By CHUCK OFFENBURGER COOPER, Iowa, Oct. 18, 2014 – Over the years, when the well-known Des Moines-area meteorologist Charlie Notis has mentioned what the first 10 years of his childhood were like, it’s been a shock to his friends. “When I first met my wife Elaine when we were in grad school at Iowa State,…
By CHUCK OFFENBURGER NASHVILLE, Tenn., Nov. 25, 2014 — I was in fast company one weekend this fall here at my alma mater, Vanderbilt University. I was inducted into the Hall of Fame that has been established by Vanderbilt Student Media to take note of professional work by alumni in the ever-changing field of mass communications.…
By CARLA OFFENBURGER COOPER, Iowa, Nov. 26, 2014 — I am well on my way to surpassing my 52 books a year goal – with 50 already done. Wow! And I know I’ve got some on my immediate reading list that will help me, dare I say it, reach 60 books for 2014. I think…
By CHUCK OFFENBURGER JEFFERSON, Iowa, Nov. 24, 2014 — I’ve always said the best thing about my career is that it has let me meet and come to know many of the most notable Iowans of our time. But one that I’ve missed is Sarah Grant, who is probably the most famous and successful artist working in…
By CHUCK OFFENBURGER JACKSON JUNCTION, Iowa, Nov. 27, 2014 — It was 35 Thanksgivings ago when I joined with the senior class of Turkey Valley High School here in northeast Iowa to honor one of their own as “Turkey of the Year.” Now here we are, six presidents and four governors later (if we count the one governor twice), and the…