Wendy Range

Marybeth | Mark’s Remarks

“Have you met Marybeth yet?”   My friends who already knew her said we just had to meet. I had no idea who this Marybeth was. People kept telling me…

bill ott

Our two biggest challenges | Ott Observations

I think our country today faces two immense and complex challenges, but they aren’t what you think.  It’s not the economy, the environment or how to handle Russia, China or…

Too much discussion | Mark’s Remarks

I love to watch the show “Hoarders.”  Most of the episodes are predictable.  A team comes in, assesses the hoard and then goes about convincing the person to let go…

Flossie and the chip | Mark’s Remarks

Sometimes when I am majorly fed up with some of my own children and their idiosyncrasies, I try very hard to reach back in the recesses of my memory and…

bill ott

Real education support | Ott Observations

In the past few months, Waterloo School Board meetings have been setting parent attendance records. Coverage of these meetings by the Republic-Times has required some of the largest column inch…

Waving goodbye | Mark’s Remarks

When the end of summer rolls around, I begin to remember things I knew as a kid. I remember the katydids and crickets singing as the sun was going down.…

And just like that, before you know it | Mark’s Remarks

With each passing year, I am amazed at how quickly time goes by.  I’ve said it before, again and again, so much so that I risk the thought of you…

bill ott

Reflections on Affirmative Action | Ott Observations

Recently, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Affirmative Action is unconstitutional.  For almost 50 years, this has been an admissions practice by universities, accepting minority student applicants who might not…

Offended by the uncomfortable | Mark’s Remarks

In the past few years, I’ve noticed that people don’t want to hear from anyone they disagree with, because people who disagree with them make them feel uncomfortable or not…

Acting out | Mark’s Remarks

It happened, even with my brother and I.  We’d be at our grandparents or someone else’s house. Our parents would come to pick us up, and we’d get into a…