Signs - Stanton, Iowa

Välkommen till Stanton Sign (Stanton, Iowa), a photo by courthouselover on Flickr.

For the curious, Stanton is known as the "little white city" for the prevelence of white wood frame houses that make up most of the town's residences. So move along all you neo-nazis! Don't event stop for a sip of coffee from the world's largest coffee pot (that's in Stanton also)

McCaughey Septuplets

For anyone who might have been following my exploration of the awesomeness of Iowa I do apologize for my extended hiatus.  You see 20 months ago I became a Daddy to an amazing little girl Avery Arabella.  And while life certainly went on after her birth and continues to pass day by day today, the amount of time I devoted to extracurricular activities shrank considerably.  I've come to believe that is the way it should be, those parents more focused on their own endeavors instead of hanging on every new sound, move, and mannerism of their little one are missing out one of if not the most magical things in life, the exploration and maturation of life itself. 

All that said, my advocacy for Iowa is not finished.  Rest assured I have rocked little Avery to bed many nights with fantastical tales of the wonders of the land between the Mississippi and Missouri.  From our vantage point looking East over the Cascades this little one has probably learned more about the 29th state than most Iowa based high schools do themselves. Surely that will serve her well when she can actually start to talk. 

So...as I attempt to get back at it, it is only fitting that I dedicate this post to the McCaughey Septuplets, or more explicitly to their parents Kenny and Bobbi.  Here I am telling the tale of the loss of my personal time, to attempt to imagine how the instant presence of 7 little ones would impact a family is simply impossible to fathom.  We breed them well in Iowa, and sometimes we breed them often. 

"Nomade" by Jaume Plensa

Gifted to the Des Moines Art Center by John and Mary Pappajohn, these 4 photos speak louder than words. 

Sign in Guttenburg

#14 Sign, a photo by wee3beasties on Flickr.

Someone had fun poking around the atlas to determine which towns to place on this sign. I have always loved signs like this with mileage to disparate locales listed, this is one of the best I have seen.

Three Flickr Photos - TumblingRun

It is not secret that I generally rely on photos uploaded by some amazing photographers to highlight Iowa's awesomeness on my blog. Many of these are found on Flickr, my favorite photo sharing site. It just goes to prove that there is an artist lurking in each of us and beauty all around waiting to be chronicled. You will find a list of some of my favorite photographers with an Iowan orientation in the sidebar of the blog. I try to do my best to give credit where credit is due and thank these artists for sharing their creations with the world. 

Below are 3 photos from a recent discovery. TumblingRun lives in Cherokee, Iowa and is a retired railroad conductor. He also takes amazing photos of the Iowa countryside. Personally I find trains very romantic and evocative of a more artistic age, so it comes as no surprise to me that a railman would be so in tuned with the open spaces and nooks and crannies of rural America. I am sure these are not the first of his photos I will post.  Enjoy!!

Emily Nemmers (AKA West)

From Wikipedia: West, the youngest of four children, was born in Waterloo, Iowa. She moved to Nashville, Tennessee in 2000 following her graduation from Waterloo West High School in hopes of achieving her goals of becoming a country music singer.

Made in Iowa - Cookies BBQ Sauce - Wall Lake

I am fond of reading the back of labels to see where a product is manufactured.  My wife calls it a sickness and understandably is often frustrated when shopping with me.  This behavior is rooted in my career in the freight industry, as everything ultimately must travel from point A (origin) to point B (market).  Moreover I never cease to be amazed by the variety of businesses out there, often domiciled in the most unlikely of locales.

I would like to incorporate a Made in Iowa feature to this blog.  Both to highlight some great creations and entrepreneurs in the state and to have a way to generate a few funds through affiliate links. I personally do not think there is any substitute for procuring something in person in a well stocked shop with creative displays and knowledgeable clerks, still some products are not available where my readers reside and if I can point someone in Idaho to some great BBQ sauce from Iowa and make a couple pennies in the process I am all for it.

Storms

iowa storm, a photo by Deaf Dogs on Flickr.

Every year hundreds of Iowan's suffer at the hands of spring and summer storms, so there is a bit of hesitation in my hands when I write how much I miss the storms of the midwest. Sure we have clouds here in the PNW, lots of them, daily it seems at times, but nothing like those that approach ominously back in IA. I remember fondly the times when I could literally see a wall of rain approaching, and the crackle of lighted skies. And the clouds, what clouds, what imaginative imaginings have been sparked by such clouds. So with an understanding that many lives have been adversely affected by such storms, I celebrate them at the same time.

Smokey Row Coffee & Tulips

Love this pic from @smokeyrow twitter feed.  Speaking of Smokey Row where did they come from, I thought I knew about all of the great coffee joints in the greater DSM area!  Granted I live 2000 miles away so can be forgiven, but still...in any case I now have another place to check out when I head home. I love the look of their interiors with the exposed brick!  Back to the photo, tulips and coffee, great combination, if still in bloom I'd strongly consider heading towards Pella to get your fix of both.

Moses Bloom - First Jewish Mayor

For some reason I was surprised to learn that the first Jewish mayor of a major city in the United States was Moses Bloom who led Iowa City from 1873-1877.  It never ceases to amaze me just how many progressive milestones were achieved or supported by Iowans.

Historic Park Inn, Mason City IA - Frank Lloyd Wright Hotel

historic park inn, Mason City IA, a photo by paisley w on Flickr.

