Along Our Way
The third annual membership banquet of the Raccoon River Valley Trail Association was a huge success Saturday night, February 20, at the Panorama National Conference Center. About 200 people attended. Auctions and a few cash donations helped raise $10,604 to help market and promote the RRVT, the paved rec trail in west central Iowa that's in the midst of an expansion, 56 to 89 miles.
[TO READ THE STORY, AND TO SEE THESE AND OTHER PHOTOS IN LARGER FORMAT, CLICK HERE]
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A conversation
COPING WITH CANCER
with the Offenburgers
Chuck Offenburger was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins, follilcular lymphoma cancer on July 10, 2009, and is undergoing treatment. We post updates weekly here, including brief insights from Chuck, Carla and at least one of you readers.
''The Lord will overshadow you, and you will find refuge under his wings.''
FOR THE LATEST UPDATE, CLICK HERE.
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Chuck Offenburger's
new book on sports
legend Gary Thompson
gets excellent reviews
FOR INFORMATION ON WHERE & HOW TO BUY THE BOOK, CLICK HERE!
''GARY THOMPSON: All-American'' is the new, 352-page biography of one of the state’s genuine sports icons. From 1950-’53 Gary Thompson led the Roland Rockets to high school sports glory in basketball and baseball, giant-killers from one of Iowa’s small schools. Then he led the Cyclones at Iowa State from 1953-’57, becoming the college’s first two-sport All-American. He’s had major success in broadcasting and business, from his home base in Ames. And he and his wife Janet have a family as solid as they come. “I’m the luckiest guy around,” Thompson says.
TO READ CHUCK OFFENBURGER'S COLUMN ABOUT THE BOOK AND THE ''BOOK LAUNCHING'' HELD EARLY IN DECEMBER, CLICK HERE.
TO READ DES MOINES REGISTER SPORTSWRITER RICK BROWN'S REVIEW OF THE BOOK, CLICK HERE.
TO READ CEDAR RAPIDS GAZETTE SPORTS COLUMNIST JIM ECKER'S REVIEW OF THE BOOK, CLICK HERE.
TO READ AMES DAILY TRIBUNE SPORTSWRITER DICK KELLY'S STORY ABOUT THE BOOK, CLICK HERE.
TO READ DOUG BURNS' STORY ABOUT THE BOOK IN THE CARROLL DAILY TIMES HERALD, CLICK HERE.
TO READ ANDY GOODELL'S STORY ABOUT THE BOOK IN THE OSKALOOSA HERALD, CLICK HERE.
WANT TO SEE AND HEAR THE OLD ROLAND HIGH SCHOOL FIGHT SONG PERFORMED? CLICK HERE!
FOR INFORMATION ON WHERE & HOW TO BUY THE BOOK, CLICK HERE!
FOR PHOTOS FROM OUR BOOK LAUNCHING EVENTS, CLICK HERE!
SEE BOB MODERSOHN'S PHOTOS OF OUR BOOK CHAT AND SIGNING AT BEAVERDALE BOOKS IN DES MOINES!
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Farm Photos, 2006 - 2008
Our Iowa News Digest
Along Our Way
What’s the deal with the
black & white saddle shoes?
Click here for the story of our farm in Greene County, Iowa.
Here's looking at life
at Simple Serenity Farm
After the toughest, snowiest winter that either of us can remember, we have now reached the point in early February where snow is stacked everywhere. Piles are six or seven feet high. The dogs can drop full-body into snowdrifts if they're not moving fast enough. Some drifts are five or six feet tall, and 30 or 40 feet long. Whew!
Click here for larger format
Earlier photos in this series
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The Continuous Iowa Caucus
It's time for us to start thinking about the race for Iowa governor from another angle. Which of the candidates' families would be the most fun to have in Terrace Hill -- and remember, the standard here is fun for the rest of us as we watch them? - March 8, 2010
| Chet & Mari Culver, with their two young children. |  | | Jonathan Narcisse, who is single but has a grown step-son; young daughters named (who knew this?) Integrity & Perseverance, and grandchildren. | | | Rod & Trish Roberts, who have two grown children and grandchildren. | | | Bob & Darla Vander Plaats, who have four sons up thru high school age. | | | Terry & Chris Branstad, who have three grown children and grandkids. | | | Total Votes: 19 |
As much as Iowa's first family is in the news, we should start thinking which would be the most interesting for us to watch.
We've now learned that Roxanne Conlin, Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate, doesn't go to church. If this becomes an issue, how would you advise her to handle it? - February 8, 2010
| Just say ''no comment'' when she's asked about it. | | | Tell the public it's nobody's business but her own. | | | Explain why she doesn't think it's important for her to go to church. | | | Have a poll taken on what the public thinks about this, and go with the majority. | | | If it's been on her conscience anyway, start going to church again. | | | Total Votes: 74 |
Meanwhile, all who are people of prayer might want to pray for Conlin and all other candidates.
O.K. men, and the women who love us: Now that Terry Branstad has liberated us to try ''comeback'' hairstyles, which of the following classics do you think most Iowa men would like to try? - January 27, 2010
| The flattop | | | The ducktail | | | Long hair, maybe with ponytail | | | The mullet | | | The low-maintenance butch | | | Total Votes: 56 |
And should we have included the shaved head as an option?
The Iowa Legislature convenes this week. Which of the following would you make their top priority? - January 10, 2010
| Cut spending, cut tax credits and get the budget under control. | | | Focus on jobs creation, especially in the bio-economy, advanced manufacturing, information technology, insurance and financial services. | | | Deliberate and take action on the Iowa Supreme Court's legalization of same-sex marriage. | | | Shore up the financial foundation for public education, from K-12 to community colleges and universities. | | | Do something about the continuing population decline in rural Iowa. | | | Total Votes: 51 |
Let's all remember to thank our legislators and other goverment workers for their service. Their jobs aren't nearly as much fun during troubled economic times like these.
Wow! What a decade we've just been through, huh? It seems to us there have been five huge changes in Iowa in the past 10 years. Which of these has had the biggest impact on life in our state? - December 29, 2009
| High-speed Internet connectivity became available nearly everywhere. | | | Most of Iowa's pork production, about 19 million hogs per year, moved indoors. | | | A huge new wave of immigration and refugee resettlement changed the state racially, culturally, linguistically and educationally. | | | The major expansion of the bio-fuels industry now has more than 55 fuel production plants operating or under construction here. | | | Major manufacturing took a real dive nationally, resulting in the closing of many Iowa plants and elimination of thousands of good jobs. | | | Total Votes: 63 |
We thought about how war, weather and enhancement of lifestyle amenities have also impacted life in Iowa, but none seemed as significant to us as the five we listed in the poll question. Did we miss any others?
There is some really odd stuff going on in the news right now. Which of these five news situations do you think is the most peculiar? - December 21, 2009
| A group called the ''Iranian Cyber Army'' had its computer geeks hack into Twitter, of all things. | | | Sarah Palin said recently she was ''just trying to be incognito.'' | | | A Congressionally-authorized study says 22 million acres of cropland in the Midwest should be converted to forests to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. | | | Forget who might be blamed -- the fact is the U.S. Senate scheduled its first vote on the health care reform package for 1 o'clock in the morning. | | | The Castro regime still exists and rules, and this week charged that the U.S. is trying to ''undermine the revolution,'' which happened 50 years ago. | | | Total Votes: 36 |
And you talk about odd: How odd is it that the whole world is still trying to find Osama bin Laden -- and can't!
We're all spending a lot of time listening to Christmas music. There are great, inspiring carols. And there are the novelty numbers that make us all laugh. Of these five novelty classics, which is the, uh, best? - December 9, 2009
| ''Christmas Don't Be Late,'' by the Chipmunks | | | ''I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus,'' by Jimmy Boyd | | | ''Santa Baby,'' by Madonna | | | ''12 Days of Christmas,'' by the Muppets | | | ''Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer,'' by Elmo & Patsy Shropshire | | | Total Votes: 45 |
Did we miss any other ''classics'' among the novelty Christmas songs?
As we Offenburgers head off to one of the nation's great rivalry games in college football, which of the following traditional rivalries would you most like to attend? - November 17, 2009
| Army vs. Navy | | | Oklahoma vs. Texas | | | Harvard vs. Yale | | | Michigan vs. Ohio State | | | Stanford vs. Cal | | | Total Votes: 39 |
And what's the best rivalry game in college football in Iowa? Is it Iowa State vs. Iowa? Or possibly Luther vs. Wartburg? Cornell vs. Coe?
In this week of Veterans Day, we ask: During which of the following wars did, or have, we come the closest to asking too much of our military? - November 9, 2009
| World War II | | | Korean War | | | Vietnam War | | | Gulf War, 1990-'91 | | | Iraq War & Afghanistan War, continuing | | | Total Votes: 37 |
With no military draft today, the prolonged two-front wars in the Middle East, and with the global culture of violence, we think the asking of the U.S. military right now may be the greatest in the nation's history.
National Public Radio just reminded us that 40 years ago now, the Internet was born. Which of the following communiations technologies impacts your life most now? - October 29, 2009
| Telephone/cell phone | | | TV | | | Radio | | | Printed newspapers | | | Internet | | | Total Votes: 58 |
Another interesting thing to ponder: How long have you personally used the Internet?
Harrison Barnes, Ames High basketball superstar, has apparently narrowed his college list to six: North Carolina, Duke, Kansas, Oklahoma, UCLA & Iowa State. What is the best reason for Barnes to pick Iowa State? - October 14, 2009
| Here at home, he'll be a great player, maybe one of ISU's best ever. At those other schools, he'll be another good player. | | | Here he'll play in front of family and friends who've brought him this far in life. | | | He'll build a solid name & reputation across Iowa, a state that really needs sharp young business entrepreneurs, which we hear he wants to be. | | | Iowa State's basketball pep band is the best anywhere. | | | Hickory Park barbecue. | | | Total Votes: 35 |
We'll bet Tim Floyd wishes he'd listened to Gary Thompson telling him he really shouldn't leave Iowa State. We hope Thompson is having that conversation with Barnes, too!
Iowa's Democratic Party chief says there's a big name who may well announce he or she is running against Republican U.S. Senator Charles Grassley. Here are five ''name'' Democrats in or from Iowa. Which would run strongest against Grassley? - October 5, 2009
| Fred Hubbell, 58, Des Moines businessman & interim boss of Iowa economic development | | | Roxanne Conlin, 65, Des Moines attorney and gubernatorial candidate in the lonog ago | | | Fred Hoiberg, 37, now pro basketball exec in Minneapolis, an Iowa State U sports hero | | | Christie Vilsack, 59, former first lady of Iowa, former teacher and columnist | | | Ashton Kutcher, 31, celebrity actor who has maintained an active interest in his home state | | | Total Votes: 32 |
The thing about all five of these Democrats, each seems perfectly capable of underestimating Chuck Grassley. That's really been the political life story of Grassley, who just keeps winning. But fact is, he's now 76 years old.
We loved reading of the new Pappajohn Sculpture Garden in downtown Des Moines. It occurred to us we know little about the Pappajohns. But we know little about many prominent Iowa couples. Which of these are you most curious about? - September 28, 2009
| Governor Chet & Mari Culver | | | Kevin & Molly Cooney | | | John & Mary Pappajohn | | | Corey (Slipknot) & Scarlett Taylor | | | Kirk & Mary Ferentz | | | Total Votes: 25 |
What are they like around home? What are they good at, and bad at? Where do they hang out? Who are their close friends? Do they go to church? What do they drive? Readers? TV watchers?
It's autumn! What's the best thing about fall? - September 21, 2009
| Football | | | Harvest | | | Hunting seasons | | | Nature's changing colors | | | Marching bands | | | Total Votes: 28 |
One other nice thing this fall: No general election in 2009. We need the break in Iowa!
Why do so many college students insist on having their own car on campus? - September 15, 2009
| They need a car for some job | | | They haven't figured out yet how expensive & inconvenient cars are | | | They want to be able to go home or off-campus frequently | | | They're shy about getting involved in campus life | | | Because they can -- colleges allow cars as a recruitment incentive | | | Total Votes: 21 |
We started thinking about cars & campuses after a recent visit to Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, where there seem to be enough parking places for all students, faculty & staff -- and most were empty on a Saturday afternoon.
Silliness! UNI kicker Billy Hallgren, 21-yr-old, JR, veteran player, had 2 FGs blocked in last 7 secs Saturday, and Iowa Hawks escaped huge upset. Post-game, Hallgren didn't speak, or wasn't allowed to speak, to media. What should he have said? - September 7, 2009
| ''Anybody want to ask about the three I made earlier?'' | | | ''I think my Panther linemen owe me a steak.'' | | | ''I'm beginning to see why people say college football is over-emphasized.'' | | | ''So, let's see, I'm now the biggest sports goat in the state since, uh, who?'' | | | ''Drop-kick me Jesus through the goal posts of life!'' | | | Total Votes: 24 |
Our advice to Billy Hallgren: Laugh it off, kid. It's just one damned football game. There are plenty of kicks ahead of you in life, some good, some wide, some low. Ditto for all of us.
