By CHUCK OFFENBURGER COOPER, Iowa, Jan. 22, 2019 — I followed last Friday’s inauguration of Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds and Lt. Gov. Adam Gregg fairly closely, even though I stayed here at the farmhouse as ice, snow and bitter cold blew through west central Iowa. So, thanks to you in the media for all the…
By CHUCK OFFENBURGER COOPER, Iowa, Jan. 2, 2019 – There are 70 million Catholics in the U.S. – I’m one of them – and nearly all of us are trying to make our own peace with the horrendous clergy sexual abuse scandal that is threatening the future of our church, not only in this country…
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, Dec. 30, 2018 — I write this column from our farmhouse living room, where I’m also admiring the most perfect Christmas tree. Seriously, the best one ever. It has ornaments that tell my whole life story – going clear back to my childhood and through the years of the best…