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Volunteers make it happen

For a few hours Saturday night, Fort Dodge was the heart of rock and roll for Iowa. Some 5,700 people gathered at Harlan and Hazel Rogers Sports Complex to hear Bret Michaels, Molly Hatchet and Lone Tree Revival. It was show full of energy and showmanship. The always enthusiastic Michaels made good use of kind of catwalk extending from the stage to get close to the fans, and the crowd seemed the energize him and the other performers. Jim Reed, the president of Shellabration, the local group that organizes the concerts, said he can’t recall a previous show in which there was such a ...

At long last, America’s heroes of World War II — the Army Rangers — will receive the honor they deserve

It was more than 80 years ago when a young man, still a student at East High School in Des Moines and a member of the Class of 1940, enlisted in the Iowa National Guard. It was the beginning of a 26-year military career that would span three wars and include the participation in some of the most consequential battles in modern history. His name was Lester M. Cook. He was a member of our nation’s Greatest Generation, but he was also a member of an exclusive rank of extraordinary individuals who played an indispensable role in America’s victory in World War II: the “Original Darby ...

Early Fort Dodgers to have their stories told

The 40 acres of Oakland Cemetery are the final resting places for generations of Fort Dodge residents dating back to the mid 1800s. The cemetery was laid out in 1859, just about six years after the city was founded. The city’s founder, William Williams, is one of those buried there. There’s an old saying that dead men – and women – tell no tales. But what if they could? Those now buried at Oakland Cemetery represent nearly the whole history of the community. Imagine what they could tell us. Obviously, it is impossible for them to tell us anything. But with thorough historical ...

Raminator was a force for good in Fort Dodge

When it rolls into town, the souped-up truck known as the Raminator makes quite an appearance. It stands at least 10 feet high atop tires that are only slightly smaller than a compact car and it has a loud engine capable of generating 2,000 horsepower. With statistics like that, it is no surprise that this mechanical monster can reduce other vehicles to scrap metal during a car crushing show. What is less obvious is that with the guidance of a community-minded, family-owned car dealership, the Raminator can be a force for good. That is exactly what happened this past ...

World Pork Expo is worth a look

The 2022 incarnation of the World Pork Expo will begin today and continue through Friday at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines. This annual event brings together pork producers, exhibitors and visitors not just from across Iowa, but also from throughout the nation. More than 20,000 people are expected to attend. Visitors from 50 nations have come to the Expo in the past, giving it a truly international following. Educational and marketing programs, such as business seminars and Pork Academy, will appeal to many of those who attend this important pork industry event. For others, ...

Monuments provide lasting honor

As people attending the recent Memorial Day observance at Veterans Memorial Park stepped off the buses they could hardly miss seeing the two newest additions to the site. Standing right next to the parking lot are two new monuments. One honors all those who served in the Korean War. The other honors all those who received the Purple Heart, which is awarded to American service members killed or wounded in action. The Korean War monument features images of the American and South Korean flags and the Korean peninsula. The dates of the fighting – June 25, 1950 to July 27, 1953 – are ...