Save Ottumwa Post February 12, 2025

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•••••FEBRUARY 12, 2025•••••

The Big Game Experience

I am neither a big football fan nor an aficionado of most types of music. I lost interest in football when a bunch of overpaid footballers decided to protest their plight in life by kneeling for the national anthem before their games. It was then I decided that if they could not support our country, I could not support them by watching their games and supporting the advertisers that made their salaries possible. I do not go out of my way to listen to most musicians as I find modern music to be either boring or just plain bad. That is one of the problems with getting old. We get set in our ways and opinionated.

I do make an exception to watching football and music for the Super Bowl. I must admit, I usually do not care about the outcome of the game as I know few of the players, but the commercials are usually entertaining and I have seen some halftime shows that were good. Companies generally put forth their best efforts to impress the huge audience they have watching the Super Bowl with (Outdoors cont’d on pg 2)

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Love Story for the Ages Curt Swarm, Empty Nest

With Valentine’s Day on the nigh, a good ole’ fashion love story seems in order, like strawberries and chocolate. First, a little background: Wyman Martin of Danville is sort of a well known person in Southeast Iowa. Many people say we look alike and get us mixed (Outdoors cont’d from pg 1) show was no better up. Wyman is younger, commercials that draw than the commercials. but we have the same birthdays. Wyman likes attention to their prod- It is not the performucts and remain mem- er’s fault that I had no to joke around. People will come up to him and, orable in the minds of idea who he is, but I thinking he’s me, ask immediately got the viewers. impression he thought him what he’s writing This year, he was very important. about this week. He’ll I found a couple of make up some fantastiHe apparently could commercials memocal story. The person

rable in the fact they were just weird. One had a talking seal with a human head that just looked freaky. I have no clue what they were advertising or what the talking seal was supposed to represent. A Nike commercial repeated such profound words as “you can’t win, so win.” I can just imagine a group of advertising executives sitting around a table with the boss coming up with this saying. Everyone else in the room is afraid to say it is just stupid, so this becomes the deeply meaningful saying for an expensive ad campaign.

Budweiser usually has some entertaining or at least thought provoking ads. The only Budweiser I saw this year showed a young Clydesdale colt rolling a keg of beer from St. Louis to Topeka, Kansas or somewhere.

Even the Bud commercial seemed rather lame. I will admit I did not see every commercial as I was busy at times cooking the traditional snack of chicken wings and going outside to play ball with the dog at times.

The half time

Wyman Martin (left) and Curt Swarm. People sometimes get the two confused and ask Martin what he’s writing about this week. He’ll make up something, like, “My pet pig. We made a mistake and it was made into bacon.

(BELOW) Nancy Martin holding the same Getzen trumpet she played as first chair in the eighth grade, 50 years ago

ried, and Wyman bereads Wyman like a came the band teacher book, too!) in that same Danville Like songs of the school, in that same sirens, Nancy’s and room. He used to look Wyman’s trumpets lured down the row of four the two together in love, trumpet chairs and not destruction. Wyman could still see Nancy played his cards right. in eighth grade smiling He retired as Junior not sing as he talked back at him. It took High Band Teacher in his way through the Nancy moving on to the spring of 2021, in songs, and I could not high school for Wyman the same room, teachunderstand a word he to make first trumpet. ing the same class, that said. He spent a lot of Nancy and he attended during his time prancing around Wyman have two boys, first hour, on his first the stage talking to Joel, 36, and Micah, day, 51 years earlier— himself. I will admit 38. Nancy is a retired with the same girl, now to having a short atelementary school a woman and his wife. teacher with Morning A love story for the tention span on things Sun and still substitute ages. that do not interest teaches at Morning BTW: I was getme, and this perforSun. She is President ting my license plates at mance did not interest of the Danville Library the court house the othme at all. The dog and Board and volunteers er day. The clerk looked I went outside and there about three times at me and said, “I never played ball again. scratches their head, a week. She is active thought my child would I admit, I Wyman chuckles and at church with the misgo for band, but you may be getting old recants. It’s all for fun, sions committee, choir, sure turned him around, and cynical, but the something we need a lot and children’s group.

Wyman.” I started to event seemed to be a more of.