What other kinds of ''clunkers'' do you most wish the federal government would now offer cash for, since the hot deals for old cars is done? - August 24, 2009
| Old computer equipment | | | Badly deteriorated houses & out-buildings | | | Worn-out lawnmowers & snowblowers | | | Clothes from the 1970s | | | LPs & 45 rpm records, and cassette tapes | | | Total Votes: 47 |
We didn't qualify for the ''cash for clunkers'' car program, so we're envious.
All this yelling & screaming at public meetings about health care reform makes us wonder: When was the last time you yelled and screamed enough in public to make an ass of yourself? - August 10, 2009
| During an awful day at work | | | At a ball game | | | At a public meeting on some issue | | | At a clerk in some business | | | At a piece of machinery, computer or animal | | | Total Votes: 24 |
Oh, we still grin thinking of a 2007 meeting in Jefferson where a fellow yelled at Chuck Offenburger, ''You're just a big windbag!''
Which pair of these important figures in Iowa would you most like to sit together with for a cup of coffee and a long conversation? - August 3, 2009
| Our veteran U.S. senators Chuck Grassley & Tom Harkin | | | Football coaches Kirk Ferentz of the U of I and Paul Rhoads of ISU | | | College music icons Weston Noble of Luther & Robert Larsen of Simpson | | | Laura Hollingsworth and Carolyn Washburn, publisher and editor of the economically beleaguered Des Moines Register | | | Matt Strawn and Michael Kiernan, the young state chairpersons of the Republican and Democratic Parties | | | Total Votes: 45 |
Every time we come up with one of these ''coffee & conversation'' questions, we realize how many really interesting Iowans we'd like to know better!
The Chicago Cubs this week moved into first place, for the first time this season. What does that mean? - July 28, 2009
| Even the blind sow finds an acorn now & then. | | | You're counting chickens... | | | The Cardinals are just on vacation. | | | The goat may be dead. | | | This is the year! | | | Total Votes: 42 |
Go, Cubs, go!
O.K., you RAGBRAI fun lovers with long memories: What's been the best rock band to play multiple times for the bicycle riders over the years? - July 20, 2009
| Britt Small & Festival | | | High Heel & the Sneakers | | | Blue Band | | | Johnny Holm Band | | | Nadas | | | Total Votes: 31 |
There have been hundreds of other good bands that have performed, obviously, but these five are the ones who jump to mind when we think about the most fun nights on RAGBRAI. Want to argue for another one?
O.K., so maybe it's none of our business. But what do we think of our little Olympic heroine Shawn Johnson skipping her senior year at Valley High School in West Des Moines, and taking ''on-line'' courses so that she can persue her busy life of stardom? - July 1, 2009
| One of the worst decisions a high school senior-to-be could possibly make. | | | What a shame! | | | Uh, who's coaching her now? | | | Oh, she will probably learn more on the road than if she were trying to be a normal kid here. | | | Go for it, girl! | | | Total Votes: 113 |
We wonder what her former Valley High classmates think of losing their star.
The Mormon Tabernacle Choir has played Des Moines & Omaha this week. From their concerts here, or recordings, which of the following songs do you think is their best? - June 25, 2009
| ''God Be With You Till We Meet Again'' | | | ''Battle Hymn of the Republic'' | | | ''Come, Come Ye Saints'' | | | ''Amazing Grace'' | | | ''Praise to the Lord the Almighty'' | | | Total Votes: 19 |
Or would you pick another song as the Mormon Tabernacle Choir's best? Let us know at chuck@Offenburger.com.
So, in our most recent poll, you predict Steve King will be the easy winner of the Republican nomination for governor in 2010. What does that mean for the re-election chances of Democratic incumbent Governor Chet Culver? - June 8, 2009
| The ''Big Lug,'' as his wife calls him, will be a shoo-in. | | | Culver will win in a close one. | | | Either of 'em winning is unthinkable. | | | Steve King will win in a close one. | | | King will win in a run-away. | | | Total Votes: 88 |
A year from right now, we will know who the two parties nominees are!
It's early, but as of right now, who among the following is the most likely Republican nominee for governor in 2010? - May 19, 2009
| Bob Vander Plaats | | | Mary Andringa | | | Christopher Rants | | | Steve King | | | Rod Roberts | | | Total Votes: 93 |
Other possibles: Bill Northey, Jeff Lamberti, Chuck Larson Jr., Doug Gross, Scott Raecker, Debi Durham, Matt Strawn?
A bucket of candy on our kitchen counter prompts this question: What do you think is the favorite candy bar of Iowans? - May 10, 2009
| Baby Ruth | | | Butterfinger | | | Snickers | | | Nestle's Crunch | | | Hershey's Chocolate Bar | | | Total Votes: 34 |
But then there is also the Almond Joy, 3 Musketeers, Milky Way, Salted Nut Roll, Kit Kat, Twix, Cherry Mash and more. This is obviously a weighty question.
Big news this week -- a U.S. senator changed his political party. Which of the following important parts of life do you think most Iowans are LEAST likely to change during their lives? - April 29, 2009
| Political party | | | Religion | | | Which team they root for when it's ISU vs. Iowa | | | Profession | | | Spouse | | | Total Votes: 51 |
Just how ''Iowa Stubborn'' are we?
Wow, do we ever have interesting people around us! Which of the following recent Iowa newsmakers would you most like to meet for coffee and a long conversation? - April 21, 2009
| Cael Sanderson, Iowa State wrestling icon going AWOL to coach Penn State | | | Senator Chuck Grassley, who at 75 has become one of our state's leading technotwits with communications gismos | | | Shawn Johnson, Olympic gold medalist in gymnastics who is skipping Valley High's prom, where she belongs, for ''Dancing With The Stars'' | | | Ed Podolak, just out of alcoholism treatment, sounds great and is gearing up to broadcast Hawkeye football again | | | Justice Mark Cady, who wrote the unanimous opinion by the Iowa Supreme Court allowing gay marriage here | | | Total Votes: 41 |
Yep, life around here is so interesting you don't want to miss a day of it!
There was an historic and unanimous Iowa Supreme Court decision on Friday, legalizing same-sex marriage here. Everyone agrees on one thing: It's controversial. On which of the following big issues do you think America is MOST divided? - April 4, 2009
| War in the Middle East | | | Immigration | | | Same-sex marriage | | | Tax & economic policies | | | Abortion | | | Total Votes: 67 |
Let's think about this another way, too. Is there some other issue on which we Americans come closest to complete agreement? What unites us? We'd be interested in hearing from you on that, at chuck@Offenburger.com
March Madness is upon us! Which of the following figures currently prominent on the basketball scene in Iowa would you most like to meet for a cup of coffee and a long conversation? - March 17, 2009
| Sports columnist Sean Keeler of the Des Moines Register | | | Alison Lacey, Iowa State Cyclones basketball star | | | Harrison Barnes, the sensational junior for Ames High's boys basketball champs | | | Lisa Bluder, basketball coach of the U of I Hawkeyes | | | Gary Rima, play-by-play voice of the UNI Panthers | | | Total Votes: 76 |
What a great time of the year for sports fans!
My, oh my! Things have been a bit wobbly, haven't they? People not performing up to what we'd like. Which of the following recent Iowa newsmakers' performances disappoints you most? - March 11, 2009
| Gene Gessow, director of the Iowa Dept. of Human Services, which has failed so many fragile people | | | Our Olympics star Shawn Johnson for this ''Dancing With The Stars'' hussiness | | | Mike Dick, executive of the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union, for messy handling of the girls' state basketball tourney | | | Laura Hollingsworth, president and publisher of the Des Moines Register, which seems a shell of itself | | | Congressman Steve King, for his continual contrariness, while accomplishing not much | | | Total Votes: 46 |
Always the optimists, we are actually cheering for each of these people, hoping they get back in the groove and turn things around.
Lent is upon us. Which of the following would you think is the way most Iowans observe the Lenten season? - February 24, 2009
| They quit cussing for 40 days | | | They give up candy & sweets | | | They go to church more regularly | | | They devote more time to praying | | | They watch more basketball on TV | | | Total Votes: 60 |
Our pal Jim Green, back when he was a smoker, would give up cigarettes for Lent, and he really did it. Why he'd pick 'em up again on Holy Saturday night astounded us, but he would!
Valentine's Day is this week. So, how do you think we Iowa people rate on the scale of romance? - February 9, 2009
| We're fired up and ready to go almost all the time. | | | Sure, we enjoy a good rubbing up once in a while. | | | The most romantic night ever was our high school prom. | | | As if it were any of your business! But fact is, we've put all that behind us now. | | | As Meredith Willson said, approximately, we're as cold as our falling thermometers in December. | | | Total Votes: 38 |
But please, if you're feeling it, stay out of public restrooms in Minneapolis and get a room.
Help us out here in Cooper. You'll see on this site that the Committee for a Super Cooper has picked as its 2009 Cooper Prom theme ''Fly Me to the Moon.'' Besides that song, which other ''moon song'' simply MUST be played at the prom? - January 30, 2009
| ''Blue Moon'' | | | ''Moon Over Miami'' | | | ''Shine on, Harvest Moon'' | | | ''Moonshadow'' | | | ''Moon River'' | | | Total Votes: 39 |
Or should it be ''Bad Moon Rising''? Or some other one? We're open to your ''moon song'' suggestions at
chuck@Offenburger.com.
A Washington D.C. gossip columnist reports Iowa Gov. Chet Culver ''was spotted double-fisting'' at an inaugural party this week. Not long ago, Iowa First Lady Mari Culver was spotted smoking a cigarette in a state vehicle. What do you think? - January 22, 2009
| They're normal. | | | They're cool. | | | They're stressed out. | | | They've got some bad habits. | | | They have no sense. | | | Total Votes: 57 |
One thing is certain: The Culvers are still getting used to life in a fish bowl!
Carla Offenburger turns 50 years old on January 14. Which of the following is the best advice for her about being 50? - January 12, 2009
| Old age is not for wimps. | | | After 50, it's just fix, fix, fix. | | | It's sure better than the alternative. | | | 50 is the new 40. | | | Nifty at 50! | | | Total Votes: 76 |
She assures us she's just fine with the whole concept of being 50. You can send her birthday greetings at carla@Offenburger.com.
Which of the five things below would you most like to see happen in 2009? - December 21, 2008
| The Chicago Cubs win the World Series. | | | Iowa goes all year without a killer tornado or a disastrous flood. | | | A surprisingly GOOD football season for the Iowa State Cyclones. | | | No news stories coming out of the public restrooms in the Twin Cities. | | | Gas prices stay below $2 per gallon. | | | Total Votes: 54 |
And we really do want to see the fulfillment of all the hope that Barack Obama promised us.
The economy being what it is & management being what it is, there have been a lot of firings lately. Which of the following firings in Iowa over the years ranks as the worst? - December 11, 2008
| Congressman Neal Smith (D), fired by the voters in 1994 after serving 36 years in the U.S. House | | | Tom Davis, fired in 1999 as Iowa Hawks men's basketball coach, despite being winningest hoops coach in U of I history | | | Congressman Jim Leach (R), fired by the voters in the 2006 election after 30 years in the U.S. House | | | Maytag employees, when new owner Whirlpool closed Maytag operations in Newton in 2007 | | | Brian Duffy, iconic Des Moines Register editorial cartoonist and RAGBRAI host, ousted this month by the newspaper bosses | | | Total Votes: 122 |
Are there others I've forgotten? Remind us at chuck@Offenburger.com.
With Chuck Offenburger's new book out now ''GARY THOMPSON: All-American,'' how do you think Thompson will be remembered longest around Iowa? - December 1, 2008
| As ''the Roland Rocket,'' the star of the early '50s teams at his small high school | | | As the two-sport All-American player at Iowa State in the mid to late '50s | | | As the game analyst on TV coverage of college basketball for 34 years | | | As ''Mr. Phillips 66'' in the Ames business community and across Iowa | | | As a major supporter of Iowa State sports, influential in the hiring of several coaches | | | Total Votes: 61 |
Maybe the best thing about Gary Thompson is that, for all he has done and achieved, he remains one of the nicest guys around, always more interested in others than himself!
Yowsa! David Yepsen, DM Register political columnist, is considering a job taking him away from the paper and out of his native Iowa! His loss at the Register would be the biggest since the departure of which of these greats? - November 20, 2008
| Sports columnist Maury White | | | Cartoonist Frank Miller | | | Columnist Donald Kaul | | | Farm editor Don Muhm | | | Columnist Gordon Gammack | | | Total Votes: 45 |
Yepsen, a 34-year Register veteran, is a finalist to direct the Paul Simon Public Affairs Institute at SIU in Carbondale, Illinois. Couldn't Gov. Culver declare Yepsen a precious natural resource and bar his removal from the state?
