Viewpoints

To the Editor:
Most churches are involved in some kind of missions work. Some send money, clothing, Bibles, people, or assist with whatever need could be helped. Some even take it upon themselves to go to other countries to help with building projects, doctoring, preaching the gospel, etc.
There is a massive mission field right here in the United States. I read a story years ago about an elderly lady who didn’t have much money and was unable to leave her home very often because of poor health. So what she did was open her phone book and started calling every name in it, page after page, telling whoever would listen about Jesus.
We used to get a lot of calls from various organizations wanting to sell us something. Three or four per day was common. Here is one way you can be a missionary. I do it and it accomplishes two things. It brings to the caller’s mind his or her savior’s name, and it isn’t long before they quit calling. It goes like this:

by Dick Schilling, Editor Emeritus

by Rev. Kim Gates

A design engineer and I recently spoke about the need for more workers trained in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in Iowa. He told me that in today’s truly global workplace, students who have not previously considered STEM may be the key to keeping the U.S. competitive. He posed this question to me: “Don’t we owe it to ourselves to make sure that every young person has the chance to make an informed decision on STEM-related careers?”
As the Northeast Regional STEM Manager of the Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council, I’m working with an advisory board and a number of community and business partners to help students learn about STEM fields so they can make those decisions.

... that my holiday reading included a charge that he has refused to enforce laws which are necessary for the public good.
That he has forbidden states to pass laws of immediate and pressing importance unless they agree with his views.
That he has refused to pass laws that would accommodate large sections of the population unless those persons surrender their right to representation, which is a right formidable to tyrants only.
That he has repeatedly ignored opposition opinions that he is invading individual rights of citizens.
That he has worked his will on justices of the courts.
That he has erected a multitude of new subordinate officials and they in turn have unleashed swarms of individuals whose purpose is to harass citizens and thereby insure their own substance.

by Dick Schilling, Editor Emeritus

by Rev. Ron Pederson

by Dick Schilling, Editor Emeritus

by Fr. Jim Dubert

To the Editor:
It has been more than 75 years since the annual celebration began - June Dairy Month recognizes dairy foods and the farmers that produce them. As June winds down, I would like to extend a thank you to all of our producers in Allamakee County and the surrounding areas.
Dairy farming supports rural communities in every single state. There are more than 47,000 dairy farms in the United States and 97% of them are family owned and operated. With an average herd size of 196 head, that puts more than 9.2 million dairy cows in the United States. Iowa alone is the 12th largest milk producing state in the U.S. with approximately 1,370 dairy herds. We have 14 plants that process one or more dairy products throughout the state of Iowa. Last year, Iowa produced 540 million gallons of milk with approximately $944 million in milk sales annually.