She loves family time, correct her, but couldn’t Anywho, when flop. Eventually, everyand is an energetic make myself do it. one lost interest in the Wyman was in the sev- reader. In 2024 she enth grade, his family game, commercials, read 104 books. (She moved and switched and performances. from the New London We resorted to playing cards and eating. School District to DanThe general consen- ville School District. His first class at Danville sus was that we would was on Monday, Nohave had more fun vember 30, 1970. It cutting and splitting was band practice. Mr. firewood. We would Smith, the band teacher, have at least had put Wyman into the first something to show for section of trumpets, in our time spent rather fourth chair. Wyman looked down the row of than wasting time four chairs. In the first watching the overly hyped Super Bowl. A trumpet chair was the bit of fresh air and ex- prettiest girl he had ever ercise in the outdoors seen. Her name was Nancy. She was in the is always better than 8th grade, and Wyman watching television, was love struck. especially something This is a Valenas bad as this. tine’s Day love story, so of course it has a happy ending, like the maraRay’s cherry on top of Longbranch schino a banana split. Nancy Homemade 1/2 lb. Tenderloins & Hamburgers and Wyman were marDrakesville, IA • 722-3355

FEBRUARY 12, 2025

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Nathan Nicholson, MD, FAAOS Now seeing patients in Ottumwa

the deck and feed the birds, after warming up a bit by the woodstove. The Arco, Norseman Grog smelled great brewing, and it tasted even better, so I had a second cup.

Nathan Nicholson, MD, FAAOS is now seeing patients in the Pella Regional Medical Clinic in Ottumwa on the first and third Thursday of the month.

“My passion is to improve the quality of life for my patients by treating them through both nonsurgical and surgical interventions in the field of Orthopedic Surgery. I believe in patient centered care and going above and beyond for my patients to get them the care that they need.”

Conditions Treated Fracture care • Arthoroscopy for knee & shoulder • Carpal & cubital tunnel syndrome Shoulder instability • Rotator cuff tears • Shoulder replacement Hip injuries • Hip replacement • Joint revision Knee replacement • Meniscus injuries Mako robotic guided joint replacement surgery

Looking outside, there Birds and Cows was only about two inches of new snow on the deck. I filled a conIt was still snowing For more information or when I shoveled about tainer with sunflower to schedule call 641.621.2376 seeds for the birds, six inches of snow setting it on the kitchfrom the deck. We en counter by the back were expecting several more inches over- door. When I went to get my coat, and hat, night, and I wanted they were wet from to stay ahead of the the melted snow. I did game. So, I cleared about five more inches not relish the idea of of snow just before go- putting them back on Specializing in Barn & Pole Barn to go outside, nor did ing to bed.

Repair and Restoration I want to take time to get dry clothing. “This I got up bright and can wait until later,” I early in the morning, stoked the woodstove, said. put on a pot of coffee, Looking through the and then went outSee more restorations! side to clear driveway. kitchen window, I The snowblower eas- saw a wee chickadee lived in the northwesthopping around the ily handled thirteen ern Montana Territory. inches of fresh snow. floor of the deck unWAGLER BUILDERS Carson Hawthorn was (641) 777-5000 • john@waglerbuilders.com @waglerbuilders der the bird feeder.

A lot of snow blew his name; a bachelor back on me, but still, it She was alone, pokwho was very dewas much easier than ing her head into the vout, and ambitious. deep snow looking shoveling by hand.

