Iowa school buildings will remain closed for the 2019-20 school year.
Schools have come up with continuous learning proposals that include voluntary educa-tional enrichment opportunities, required educational services, or a combination of the two. They have begun implementing these plans with students through distance learning, which means students will not have to make up missed days of instruction this year.

April has been the month of remakes.
First "Resident Evil 3" gave survival horror fans a new, if somewhat abbreviated, take on the PlayStation classic. Then "Final Fantasy VII Remake" upped the ante, kicking off the first entry in what will be a multi-game series to retell the story of the original in a way I can't actually describe because it would spoil things.

I'm waiting for a decent shower to sprout weeds where we intend to plant pasture. That flush of weeds can be sprayed and then we can no-till plant the new seeds. Without tillage there will be few competing weeds when the grass comes up.

Coronavirus continues to be the top item in the news and on most of our minds.
Based on the latest data, Iowa is projected to hit its worst point for the virus in early May. As new data be-comes available, projections are refined and updated.
While we’re just starting to understand the nature of this disease, we can see clearly that distancing practices in other states do “flatten the curve,” slow the spread and save lives.

Working out of my home is nothing new for me, but the last month of social distancing has taken things to a new level. Before we were all advised to self-quarantine I rarely went out if there wasn't some kind of meeting to cover. Now, as more and more public boards are switching to teleconferencing, I don't even have those to get me out of the house.

I have a friend in Texas who I have never met. We got acquainted because he writes articles for a website dedicated to 1967 VW Beetles. I have several friends like that, far away but often in contact. He wants me to tell the history of my relationship with '67 Bee-tles and, even though there is a ton of stuff to write about regarding the “pandemic,” could you use a break? I could.

Warm greetings! As we wrap up another week of physical distancing, it is nice to see the weather forecast improving. I'm sure the farmers are thinking of planting and gardeners are looking forward to working up the soil in the warm sun!

The refrain of "stay at home" continues to resonate across the state as we all try to avoid the COVID-19 pandemic.
This has been easier for some than others.
Obviously there are a great many people that physically cannot do their jobs from home, but even those that can face difficulties.

As I once again write this week's newsletter from my kitchen table I can’t help think-ing of the struggles we are facing together, but I am also feeling encouraged. While our state and nation are experienc-ing challenges never seen in my lifetime – we still have hope! As I call to check on friends and family, most are doing well in this new solitude.

Even in these tough days, I am filled with hope and grateful to be an Iowan. I see so many folks encouraging and support-ing one another. Keep it up! We all need a boost right now.
Everyone’s situation is a little different: some are sick; some have lost their jobs; some are caring for others under challenging circumstances; and some have been home alone for weeks.

I remember my favorite neigh-bor, Morrie Wolf, driving into our yard and saying, “You have got to hear this song!” It was “Old Hippie” by the Bel-lamy Brothers.
Yep, I'm an old hippie. I was a rebel, but the only way I was destructive was in distanc-ing my relationship with my folks for a few years. It was nothing like the revolution our forefathers conducted against their own government.

It's the age of remakes. Last weekend saw the release of Capcom's "Resident Evil 3," a remake of the 1999 PlayStation game of nearly the same name.
Like it's predecessor, last year's "Resident Evil 2" remake, "Resident Evil 3" is excellent in just about everything it does.

I was talking to our son, Hans about his son, Oliver. He said he has homework and it is really cool to see him learn to budget his time. As I remember, school was like prison, we moved at the bell and shut up most of the time. Now kids are learning how to live in the real world. It's a beautiful thing. I talked to a kid working at McDonald's just before they were shut down.

To the editor:
In the late 1700 era of time, the phrase came about “give credit where credit is due”. The phrase has the amplified meaning of acknowledgment given to the person or persons who deserves it.

The COVID-19 pandemic con-tinues to be at the top of eve-ryone’s mind. We’re all adjust-ing to a new normal—talking, thinking and acting differently than we did just a month ago.