~a column by Colleen O’Brien I receive many texts and emails that have to do with ageing. Sometimes I read them. It is apparent the advertising world has my number; they know more about me than I do. The volume of cajoling hints on daily exercise, ordering wonder drugs, practicing gratitude and seeking help from Dr. Oz-like ageing men is…
Read MoreCategory: Opinion
View from my window: Avoiding the broad brush
Augst 9, 2026 Last week Congressional House Representative Zach Nunn visited Greene County. While here he toured a manufacturing site and viewed the renovated school that will soon house residents at the Jeffersonian. All good things. That evening, he was hosted along with other Republican public servants at the Courtyard. Constituents should interact with their government representatives. Again, all good.…
Read MoreSocial-ism
~by Colleen O’Brien Fear of socialism in the U.S. is widespread; most of that fear generates from capitalism-only individuals. They fire up fear of Democrats and other liberal folks for leaning toward socialism because they’re afraid the dreaded S is going to eat them up and spit out their million-billion-trillion-dollar gains. That sounds more like what capitalism does to the rest of…
Read MoreThe proof is in the pudding: A play
~by Colleen O’Brien Scene in a pub in Jefferson, Iowa, on a late summer day, 2026: Six townies lounge at the bar chatting, sipping, gazing into space. A lone woman sits at a table smiling dreamingly as she munches on French fried onion rings. The bartender chats with the old guy leaning against the wall at the end of the…
Read MoreView from my window – Corn back in the ‘old’ days
July 26, 2026 The corn in and around Greene County is showing its tassels. I used to have a quirky evil inward smile when I worked in the Lucas Building at the Capitol Complex. I smirked as I told my city slicker friends that “the corn was having sex at this time of the year.” The tassel is the male…
Read MoreIntentional living
~by Colleen O’Brien A longstanding piece of wisdom says that your eulogy isn’t written after you die; it is in fact written day by day as you live. This is a daunting pronouncement — who doesn’t live with at least a tad of regret or shame? But It’s a good guide for a life worth living. If one is responsible. this…
Read MoreView from my window: Aging or manipulation?
July 12, 2026 I may have had an epiphany this week or I may have used my age for exploiting two situations. I checked the dictionary; epiphany is defined as a sudden moment of insight or understanding. Manipulation is defined as influencing someone unfairly for your own benefit. Yes, I think it was an epiphany. I have not aged graciously.…
Read MoreTwo events on a Saturday
~by Colleen O’Brien The birds are singing wildly – it’s noon on a cloudless prairie day that’s heating up toward 90 degrees. I watch a nuthatch run down a 20-foot oak trunk as if something’s chasing him; a beige dove ducks under a limb, and a vain, unusually brilliantly red cardinal, the male of course, struts along a clothesline so…
Read MoreLetter to the editor: Summer travel with Mme Carlson
To the editor, As summer travel reaches its peak, a truly remarkable Greene County educator has just returned from leading yet another student trip to France. I want to take a moment to publicly recognize and thank Madame Carlson for her tireless dedication to opening the world to hundreds of students. I was fortunate enough to be one of those…
Read MoreAfter the Fourth
~by Colleen O’Brien The Fourth of July this year was perfect nostalgia – a late afternoon potluck in the country, friends and friendly people I’d not met before, interesting and fun conversations, happy children running around, fab food – a Chicago original chip dip of garlic and spinach, 20 pounds of smoked pork, mac and cheese [I think at least…
Read MoreP. Naylor – Invitation to meet Ag Sec candidate Chris Jones at the fair
Greene County knows the value of agriculture. Our farmers work hard, doing the best they can for their land and their communities while the industry demands that they produce more and more. Farmer stress is real as input prices rise but prices for the crops do not keep up. At the same time, water quality, especially nitrates in drinking water,…
Read MoreCapitol Roundup
~by State Senator Jesse Green We love holidays and celebrations. They are important because we are a forgetful people, and we need these events to help us remember timeless truths or milestones that have helped our lives. Our America 250 celebration is no different. This milestone has provided us with an opportunity to grow in our understanding of how our…
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