Vanderbilt, bowl eligible for the first time since 1982, hosts arch-rival Tennessee Saturday in Nashville. Which of the following is the best reflection of how important Iowans think that football game is? - November 17, 2008
| Iowa & Iowa State are delaying kickoffs of their games Saturday to watch Vandy first for inspiration. | | | If Vandy wins, WHO radio in Des Moines will use the first hour of its ''Soundoff'' show to play VU's fight song ''Dynamite'' over and over. | | | If Iowa State people had known Johnny Majors was a Tennessee grad, he'd have never been hired as ISU's FB coach 1968-'72. | | | Every kid in Iowa is taught how Vandy's greatest football coach Dan McGugin (VU 1904-'34) was born and raised in tiny Tingley, Iowa. | | | If Vandy grad Lamar Alexander had been on the GOP ballot in last January's Iowa Political Caucuses, he'd have won. | | | Total Votes: 19 |
Meanwhile, Chuck Offenburger (VU '69) has people all over Iowa doing the traditional Vandy cheer, ''Go to hell, UT, go to hell!''
There has been a whole lot of big news in Iowa in recent days. With which of these major newsmakers here would you most like to have a cup of coffee and a long conversation? - November 10, 2008
| Sholom Rubashkin, former CEO of Agriprocessors Inc., in Postville, arrested for immigration law violations | | | Sarah Palin, defeated GOP vice-presidential nominee, who wound up the campaign with a big rally in Dubuque on Nov. 3 | | | The undercover PETA investigators who infiltrated a hog confinement building in Greene County where livestock abuse & neglect charges have now been filed against six former employees | | | Joe Paterno, legendary 81-year-old football coach at Penn State, whose previously unbeaten Nittany Lions were upset 24-23 by the Iowa Hawks Nov. 8 in Iowa City | | | Daniel Murray, Hawkeye placekicker whose 31-yard field goal with one second left, gave Iowa one of its biggest victories ever | | | Total Votes: 28 |
Any any student or fan of politics would have a grand time chatting with President-Elect Barack Obama''s Iowa campaign chief, Jackie Norris, too!
This year's presidential election could go down as one of the most important elections in U.S. history. But let's go back: Which of the following presidential elections would you rank as THE most important to the country? - October 30, 2008
| Thomas Jefferson | | | Abraham Lincoln | | | Franklin D. Roosevelt | | | John F. Kennedy | | | Ronald Reagan | | | Total Votes: 51 |
This question could fuel a long conversation or argument!
Wow! What a momentous time in news & sports right now! Which of the following newsmakers would you most like to sit down with for a cup of coffee and a long chat? - October 21, 2008
| Evan Longoria, the Tampa Bay Rays rookie sensation, now in the World Series | | | Actress Tina Fey, for her portrayals of Sarah Palin | | | Joe Wurzelbacher, the famous or infamous ''Joe the Plumber'' | | | Mack Brown, coach of No. 1 rated Texas Longhorns | | | Colin Powell, longtime Republican who endorsed Democrat Barack Obama | | | Total Votes: 52 |
One thing's for sure -- you don't want to get too far from the news right now, because you'll be shocked at what you miss!
Most polls are saying that the Republican presidential ticket is falling behind. If Republicans could have a ''do-over,'' which of their former candidates might really have been a better nominee, more likely to win, than John McCain? - October 8, 2008
| Fred Thompson | | | Mike Huckabee | | | Mitt Romney | | | Rudy Giuliani | | | Sam Brownback | | | Total Votes: 41 |
Or, heck, do you wish Sarah Palin were on top of the ticket?
It is a great time in rural Iowa, watching the harvest transform the countryside and our communities. Which part of the harvest do you most wish you could experience yourself? - October 2, 2008
| Drive the tractor pulling the grain wagon | | | Drive the grain truck to unload at the elevator | | | Drive the combine doing the cutting/picking | | | Fix and deliver harvest meals | | | Do in-the-field machinery repairs | | | Total Votes: 27 |
And let's hope everybody practices ''Safety First'' in bringing in the big crop!
Which of these Iowans who have made big sports news recently would you most like to sit down with for a cup of coffee and a long conversation? - September 25, 2008
| Alfredo Parrish, noted Des Moines defense attorney for troubled basketball player Pierre Pierce | | | Gymnast Shawn Johnson, Olympics gold medal winner & Valley High student, West Des Moines | | | Casey Blake, Indianola native starring with division leading LA Dodgers | | | Lolo Jones, Des Moines native and hurdler who came so close to Olympics gold before stumbling | | | Sally Mason, embattled president at the U of Iowa, trying to overcome the sexual assault of a student by football players | | | Total Votes: 44 |
This list reminds us that we sure have had a lot of intense sports situations lately!
Odd question, we know, but we're wondering: Among working age (18-70) adults in Iowa, which of the following would be HARDEST to find? Someone who's... - September 16, 2008
| ...never been to a high school girls' basketball game | | | ...never seen a live pig | | | ...never been on a computer | | | ...never been to church | | | ...never been to Des Moines | | | Total Votes: 53 |
Your answers will help us determine what is really peculiar in Iowa. Is there someone you know who seems clearly to be the most peculiar person in Iowa, and would talk about it? If so, tell me, chuck@Offenburger.com.
So, what are you thinking about the Republicans now? - September 4, 2008
| Sarah Palin gives the Grand OLD Party quite a makeover! | | | We're wishing we'd paid more attention when Fred Thompson was in the race. | | | Has there ever been a bigger ''shotgun wedding'' than what Levi Johnston has gotten himself into? | | | Surely some Republicans are wearying of being the party of war. | | | Big oil? Standing O! Bio-fuels? ''Zero!'' | | | Total Votes: 58 |
We're trying out a new slogan: ''As Alaska goes, so goes the nation!'' What do you think?
Last week's news that Iowa State and Kansas State will play their 2009 & 2010 football games in Kansas City is puzzling us. Which of these is the biggest lingering question about this deal? - August 25, 2008
| What do the merchants of Ames and Manhattan think about this? | | | Were the Iowa Department of Economic Development and the Governor's office consulted about it? | | | Can you think of a time when Kansas City sent a $1 million deal to the Ames-Des Moines area? | | | Are Kansas City businesses and organizations good contributors to other Iowa State U. projects? | | | Do the Cyclones have a better chance of winning in Kansas City than in Ames? | | | Total Votes: 34 |
And what next? Iowa State vs. Nebraska in Omaha?
When Rev. Rick Warren led the fascinating Q&A with presidential candidates Barack Obama and John McCain Saturday night, they all had on full business suits, but with open-necked white shirts & no neckties. This is the worst men's fashion trend since: - August 18, 2008
| Bell-bottomed trousers in the late '60s | | | Nehru jackets in the early '70s | | | Leisure suits in the '80s | | | Baggy basketball shorts in the '90s | | | Crown-less ball caps in this decade | | | Total Votes: 23 |
And we also don't think much of this new look of collarless shirts (we're not referring to turtlenecks but rather those T-shirt looking things) under sportscoats, either.
What should we make of the astounding fact that 11,000 people turned out at the Iowa State Fair before 8 a.m. on Thursday, August 7, to try to set a world record for most people eating corndogs at one time? - August 8, 2008
| ''Free'' + ''food'' = crowd. | | | Forget Jello, corndogs are Iowans' favorite food. | | | Why mess around making ethanol when we could take corndogs to the world market? | | | WHO radio's Van Harden & Bonnie Lucas, promoters of this event, are truly the most powerful media figures in Iowa. | | | This is conclusive proof that Iowans have too much time on their hands. | | | Total Votes: 47 |
Does anybody ever eat a corndog anywhere except at the Iowa State Fair?
We were charmed to hear that the song ''Take Me Out to the Ball Game'' is 100 years old now. Second to that, of course, which of the following would be the high point of artistic treatment of baseball? - July 9, 2008
| ''Ball Four,'' the 1970 book by Jim Bouton | | | ''The Summer Game,'' the 1972 book about baseball in the '60s by Roger Angell | | | ''Bull Durham,'' the 1988 movie | | | ''Field of Dreams,'' the 1989 movie | | | ''The Natural,'' a 1984 movie | | | Total Votes: 71 |
Other contenders, in our mind: ''Damn Yankees,'' the Broadway show of 1955; Roger Kahn's 1972 book ''The Boys of Summer,'' and David Lamb's 1991 book ''Stolen Season.'' You?
On this All-American weekend, who is the most respected current, active American? - July 4, 2008
| General David Petraeus | | | Oprah Winfrey | | | Bill Gates | | | Peyton Manning | | | Bruce Springsteen | | | Total Votes: 31 |
Someone else? Who? Why?
What's the most ''big time'' sporting event now held regularly in Iowa? - June 25, 2008
| Drake Relays | | | Hawkeye football | | | RAGBRAI | | | Cyclone football | | | Racing at Iowa Speedway | | | Total Votes: 51 |
When you think about it, we've got a terrific variety of sporting events in a year's time.
After all the devastation from the tornadoes and flooding the last three weeks in Iowa, what will be the surest sign that life is finally getting back to normal? - June 16, 2008
| When people across the state sit back, relax and celebrate the 4th of July. | | | When RAGBRAI makes its merry way across Iowa July 20-26. | | | When we're all eating corndogs again at the Iowa State Fair in August. | | | When the Aplington-Parkersburg Falcons play a home football game in the late summer or early fall. | | | When we hear Iowa farmers starting to say, ''You know, we really could use a little rain around here.'' | | | Total Votes: 39 |
There is still a whole lot of grieving to be done in places like Parkersburg and Little Sioux. But even there, good life will indeed return.
What do you think Iowa is most widely known for, among people who live outside the state? - June 9, 2008
| Corn | | | Iowa Political Caucuses | | | RAGBRAI | | | Floods | | | Tornadoes | | | Total Votes: 37 |
And then there are our pigs, too. Last time we heard, Iowa was the nation's leading hog state, with more than 18 million squealers -- six for every person here. Even so, we think most people still view us as ''The Corn State.''
The Chicago Cubs had the best record in baseball on June 1 -- the first time they've had that distinction on a June 1 since 1908. That was also the year they last won the World Series. What do you think? - June 6, 2008
| This could be the year! Go, Cubs, go! | | | This IS the year the Cubs will win it all! | | | Anybody ever seen a pig fly? | | | Let's see, aren't you the same pollster who foresaw a Huckabee presidency? | | | You been sniffing all that ethanol out there? | | | Total Votes: 14 |
After a century, isn't it the Cubs' turn?
What do we think about people who graduate early from college? - May 19, 2008
| Why loaf around? Get 'er done! | | | High costs are forcing early grads. | | | Campus life can be as important as academics. | | | Early grads aren't as well-rounded. | | | They're making a huge mistake. | | | Total Votes: 53 |
Our feeling is that students should stick in college as long as possible. And no way should they be given a diploma unless they can sing the fight song and alma mater.
With which of these recent Iowa newsmakers would you most like to have a cup of coffee and long conversation? - April 14, 2008
| Drake's Keno Davis, AP national college basketball coach of the year | | | Archie Brooks, ex-Des Moines city councilman, embroiled in CIETC trial | | | Peggy Whitson, due back on Earth this week after commanding the International Space Station | | | Gov. Chet Culver, after he visited Iowa troops in Kosovo last week | | | Iowa Ag Secretary Bill Northey, just back from a learning trip to China | | | Total Votes: 106 |
Our thought is that the state of Iowa needs to plan a major celebration in Astronaut Whitson's honor as soon as we can get her back from NASA headquarters.
What will be most likely to happen if the volcano erupts at the Cooper Prom on April 12? - April 7, 2008
| Someone will blame it on ethanol. | | | Homeland security agents will make their first known visit to Cooper. | | | Cooper residents will once again be invited to be on ''The Tonight Show.'' | | | Al Gore will hold a press conference in Cooper about ''global warming.'' | | | The town will be selling ''Super Cooper Lava'' by the first of next week. | | | Total Votes: 31 |
Actually, we are not overly worried about all this in Cooper, because we have become accustomed to eruptions here through the years.
Major League Baseball is resuming, and the Chicago Cubs are favored in the NL Central. True, the Cubs haven't won a World Series since 1908. But how do you feel about their chances this season? - March 31, 2008
| This is the year! | | | Look, anybody can have a bad century. | | | Is Steve Bartman still around? | | | ''Let's get some runs!'' | | | Where's the billy goat? | | | Total Votes: 24 |
Baseball season's underway,
It's gonna be a brand new day!
Go, Cubs, go!
Go, Cubs, go!
Hey, Chicago, what do you say,
The Cubs are gonna win today!
