike up a conversation with a total stranger. It might end up being a blessing in your life. Have a great week and always remember that “Good Things are Happening,” every day. It’s good to be among friends, eating good food and talking and learning about God.
That was the case on Sunday, Aug. 24. I attended the joint church service of the Malcom and Sheridan United Methodist Churches followed with a picnic. The event was held at the Malcom City Park Shelter. It was a wonderful service of praise, worship, fellowship and children’s church. An offering was taken up using hats, one of which was Pastor Boyd Sparks Cowboy Hat. Pastor Sparks, 91, of Montezuma has been ministering at both churches for a number of years. He asked if anyone would like to make a song request. I raised my hand and said the photographer has a song. I suggested we sing, “What a Friend We Have in Jesus.” I mentioned that I grew up in the Southern Baptist Church and that song was one of my mom’s favorites. “I used to play it on the piano,” I told those gathered in the park. “I don’t think I can do that anymore.” Pastor Sparks found the song in the church hymnal and we all sang it together. After a short message on listening to God from Pastor Sparks, the gathering prayed and everyone stayed for a bite to eat The McDonald and McCammant families of Malcom and Brooklyn prepared and served the meal of barbecue pork and chicken sandwiches, baked beans, potato salad and homemade pie. Harold Wheeler of Montezuma arrived with a batch of his famous Wheeler ice cream and served it to all. Some topped off their piece of pie with the ice cream. I opted to enjoy a bowl full. Having grown up in the South, having an outdoor church service and picnic is about as downhome as one can get. I learned of the joint church service after seeing a flyer at the Montezuma State Bank earlier in the week. I gave Pastor Sparks a call and asked if I could attend and take some photos. He said that would be fine. When asked about the service, Pastor Sparks said he thought about having a cowboy church service, but opted instead to have a joint service and picnic. After the service and meal, I made the rounds and interviewed attendees from both churches. And to my surprise, I learned that three families representing four generations each were present. I took photos of each family and enjoyed visiting with them all. Small town churches are the fabric of many communities in Iowa and across the country. There are some who would brave a snowstorm to attend church and others who rarely attend, but still support and love their home church. For many, the home church is where they grew up, met their mate, got saved and baptized, got married and are now blessed to watch their children and grandchildren carry on the family traditions. As I rested on one of the picnic tables while tucking my camera in my worn backpack, a young boy who was at the service with his mother stopped and gave me a big hug. His sister then gave me a big hug. I appreciate the children sharing their love and friendship with a hug. It really touched me and showed me the importance of church in nurturing and raising families. It had been a busy weekend up to that point. I covered the Grinnell Show & Shine Car show on Saturday and then attended the Whitetail Banquet that evening. I struggled to get up Sunday morning, but I’m so thankful that I did. It’s hard to beat small town living with good people. I’m blessed with so many wonderful opportunities in life and thankful for it all. Have a great week and always remember that “Good Things are Happening,” every day. |
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