Helgerson made big impact on Beacon

January 21, 2020

To the editor: Today there was a wonderful article about the Beacon. I was disappointed that the name Rob Helgerson didn’t appear. On March 13, 2013, I received a phone call from Rob asking to rent an apartment I had available. After showing him the apartment, he asked if he could move in immediately. He told me he was living at the Beacon and felt he was ready to move into the world again. Rod stated from the beginning that he had Agent Orange and he was going to receive a lot of money — over $200,000 when the lawsuit by Agent Orange recipients came through. He talked of what he ...

Says fireman comforted her

January 16, 2020

I went to Hy-Vee on Jan 10, picked up a few things and left to the parking lot pushing a cart a about 2:35 p.m. I was walking down the car lane over on the pharmacy side when out of no where a white new truck backed up within inches of me. Hit the cart and it took it out of my hands. I jumped back in time but still feeling the effects from sudden movements. The truck, of course, didn’t stop. I was so worried about getting out of the way didn’t even look for license. There was a Vincent fireman walking behind me who saw it. He immediately asked me if I was OK. I thought I was and ...

Thanks sponsors for grocery giveaway

January 1, 2020

To the editor: The FD Evening Lions Club wish to thank all of our sponsors, friends, family and all who purchased tickets for our grocery giveaway. Our sincere thanks goes out to the participating stores, Walmart, Hy-Vee and Fareway for their donations and welcome to sell tickets in their stores. We drew six names to win $200 in gift cards: Rob Gunderson, Jerry Ehn, Mel Verschoor, Crystal Frank, Terri Benson and Jodi Presswood. We are very pleased with the results of the giveaway and wish all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We help out several individuals and organizations ...

Says Republicans need to consider their values

December 29, 2019

To the editor: What happened to the Iowa Republican party? Republicans have always been the party to adamantly proclaim their support for the Constitution and the editorial last week didn’t even mention the two articles for which the president was impeached. Aren’t Iowans more informed and intelligent than to become an ignorant follower of the Trump rhetoric? The brave people that testified for impeachment are vetted, intelligent, and are attempting to protect our country along with our diplomatic leadership throughout the world. This president has attempted to block testimonies ...

Webster County Museum needs a home

December 27, 2019

To the editor: The Webster County Museum has many beautiful displays. If they don’t find a permanent home soon, it would be a shame that everything could be ruined. They are trying to get pledges (not actual money or checks) for a total of $500,000 to bid on the McGregors building. If you would like to make a pledge, please send amount of pledge to Webster County Museum, including your name, address, phone number, to 515 School St., Otho, IA 50569. Most of the students in Fort Dodge have not seen the museum because Otho is too far for a field trip. I don’t know about the students ...

Local historian: Expo Park name should remain

December 22, 2019

To the editor: Our City Council is once again assaulting Fort Dodge’s proud heritage in an effort to destroy the memory of one of our town’s most iconic institutions. Exposition Park was home to the Hawkeye Fair, which for more than a decade rivaled the Iowa State Fair in stature and attendance. Expo Park exhibited an incredible array of entertainment venues enjoyed by people from Iowa and the entire Midwest: a grandstand capacity of at least 7,000 horse/harness racing, cabins, campground, several show barns, a large Ferris wheel, roller coaster, and more. It was at the heart of ...