Of the five following high-profile college basketball coaches, all of whom formerly had head coaching positions in Iowa, whom do you think we miss the most? - March 24, 2008
| Tim Floyd, former Iowa State men's coach, now Southern Cal | | | Lute Olson, former Iowa men's coach, now U of Arizona | | | C. Vivian Stringer, former Iowa women's coach, now Rutgers | | | Steve Alford, former Iowa men's coach, now U of New Mexico | | | Larry Eustachy, former Iowa State men's coach, now Southern Mississippi | | | Total Votes: 72 |
We're guessing that, for most of you, this is a close call between Tim Floyd and Vivian Stringer. Interestingly, they were probably the two of those five coaches who seemed most at-home in Iowa, too.
The high school state basketball tournaments for some reason always make us start thinking about some of the colorful high school team nicknames no longer in existence, because of school consolidations. Which of these classics do you miss most? - March 3, 2008
| Fox Valley Trotters | | | Churdan Gremlins | | | Mallard Ducks | | | Roland Rockets | | | Everly Cattlefeeders | | | Total Votes: 105 |
Oh, and there are so many others: Clutier's Charging Czechs, the Bancroft St. John Johnnies, the Sheffield Claydiggers and the Protivin Rudolphinum Rudohawks. Gone, but certainly not forgotten!
This is the week of the Iowa high school girls' state basketball tournament. What is most memorable about the girls' tourneys thru the years? - February 25, 2008
| The elaborate pageantry between games and at halftime | | | The 1968 title game, Union-Whitten over Everly 113-107 in OT. | | | Ventura's Lynne Lorenzen setting high school basketball's career scoring record in 1987. | | | The 1959 blizzard that kept everybody at Vets' Auditorium overnight. and a sockhop broke out. | | | The switcheroo from 6-girl basketball to 5-girl. | | | Total Votes: 31 |
Let's all do South Hamilton's famous cheer from the 1960s to get fired up for this week:
Pork chop! Pork chop!
Chicken wing!
We're gettin' ready
To do our thing!
Cuban President Fidel Castro, in poor health, has announced he is stepping down from the presidency and as commander in chief of the military there. Post-Castro, what should U.S. policy be toward Cuba? - February 19, 2008
| Drop the restrictions, and let's go visit! | | | Renew full trade immediately. | | | Tell President Bush we the people will handle it, so don't be picking any fights there, thank you. | | | Have Major League Baseball put a franchise in Havana. | | | Start people-to-people cultural exchanges right away. | | | Total Votes: 31 |
Our bet has long been that the Castro government would crumble if there could just be normal interaction between the Cuban people and Americans. Heck, we think Cuba could eventually become a 51st state, if the Cuban people desire that.
It's high school state wrestling tourney time! With which of these wrestling figures in Iowa would you most like to have a cup of coffee and a long conversation? - February 11, 2008
| Tom Brands, Sheldon native, U of I national champ, Olympics gold medalist, U of I coach | | | Dan Gable, Waterloo West, ISU national champ, Olympics gold medalist, U of I coach | | | Cael Sanderson, undefeated ISU national champ, Olympics gold medalist, ISU coach | | | Nick Ackerman, 6th place for Colfax-Mingo in 1997, whose legs were amputated below his knees when he was a toddler | | | Dan McCool, Des Moines Register's wrestling reporter | | | Total Votes: 33 |
Do you realize that the Iowa high school state wrestling tourney is one of the biggest high school sports championship events in the nation?
The best sports story in Iowa right now is the Drake men's basketball team, which Saturday won its 21st consecutive game. With which Drake insider would you most like to have a cup of coffee and a long conversation? - February 4, 2008
| Radio commentator & former Drake great Dolph Pulliam | | | Drake U President David Maxwell | | | Head coach Keno Davis | | | Athletic Director Sandy Hatfield Clubb | | | Drake Athletics historian Paul Morrison | | | Total Votes: 35 |
Last year was the first winning record in 20 years. Now this year, the Bulldogs are in the Top 25 for the first time in more than 30 years! And they just keep finding ways to win! How fun!
RAGBRAI is coming to Greene County! What percentage of Iowans do you think have ridden on RAGBRAI, driven a support vehicle for it, served it food or drink, worked as a volunteer with it, or have at least sat out along the route and watched it go by? - January 28, 2008
| 30 percent | | | 60 percent | | | 80 percent | | | 90 percent | | | More than 95 percent | | | Total Votes: 40 |
In our time as RAGBRAI co-hosts, we once wrote this mission statement for the event: ''The Des Moines Register will keep putting on RAGBRAI until every Iowan has ridden on it at least once!'' Think it's over halfway there yet?
In which of these extracurricular activities do you think our Iowa high school kids reach their highest level of performance? - January 21, 2008
| Marching band | | | Speech/debate | | | Sports | | | Show choir | | | Theatrical productions | | | Total Votes: 35 |
We think it's show choir. The spirited singing & dancing required in show choir participation seems a really good match for the level of vocal talent, physical fitness, energy and enthusiasm our teenagers have.
As the Iowa Legislature convenes, what do YOU think the condition of Iowa is? - January 14, 2008
| Robust | | | Good shape | | | Wobbly | | | Major problems | | | Cold | | | Total Votes: 60 |
Guess what? Governor Chet Culver says Iowa is ''strong.'' That was his assessment in his ''Condition of the State'' address on Tuesday, January 15.
With 2007 having ended and the New Year beginning, whom would you pick -- among our five suggestions below -- as ''Iowan of the Year'' for 2007? - December 31, 2007
| Governor Chet Culver, as he completes a pretty-good first year in office | | | Peggy Whitson, astronaut and Beaconsfield native who is now commanding the International Space Station, first woman to do so | | | The Iowa Farmer -- they generally have just had one of their best years ever as we evolve into the bio-economy | | | David Yepsen, chief political columnist for the Des Moines Register and thus the go-to person about the Iowa Political Caucuses | | | Shawn Johnson, 15-year-old pixie gymnast from West Des Moines who won the world championship and now eyes the Olympics | | | Total Votes: 77 |
And if we missed someone you think is the obvious choice, let us know by writing chuck@Offenburger.com
Breitbach's Country Dining, in little Balltown in NE Iowa, the state's oldest restaurant & bar and one of our Partners & Patrons, burned to the ground on Christmas Eve day. Owners Mike & Cindy Breitbach say they'll rebuild. What's most memorable about it? - December 26, 2007
| The buffet line with all that homemade food. | | | Red raspberry pie. | | | The whole Balltown experience, including the fantastic view of the Mississippi River valley. | | | Mike Breitbach's almost non-stop storytelling. | | | The boast that it is ''the only restaurant where both actress Brooke Shields and the outlaw Frank James have eaten -- not on the same day.'' | | | Total Votes: 24 |
Thank goodness there were no injuries. And it is great news that the Breitbachs, who are in their sixth generation of ownership that began in 1863, plan to rebuild!
It is cold, snow cover is excellent and the hunters are out in force across Iowa. What do you think must be the most fun to shoot? - December 17, 2007
| Deer | | | Pheasants | | | Ducks/geese | | | Rabbits | | | ''The Bull'' | | | Total Votes: 54 |
If you think there are not as many pheasants this year, you are not working them hard enough. We drove to Sioux City and back on Saturday, 288 miles, and saw more than 200 pheasants on the road shoulders, picking up grit and spilled corn!
Well, it was slow starting, but which thought below best expresses your feeling about the way this winter is taking off now? - December 11, 2007
| Didn't we just set a record for having no snow in Iowa in October? | | | Let's hear it for snow days off-work and out of school! | | | With all the hot air in Iowa right now, how is all this snow & ice happening? | | | Thank goodness for snow plows & their drivers! | | | Remind me in late February that I thought this was pretty in December. | | | Total Votes: 35 |
Hey, is the WCI statistic MIA? I don't think I've heard a station report the Wind Chill Index yet in this early winter. Am I just listening to the wrong weather reports?
In this month before the Iowa Political Caucuses, where do you expect to get the best information to help you pick which candidate to support? - December 3, 2007
| Newspaper/magazine stories, columns & editorials | | | TV news/talk shows | | | Radio news/tallk shows | | | Internet news & info sites | | | Candidates' media ads, phone calls & mailings | | | Total Votes: 31 |
Interesting thought: The run-up to the Iowa Political Caucuses may be the clearest demonstration yet of how widely media have proliferated in our society.
Which celebrity, appearing with a presidential candidate, impresses you the LEAST? - November 26, 2007
| Bonnie Raitt & Jackson Browne with John Edwards | | | Paul Simon with Christopher Dodd | | | Oprah Winfrey with Barack Obama | | | Chuck Norris with Mike Huckabee | | | Bill Clinton with Hillary Clinton | | | Total Votes: 151 |
We're just not sure about some of these endorsements, you know? I mean, how deeply has Mike Huckabee really looked into the background of another of his celebrity endorsers, rassler Ric Flair, a.k.a. ''The Nature Boy''?
At Thanksgiving 2007, we know you are most thankful for family, friends & health. But which of these ''second tier'' things are you most thankful for? - November 20, 2007
| Presidential candidates spending so much time & money in Iowa. | | | Corn near $4/bushel, soybeans near $10. | | | UNI Panthers unbeaten football team | | | The long, mild autumn we've had | | | The McCaughey septuplets just turning 10, and how the stories about their birthdays are a dose of good news each November. | | | Total Votes: 37 |
Except for the ongoing war and its devastating effects on so many people, it does seem a Thanksgiving with a lot to be thankful for.
Which of these Iowans, all major newsmakers in recent days, would you most like to meet for a cup of coffee and a long conversation? - November 5, 2007
| U.S. Senator Tom Harkin, now guiding the new Farm Bill in Congress | | | Astronaut Peggy Whitson, Beaconsfield native now commanding the Space Station | | | David Yepsen, Des Moines Register political columnist, as he covers this presidential campaign | | | Deb Remmerde, one of Iowa's all-time best female basketball players, starting her senior season at Northwestern College in Orange City | | | Eric Sanders, senior quarterback of the undefeated and top-ranked UNI Panthers | | | Total Votes: 87 |
My goodness, don't we produce interesting people here in Iowa?
Have you noticed our American government hasn't exactly been operating in top form recently? Which office holder's or government entity's job performance has been the worst, here lately? - October 30, 2007
| The President | | | The Vice-President | | | Congress | | | FEMA | | | U.S. ICE | | | Total Votes: 82 |
Meanwhile, while we are trying to get all this sorted out, can we please not pick a fight with one more country?
Let's be good neighbors. We have a lot of experience in Iowa with lousy college football by our Division I teams. This is all new to Nebraskans. What is our best advice to them? - October 24, 2007
| It's time finally to begin appreciating what a really good marching band you have. | | | It could be worse: You haven't gone through 20 consecutive years of losses to Purdue. | | | Take heart: Your coach Bill Callahan is no Jim Criner. | | | Face it, you're dealing with a corn curse, since you abandoned the nickname ''Cornhuskers'' for ''Huskers.'' | | | Get another sport: Ever noticed how nuts we Iowans are about wrestling? | | | Total Votes: 41 |
The Omaha World-Herald headlined Tom Osborne's first football weekend as interim athletic director as ''the second coming of Tom.'' But we can remember times when Big Red fans wanted to crucify him, too!
October is ''Pork Month'' in Iowa, and the industry has become almost as controversial as it is important. How do you feel about it? - October 16, 2007
| The industry's importance is growing, not only for meat production and economic impact, but for manure's use as more affordable & environmentally-friendly fertilizer. | | | Pork production is a good entry point for many young people wanting to get into farming, and thus crucial to rebuilding rural Iowa. | | | Having five pigs for every human in Iowa is more than enough, thank you. | | | As size of pork operations grows, producers must be ever more considerate of their neighbors. | | | I'm increasingly concerned whether humane practices are being used. | | | Total Votes: 35 |
Word we get is that in this ''Pork Month'' of 2007, with pork profitably and commercial fertilizer prices both looking to rise in the future, there is almost unprecedented expansion underway in the industry.
As we get deeper into autumn, what do you most look forward to losing when we get our first hard frost? - October 8, 2007
| Flies | | | Asian beetles | | | Box elder bugs | | | Mosquitoes | | | Lawn mowing | | | Total Votes: 45 |
It is hard to beat October in Iowa, isn't it?
On September 27, 2007, Sam The Barber Kauffman observed his 50th anniversary of barbering in the same location in Audubon in SW Iowa. What kind of haircut do you guess Sam has done the most of through the years? - September 27, 2007
| Ducktail | | | Parted & combed | | | Flattop | | | Butch | | | Light trim of a moptop | | | Total Votes: 53 |
Sam The Barber says the ''parted & combed'' would be the haircut he's done the most of the past 50 years, ''but flattops would be a close second.''
Which of the following is most famous about Yale University, where the Offenburgers are visiting this week? - September 18, 2007
| Being alma mater of recent U.S. presidents Gerald Ford, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. | | | Whiffenpoofs singing society. | | | The on-campus private dining club Mory's. | | | The annual football rivalry with Harvard, heralded as ''The Game.'' | | | First line of the Yale fight song, ''Bull-dog, Bull-dog, bow, wow, wow!'' | | | Total Votes: 33 |
We've also always liked the closing line of the university's traditional song, ''Bright College Years,'' which ends with this, ''For God, for Country, and for Yale!''
