For a lot of families today Christmas season begins at Thanksgiving (or before) and lasts until the Epiphany, Jan. 6. Not at the Cullen homestead on Geneseo Street when I was growing up. We …

When I was a kid in the late 1950s, going to Midnight Mass on Christmas at St. Mary’s Church was a big deal. It was a coming-of-age moment. I don’t remember at what age I was allowed to go. It …

For years our schools have emphasized to kids that they shouldn’t bully others, especially online. Our Storm Lake schools teach our students to be nice to each other. We’ve had many …

One of the biggest fallacies in American politics is that we don’t have enough money to build roads and schools, provide healthcare for all, solidify Social Security, service the national debt …

Loyal Times Pilot reader Nancy Nelson of Linn Grove recently sent us this note: “In the heat of the last few days I’ve been avoiding doing real work by finding things I can do in a …

We have a lot be thankful for as we celebrate Thanksgiving next week. At the Times Pilot, we’re especially thankful for all the generous readers who have helped clothe deserving kids through …

My bride Mary and I celebrated our 40th anniversary on Oct. 19. That isn’t remarkable; lots of people celebrate 40 years of marriage. But our wedding happened to occur at the same time as the …

Storm Lake residents are faced with the prospect of spending $100 million for a new water plant. Our present operation on Abner Bell Road is at capacity, treating five million gallons a day, more …

A Storm Lake native will be honored Nov. 3 by Iowa State University for a gift that endows a newly created dean’s position in his name. The estate of the late Gary Swenson is funding the …

While the city wrestles with its water challenges, we had our own problems at our honeymoon cottage on Cayuga Street. After noticing a small wet spot in our front yard, we called Trent Werner of …

People across America are getting more upset and nervous every day about where life is heading here. What does it take to make a nation happy? It turns out that Finland may have the answer. The …

While we were in Northern California last week for our son’s wedding, we spent a day on a wine-tasting event in Napa, the center of America’s wine country. I am not a wine …

If you dear readers wondered why this column did not appear in last week’s Times Pilot, Mary and I were in Northern California for the marriage of our son Justin to a wonderful woman, Piper …

I’ve never cared much for poetry, unless they’re dirty limericks. I much prefer prose when a person wants to explain their thoughts. But there is one poem I love — the only one …

Now Trump wants to send military troops into Chicago because he thinks the Windy City is overrun with crime that only he can control. He ought to know about crime, convicted felon that he is. I …

This weekend we celebrate Labor Day. It’s supposed to honor the hard-working men and women who empower America, but mostly it’s a day that marks the end of summer. Meanwhile, a lot of our …

I’m surprised at how many readers have asked me about my tomatoes this year. Actually, no one has asked me, and that doesn’t really surprise me. But I’ll tell you about them …

President Donald Trump seized control this week of the Washington, DC, police force, ordering the military and FBI to patrol the streets to stop a supposed crime wave in our nation’s capital. …

Interest is running high for the 13th running of “Storm the Lake,” the Hy-Noon Kiwanis Sprint Triathlon/Duathlon set for Saturday, Aug. 16. As of Monday this week, there were 91 …

Hats off to MidAmerican Energy for its response to power outages in the aftermath of all too many storms this summer. We were hit with another thunderstorm in the wee hours of Monday, which …