He already owned a for something to eat. few hundred acres Granted, two inches After clearing the of snow is nothing. It’s of prime ranch land drive, I came inside in a valley alongside to get a cup of coffee. not deep at all – una creek, at the base It was cold outside. A less you’re a chickaof the Cabinet Moundee. Then, the snow shiver trembled over tains. The Hawthorn my body while remov- is neck deep. It was Ranch proved quite cold, and I felt sorry ing my coat, boots, for her. It reminded me bountiful. and hat at the front of a story from long door. Fortunately, I An abundance of kept the deck cleared ago: quality grassland was the night before, so Many years ago, there available for cattle to there would be little graze in the spring was a successful snow to shovel by One might need to with the larger Columand summertime. young rancher, who hand. I would clear break through ice in Carson raised enough the wintertime, but the bia River. The confluence of the Columbia, beef to supply all the water was still there. and Kootenai Rivers, people of this growing eventually run to the area, and then some. Through the milder In the fall, cattle drives seasons, the sound of Pacific Ocean. It is a fascinating waterway. would commence, steady water flowing moving the surplus over the creek’s rocks, Eventually, gold was cattle to other larger added tranquility to found in the creek markets as far away the beautiful and pros- bordering the Hawas Ashley, which is perous ranch. Some thorn Ranch, and a now Kalispell; Monpeople believed there few other creeks in the tana’s seventh largest was gold to be panned region. Word spread city. in that creek, but Car- fast, and by 1867, son was not interested nearly 600 men conFeed supplies could in pursuing fantasies verged on the area, run low, so it was of finding gold; he was panning the creek, necessary to reduce a rancher, a cattlethe herd before winter. man at heart. To him, hoping to strike it rich, while living in a mining It was equally importhis tributary to the camp. tant to give the trail Kootenai River, was boss, and his crew, an important source of The camp was named enough time to return water. That’s all.

Libbysville, and the to the ranch before the stream, Libby Creek. snows arrived. Carson The Kootenai River Both named after was able to put up is unique as it flows Elizabeth Allen (Libby), plenty of hay to feed south from Canada, the smaller winter herd about 70 miles into the the daughter of Stephen Allen, a pioneer until spring calving re- United States. Then, miner. But the rush for populated the herd for the river turns back gold was short lived as the next season. north, running through there wasn’t enough the north east Territory found to make it A ranch needs plenty of Idaho, returning to worth the effort. Their of water year-round, Canada. The winding and the creek was a river flows another 500 (Just the Other Day cont’d on dependable source. miles before it joins pg 4)

BARN RESTORATION

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(Just the Other Day cont’d from pg 3)

dreams of becoming rich were dashed, but these men still had to live, and some had families to support.

Disappointed, many men moved on, while others went to work for companies that were mining lead, silver and other minerals found beneath the Cabinet Mountains. Still, others went to work in the logging and timber the completed North- in his early sixties, industry. There was loaded a tall stack of ern Pacific Railroad. a high demand for hay onto a special Things were going lumber in the growing swell, but it wasn’t until wagon, fitted with skis. community. MeanHe hitched a team of 1897 when Libby’s while, the Northern two draft horses, who first church building Pacific Railroad took was erected; the First pulled the wagon into notice of the area’s Presbyterian Church. the first paddock. growth and prosperity.

Carson Hawthorn was They surveyed a fuCarson could see a founding member ture route which would his cattle huddled in of this new church; a run south of Libbysdevout man who never a shelter on the far ville. side, and the cattle missed Sunday sersaw him, but only vices.

Libbysville, was abanone cow was willing doned; the small town to push through the In 1905 there was a The minister stopped front door. “Thank you moved downstream, snow storm over north deep snow to come to listen. “Despite for coming, Brother around Kootenai Riveat. He disconnected the snow, I pulled a western Montana. It Hawthorn,” he said er’s big bend, to meet the wagon, returning started snowing Frifull wagon of hay the while shaking Carthe rails. You might the draft horses to the paddock to feed my day evening, around son’s hand. say the railroad had barn. Next, he saddled cattle, but only one dinnertime. Somea lot of pull. In 1889 a quarter horse. Altimes the snow fell cow pushed through Carson paused. the Montana Territory, moderately, and other though the town was the snow to eat. The “I’ve another quesbecame our 41st state. stilled by the heavy times it was heavy, rest stayed under the tion, Pastor Johns.”

By 1890 the area snowfall, Carson set but it never stopped shelter. Now, do you The preacher nodwas booming. Many snowing until after 11 out to attend Sunday think I should’ve fed ded. “This morning, houses, buildings, and services. on Saturday night. that one cow, or take when I took hay out roads were constructBy Sunday morning, all the hay back to the to the paddock, and ed. 1892 proved to be Inside, the empty Libby was covered barn?” only one cow showed a big year for the bloswith deep snow, and it church was cold. Pasup, do you suppose I soming community. tor Johns, was surwas bitterly cold.

