Destination: Osage

June 9, I traveled about an hour to visit a little village called Osage.  North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC) has kicked off a program for people to visit various communities around North Central Iowa.  They began with Osage. With a population of just over 3,600 Osage was originally founded in 1854 and called Cora…

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Fly In To Fly Over Country

Have you been to the Midwest for vacation? Most of the people who live in the Midwest have.  It’s a well kept secret.  This IS the place to be.  We want to let the secret out.  In May, National Geographic sent a blogger to travel the United States and blog about what he saw.  Aric…

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Adopt the Music

The Friends of the Hampton Public Library would like to host a special fund raising campaign to keep the music program Freegal, which stands for free and legal music, available for library patrons of all ages again this year.  Music is something commonly provided by libraries for their patrons in the CD format.  But with…

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American Legion Breakfast

A month ago I bought two $5 tickets to the American Legion Omelet breakfast today. Today I was up early so I called my girlfriend Keri and asked if she wanted to go. We went the American Legion Hall and these guys were ready for us!  It was an omelet bar with eggs (of course),…

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Right Here at Home

I have a great job.  I get to tell stories, share them all over town and on the internet. Every once and awhile I get to share the stories with kids. Last Friday there were 55 Girl Scouts from Sheffield Iowa who came out to Maysville School and the Old Stone House to hear our…

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Invisible Children in Hampton Iowa

Cornerstone Cottage Kids is a local business in Hampton, Iowa.  They cater to parents of children and provide toys, books, clothing and all with an educational bent and a lot of fun.  This weekend they were very serious.  We are honored to have this guest post.  Kony 2012 Hampton Iowa Memorial Day Weekend Action Joseph…

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Students, smarter than the average bear

Today I had a Skype conversation with a group of students at Sioux Central in Iowa.  Their teacher, Mrs. Olson, helped to arrange it and sent me the above Fotobabble.  These girls will be helping to bring National Geographic to Iowa.  And yes, they DO MATTER.   (two points to you if you know what…

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Road trip on the Internet

I’m a local girl who’s turning 57 on June 1.  What can I find in North Central Iowa to do? I set up a Google Alert for “Hampton Iowa” and here’s what I’ve found so far there. Finding Kind movie screening at the Surf . I googled ‘things to do in North Central Iowa’ and…

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Put that cigarette out

Another emergency room visit with my mom.  She’s 82  and in frail health. Today a doctor told us only ten years of smoking can set you up for a massive fail later in life.  Heart problems, lungs decrease in efficiency and eventually can stop working. For all of you smokers out there…quit.  Suck it up…

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Locals Weigh In on #TravelMidwest

Many people have weighed in on the conversation with National Geographic on why they should visit Iowa in their trek across the United States.  Here’s just a few comments received from blog posts, facebook comments and twitter.    But none of the glitz and glamour found in the big cities feeds my soul like quiet…

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