~a column by Colleen O’Brien Lab Girl by Hope Jahren Any story that opens with “There is nothing more perfect than a slide rule” is either going to have you closing the book on a yawn or, like me, forcing you to read on because of the idiocy of the statement.
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Tree Tracings
~by Valerie Ogren for the Greene County Genealogical Society Meeting notice: The Greene County Genealogical Society will meet Saturday, June 4, at 10 am in the basement meeting room of the Jefferson public library. Elaine Deluhery will tell about her “First Ancestor in Iowa”.
Read More“…the education of the whole people…”
~a column by Colleen O’Brien “The whole people must take upon themselves the education of the whole people, and must be willing to bear the expense of it.” John Adams said this a couple of centuries ago.
Read MoreQ & A: Memorial Day
~with U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley “I encourage all Iowans to take a moment of gratitude at 3 pm local time on this Memorial Day. It is a day of solemn reflection for those who have died serving their country in uniform.” –Senator Chuck Grassley Q: Why is Memorial Day a federal holiday? A: This holiday observes the ultimate sacrifice of…
Read More“Where to Invade Next”
~a column by Colleen O’Brien Filmmaker-documentarian-activist Michael Moore has released another thought-provoking movie. In “Where to Invade Next” he tells his audience that in order to bring back things we in the U.S. need, he will intrude in countries populated mostly by Caucasians with names he can pronounce.
Read MoreLetter to the editor – Kathy Hankel
To the editor, I am amazed, thrilled, delighted and, yes, astounded even that the sculptures chosen to be displayed on our courthouse grounds are such top quality, so attractive and interesting. They give those of us that live here more to be proud of. They elevate our town to the creative spirit in all of us. I am no valued…
Read MoreQ & A: Older Americans Month
~with U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley Q: What is Older Americans Month? A: For the last half-century, the month of May is dedicated to recognize the contributions and concerns of this growing demographic in American society. The population of those age 65 or older represent about one in every seven Americans. What’s even more remarkable is the number of persons who…
Read MoreThe Courthouse in Jefferson
Editor’s note – Columnist Colleen O’Brien this week salutes the Greene County courthouse with a reflection on the lives and business of those who have visited the courthouse, “a cornucopia of justice,” over the past nearly-100 years. She leaves no dust mote unattended, and even muses on what the central vacuum system may have collected. Click here to read Colleen O’Brien’s…
Read MorePaying for college
~by U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley It’s graduation season and all eyes are on the Class of 2016. Armed with diplomas, freshly minted graduates are set to make their way in the world.
Read MoreWho’s smarter – the octopus or you?
~a column by ColleenO’Brien Octopuses, not octopi, is now considered the correct plural among the octopus intelligentsia of scientific-land. Octopi as the plural has been discarded sometime in the recent past because someone disliked a Latin ending on a Greek word. Who would have thought to correct a dictionary full of octopi and cacti? (alumni? Saying alumnuses is cumbersome.)
Read MoreQ & A: Mental Health Awareness Month
~with U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley Q: What’s the purpose of Mental Health Awareness Month? A: For 365 days a year, mental health advocates, public policymakers, medical researchers and health care professionals work collectively to support mental health and to bring what is oftentimes an invisible health issue out of the shadows and into the daylight. During Mental Health Awareness month,…
Read MoreTree Tracings
~by Valerie Ogren for the Greene County Genealogical Society Meeting notice: The Greene County Genealogical Society will meet Saturday, May 7, at 10 am in the basement meeting room of the Jefferson public library. Shirley Clark will tell us about the Franklin family. Dr Franklin was a relative of her husband’s mother. Come and join us. Genealogy is sharing. Guests are always welcome. The reference library will be…
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