CHURDAN, Iowa, Dec. 3, 2018 — What a fine late-afternoon of music on Sunday, Dec. 2, at historic St. Patrick’s-Cedar Oratory in the northwest corner of our Greene County. The All Strings Attached Orchestra & Choir from neighboring Carroll presented its annual Christmas Cantata, this year titled “Sing Joy To All The World,” arranged by Lloyd…
By CHUCK OFFENBURGER COON RAPIDS, Iowa, Nov. 13, 2018 — The lights are burning late at night this week at the “River House” in the wild, wooded and wondrous Whiterock Conservancy southeast of this western Iowa town. Zack Jones, artist-in-residence the past three weeks, is getting ready for a show this Saturday when he’ll share…
By CARLA OFFENBURGER COOPER, Iowa, Nov. 7, 2018 — Why is cancer so devastating, over and over again? My friend Faith Ferre died a few weeks ago and I’m just able to start talking about it. In June of this year, Faith was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer that had metastasized to her spinal…
Douglas T. Bates III, great friend of Chuck Offenburger since their college years, was asked to preach the sermon on Sunday, Oct. 21, at the United Methodist Church in the middle Tennessee town where he was born, raised and now lives in semi-retirement. He’s not a member of the Methodist Church anymore, or any church,…
By CHUCK OFFENBURGER JEFFERSON, Iowa, Dec. 3, 2018 — We lost one of our longtime leaders of business and community here last week when Dean McAtee died at 86. He became a wealthy man by building McAtee Tire, Inc., into a company that at one time had dealerships in Jefferson as well as eight other…
By CHUCK OFFENBURGER CARROLL, Iowa, Oct. 4, 2018 – In a town so Catholic that the local radio station still broadcasts the rosary every afternoon, I just went to the most gut-wrenching, emotional and sad church meeting I’ve ever attended. On Wednesday evening, Bishop Walker Nickless, spiritual leader of perhaps 100,000 Catholics in the Catholic…
By CHUCK OFFENBURGER COOPER, Iowa, Oct. 2, 2018 – After traveling to Cuba 18 months ago, then studying and thinking about it, I’m kicking myself that I didn’t get involved earlier in my life in the beautiful island nation that is one of the most interesting places on Earth. But I’m happy and proud to…
By CHUCK OFFENBURGER COOPER, Iowa, Oct. 15, 2018 – The truth is that Fred Hubbell should have run for governor of Iowa a dozen years ago, or maybe in 2010 or 2014. But thank goodness he’s running now, right when Iowa really needs him. This state needs a reboot. And Hubbell – one of our…
By CHUCK OFFENBURGER COOPER, Iowa, Oct. 15, 2018 — Let me share one happy observation about the full field of candidates here in Iowa as we approach the Nov. 6 general election. I don’t think I can ever recall a time when I felt like there were more good, qualified people running for all positions…
By CARLA OFFENBURGER COOPER, Iowa, Sept. 21, 2018 – You might say I’ve bought new dancing shoes for my continuing cancer dance, and they’ve turned out to be pretty comfortable, all things considered. For the most part, the DJ has been playing some pretty good tunes, as well. And it’s been a beautiful September. I’ve…