The next time you find yourself road-weary near Mason City, IA you should consider bedding down in the Historic Park Inn Hotel downtown on West State Street. The last Frank Lloyd Wright hotel standing it is also ranked the top Iowa hotel on Tripadvisor.

Sock Monkeys

Raise your hand if you have ever been the proud owner of a Sock Monkey. First made out of red-toed socks during the Great Depression these cuddly creatures can be found in kids rooms around the world.  Red-toed socks were originally a product of the Nelson Knitting Company across the river in Rockford, Illinois.  In 1992 Nelson was purchased by Fox River Mills in Osage, IA.  Already an iconic brand of Made in USA knits, Fox River now can be considered the breeding ground of these lovable stuffed primates.

Iowa Among Tops in Usage of Renewable Energies

According to this article.  Iowa is 3rd in the nation when it comes to percentage of power from renewable sources. Something all Iowa fans should be very proud of. 

Notre Dame via Gladbrook

I've been to Notre Dame in Paris 4 times but have yet to make it to Gladbrook, Iowa.  Good to know that if I don't have adequate funds to satisfy my next hunchback craving I can head back to IA for the next best thing. The cathedral made from match-sticks.  Stunning.  Check out the artists website here.

Fat Annies Augusta Tap in Augusta Iowa

Fat Annies Augusta Tap in Augusta Iowa, a photo by Tyrgyzistan on Flickr.

The only thing that makes this joint more appealing than it's name is the fact that Augusta is located on the banks of the Skunk River. Got to get me there.

Memorable Dates at Climbing Hill High School

Loyal we’ll ever be Climbing Hill High School

We’ll praise and honor thee:

Alma Mater dear, rah rah rah

May glory and praise be yours where ever you may go

We’ll love you, yes we’ll cheer you C-Hill High

Rah Rah Rah

1937                            First Carnival

1954                                                        Girls were banned from wearing jeans.

1945                            First refrigerator was installed.

1948                            Second refrigerator was bought. Kindergarten and First grade were dismissed to watch the first refrigerator installed.

1940                                                        Hot lunches consisting of one dish were started with each child bringing his own dish and taking it home each night to wash.

????                             We hear the janitor even helped the students to hide the geometry teacher’s guide. Shame on George Rosenberg – what things they did back in 1919.

Smarty                         Ruth Goodrich Spangler Lyle graduated from High School with only 3 yrs. and taking 12^th grade first. How about that!

1946                                                        Don McClaran started driving the school bus.

1947                                                        Who put the Model T Ford on the teeter-totter and balanced it perfectly?

????                             Remember the “Hillbilly Breeze” school paper?

1945                                                        Largest class to graduate with 20 in number.

1945                                     First band uniforms were worn.

1957                                                        Girls and boys are not to eat lunch together. Bad influence on the young grades at school.

1940                                                        Vera Spangler was the first of a second generation to graduate.

Note:                           Records show many served their country in the armed forces, but only four were killed in action.

1955                                                        Monte Brinker and Phylis Lohse were the first Mr. and Miss C-Hill to be crowned.

1948                                                        Who ever heard of a Home Ec. Class being so mean to a coach to put EXLAX in some cookies – and of all times, he was going to ride his motorcycle to Fort Dodge that night. Standard stations were busy that night?        

1954                                                        Everyone got to watch the inaugural address on Pete Krueger’s TV.

1931                                                        Basketball was moved to the larger room over the Mill’s Store, now known as Don’s Grocery. Wasn’t it heaven from that cracker box we had? Even when you hit the ceiling and pipes you were out of bounds.

1955                            Gloria Cassen Hink was given a dollar for helping change the name of the school paper. It was called the “Zepher”

Shocking:                    Someone rolled their long black stockings below the knee before going out on the floor to play basketball. Hear you didn’t have any team mates until you rolled them back. How immodest can you get?

1953-54                                              Soil Conservation Studies started for 7^th and 8^th grades under the supervision of Leo Ronfeldt.

Adventureland USA

Adventureland USA Sunset - HDR, a photo by Express Monorail on Flickr.

Ah Adventureland, land of Adventure, where I would visit at least 3 times yearly growing up hoping with each visit that I would be tall enough to finally ride the big boy roller coasters. That day came, then it was always about scouting out the cutest group of girls from other small Iowa towns. I don't remember the sky's being so psychedelic. Of course this is HDR, but you never know these days with the Iowa storms that can come blowing through. Imagine cresting the top of the Tornado with this horizon in the distance? (Is the Tornado still standing? )

Anne-Marie Howard - Reporter Extraordinaire

As a student in HS and University I appeared in 3 plays and each time I was cast as a constable or keystone cop. Needless to say my acting career never took off but if it had I might have enjoyed many years of playing the good guy.  I would not have been the first Iowan to be type-cast. Davenport native Anne-Marie Howard makes such a great newscaster that she seems to be cast as one quite often. A little digging with reveal spokeswoman and theatrical roles as well, this video highlights only her "newsworthy" roles.

Pheasant

Male Pheasant, a photo by keeva999 on Flickr.

I am not a hunter but I am an eater, so I know my birds have to come from somewhere. Pheasant is very tasty and while I am uncertain if restaurant pheasants are wild or raised I am told some of the best hunting grounds for these lovely birds is in Iowa. Looks like this one got away long enough to pose for a great pic.

Lego Art In Ames

From Des Moines Register