By CHUCK OFFENBURGER HAVANA, Cuba, May 2, 2017 — For some, the most important figure in the history of Cuba is Jose Marti, the writer and philosopher who inspired the fight for independence from Spain in the late 19th century. Others would pick the Castro brothers — the late Fidel and today’s President Raul — who…
By CHUCK OFFENBURGER COOPER, Iowa, March 17, 2017 – The University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls simply must find a prominent spot on campus – near the business school or library would be particularly appropriate – and create a landscaped “Waller Plaza” with a life-sized or bigger bronze statue of Robert James Waller. The…
By CARLA OFFENBURGER COOPER, Iowa, June 7, 2017 — I have passed the 55-day mark with oral chemotherapy for my adenoid cystic carcinoma cancer. The daily routine seems almost normal now. At 6:30 a.m., I take four very small pills for a total of two milligrams. Then Chuck and I head out for a walk…
By CHUCK OFFENBURGER HAVANA, Cuba, April 15, 2017 – So here came a dozen of us, representing Plymouth United Church of Christ in Des Moines, all of us on our first trip ever to Cuba, visiting Plymouth’s “sister church” Ebenezer Baptist in Havana. I’d read, heard and seen enough about what Cuba is like nowadays…
IDA GROVE, Iowa, May 1, 2017 — Photographer Don Poggensee says he loves the arrival of spring “with new birds passing thru,” like the northern flicker pictured here in the crabapple blossoms. Actually he was saying that he loves everything about “the change of season from winter into spring,” as he wrote from his home here…