Pastor Johns, was should’ve made her prised to see Carson. humbled. “I undereat the whole load of The name Libbys“Brother Hawthorn, I From his kitchen, stand, Brother Hawhay?” ville, was shortened appreciate your effort thorn. You take a seat, Carson concluded to Libby, and became to join us, however, the snow was fortyI’ll stoke the fire, and I smiled contemplatan official town in the services have been two inches deep: the begin the service.” The ing Brother Hawnew state of Montop rail of his jack leg cancelled because of minister climbed the thorn’s message. tana. In 1892, the the snow. I’m sure you steps to the pulpit. The Outside, the little bird fencing was buried, first school was built, understand.” Carson but he could still see small church building searched relentlessly and the Libby Miner, nodded his head. the angled tops. The quickly warmed. Was for something, anypublished their first cattle needed hay, so it from the woodstove, thing, to eat. I put on newspaper. The highly “I understand,” Carson or Pastor Johns’ serhe bundled up and my wet coat and hat, anticipated first train, went to his barn. Car- said. “But before I go, mon? and then slipped into carrying passengers I have a question.” son, who was now my boots. The little and freight, arrived on Pastor began by bird flew away when I speaking to the evils walked onto the deck. of the world: glutStill, I cleared a large tony, greed, and sloth. area beneath the bird He got more wound feeder, and scattered up as he spoked of enough seed for just pride, dishonesty, and one bird. Before going envy. By the time he inside, I reflected on got to lust, drunkenthe passion of Pastor ness, and promiscuity, Johns’ message; to do Pastor was on a roll. what’s right.

“Vengeance is mine, saith the Lord.” With Under the bird feeder a bible in one hand, I spread the usual the other waved with amount of seeds – CARL CRAFT fury as he preached of even if it was for just PROVIDED BY BUBBA Q’S CIVIC CENTER brimstone, hellfire, and one bird, and then I HEDRICK, IOWA @ 4:30 p.m. damnation to unrepen- poured the rest of the tant sinners! sunflower seeds into AUCTION FROM live bra auction FREE WILL DONATION SILENT the hanging feeder. As 4:30 P.M. - 9:00 P.M. @ Finally, Pastor Johns’ soon as I was inside, tone changed. He the little bird returned MODELING BY THE HEDRICK VOLUNTEER FIREMEN spoke softly, and to eat. I warmed my CHITTICK TILING, 210 HAIR COMPANY, COPELAND AUTOBODY, OTTUMWA RADIO, calmly as he told of coffee and when I sponsored by: J&E CERNIC SCRAP, UNDERGROUND BARBELL, I&R ROOFING, LINDER ELECTRIC, God’s love, mercy, and looked back on the SOUTH OTTUMWA SAVINGS BANK, PIGTAIL CHARLIE’S DINER, CLASSIC TRUCKING, forgiveness to those deck, there must have GATOR EXPRESS, DOUBLE D POWERSPORTS, GRANT RANCH GRUB & PUB, BERNIE’S BAR & GRILLE, MH EQUIPMENT, VAN METER, GENTRY INSURANCE, FCA who follow the Lord. been twenty or thirty VISION AG, RIVERHILLS COMMUNITY HEATLH CENTER, BUBBA Q’S, ODYSSY Pastor preached for chickadees, all enjoyMUSIC, MILLIKIN AUCTION ASSOCIATES, KRAVE NUTRITION, NEW THOUGHTS THERAPY, DAISY DEW LANDSCAPING, M&E SIEREN FARMS, NEIGHBOR a full ninety minutes, ing the seeds.

INSURANCE, MEFFORD MASONRY, TRI COUNTY SHOPPER, J&A SEIREN FARMS, all proceeds pouring everything he MAHASKA HEALTH PARTNERSHIP had into that sermon. Somehow, I suspect TO BENEFIT OUR the rest of the cows LOCAL COMMUNITIES Finally, Pastor Johns made their way to took a deep breath. the hay wagon in the CONTACT “Well, that concludes paddock as soon as our service for this Carson Hawthorn rode LAURIE HORNBACK morning.” He deinto town for church on 641-777-4252 scended from the that Sunday morning, pulpit to see the sole in Libby, Montana. parishioner off at the

Bras for a cause 04.12.25

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dinner

6:00 P.M.