Last year, I had a blast at the Wilber Czech Days in Nebraska, so I was disappointed to have to miss the festival this past weekend. Still, it wasn’t long before another opportunity for “Czechtivity” came along, as I like to call Czech activities in our area. The Czech Heritage Foundation‘s annual picnic was held […]
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Tag: Iowa
World’s largest tenderloin, giant Gunder
UPDATE (July 31, 2019) The Irish Shanti in Gunder stopped service as of earlier this summer and the business is being sold. Nathan Trappe of Allen Real Estate Company said a local group had been interested in reopening the restaurant, but that proposal didn’t come to fruition. For a private showing or more information, call […]
Photos: Proud mama lets her butterfly ch...
Like any proud new mom, I took lots of photos, but time with my “baby” was fleeting. See the black swallowtail in chrysalis stage. I was told that butterflies generally emerge from their chrysalis in the morning, so once I had found a swallowtail caterpillar and brought it, in chrysalis stage, onto my back porch, […]
Watch for Naked Ladies begins in Iowa
If you haven’t seen them already, be on the lookout in the next several days for Naked Ladies, also known as surprise lilies. They’re a bit ahead of last year in our neck of the woods in Cedar Rapids, but generally make their annual appearance in late July or early August. The “surprise” comes, as […]
Battle of the cats: differences between ...
After successfully growing just one milkweed plant in my backyard last year, I was excited to have dozens dotting the yard this summer. But sadly, the plants remain pristine, with no sign of the munching monarch caterpillars that use milkweed as its sole food source, and the reason I wanted the plants to thrive. See […]
Iowa gives axe to Forestry Bureau; tree ...
Tree advocates in Iowa are calling for action after the Iowa Department of Natural Resources decided to cut its Forestry Bureau. The groups point out that the decision will not only potentially hurt Iowa’s woodlands and small business owners, but the state’s air and water quality, pollinator habitat and more. Read on for the statement from […]
Good Neighbor Iowa points to high cost o...
By Cindy Hadish/for Radish Magazine The “perfect” lawn, free of weeds and thick with grass, grows with hidden costs. Scientific studies show that pesticides – those weed killers, insecticides and fungicides applied to many lawns – are linked to a variety of chronic illnesses, neurodevelopmental and behavioral disorders and childhood cancers, such as leukemia. Additionally, […]
Scenic Byway offers glimpse into life of...
(Editor’s note: Check with the establishments on updated hours/closures when planning your trip.) By Eden Ehm Stretching across east-central Iowa, the Grant Wood Scenic Byway (GWSB) is named for the region’s ties to Grant Wood and art culture. The byway corridor is where Grant Wood grew up, went to school, led his Art Colony, gathered […]
Return of the Japanese beetles and how t...
It’s like clockwork: my raspberries finally ripen and the Japanese beetles return. The beetles are known to devour hundreds of varieties of plants, turning leaves into skeletal “lace,” and raspberries – including the actual berries – appear to be among their favorites. Related: Japanese beetle watch begins I’ve tried picking the beetles off individually and […]
Mountain lion killed in Iowa
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources reported that a mountain lion was killed today in western Iowa. Similar to black bears, mountain lions have no legal protected status in Iowa. Related: Mountain lion killed near home where children play Read more from the Iowa DNR about today’s mountain lion killing: Today, officers with the Iowa […]