November 1, 2010 An odd thing happened on the way to making this month’s Parting Shot. All I could find for quotes on November were less than cheerful. Back in 1837 L. E. more »»

November 1, 2010 There was a woman named Mabel at the care facility where I worked during high school and college. Mabel was friendly and outgoing and usually had a smile on her fac. more »»

September 7, 2010 How many jobs have you had? My first “real” job (not counting babysitting) was working at a walk-up Dairy Queen in the neighborhood where I grew up. more »»

August 3, 2010 One of the things I enjoy at a county or state fair is perusing the area with all the information vendors. To me, the fun is in discovering something new or novel. more »»

June 25, 2010 With the month of July comes Independence Day and many people turn their thoughts towards the freedoms we enjoy as Americans. more »»

June 1, 2010 I loved being outside when I was a kid. There were, at one time, a baker’s dozen of kids on the block I grew up on, all within five to seven years of each other. more »»

May 4, 2010 There are many things to celebrate in the month of May, not the least of which is the return of warmer weather, green grass and leaves and flowers. more »»

March 26, 2010 As I write the skies are blue, the temperature is approaching 60*F and the birds are singing outside my window. The forecast for tomorrow is calling for rain and snow. more »»

November 30, 2009 For many readers, this December issue may be the first time you’ve seen or read a copy of Fort Dodge Today magazin. more »»

December 25, 2009 January affords us the opportunity to look in two directions simultaneously. more »»

January 29, 2010 Warm woolen mittens. A good book. Lemon biscotti. A hot cup of tea. Hand knit socks. These are a few of my favorite things. more »»

March 1, 2010 For many people this has been a wearisome winter. One snow or ice event departs the area, only to have another arrive within days. Snow piles and drifts are as high as we’ve seen them in years. more »»

March 26, 2010 Eliot, Hemingway, Poe, Emerson, Tolstoy and Thoreau are alive in R.J. Musselman’s English class. more »»