Six years after the 9-11 attacks, which of the following is most unexpected? - September 11, 2007
| That the war continues, now longer than WWII. | | | That global support of the U.S. has fallen so far. | | | That Osama Bin Laden hasn't been caught or killed. | | | That anyone would want to live in a nation controlled by clerics of any religion. | | | That the U.S. military has so far made it through this with volunteers. | | | Total Votes: 30 |
What can we do, except to pray for peace while we ask, what can we do?
Can we just forget the news of the last week or so? Which of the following big stories do you most wish hadn't happened? - September 4, 2007
| Full disclosure of U.S. Senator Larry Craig's restroom escapade. | | | Polk County District Court Judge Robert Hanson's ruling legalizing same-sex marriages in Iowa. | | | Polk County District Judge Robert Hanson's ''stay'' order, halting same-sex marriages in Iowa, at least temporarily. | | | Iowa State losing to Kent State in football. | | | Some Carroll High football players using their hands to flash a sex symbol in their team photo. | | | Total Votes: 43 |
And the story that Mother Teresa, of all people, had spiritual doubts was just a little unsettling, too, wasn't it?
College football starts here this week. Which of these highly-rated Iowa teams will have the best record at season's end? - August 27, 2007
| Central College Dutch | | | UNI Panthers | | | Morningside Mustangs | | | Iowa Central CC Tritons | | | St. Ambrose Fighting Bees | | | Total Votes: 32 |
Pssst, hot tip: Watch our Buena Vista University Beavers, too. Veteran QB, and several players from Harlan -- 'nuff said.
School is resuming all around us. If you could go back to high school or college, what course would you focus on this time? - August 20, 2007
| The physical sciences | | | Another language | | | Computer technology | | | Art , music, history or lit | | | Business & economics | | | Total Votes: 36 |
Maybe it's just my advancing age, but I'm realizing there's a whole lot more out there that I'd really like to learn.
In this current couple weeks of very heavy presidential campaigning in Iowa, where do you find you are getting most of your political news and information? - August 14, 2007
| Radio | | | Television | | | Newspapers | | | Internet news sites | | | The campaigns' websites and mailings | | | Total Votes: 29 |
Wow, what a rush of politics! The Republicans' Straw Poll was this past weekend, and the Democrats' next big TV debate is this coming Sunday morning at 8 a.m. (you read that correctly) in Des Moines. How are you keeping track of it all?
It's Iowa State Fair time. Where will you spend the most time? - August 7, 2007
| Food stands | | | Animal barns, craft displays or food exhibits | | | Entertainment venues, including Midway | | | Commercial/industrial exhibits | | | Beer tents | | | Total Votes: 30 |
We'll see you at the Original Grinder sandwich stand, the kiosk selling Pineapple Whips or Bauder Pharmacy's ice cream trailer with its homemade peach. Yeah!
The Chicago Cubs are nearing 1st place in the National League Central Division, and Sports Illustrated says of the Cubs, ''It's gonna happen!'' Which best captures your feeling about that? - July 30, 2007
| Even the blind sow finds the acorn now and then. | | | The roster is strong, attitude is right and it's our turn! | | | Is the billy goat really dead? | | | Haven't you ever heard of the ''Sports Illustrated Curse''? | | | Are you Cubs fans ready to sing ''Heartbreak Hotel'' in addition to ''Take Me Out to the Ball Game''? | | | Total Votes: 26 |
Go, Cubs, go!
Go, Cubs, go!
Hey Chicago, whaddya say?
The Cubs are gonna win today!
Go, Cubs, go!
The much ballyhooed release of the new Harry Potter book makes Chuck O. feel ''out of it.'' Why? He's read none of the Potter adventures. That makes us wonder, who do you think is the MOST ''out of it,'' among the following choices? Someone who has: - July 23, 2007
| not read any of the Harry Potter books. | | | never ridden even a day of RAGBRAI. | | | never watched ''American Idol.'' | | | never used ethanol. | | | not traveled overseas. | | | Total Votes: 30 |
The older we get, the more ''out of it'' we feel, and often it borders on being ''out of it and proud of it!''
Several women have recently been appointed to, or hired for, high-level positions in Iowa, or have been prominent in the news because of their jobs. Which of the following would you most like to meet for a cup of coffee and a long conversation? - July 12, 2007
| Sandy Hatfield Clubb, Drake U. athletic director | | | Elisabeth Buck, new director, Iowa Workforce Development | | | Judy Bradshaw, new chief of police in Des Moines | | | Nancy Sebring, superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools | | | Sally Mason, new president of the U. of Iowa | | | Total Votes: 41 |
This is another in a series of occasional questions like this, when we ask which prominent Iowans our readers find most interesting.
Grandbaby Poll, Part II: Maria Offenburger, wife of Andrew and daughter-in-law of Chuck & Carla, was due to have her first child July 2, and she was still waiting on the 5th! So NOW what delivery date is your bet? UPDATE: Lindsay Lee O. born July 9! - July 5, 2007
| July 5 | | | July 6 | | | July 7 | | | July 8 | | | July 9 | | | Total Votes: 26 |
And join us in keeping the young couple in your thoughts and prayers as they prepare for the big moment at the Yale University hospital in New Haven, Connecticut. UPDATE: Lindsay Lee Offenburger was born at 8:11 p.m. EDT on July 9, 2007!
Grandbaby Poll: Maria Offenburger, wife of Andrew and daughter-in-law of Chuck & Carla, is due to have her first child July 2. So what delivery date is your bet? - June 29, 2007
| June 30 | | | July 1 | | | July 2 | | | July 3 | | | July 4 | | | Total Votes: 63 |
And join us in a prayer for a healthy, happy birth at the Yale University hospital in New Haven, Connecticut.
We're astonished at how popular auto racing has become in Iowa. Are you? Which kind of race would you most prefer attending, if indeed you are a fan? - June 22, 2007
| Stock cars on a local dirt track | | | Sprint cars on a dirt track, like Knoxville | | | Indianapolis or NASCAR type racing, like Iowa Speedway or Kansas Speedway | | | Figure-8 races on a local track | | | Car racing just doesn't rev me up | | | Total Votes: 45 |
Notice how much space and time that car racing is receiving lately in the Iowa media? Fascinating to watch it grow.
Which best characterizes your feeling about the ongoing process of hiring a new president for the U of I? - June 12, 2007
| This makes for fascinating spectating. | | | This position is so important it's worth taking whatever time is necessary. | | | Isn't this a bit much, for a position that won't likely be held for more than a half-dozen years? | | | This is lasting longer than some candidates' campaigns for the U.S. presidency. | | | I've quit paying any attention to it. | | | Total Votes: 35 |
Wouldn't it be interesting, assuming a president is eventually hired, to get the count of just how many people have been involved in the process one way or another?
We continue to be amazed at how pervasive Internet usage is now becoming in most of our lives. Which of the following would you say is your most frequent use of the 'Net? - June 5, 2007
| Following sports | | | Getting news & opinion | | | In my business and/or for shopping | | | Reference/research, like we once used encyclopedias and almanacs | | | Music & videos | | | Total Votes: 38 |
We're beginning to believe that the Internet is changing our lives even more than TV did.
As we start into summer travel season, which of the following best expresses your thoughts as you pump $3.20-plus per-gallon fuel for your vehicles? - May 29, 2007
| Who's getting rich and not telling? | | | Can't somebody do something about this outrage? | | | They're all in it together, you know. | | | Hurry up with alternative fuels, already. | | | Bicycling is making more sense all the time. | | | Total Votes: 45 |
Notice how convenience store clerks are apologizing now when you pay for the gas for your lawn mower?
Which U.S. president, among just the last five to lead the nation, would you say was ''the worst''? - May 21, 2007
| George W. Bush | | | Bill Clinton | | | George H.W. Bush | | | Ronald Reagan | | | Jimmy Carter | | | Total Votes: 77 |
They're not so PC at the top! Former President Carter said over the weekend that current President Bush's administration is the ''worst in history'' in international relations. The Bush staff retorted that Carter is ''increasingly irrelevant.'' Yowsa!
We have just had our first fresh rhubarb pie of the season from our own rhubarb patch. Could anything be as good as that? - May 14, 2007
| No | | | Possibly home-grown tomatoes in mid-summer | | | Maybe fresh peach pie in August | | | Sweet corn, if a good crop | | | Fresh asparagus, also now coming out of our garden | | | Total Votes: 58 |
Wow, you think about these answers and it just makes you glad to be alive for another summer, doesn't it?
Hillary Clinton easily won our poll last week on who'd be the best Democratic nominee for president. Now it is the Republicans' turn: Who will make the best GOP nominee? You Dems should vote on which would be toughest to beat. - May 7, 2007
| Mitt Romney | | | Rudy Giuliani | | | John McCain | | | Fred Thompson | | | Other | | | Total Votes: 65 |
The ''others'' in this race include Mike Huckabee, Tom Tancredo, Sam Brownback, John Cox, Jim Gilmore, Duncan Hunter, Ron Paul, Tommy Thompson and possibly Newt Gingrich and Chuck Hagel.
Now that we're only 18 months away from the next presidential election -- ahem! -- which Democrat would make the best nominee? (Republicans, we'll do this on your race next week, so for now you vote on which Democrat would be toughest to beat.) - May 1, 2007
| Hillary Clinton | | | Barack Obama | | | John Edwards | | | Al Gore | | | Other | | | Total Votes: 103 |
The others include Bill Richardson, Christopher Dodd, Joseph Biden, Dennis Kucinich and are we forgetting anybody else? Tom Vilsack, who was our favorite, already ended his campaign.
Which of these Iowans, prominent in recent news, would you most like to meet for coffee and a long chat? - April 23, 2007
| U.S. Sen. Charles Grassley, key player in recent Congressional hearings, getting more independent the older he gets | | | Zach Johnson, champion of golf’s Masters, native of Cedar Rapids, Drake grad | | | Roxanne Conlin, the Des Moines attorney, who won a $180 million settlement for Iowans in a lawsuit against Microsoft Corp. | | | Lolo Jones, world-class hurdler, Des Moines native, expected to star in this week’s Drake Relays | | | The unnamed hair dresser in Dubuque who gave Democratic presidential candidate a $250 haircut | | | Total Votes: 41 |
We do seem to have a lot of Iowans who wind up right in the middle of some real interesting situations, don’t we?
Late winter freezes and snow have nipped the buds of many of our favorite blooming trees and shrubs. Which flowers will you miss the most if indeed we've lost them for this year? - April 16, 2007
| Crab apple blossoms | | | Magnolias | | | Lilacs | | | Forsythias | | | Rhododendrons | | | Total Votes: 40 |
It will soon be clear that it wasn't just electricity that we lost in those late storms!
It's prom time in Cooper! What is your longest memory about your high school prom? - April 11, 2007
| Tuxes & formals | | | Dancing close | | | Corsages & boutonnieres | | | Worrying about getting a date | | | Staying out all night | | | Total Votes: 22 |
What we also remember is that after prom night, we somehow saw our classmates and faculty in new and different ways. For example, who knew that teachers could dance!
As we conclude Lent with this Holy Week, what Easter treat do we like the most? - April 3, 2007
| Malted milk balls shaped like eggs with colorful candy coating | | | The traditional hard-boiled, colored Easter eggs | | | Jelly beans | | | ''Peeps,'' those colorful little rabbits and chickens made of foamy, sugared goo | | | Chocolate Easter bunnies | | | Total Votes: 39 |
A friend of ours has shown us how you can microwave a ''Peep'' for 12 seconds, watch it swell up, then retract after the microwave goes off. Silly as it sounds, it's become kind of an Eastertime ritual at our house.
Quiz for our veteran readers: Farmer Dale Edwards, from the discussions at Sam's Barber Shop in Audubon, always says you know it's time to plant corn when...WHAT? - March 27, 2007
| your county's Iowa State University Extension director says so. | | | farm broadcaster Ken Root says so on WHO radio in Des Moines. | | | your neighbor starts planting. | | | you can pull down your pants and sit bare-cheeked on the soil without being uncomfortable. | | | The Old Farmer's Almanac says so. | | | Total Votes: 42 |
Answer 4 is the correct one. We've heard Edwards say this so often, we've always wondered if he really does it.
Spring officially arrives this week. Which of these events in Iowa is the best sign that spring is really here? - March 19, 2007
| Easter | | | Start of corn planting | | | Drake Relays | | | VEISHEA at Iowa State u. | | | Tulip Time, Pella/Orange City | | | Total Votes: 41 |
After the way the winter ended, we say, ''Spring! Bring it on!''
Besides the actual games, what do you enjoy most about the basketball tournaments? - March 12, 2007
| Drill/dance teams | | | Cheerleaders | | | Pep bands & live music | | | Recorded rock music | | | The big video boards | | | Total Votes: 28 |
And is anybody studying whether motion advertisements in arenas during games are distracting to players, coaches and officials?
