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Century Farms celebrate history

It’s more than 180 years since land that is now the state of Iowa was opened for settlers. The America of the 21st century is far different from the nation presided over by President Andrew Jackson in 1833. There is, however, one constant feature for Iowans — agriculture is at the very heart of economic life in the Hawkeye State. Consequently, it was a fitting celebration of agriculture and the generations of Iowans who have farmed here that in 1976, as part of the nation’s Bicentennial Celebration, the Century Farms Program was established. The Iowa Department of Agriculture and ...

Be sure to attend your county fair

Times change. Even so there are a few constants in life. One is the pleasure provided by the county fairs that continue to be a highlight of summer in Iowa. For as far back as anyone who now lives in this part of the state can remember, these summer festivals have been much-anticipated and much-enjoyed features of summertime. The fairs, of course, have changed over the decades. One central theme, however, remains much the same — a celebration of farm life and the assorted positive educational and personal-growth pursuits that are treasured features of life in rural and small-town ...

Effort is needed to address abandoned buildings, homelessness

When a June 24 fire sent flames blasting out some third floor windows on the south side of the old Fair Oaks Middle School, it caught the attention of anyone going by on nearby Fifth Avenue South. It should have caught the attention of everyone else in the community also. The fire was bad, gutting an estimated 3,000 square feet of a building that sustained a serious fire on Memorial Day. But beyond the immediate fire damage, the blaze was emblematic of some bigger issues in the community that need to be addressed. One of those problems is the presence of vacant buildings and the ...

It’s a day to celebrate America

Whether you spend this Fourth of July picnicking, enjoying a parade, attending a community celebration, watching a fireworks display or just plain loafing, there should be at least a brief time to pause and reflect on this country’s enduring experiment in constitutional democracy. And that reflection should prompt everyone to realize how lucky they are to be living in the United States of America. Certainly on this anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, Americans are troubled by anxiety over pressing problems at home and abroad. Our relations with Russia and China are ...

Enjoy Fourth of July fireworks safely

When Americans enjoy fireworks on every Fourth of July, they have John Adams to thank for the colorful displays. Adams, one of the Founding Fathers who became the country’s second president, wrote to his wife, Abigail, when the Declaration of Independence was approved in July 1776 in Philadelphia. “It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other from this time forward forever more,” Adams wrote. His reference to “illuminations” is traditionally interpreted as ...

Help celebrate Hometown Pride

In every town there are special people who contribute to the success of the community through the giving things they do. These folks — whose selfless contributions make life better for others in their hometowns — sometimes go unacknowledged. That’s unfortunate because many of the people who work without much fanfare to enhance the lives of others truly are accomplishing exceptional results. Similarly, there are organizations that have that same type of impact. That’s one of the reasons that each year The Messenger publishes a magazine supplement called Hometown Pride. The goal ...