Iowa Summers Three Visits Capture Simple Joys of Local Fairs
A New Jersey visitor reports on three Iowa gatherings in summer cheer at a city tent carnival Hill barbecue and Mount Pleasant threshers reunion. Included are scenes of crowded meals, loud music, vintage farm displays and a warm, alcohol‑free family atmosphere.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Iowa
New Jersey
Iowa City
Hills
Mount Pleasant
Elvis
Des Moines
Earth
Hill
Debates and abortion in the 1992 presidential race
A reader calls for ending debates and declares the Bush stance on abortion preferable to Dukakis. The letter attacks the current administration as corrupt and argues the moral imperative to back George Bush based on abortion policy and biblical references.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
George Bush
Supreme Court
Boys chase and kill Brian McMurrin prompts call for accountability
A reader recounts the senseless death of 14 year old Brian McMurrin after being chased by older boys near a fence. The writer urges serious punishment and prevention to stop such violence and protect youths from feeling compelled to flee for their lives. The piece cites a similar incident in Jones Park and calls for consequences beyond a slap on the wrist to deter future harm.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Brian McMurrin
Brian
Jones Park
Home of Motorola Joke Sparks Global Mix ups
A reader riffs on cross cultural mix ups from tractors in Japan to car brands in the United States. The note playfully questions origins of manufacture and references a London building proclaiming itself the home of Motorola. The writer also recalls Edgewood Road in Cedar Rapids and Edgeware Road in London, ending with a humorous claim of not asserting more.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Edgeware Road
London
England
Motorola
Edgewood Road
Cedar Rapids
Books on the Eighth Air Force 358th Bomber Squadron
A reader seeks a work on the Eighth Air Force focusing on the 358th Bomber Squadron or the 303rd Bomb Group of B-17s in England. The message includes contact details and discusses political commentary about Rep. Tom Tauke and immunization legislation involvement.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Eighth Air Force
358Th
England
Bonnie Campbell
Tom Tauke
U.S
House of Representatives
Town in need of calm and cooperative change
A letter from Alice Scollon of 1535 Fifth Ave SE urges residents to slow down, reduce stress, and work together to guide growth toward a balanced future for the town. She calls for love, respect, and patience as the community adjusts.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Alice Scollon
Fifth Ave
Rightward Grammatical Shift on Shall and Will
The piece declares that shall and will rules have faded and will now universally signals future tense in declarative sentences. It cites grammarians and the American Heritage Dictionary noting minimal distinction remains and advises listening to usage rather than fixed rules.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Shall
Will
Shall-Will
Rockwell International
America
American Heritage Dictionary
Gazette Letters Policy Note
The Gazette explains it prints readers letters without vouching for accuracy or judging opinions. It invites readers to submit corrections or contradictions for equal publication opportunities.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Gazette
Early Cedar Rapids Leaders and Their Supportive Wives
The article highlights men who shaped Cedar Rapids through mills, banks, law, and railroads, while acknowledging pioneering wives who managed households and family businesses during extended absences. Their quiet leadership advanced the community alongside male founders.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Cedar Rapids
Nicholas Brown
John Ely
George Greene
Stephan Dows
Cedar Rapids Social Life in the 1840s and 1850s
The excerpt portrays Cedar Rapids social life led by women, notably Miss Carpenter, George Weare, Mary Ely, and Mary Bever. It highlights charitable work, sewing machine adoption, mail delivery via horseback, hosting clergy and businessmen, and a June 15 1859 railroad reception for the Chicago Iowa and Nebraska line with a ladies led picnic and dance.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Cedar Rapids
Miss Carpenter
George Weare
Mary Ely
Marion
Sampson Bever
Mary Bever
Chicago, Iowa
Nebraska
Early Cedar Rapids Ladies of the Civil War Era
During the Civil War era Cedar Rapids women ran family businesses while husbands served. They prepared food and knitted for soldiers, comforted grieving families, led receptions for returning veterans, and organized fundraisers for war widows and orphans. Many founders lie together in Oak Hill Cemetery.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Cedar Rapids
Society of Early
Frances Greene
Susan Brown
Mary Bever
Mary Ely
Henrietta Dows
Lucy Higley
Jennie Higley
Jane Higley
Oak Hill Cemetery
Also Mentioned on This Page
Old Threshers
Fred Maytag
Claire Gerber
Port Republic, N.J
the Gazette
United States
Lillian Suchomel
Tipton
Michael Dukakis
Japan
Korea
Mexico
Wendell Willkie
Air Force Book
Tauke
Rep. Tauke
Katie Beckett
James Ziska
Carl Kane
Women
Foundation of Social
C.R
Higley
Harvey, Mortimer, Wellington
Henry
Marion Area
Harold F. Ewoldt
This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!