With all these blizzard stories, it makes us wonder, what would you least like to be without during one of these severe winter storms? - March 6, 2007
| Electricity | | | Heat | | | Water | | | Phone | | | Spouse/significant other | | | Total Votes: 20 |
It was also pretty tough -- or was it a nice break? -- going without our normal level of news intake.
We are losing our Post Office in our town of Cooper. For small communities like ours (pop. 30), what is the hardest loss to deal with? - February 23, 2007
| Post Office | | | The last church | | | Hardware store | | | Town's newspaper | | | School | | | Total Votes: 57 |
A more hopeful thing to ponder, and maybe a question for a future poll: What areas of small town life are most positively impacted by the availability now of high-speed Internet service?
Robins are back in Iowa already, so what's your guess on how long this winter is going to last? - February 12, 2007
| We've got 'er pretty well whipped now. | | | Don't say it's over until the girls' state basketball tournament is behind us. | | | Have you forgotten what happened on April 9, 1973? | | | I'm betting on one more stretch of below-zero weather. | | | Those robins are going to be real hungry for a worm before they find one. | | | Total Votes: 59 |
We noticed on Sunday, when it hit 30 degrees, that it seemed almost balmy in Iowa. Birds were singing. It was hard not to think about spring. But Monday brought a winter storm watch for much of the state.
Which of the Iowa couples below -- all recently in the news but not all of them married couples -- would you most like to have a cup of coffee and a long chat with? - February 5, 2007
| John & Mary Pappajohn, donors of $30 million in sculpture art to the City of Des Moines | | | Ramona Cunningham & Archie Brooks of CIETC scandal notoriety | | | New Governor Chet & First Lady Mari Culver | | | Barry & Michele Griswell, winners of the Des Moines Register's Iowa Star Award for community involvement | | | Van Harden & Bonnie Lucas, the WHO radio morning show hosts who recently celebrated the show's 20th anniversary | | | Total Votes: 46 |
You know, maybe we should just start scheduling public coffees with people like these.
We've now had our first look at Senator Hillary Clinton as a presidential candidate. Whaddya think? - January 30, 2007
| She's no Tom Vilsack. | | | She impressed me more than I thought she would. | | | I'm for her all the way. | | | No way. | | | She's a much more legitimate candidate than Bill Clinton was when we first saw him here. | | | Total Votes: 60 |
One of her biggest challenges, it seems to us, will be getting beyond the ''rock star'' status that has been conferred upon her so that people can determine what she's really like.
''Washington Sketch'' columnist Dana Milbank reported in the Washington Post that 73-year-old U.S. Sen. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) was checking his BlackBerry during President Bush's ''State of the Union'' speech. Which best portrays your reaction? - January 24, 2007
| Chuck Grassley has a BlackBerry? | | | I feel even more out of it now, not having one myself. | | | This is the first time I can remember Grassley embarrassing us. | | | What could he have been checking, the basketball score of his UNI Panthers? (They lost at Southern Illinois.) | | | Just whose urgent e-mail might he have been expecting at such a moment? | | | Total Votes: 59 |
Actually, we would have been less surprised if columnist Milbank had spotted Grassley eating a piece of blackberry pie during the big speech.
What's the best advice for new Iowa Governor Chet Culver? - January 15, 2007
| Don't make Lt. Gov. Patty Judge mad because she seems like someone who can straighten up almost anybody -- in a hurry. | | | Don't make Des Moines Register political columnist David Yepsen mad because he knows more about state government than you do. | | | If you find the state needs money, ask Kirk Ferentz for help. | | | Skip out-of-state trips for a while, stay in your office and you will look good. | | | If First Lady Mari Culver asks you to wear some goofy costume in public, take an out-of-state trip that day. | | | Total Votes: 43 |
Actually our best advice would be simply this: Make time for fun on the job.
If you could travel overseas soon, like the Offenburgers just have, which country would be your choice? - January 8, 2006
| France | | | China | | | South Africa | | | Argentina | | | Australia | | | Total Votes: 28 |
Fair warning, friends: When the travel bug bites, you almost always have to scratch the itch!
What's your choice among these simple New Year's resolutions? In 2007, I will: - December 31, 2006
| Earn more | | | Pray more | | | Cuss less | | | Be happier | | | Share more | | | Total Votes: 29 |
And we wish you all health and happiness in the New Year!
What would we most like to see happen in 2007? - December 26, 2006
| New coach Gene Chizik taking the Iowa State University football Cyclones to a bowl game, and not the one played on blue artificial turf. | | | $4 per bushel corn, $7 per bushel soybeans. | | | An end to the war in Iraq and Afghanistan. | | | The State of Iowa deciding to devote significant funding to maintenance of our recreational trail system. | | | The U.S. enacting a new immigration policy that is both reasonable and compassionate. | | | Total Votes: 27 |
Actually, we just hope for health and a good measure of happiness for you, yours and ours.
Which of the following concerns you most? - December 18, 2005
| The Des Moines Register just reported Iowa has 483,000 K-12 public school students this year, down from 645,000 in 1972. | | | There are more people in Iowa over the age of 75 than under the age of 5. | | | Half of Iowa's 99 counties had more deaths than births in 2003. Only two counties did in 1980. | | | More than half of our 18,000 college graduates each year leave Iowa for their careers. | | | In 1900, Iowa had 11 seats in the U.S.House, now we have five, after 2010 we will have four. | | | Total Votes: 48 |
Why are we kicking anybody out of Iowa?
It's basketball time: Which parts of the sport in the past do we miss most today? - December 11, 2006
| Hook shots | | | Uniform knee socks | | | Shorts that fit | | | Under-handed free throws by some player | | | Pie & coffee at halftime | | | Total Votes: 33 |
Somehow we're even feeling a little nostalgic about the tiny gyms with overhanging balconies.
The best Christmas carol? - December 4, 2006
| ''Hark the Herald Angels Sing'' | | | ''Silent Night'' | | | ''White Christmas'' | | | ''Lo How a Rose Ere Blooming'' | | | ''Joy to the World'' | | | Total Votes: 52 |
Actually, we've always been partial to ''The Holly & the Ivy.''
Which recent Iowa newsmaker would you most enjoy a cup of coffee and a long chat with? - November 27, 2006
| Dan McCarney | | | Denise O'Brien | | | Michael Gartner | | | Rekha Basu | | | Chet Culver | | | Total Votes: 71 |
You know, the real charm of life in Iowa is that you could probably call up any of these five, say you'd like to have coffee and a chat, and they'd probably say, ''Come on over!''
Thanksgiving 2006: What are you most thankful for? - November 19, 2006
| Health | | | Family | | | Faith | | | Prosperity | | | A day off | | | Total Votes: 39 |
And we at Offenburger.com are thankful for readers like you!
What do you most like to eat this time of year? - November 6, 2006
| Hot beef sandwich | | | Piece of fresh pumpkin pie | | | Chicken & noodles | | | Good hot bowl of chili | | | Apple crisp | | | Total Votes: 69 |
It seems like every church in Iowa has either just had, or is soon having, a supper featuring one or more of the items listed here.
What would you most like to have happen? - October 31, 2006
| Your high school football team wins a state title | | | You win big in the Iowa lottery | | | Your candidate for governor wins | | | Your town gets a good new industry | | | Your kid makes All-State in music | | | Total Votes: 41 |
This question ought to tell us something about ourselves!
Where are you right now on the race for Iowa governor? - October 23, 2006
| Definitely voting for Democrat Chet Culver | | | Definitely voting for Republican Jim Nussle | | | Leaning toward voting for Culver | | | Leaning toward voting for Nussle | | | Still honestly undecided | | | Total Votes: 67 |
Let the final debates begin around Iowa's coffee tables!
How happy are we politically? What are there the most of out there? - October 16, 2006
| Happy Republicans | | | Disenchanted Republicans | | | Happy Democrats | | | Disenchanted Democrats | | | Contented Independents | | | Total Votes: 61 |
And, remember, there are just three weeks left to get happier or get more disenchanted and then decide what to do about it!
How 'bout that 700-mile $1.2-billion fence Congress OK'd for the U.S.-Mexico border? - October 9, 2006
| Great idea! Build it now. | | | It will never happen. | | | Will we be fencing the U.S.-Canada border, too? | | | The Berlin Wall sure worked for the Soviet s. | | | It'd be cheaper to fence-in Kiron and Odebolt, Iowa. | | | Total Votes: 33 |
Will the signs on that fence be in official English?
Baseball's post-season is underway: Which of the following is the most memorable World Series hero ? - October 3, 2006
| Don Larsen, Yankee pitcher, perfect game in 1956 Series | | | Bill Mazeroski, Pirates, homer won the '60 Series | | | Reggie Jackson, ''Mr. October'' for A's and Yanks from late '60s into the '80s | | | Carlton Fisk, Red Sox, dramatically homered to win Series game six in '75 | | | Joe Carter, Bluejays, clinched '93 Series title with a homer | | | Total Votes: 13 |
And whom did we miss?
What best explains why gasoline is now a buck a gallon cheaper than one month ago? - September 25, 2006
| The oil cartel feeling the pressure of the bio-fuels push in the U.S. Farm Belt | | | President Bush standing firm in Iraq & Afghanistan | | | People cutting back in their travel by motor vehicles | | | Oil companies feeling guilty about their profits | | | Election time being upon us in the U.S. | | | Total Votes: 44 |
Who'd a-thought that we'd think $2 per gallon gasoline was a good deal?
The harvest is just beginning in Iowa. What thought or question below best captures your feeling about it? - September 18, 2006
| How do the farmers and their harvest crews stand the long hours? | | | I wish I understood it better. | | | How do farmers know when it is time to pick? | | | I am flat-out amazed at the bounty of Iowa. | | | I'd sure like to drive one of those big combines. | | | Total Votes: 27 |
I have asked a bunch of farmers if they have any little ceremony or prayer, right before they start the harvest. Their answer, overwhelmingly: ''No.'' They should, you know?
Who will give the best performance Saturday at the big intrastate football game in Iowa City? - September 13, 2006
| The Iowa Hawkeyes football team | | | The Iowa State Cyclones football team | | | The Hawkeye Marching Band | | | The ISU Cyclone Football ''Varsity'' Marching Band | | | The U of I student body | | | Total Votes: 95 |
When has the condition of one kid''s stomach muscles been the concern of so many people in Iowa, as is the case now over the ouchy abs of Hawkeye QB Drew Tate?
The political season is now in full bloom: Which of the following issues is likely to decide the Iowa governor's race? - September 4, 2006
| Tax issues | | | Education, PK-16 | | | Economic development & tourism | | | Ag, environment, livestock | | | Abortion | | | Total Votes: 34 |
The wild card: How will national and international issues affect politics in Iowa?
While watching so many young people head off to various levels of school, what transition in life do we think is the hardest one to make? - August 28, 2006
| Childhood at home to school | | | Grade school to junior high | | | Junior high to high school | | | High school to college | | | College to life & career | | | Total Votes: 28 |
And do you suppose there is a gender difference in how we answer this question?
Which of the following college football teams in Iowa will have the best won-loss record at the end of the upcoming season? - August 22, 2006
| UNI Panthers | | | Northwestern College Red Raiders | | | Iowa State Cyclones | | | Coe College Kohawks | | | Iowa Hawkeyes | | | Total Votes: 21 |
It's a fun time of year now, isn't it, when everybody is undefeated?
So here we are in mid-August. What is the best thing about this month? - August 14, 2006
| The start-up of high school and college football seasons | | | The Iowa State Fair | | | The beauty of Iowa's corn & soybean fields reaching maturity | | | Cool mornings & evenings | | | Home-grown tomatoes & sweet corn | | | Total Votes: 29 |
We always look forward to baseball's pennant races heating up in August, too. But as fans of the Chicago Cubs, hey, we're ready for some football!
The Iowa State Fair, starting this week, is a huge attraction. But which of the following do you think the highest percentage of Iowa people have attended, at least once? - August 7, 2006
| Girls or boys high school state basketball tournament | | | Amana Colonies | | | Iowa State Fair | | | Grotto of the Redemption in West Bend | | | A home football game of either the Iowa Hawkeyes or Iowa State Cyclones | | | Total Votes: 47 |
And how would ''ever played a game of chance at an Iowa casino'' rank among these attractions?
Now that we know the Des Moines Register can lure the likes of Lance Armstrong to ride on RAGBRAI, whom among the following would you most like to see the newspaper bring here in summers to come? - July 21, 2006
| President George W. Bush, a bicyclist | | | Tim McGraw & Faith Hill | | | Brandon Routh, ''Superman'' | | | Bill Gates | | | Oprah Winfrey | | | Total Votes: 72 |
Meanwhile, how many thousands of Iowans will line the RAGBRAI route between Newton and Marengo on July 27 to try to get a glimpse of Armstrong?
