Welcome to the Friday mailbag where you will find some of the comments, questions and ideas sent recently by readers of this newsletter or our publications. They are edited for space and clarity.

“I loved The Tribune (Scrappy and sassy, Oct. 28, 2024). I would come home from work, open all the windows of the house, relax on the patio with my iced tea while the house cooled off, and I would enjoy the quiet of the early evening. The best part was I could quietly read the multitude of timely and local news of the day from the intelligent Tribune. Perfect way for a busy day to end. Makes me smile to remember those days.” - Margaret

Iced tea and the Trib. It’s not me and my RC, but it sounds nice to me. - Shane

“Lovely memory of the afternoon paper (Scrappy and sassy, Oct. 28, 2024). I grew up in the Register family. Stimulating people, lovely people.” - Linda

I wish I could have experienced it, as I can see how it would have been an integral part of a person’s day. How about the Afternoon Umbrella? - Shane

“Shane, in addition to the pure nostalgia of reading your comments on the Des Moines Tribune (Scrappy and sassy, Oct. 28, 2024). I was struck by your description of the staffing: ‘....so did more than 185 full-time employees in news, promotion, circulation and production operations at the Register and Tribune who were let go when the paper folded, or ‘merged’ with The Des Moines Register.’ That seems like a lot of employees and causes me to wonder if the newspaper industry missed the opportunity to downsize staffing as part of the changing world to survival. How many positions were kept because they had always been there rather than how many do we actually need to put out a readable and saleable product? Other businesses found ways to more efficiently use staffing and processes. Today, while I maintain an e-newspaper subscription, I haven't regularly read the actual newspaper for close to a year, online or in print. What I miss the most are the advertising supplements and the stories that, when appropriate, go deeper than who, what, where and why. The good beat reporters, mostly print, helped keep public officials on the ball. We, the people, miss that!” - Chuck

I thought the same as you about the 185-staffing problem, but the trend of afternoon papers folding was undeniable. Even so, I would suspect there was more to the story, and I look forward to learning about it. - Shane

“I carried the afternoon Tribune during the summer as a 12-year-old in the summer of 1974, and it came with a Sunday Register route, too (Scrappy and sassy, Oct. 28, 2024). I had to pay the bill for the papers and then collect from the subscribers, using a receipt book they gave me. The book was small in a 12-year-old's hands, and the receipts were perforated; each was about the size of a fingernail. In addition to the receipt book and bill, I was given a newspaper bag after providing a deposit that was returned when I quit at the start of seventh grade in the fall. When I first started, my ‘ball time’ ran later than it should have, so I didn't get the paper to people's homes by 3 p.m., and upon delivery, I was met with see-through stares from the retirees who likely took both the Register and the Tribune. The newspapers were gold to the readers, and they expected me to respect it and them. Thanks for the memory.” - Brad

I often wondered how those kids who were delivering papers kept all the money sorted and applied properly. I guess they had to cover the difference, so they learned how quickly. That would be a good lesson for kids today — and many adults, too. - Shane

Have a fantastic Friday, and thanks for reading.

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

CARS IN THE CITY
Autocross at the Valley West Mall parking lot

By Jackie Wilson

“Come race with us,” they said. “We’ll show you what it’s like to experience a thrilling ride.”

Three of the men I recently interviewed for Iowa Living magazines articles on racing sports all offered me a ride-along in their race cars. Would I be interested?

Meet Hope Kirby
Kindergarten teacher enjoys Heritage’s little learners

By Ashley Rullestad

Hope Kirby graduated from Mt. Mercy University in December 2022 with a degree in elementary education as well as a reading endorsement. The following January, she took on long-term sub positions in a third grade and special education classroom and then accepted her current position at Heritage Elementary School as a kindergarten teacher.

“This will be my second year with the DCG community, and I love it,” she says. “Initially, teaching was never an option for me. When I started college, my intent was pursuing a career in social work.”

After volunteering in classrooms and working as a camp counselor during the summer, she decided to switch her major to elementary education the day before classes started her third year. ...

Happy Birthday to Rich Hoidahl, and also to Tami Wilson and Shayne McGaughy on Saturday!

These celebrities were born on this date: Alex Wolff, Anthony Kiedis, Bill Anderson, Bo Bice, David Foster, Gary Player, Jenny McCarthy, Lyle Lovett, Max Burkholder, Natalia Tena, Penn Badgley, Rick Allen, Rick Allen, Toni Collette

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

The answer to yesterday's riddle: What happened when the turkey got into a fight? He got the stuffing knocked out of him!

Today's riddle: If pilgrims travel on the Mayflower, then what do college students travel on?

Have a guess? Email tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com

To advertise in the Daily Umbrella or Winterset Living magazine, contact:

Kristine McDonald
Account Executive
Office: 515-953-4822 ext. 321
Mobile: C: 515-975-3543
kristine@iowalivingmagazines.com

©Big Green Umbrella Media, Inc., all rights reserved.
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