The Prairie Spy Alan “Lindy” Linda Here’s a column for those of you–us–who heat with wood.  Wood is cellulose, a carbon based catch-all that includes a lot of different fuels. Paper, field corn, oats, beans, all kinds of grass. And so many more that it’s useless to keep listing them. All of these substances share a common trait: When… Read More

Ask A Trooper Sgt. Jesse Grabow Question: What am I supposed to do if I am at a railroad crossing and need to report an emergency?   Answer: Call 911 and provide the needed information. Every highway-rail crossing has an Emergency Notification System (ENS) sign that provides a 24/7/365 telephone number to report problems or emergencies at the… Read More

The Prairie Spy Alan “Lindy” Linda Virgil M. bought the farm next to ours in Iowa, when I was 13. He didn’t come to farm, and rented the land to dad. He had just sold his large electrical wiring business in another town, trying to slow down a bit as he approached his sixties. He wasn’t slowing… Read More

Tomatoes, peppers should be planted 6-8 weeks before they are put in the garden By Bev Johnson Master Gardener Bunkey wanted to get a head start on his garden a few years ago. He planted tomato and pepper seeds on March 1. They popped up by the end of the first week and took right off. The last… Read More

Publisher’s Perspective Chad Koenen If there was a silver lining to last week’s massive snowstorm that essentially brought this area to a standstill on Wednesday it was that the storm occurred on March 1. As I made my rounds last Wednesday, I think I heard at least a dozen times the old saying of “In… Read More

Ask A Trooper Sgt. Jesse Grabow Question: Is it illegal for a vehicle pulling a trailer to have a ladder or ramp hanging from the side of the trailer?   Answer: You are able to have ladders or ramps secured to the side of an enclosed trailer as long as you do not exceed the width of 8… Read More

Tucker’s Telegram Tucker Henderson Over the past few years, I have seen quite a few family homes lose their pulse and their liveliness. Now, I’m not talking about broken homes or familial disagreements, I’m talking about the inevitable end of an era when the head of the family passes on or has to move into a… Read More

Publisher’s Perspective Chad Koenen Grandparents can give some of the best advice—well, until their wisdom goes off the rails a bit.  Over the years, I’ve heard advice about how to navigate situations with family members. How to properly store bread and the need to make sure to pack extra clothing when heading out of town for… Read More

The Prairie Spy Alan “Lindy” Linda At the monthly meeting of The Appliance Senate was: General Electric the Washing Machine, Lady Kenmore the Electric Dryer, Sir Nautilus the Water Heater, Dave Lennox the Furnace, Frigid Dare the Refrigerator, Sam Sung the Television, and last but not least, John Deere the Riding Mower. (John Deere was attending outside… Read More

Everything Old is New Again By Lois Wiirre Special to the Dispatch February is a month of reminiscing and peanut butter shoestring haystacks. February may be the shortest month of the year, but back in 1968 we still learned about Washington and Lincoln’s birthdays. In school now they celebrate President’s Day. We kids would have popcorn on the president’s… Read More