Of course, we don't really know which Iowan was the first to utter the great quote about summertime weather here: ''It's not the heat -- it's the humidity.'' But which of the following would have been most likely to have said it? - July 13, 2006
| Roswell Garst, ag leader | | | Donald Kaul, former columnist | | | L.D. McMullen, the boss at Des Moines Water Works | | | Connie McBurney, former TV weatherperson | | | Bill Riley, State Fair icon | | | Total Votes: 31 |
And have you noticed how many people think about what the weather is like in the northwest Iowa town of Hull? You hear it all the time: ''It's hotter than Hull here!''
In this week of our nation's 230th birthday, is there a hero/heroine we can all rally behind or around? Which of the following comes closest to being that kind of American icon? - July 3, 2006
| Former president George H.W. Bush | | | TV's Oprah Winfrey | | | Public radio's Garrison Keillor | | | Pro golfer Tiger Woods | | | Microsoft's Bill Gates | | | Total Votes: 36 |
It disturbs us that it is difficult coming up with a hero or heroine who has not been publicly tainted, one way or another. But maybe that is just a reflection of the humanity of all of us, a recognition that we all have failings.
Which of these Iowans in business would you most like to have coffee and a chat with? - June 26, 2006
| John Pappajohn, the venture capitalist | | | Barry Griswell, big boss at The Principal | | | Mary Junck, CEO of Lee Newspapers | | | Gary Kirke, insurance and casino magnate | | | Gregs Thomopulos, CEO of Stanley Consultants | | | Total Votes: 21 |
Last week we asked which Iowa arts leader you'd most like to visit with. This week, business leaders. In upcoming polls, we'll ask about Iowa leaders in other categories of life, too.
Which of these Iowans in the arts would you most like to have coffee and a chat with? - June 20, 2006
| Mauricio Lasansky, world-renowned printmaker | | | Joseph Giunta, Des Moines Symphony music director | | | Amanda Pierre, arts writer, Des Moines Register | | | Robert Larsen, Des Moines Metro Opera director | | | Samantha Chang, director, Iowa Writers Workshop | | | Total Votes: 21 |
When you think about these five, and others in the arts, we have some very interesting people around us!
What's prettiest in the Iowa countryside right now? - June 13, 2006
| Cornfields that are already knee-high | | | Soybeans sprouting in such perfect rows | | | The sight & smell of hayfields newly mown | | | Cattle grazing on verdant pastures | | | Farmhouse yards that are well-kept | | | Total Votes: 31 |
The pigs? There are more than 15 million of them in Iowa, but we just don't see 'em much anymore.
U of I football coach Kirk Ferentz just got a raise of $1.4 million per year, now making his annual salary $2.7 million. How do you feel about that? - June 5, 2006
| That's great! | | | Guess it's O.K. | | | Who cares? | | | I'm speechless. | | | This is an outrage! | | | Total Votes: 51 |
The coach says he and his wife will donate some of his salary. No word yet where we all can sign up.
San Francisco Giants slugger Barry Bonds, accused of steroid use, has just passed Babe Ruth's career home run total and now takes aim at Hank Aaron's record. What's your feeling about that? - May 29, 2006
| Wow! What a hitter! | | | We're letting him play, we have to honor his records. | | | The commissioner should ban him. | | | The commissioner should be banned. | | | Who cares? | | | Total Votes: 14 |
While we're on this topic, has anybody heard from Sammy Sosa this summer?
It's graduation time. What do you remember most about your own? - May 22, 2006
| A dope wearing shorts | | | A message taped on a mortarboard | | | The women looking smarter than the men | | | A relative yelling when my name was called | | | ''Pomp & Circumstance'' | | | Total Votes: 21 |
Because it is true that no one remembers who their graduation speaker was, we didn't even ask.
It is three weeks until the primary election is held June 6. Which candidate is most likely to be Iowa's next governor? - May 15, 2006
| Mike Blouin | | | Chet Culver | | | Ed Fallon | | | Sal Mohamed | | | Jim Nussle | | | Total Votes: 92 |
Do others sense what we do, that the Democrats now have a serious three-person race rather than the duet it's been up 'til now?
Mother's Day approaches. Who is Iowa's most famous mother? - May 8, 2006
| Ruth Estes | | | Christie Vilsack | | | Bobbi McCaughey | | | Mrs. Paroo | | | My own | | | Total Votes: 30 |
And Happy Mother's Day to all of them!
Which recent resignation/termination was the biggest surprise? - May 1, 2006
| Bobby Douglas | | | David Skorton | | | Wayne Morgan | | | Bob Bowlsby | | | Ramona Cunningham | | | Total Votes: 21 |
And, another good question, which of those five was making the most money?
What is our favorite spring flower? - April 26, 2006
| Lilacs | | | Tulips | | | Dandelions | | | Daffodils | | | Virginia bluebells | | | Total Votes: 37 |
And which gets the most attention, your dandelions or your favorite flowers?
What about Gov. Tom Vilsack's frequent absences from Iowa? - April 17, 2006
| They're serving us well for future trade & showing support for our troops. | | | They're not helping Iowa, just his presidential campaign. | | | They're becoming a problem. | | | They're exactly what he should be doing. | | | Wait, is he still governor? | | | Total Votes: 37 |
My goodness, we went three days last week without knowing where he really was or what he was doing. Then he popped up in Iraq!
Which song is your favorite for this Holy Week and Easter? - April 11, 2006
| ''Were You There?'' | | | ''Crown Him With Many Crowns'' | | | ''The Old Rugged Cross'' | | | ''Christ the Lord is Risen Today'' | | | ''Easter Parade'' | | | Total Votes: 29 |
And did you know that evangelist George Bennard, who wrote ''The Old Rugged Cross,'' lived early in his life in the south central Iowa towns of Albia and Lucas?
It's prom time in Cooper. What is your sharpest memory of your prom? - April 3, 2006
| The rumor that the punch had been spiked | | | The rumor that there'd be a rumble | | | Most romantic night of my life up 'til then | | | Worst night of my life up 'til then | | | Dancing to ''Mustang Sally'' | | | Total Votes: 11 |
And we've still never forgotten some of those dresses worn by the coaches' wives, and the shock that most of the teachers could dance better than we could.
What's your favorite sports time of the year? - March 24, 2006
| Baseball playoffs & World Series | | | College football bowl games | | | NCAA basketball tournament | | | Pro football playoffs & Super Bowl | | | Summer Olympics | | | Total Votes: 49 |
Or are you more into the Masters in golf, the major NASCAR events, opening weekend of walleye season or pheasant hunting?
Time to get on the bandwagon: Which team of upset specialists do we like most going into the next round of the NCAA men's tournament? - March 20, 2006
| Wichita State | | | West Virginia | | | George Mason U. | | | Bradley | | | Gonzaga | | | Total Votes: 21 |
And we in Iowa, as you might imagine, hope never again to hear of Northwestern State.
The high school boys' state basketball tournament is underway. Which of the following was Iowa's favorite schoolboy player? - March 13, 2006
| Fred Hoiberg, Ames | | | Dean Oliver, Mason City | | | Gary Thompson, Roland | | | Jess Settles, Winfield-Mount Union | | | Nick Collison, Iowa Falls | | | Total Votes: 47 |
And who can forget the Ziegler brothers of Laurens, Marcellus McMichael of Des Moines Roosevelt, Bobby Hansen of Dowling Catholic of West Des Moines, Bill Logan of Keokuk, Raef LaFrentz of MFL/Mar-Mac and so many other heroes of March Madness.
It is girls' high school state basketball tournament time. Who said it: ''Gentlemen, if you attempt to do away with girls' basketball in Iowa, you'll be standing in the center of the track when the train runs over you!'' - March 6, 2006
| 1960s mega-star Denise Long | | | Girls' basketball czar E. Wayne Cooley | | | Superfan & U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley | | | Superintentdent & coach John W. Agans | | | Former player, now U of I coach Lisa Bluder | | | Total Votes: 31 |
Answer: John Agans, of tiny Mystic in extreme southern Iowa, in November, 1925, when the high school athletic association was voting to end interscholastic girls' basketball competition.
Ash Wednesday starts Lent this week. Which best describes how you'll observe it? - February 27, 2006
| Give up sweets | | | Give up alcohol | | | Pray more on my own | | | Go to church more | | | Watch more basketball | | | Total Votes: 29 |
When you think about it, 40 days of a little extra reflection would help all of us.
Seems like everybody in Iowa has a cold, just got over one or is about to get one. What works best for you in getting over colds? - February 20, 2006
| Orange juice & vitamin C | | | Aspirin/Ibuprofen | | | Sympathy | | | Sleep | | | Whiskey | | | Total Votes: 31 |
We heard WHO radio's Ken Root say last week that if you take medicine and get plenty of sleep, ''you can get rid of a cold in about seven days. But if you do nothing, it will take about a week.''
The Winter Olympics are upon us. Which of the following would you LEAST like to do? - February 9, 2006
| Compete in one-person luge | | | Play goalie on a bad hockey team | | | Do the mega ski jump | | | Try a spinning jump in skating | | | Take the samples for drug tests | | | Total Votes: 26 |
You know, the Winter Olympics sport that looks most appealing to us, as far as doing it ourselves, is that curling.
President Bush gave his ''State of the Union'' speech Tuesday night. What area of our nation's affairs do YOU think should get the most focus in the coming year? - January 31, 2006
| The War on Terror, specifically in Iraq and Afghanistan | | | Health care delivery & costs in the U.S. | | | The U.S. economy | | | International relations in general | | | U.S. education's global competitiveness | | | Total Votes: 36 |
Was it last year when the president was going to ''spend the political capital'' he thought he'd won with re-election? He must wonder at how little it seemed to buy!
What source do you now find yourself going to most often for news? - January 23, 2006
| Television | | | Radio | | | Newspapers | | | Internet | | | News magazines | | | Total Votes: 28 |
Interesting -- isn't it? -- how each new form of media prompts predictions that the earlier media are doomed, and yet all continue basically to thrive. We just wind up with more media. (And, of course, we here think that's good!)
The Iowa Precinct Political Caucuses were held Monday night, with no presidential race this time. But when you think of the Iowa Caucuses, which of the following names comes to mind first? - January 16, 2006
| Jimmy Carter | | | Tom Brokaw | | | Howard Dean | | | David Yepsen | | | Ronald Reagan | | | Total Votes: 30 |
Of course, we miss all the national attention during these ''off-year'' caucuses, but they are still fun to attend.
The governor gave the ''Condition of the State'' address earlier this week. How do YOU think Iowa is doing? - January 9, 2006
| Things are just great | | | We're making some progress | | | We're steadily staying about the same | | | We're backsliding | | | It can't get much worse, can it? | | | Total Votes: 27 |
Our hunch is that this poll question will elicit vastly different responses in Iowa's rural areas than in our cities.
Which New Year's resolution below best reflects your intentions here at the start of 2006? - December 27, 2005
| I resolve to make more money next year. | | | To hell with money, I'm spending more time loafing. | | | I'll get more involved as a citizen. | | | I'm going to improve my spiritual life. | | | I too am now ready for an acreage in Greene County, Iowa. | | | Total Votes: 41 |
Actually you can't go wrong just resolving to ride your bicycle more in the new year than you did in the old one, no matter your age.
Tell the truth: What is your favorite part of Christmas and/or Hanukkah? - December 20, 2005
| The music | | | The food | | | Spirituality | | | Gift giving & receiving | | | Family gatherings | | | Total Votes: 45 |
This was a tough question, wasn't it? Luckily, in real life, you don't have to choose between these five parts of the holiday observance. Enjoy them all! Merry Christmas! Happy Hanukkah!
The news Monday was that slow-growing Iowa will lose one of its seats in the U.S. House post-2010 census. If we had to give up one of our five House members right now, which one would we oust? - December 12, 2005
| Jim Nussle | | | Jim Leach | | | Leonard Boswell | | | Tom Latham | | | Steve King | | | Total Votes: 70 |
Meanwhile, we better start getting used to the idea that one Congressional district will include half or more of Iowa's 99 counties. Yowsa!
Which age group is doing the LEAST amount of snow removal in Iowa? - December 5, 2005
| Those 12 & under | | | Teenagers | | | 20-somethings | | | Mid-career types | | | Senior citizens | | | Total Votes: 29 |
As much snow as Iowa's already had in this early winter, probably all of us are going to get to do more snow removal than we care to!
What comes closest to expressing your thought when you read that University of Iowa football coach Kirk Ferentz is the highest-paid state employee, making nearly $2.1 million per year, almost 20 times as much as the governor? - November 28, 2005
| Our priorities in Iowa are just as screwed up as most other states' are. | | | As big-time college football coaches go, Ferentz is worth it. | | | Can we see a list of his charitable contributions? | | | The Hawkeyes got beat by Northwestern? | | | And Iowa State beat 'em, too? | | | Total Votes: 53 |
Silly as it seems to pay a football coach that much money, we do have to admit that Coach Ferentz is probably the hardest-working, most unpretentious millioinaire in the state.
