A holiday tradition, celebrated widely in its place of origin, returns to Czech Village in Cedar Rapids on Friday, Dec. 1. The eve of Svatý Mikuláš, known as St. Nicholas in the United States, typically takes place on Dec. 5 in places that observe the Czech tradition, but has been held the first Friday in […]
Locate an Iowa tree farm for a locally g...
Before Black Friday became a frenetic day for shopping, the day after Thanksgiving for many families meant a trip to the local tree farm. If your family still follows that holiday tradition, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship offers the following information to locate a locally grown Christmas tree: “Iowa is fortunate to […]
Change underway in Iowa’s Bohemian Alps
History abounds in the Tama area of east-central Iowa, situated along the original Lincoln Highway. U.S. Highway 30, part of which follows that historic route, is being widened to four lanes for about 12 miles from Tama through Benton County. Related: Landmarks along Lincoln Highway Trees have been cut on the north side of the […]
Eleven-year-old boy injured in hunting a...
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources reported today that an 11-year-old boy was injured while pheasant hunting in Jackson County. Iowa is not alone in allowing children to hunt when accompanied by an adult, though requirements vary from state to state, with some requiring an approved hunter education course and others, such as Maine, barring […]
What’s new at Nature’s Noel and the Old
CEDAR RAPIDS – Today’s chilly weather makes the holiday season seem close at hand, and with it, events that have become holiday traditions. Two of those are happening the first weekend in December. Nature’s Noel, at the Indian Creek Nature Center, 5300 Otis Rd. SE, is scheduled for 9 a.m. to noon Dec. 2. To […]
Photos: History on the auction block at ...
CEDAR RAPIDS – Successful bidders carried home pieces of history from an auction on Sunday, Nov. 5, at Ushers Ferry Historic Village. Ann Cejka, program coordinator for the city-owned site, said items on the auction block had not been on exhibit since 2008, when Ushers Ferry lost 16 of its buildings during the flood that […]
Iowa farmer: Corporate ag influence puts...
Organic dairy farmer Francis Thicke, of Fairfield, Iowa, who holds a PhD in soil science, attended his last meeting as a board member of the National Organic Standards Board this week in Jacksonville, Fla. The meeting brought with it a recommendation to allow hydroponic operators to remain a part of the organic program. Learn more from […]
Daylight Saving Time ends this weekend
It’s time for a change, at least for our clocks. Daylight Saving Time ends this weekend, which means we “gain” an hour of sleep overnight into Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017, but we “lose” an hour of daylight. The switch to Standard Time happens at 2 a.m. on the first Sunday in November. Be sure to […]
Making music at the market
By Cindy Hadish INDEPENDENCE, Iowa – Mark Armstrong missed the camaraderie he experienced as a farmers market vendor after ending his popular venture in cheesemaking with Acoustic Farms, a micro dairy in rural Springville. Armstrong has been able to keep strumming in those settings, though, even when his career path switched from dairy farming. He […]
Final photos: Last day of Salvation Army...
CEDAR RAPIDS – A longtime fixture in a historic district of downtown Cedar Rapids has come to a close. The Salvation Army Thrift Store, 717 Third Ave. SE, ended its 35-year run on Oct. 25, 2017. Acting store manager Sarah Celichowski said employees will transfer to the Salvation Army store that opened in April 2016 […]