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Author Archives: Marty Ryan
Hey, Joe! Where you going with that gun in your hand?
WARNING! Do not read this while eating! After writing about one of my favorite watering holes when I was younger, I had a few people ask me to write to about Homer’s brother, Joe. I blogged about Joe’s brother, Homer, … Continue reading
Posted in General
Tagged Dave Berry, Dennis Mohatt, Homer's, Iowa, Joe Devaney, Marvin's Provisions, RedMan, Terry Murtaugh, Vail
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Clay Spear Amendments
Clay Spear was a legislator from Wever, Iowa, when I began my lobbing career in 1992. Rep. Spear, a former postmaster in southeastern Iowa, died while in office, on January 27, 1993. I recall coming into the Capitol on a … Continue reading
Posted in General
Tagged Brent Seigrist, Clay Spear, Curt Sytsma, Dennis Cohoon, Justice Wiggins, Mark Lambert, Pam Jochum, Steve Hansen, Tony Bisignano
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Wintertime Fun in Vail
We’re getting more snow. The previous blast of snow and cold air a few weeks ago, left branches covered with wet, heavy snow, and very slick streets. Once again, this month, I am reminded of living as an adolescent in … Continue reading
Homer’s
There is a bar in Vail, Iowa, called “Homer’s.” The bar has been there since I was a kid. The owners have changed, the name hasn’t. Francis Devaney was an old bachelor that owned the original Homer’s. His nickname was … Continue reading
Big Yellow Taxi
When I was a child, our home had a row of American elm trees separating our property from our neighbor to the south. I climbed one of those trees so often that I could get to a branch 20 feet … Continue reading
Posted in General
Tagged Cedar Rapids Gazette, derecho, Dutch elm, Iowa, Joni Mitchell, Vail
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John Patrick Ryan 1953-2020
Our brother, John Ryan, died sometime during the weekend of August 28-30, although the official date of his death is September 1, we were notified on the 31st, a day earlier. Some things just don’t make sense. John was a … Continue reading