When should the holiday shopping season begin? - November 24, 2005
| After Thanksgiving, the way God intended. | | | Let it happen all year, why limit us to a month? | | | After Halloween, giving us two months. | | | Bah humbug, I don't care. | | | 24 / 7 / 365 from the privacy of our homes in fine online operations like Our Iowa Store. | | | Total Votes: 21 |
And call us old fuds, but we still scowl when we start hearing Christmas music on the radio before Thanksgiving.
In an editorial November 6 advocating the continuation of ''abortion rights,'' the Des Moines Register reported, ''In Iowa, about 6,000 pregnancies are terminated a year.'' What is your reaction to that fact? - November 14, 2005
| That's better than having 6,000 unwanted children to raise. | | | That's sad, but it's O.K. because it is legal. | | | I had no idea. | | | It is definitely time to reconsider ''abortion rights.'' | | | That is just Iowa's part of the American Holocaust. | | | Total Votes: 43 |
We have always wondered if and/or when people who are age 35 and younger will start talking about what the impact of abortion is on their generation.
Who, among the following, would you least want to be right now? - November 7, 2005
| Saddam Hussein, former Iraqi president, facing trial | | | New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin, facing all he faces | | | Karl Rove, chief political advisor to President Bush | | | Hugo Chavez, the crude president of Venezuela | | | Bill Callahan, coach of the staggering Nebraska Cornhuskers football team | | | Total Votes: 33 |
As we contemplated this question, our quiet life in the beautiful Iowa countryside seems all the better.
What statement best characterizes your feeling about the job President George W. Bush is doing lately? - October 31, 2005
| He is a good leader at the top of his game. | | | He sure seems wobbly in his leadership. | | | What were we thinking when we re-elected him? | | | He is being done-in by errant staff and advisors. | | | He is doing O.K. in a time of big problems. | | | Total Votes: 57 |
There must be times when Bush looks back on those heady times in '98 and '99 when he was governor of Texas, and when everybody was beating a path there to ask him to run for the presidency, and wonder: Did that really happen?
Paul McCartney plays Des Moines on Thursday and Omaha on Sunday. Which song are we forever going to remember McCartney, the Beatles and/or Wings for? - October 24, 2005
| ''I Want to Hold Your Hand'' | | | ''She Loves You'' | | | ''Hey Jude'' | | | ''Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band'' | | | ''Yesterday'' | | | Total Votes: 35 |
Wow! We realize we can probably name more songs by the four Beatles than by any other artists ever. But kiss me bummer if Sir Paul isn't 63 years old now! Will we still need him, will we still love him, when he's 64? We think so!
What position should we Chicago Cubs fan stake out regarding the Chicago White Sox making it to the World Series? - October 18, 2005
| Bemused disinterest, since it's football season, after all | | | Hope no one catches us rooting for the Houston Astros since they are divisional rivals of our Cubbies | | | Take the high road and cheer for the ChiSox | | | Whatever happens, blame Dusty Baker | | | Call the Chicago Tribune & complain about excessive coverage of the White Sox | | | Total Votes: 29 |
Is anybody else like us, able to name more members of the 1959 White Sox World Series team than this year's?
The Des Moines Register thinks Congressman Steve King in western Iowa should be dumped. Who's the best Republican to succeed him? - October 10, 2005
| Brent Siegrist of Council Bluffs | | | Arthur Neu of Carroll | | | Debi Durham of Sioux City | | | Clarence Hoffman of Denison | | | Bob Vander Plaats of Sioux City | | | Total Votes: 65 |
And is anybody besides us thinking maybe we should build a razor-topped fence all the way around greater Kiron, Iowa, to keep King there?
Which native Iowa music star would you most like to see and hear performing one of their most famous songs? - October 3, 2005
| Greg Brown doing ''Iowa Waltz'' | | | Marilyn Maye doing ''Step to the Rear'' | | | Roger Williams doing ''Autumn Leaves'' | | | Everly Brothers doing ''Bye Bye Love'' | | | Simon Estes doing ''Old Man River'' | | | Total Votes: 30 |
Or were you thinking of someone more like the band Slipknot doing their big hit ''Duality''?
The visiting team's lockerroom at Kinnick Stadium at the University of Iowa is painted and furnished all in pink, in an attempt at some sort of cornpone psych job on football opponents. A controversy is brewing over it. What should be done? - September 27, 2005
| Re-do it so visiting young football players feel more welcome in Iowa | | | Fill it with photos of great U of I players | | | Make it a showcase of Big 10 Conference memorabilia | | | Leave it pink | | | Make our Hawkeyes use it when they don't play well | | | Total Votes: 48 |
Or should we kick both football teams out of the lockerrooms and let the poor people of the Iowa City area live there?
It's harvest time, with our farm neighbors using amazing equipment all around us. What piece of farm equipment would you most like to operate? - September 19, 2005
| Tractor with front scoop | | | Combine harvesting soybeans | | | Tractor with ''tracks'' instead of wheels | | | Combine picking corn | | | Tractor with round-baling machine | | | Total Votes: 25 |
Actually, driving one of those 10,000-gallon manure wagons might be an adventure, too!
Footballicly speaking, what is the biggest surprise so far this season? - September 12, 2005
| Vanderbilt Commodores are 2-0 | | | Des Moines Lincoln Railsplitters are 2-0 | | | Jefferson-Scranton-Paton-Churdan Rams are 2-0 | | | Iowa State Cyclones are 2-0 | | | Iowa Hawkeyes are not | | | Total Votes: 40 |
Meantime, has anybody found a good football scoreboard show on radio anywhere, like one that plays fight songs?
What's the biggest football rivalry in the world? - September 6, 2005
| Iowa vs. Iowa State (ISU won it Saturday) | | | Southern Cal vs. UCLA | | | Harvard vs. Yale | | | Wartburg vs. Luther | | | Argentina vs. Brazil | | | Total Votes: 39 |
Actually, some of our neighbors around Simple Serenity Farm say it doesn't get much bigger than the Perry High School Bluejays vs. our Jefferson-Scranton-Paton-Churdan Rams in the ''Battle for the Cowbell.'' The Rams won it 42-0 Friday night, September 9.
College football is here! Where is the most pleasant place to watch a college game in the state? - August 30, 2005
| Luther College when the bluffs are in full fall color | | | Buena Vista U. in the stadium on the lakeshore | | | Kinnick Stadium, U. of Iowa | | | Jack Trice Stadium, Iowa State | | | Loras College's Rock Bowl | | | Total Votes: 34 |
And, of courses, Our Lady of the Lakes Stadium at the University of Okoboji is pretty pleasant, too!
Back to school special: What course in high school nearly killed you? - August 22, 2005
| Chemistry | | | Calculus | | | English composition | | | Government | | | Economics | | | Total Votes: 35 |
No whining about foreign languages. You should have taken more of them, and you know it.
Our nasty rooster Douglas T. Bates III must go. (See ''Chick Pix.'') How should we do it? - August 15, 2005
| Get the ax | | | Make soup | | | Send him to his namesake in Tennessee | | | Enter him in the Iowa State Fair and don't pick him up afterward | | | Taxidermy for a new mantelpiece | | | Total Votes: 53 |
Rooster Bates has embarrassed us enough.
Who is our favorite Iowa State Fair icon? - August 12, 2005
| Butter cow sculptor Duffy Lyon | | | Talent Search founder Bill Riley | | | The Big Boar | | | Fair Board member Don Greiman | | | Foods champ Robin Tarbell-Thomas | | | Total Votes: 25 |
And, as Riley always says, ''See you at the Fair!''
What's our favorite Iowa State Fair snack food? - August 8, 2005
| Pineapple whip ice cream cone | | | Corndog on a stick | | | ''Guinea Grinder'' sausage sandwich | | | Bauder's Old-Fashioned Peach Ice Cream | | | Funnel cakes | | | Total Votes: 25 |
It gives us pause to realize that we have eaten all five of these items on the same day's visit to the fair!
So, who's your choice right now to be Iowa's next governor? - August 1, 2005
| Bob Vander Plaats | | | Jim Nussle | | | Patty Judge or Ed Fallon | | | Mike Blouin | | | Chet Culver | | | Total Votes: 75 |
Or are you still wishing you could vote for Bob Ray again?
Who's been the most recognizable RAGBRAI character(s) over the 33 years of the event? - July 25, 2005
| John Karras | | | ''Leather Loin Cloth Man'' | | | Clarence Pickard | | | Team Skunk | | | Team Bad Boy | | | Total Votes: 29 |
If you have other favorite character(s) from RAGBRAI (that's the Des Moines Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa), tell us about it by writing chuck@Offenburger.com
Which animal show at your county fair are you most likely to watch? - July 18, 2005
| Dairy | | | Beef | | | Swine | | | Sheep | | | Horse | | | Total Votes: 35 |
And, really, are any of the animal shows as good as the ''people shows'' at the fairs?
Which expression best portrays life in Iowa? - July 11, 2005
| It's not the heat, it's the humidity. | | | If you build it, they will come. | | | Iowa will go Democratic the same year Hell goes Methodist. | | | We're so by damned stubborn we can stand touching noses for a week at a time and never see eye to eye. | | | That's where the tall corn grows. | | | Total Votes: 47 |
Or maybe you have another favorite Iowa expression that captures life here even better. If so, send it along to chuck@Offenburger.com
Which would be the best slogan for Cooper, Iowa? - July 6, 2005
| Only town in the USA with Zip Code 50059 | | | Everything's Super in Cooper! | | | Where everyone is friendly and society is good | | | We argue about everything but still like each other | | | Just northwest of Jamaica | | | Total Votes: 46 |
Or, if you've got a slogan for us that you think is better than these, send it along to chuck@Offenburger.com
What was the preferred firecracker of our youth? - June 27, 2005
| Cherry bombs | | | Bottle rockets | | | Black Cats | | | Roman candles | | | M80s | | | Total Votes: 34 |
And does anything beat the ''aerial bombs'' in the big displays that communities will be doing this coming weekend?
What's the best thing about summer in Iowa? - 6/22/05
| Peach ice cream from Bauder Pharmacy in Des Moines | | | High school baseball/softball | | | Tomatoes & sweet corn from the garden | | | RAGBRAI | | | Watermelon | | | Total Votes: 33 |
And outdoor concerts by municipal bands are pretty good, too!
Downtown Des Moines without Younkers is like... - 6/06/05
| The Iowa State Fair without the butter cow | | | All-State Music Festival without the ''Battle Hymn'' | | | Des Moines Register without a front-page cartoonist | | | WHO radio without Jim Zabel | | | Arnolds Park without the roller coaster | | | Total Votes: 60 |
We are repeating it, trying to get used to it: ''They are closing 'The Big Store' in August.'' ''They are closing 'The Big Store' in August.'' We haven't been in there for at least seven years, but we still feel awful about the news.
What's the best Iowa song? - 5/30/05
| ''Iowa Waltz'' | | | ''Iowa Corn Song'' | | | ''Sioux City Sue'' | | | ''All I Owe Iowa'' | | | ''Iowa Stubborn'' | | | Total Votes: 28 |
We are not even going to let you vote on what is actually the official state song, which is ''The Song of Iowa'' by S.H.M. Byers. It is sung to the tune of ''O Tannenbaum,'' and it is awful.
Iowa's best town slogan? - 5/23/05
| Conrad: Black Dirt Capital of the World | | | If Gravity goes, we all go! | | | Rockwell City: Golden Buckle on the Corn Belt | | | Lake City: Everything but a lake | | | You're not dreamin', you're in Beaman! | | | Total Votes: 40 |
And, of course, it is tough not to include ''Auburn: Just the other side of everywhere!'' and ''Seymour? We've seen less!''
Iowa's best-ever high school team nickname? - 5/16/05
| Webb Spiders | | | Everly Cattlefeeders | | | Clutier Charging Czechs | | | Mallard Ducks | | | Sheffield Claydiggers | | | Total Votes: 37 |
All the above nicknames have been lost in school consolidations. In another poll soon, we will determine Iowa's best high school team nickname being used now.
Who is the most influential Iowa female now? - 5/09/05
| Lt. Gov. Sally Pederson | | | First Lady Christie Vilsack | | | Business exec Theresa Wahlert | | | Attorney Roxanne Conlin | | | DM Register publisher Mary Stier | | | Total Votes: 144 |
Last week, readers said baseball executive, Regents president and former news boss Michael Gartner is Iowa's most influential male now, slightly moreso than U.S. Senator Charles Grassley, with Governor Tom Vilsack a close third.
Who is the most influential Iowa male now? - 5/02/05
| Bob Ray | | | Michael Gartner | | | Charles Grassley | | | Tom Vilsack | | | Kirk Ferentz | | | Total Votes: 46 |
Come back in a few days and we'll ask you about Iowa's most influential female now.
To share your comments, opinions and insights with us and with our readers, e-mail us at chuck@Offenburger.com or carla@Offenburger.com.
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