Paul and Erma
“I appreciate your gifts of insights, of language, and your humor (Words, pronouns and other things; Oct. 6, 2026)! You are a little Paul Harvey and a little Erma Bombeck, and more! Carry on!!!” – Bob Goldsmith
What are the odds?
“On Aug. 23, 2026, Bob Rye and I (both more than 76 years old and lifelong cribbage players) saw a rare 23 hand. Bob had it. These 23 hands occur in only one in 37,037 hands dealt or 0.0027% of hands dealt. Has anyone else ever seen a 23 hand? We had never seen one prior to this.” – Mike Wells
Having pride in yourself and your community
“Amen to your recent column (Thank you to the people who keep America working, Sept. 1, 2026). I couldn’t agree more with every point you made. I think America would be well-served if working for the sake of having pride in yourself and your community would get back into the forefront of our citizens’ minds.” – Chris Arganbright
Time moves on
“My name is Bette Reese. I have lived in Panora since 1994. I have been a graphic designer and commercial embroiderer here all that time. More than 20 years ago, I was commissioned by the Panora Chamber to design welcome signs for our city. Ken Turner was in charge, and I gave my design to a sign company in Des Moines who put it together. I used my 386 computer and Corel Draw! to create it. There was another gentleman who contributed the sailboat design, which I turned into a vector file for the sign. I wish I could remember his name. I was so glad to see that all three signs were still in great shape for their age. I was sad to hear my longstanding signs were being replaced, but time moves on and tastes change.” – Bette Reese
Thank you, Bette, for the beautiful design that lasted for decades. Your work has been appreciated by many. – Shane
Enjoy your writing style
“Hi, Shane. I really enjoy your writing style. I especially enjoyed your ‘Some Things Are Better Left Unexplained.’ I look forward to the print copy of the Lake Panorama Times as well. Well done! Wishing you continued success! And keep up the good work and God work!” – Bob Goldsmith
A testament to Lewis Underwood
As a young, 23-year-old South Carolina man who was the son of an American Revolutionary War patriot, young Lewis Underwood probably felt duty-bound when it again became necessary for our young country to defend its liberty against England during the War of 1812.
Serving as a light horse Cavalry private, young Lewis Underwood would be wounded several times. Just days before his discharge, he was injured for life after being thrown from his horse, breaking his ankle. which deprived him of the free use of it the rest of his days.
It is not hard to imagine that, at times, he, like many soldiers serving, thought of a future place of peace and beauty.
While 1812 was too early to place the name of Casey, Iowa, on his thoughts, it was surely close to the picture in his mind of a landscape of lush green and plentiful woods he may have dreamed of.
Forty years after the war, Private Underwood would find his way to Adair County Iowa and, according to the History of Adair County, he was said to have built the first log cabin there.
In those early settler days, he probably never imagined that Americans who had twice defeated England for their freedom and liberty would fight against themselves in a Civil War. However, he would live long enough to see the start and end of that as well.
In July of 2026, the unmarked grave of Lewis Underwood was carefully researched, documented and marked by members of the General Society of the War of 1812 in the State of Iowa. He rests in Stanfield Cemetery just steps away from Civil War veteran John Stanfield on a hill near Casey, Iowa. The now-marked grave is a testament to the early settlers who chose Iowa as their final home. – Mike Rowley