Good neighbors can help make your house a home. If you have had good neighbors, you know this. If you have had bad neighbors, you also know this.

Jolene and I are fortunate to have great neighbors today, and we had some wonderful ones in past homes, too. One was a marvelous man named Duane. He and his wife, Rochelle, lived a few doors down from us, smack dab in the middle of suburbia with kids continually running through the neighborhood. Duane and Rochelle were both nearing 80 when they moved into their two-story home. He mowed his own lawn and shoveled his own driveway until my friend and fellow neighbor, Cory, and I insisted we take this on for him. A six-pack of our favorite beverages would often appear on our doorsteps.

Duane and Rochelle appreciated the help, and we learned they were also grateful for home-cooked meals. Jolene would bring food to their home from time to time, and they were both so genuinely appreciative.

Duane kept busy in retirement, making wood projects including those little free library boxes. He had a talent. He also took great care of his ailing wife, which wasn’t always easy. Duane had suffered numerous heart attacks through the years. Consequently, he appreciated every day, knowing well that it could be his last. He talked openly about death, and he was OK with it. He had lived a good life.

When Rochelle died in their home, my friend Cory was there with Duane. Cory told me how seeing that happen was one of the saddest moments of his life, but he also saw the peace that Duane had knowing Rochelle would now be free of pain. When Jolene and I attended Rochelle’s funeral, we were greeted by Duane in the church. He was smiling and strong, but a tear ran down his face as we gave him a hug.

Not too much later, Duane decided to sell that two-story home and move into a more manageable townhome. At age 85, his vision was quickly failing, and he could no longer drive. He soon moved into a senior living facility. Cory and I stopped by to see him a few weeks ago. When we went to his room, it was empty. An employee told us Duane died two days prior. Cory and I had a quiet drive home. Our only solace was knowing that Duane was looking down at us and laughing.

This scenario with Duane was a stark reminder for me to make time now to connect with those who are important in my life. I immediately made a commitment to reach out to some who I have failed to stay in touch with, especially those who are dealing with serious health issues. I think Duane would be happy about this. I hope his story inspires you to do the same.

Have a thoughtful Thursday, and thanks for reading.

Shane Goodman
President and Publisher
Big Green Umbrella Media
shane@dmcityview.com
515-953-4822, ext. 305
www.thedailyumbrella.com

See Shane Goodman's other columns here.

STRAY THOUGHTS
Keeping public in dark on school shootings is wrong

By Randy Evans

I have fielded a bunch of emails, text messages and phone calls in the days since the school shooting in Winder, Georgia.

Each one is from Perry, Iowa. Each one had the same question for me and the Iowa Freedom of Information Council. Each one came from a parent, teacher or other concerned person asking, why isn’t the public allowed to read the official findings by state agents about the shooting at Perry High School and Middle School last January 4?

High School Principal Dan Marburger and Ahmir Jolliff, 11, a sixth-grader, died from their gunshot wounds. Two school employees and five students were wounded but survived. The shooter, Dylan Butler, 17, took his own life before police could reach him.

The school shooting in Perry was the first in the United States in 2024. Eight months later, Perry residents received a painful reminder of that awful morning, this time when news flashed across the nation of another school shooting. A 14-year-old youth is charged with killing two students and two teachers at the high school in Georgia. His father is charged with providing the gun the boy used.

1900 ARLINGTON AVE., DES MOINES
SALE DATE: 2024-06-27
SALE PRICE: $48,000
SELLER: STARLINK LLC
BUYER: BROWN, ANGELA
ACRES: 0.183
SQUARE FEET: 4,153

Trip to Ivuga
Residents share a story of a unique vacation.

Johnston residents often take special vacations, but some recently traveled to Tanzania to maintain and improve a decades-long relationship.

Saint James Lutheran Church was founded in Johnston in 1959. As that church grew, it sought ways to better serve its mission. In 2002, it entered into a companion congregation relationship with the Lutheran church in Ivuga, Tanzania. That included signing a Companion Congregation Covenant with Ivuga in which both congregations agreed to regularly pray for each other, develop individual relationships, and learn about the other congregation and its state and country. They also agreed to participate in each other’s activities and encourage visits to the other congregation.

The price of regular unleaded gasoline fell 9 cents, averaging $2.97 across Iowa according to AAA. The price is down 87 cents from a year ago. The national average on Wednesday was $3.22, down 3 cents from last week’s price.

Retail diesel prices in Iowa fell 5 cents this week with a statewide average of $3.34. One year ago, diesel prices averaged $4.34 in Iowa. The current Iowa diesel price is 26 cents lower than the national average of $3.60.

Wholesale ethanol held steady and is currently priced at $2.16.

Natural gas prices fell 1 cent at the Henry Hub reporting site and are currently priced at $2.31/MMbtu.

These celebrities were born on this date: Danielle Nicole Panabaker, Jeremy Irons, Jimmy Fallon, Trisha Yearwood, Alison Sweeney, Katrina Bowden, Sanaa Lathan, Bill Medley, Cheri Oteri, Twiggy, Soledad O'Brien, Bruce A. Evans, Columbus Short, Eva Marie, Kevin Zegers, Kim Richards

SUBMIT: Send your birthday greetings and congratulatory notes to: tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com

The answer to yesterday's riddle:

Why did Darth Vader go to the music store? HE WAS LOOKING FOR A REBEL BASS! - Gail Tomlinson. Or, Because he was "force"d to! - Mike Chiston

Today's riddle:

What do you call an annoyed lobster?

Have a guess? Email tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com

To advertise in the Daily Umbrella or Indianola, Urbandale or Clive Living magazines, contact:

Gina Chandler
Account Executive
Office: 515-953-4822 ext. 323
Mobile: 641-750-6485
gina@iowalivingmagazines.com

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