Twelve drummers drumming…
12/3/2025…To the nation’s 14,000 air-traffic controllers — especially those who kept working without pay after the politicians closed down the government while continuing to get their own pay…and to the quarter-million or so of Iowans — including 50,000 in Polk County — whose SNAP benefits were cut off by those same politicians… And to the countless volunteers working to get food — and Christmas presents, too — to the needy in the state. …
Eleven pipers piping…
…for Monica Holt, moving in from New York to become the new chief at Des Moines Performing Arts, where she has big shoes (literally and figuratively) to fill as Jeff Chelesvig retires after a spectacular 30-year run…and Samantha Mosser, moving over from the Omaha office to become president of Bankers Trust…for Trina Flack, the appropriately named new boss at Catch Des Moines, succeeding Greg Edwards, who built the convention-and-tourist organization over 25 years…and a welcome home to new Des Moines librarian Melissa McCollum. . . .
Ten lords-a-leaping…
…for Drake athletic director Brian Hardin, who knows how to hire coaches, raise money and draw in fans…and to new Drake basketball coach Eric Henderson. . .and Joe Woodley, who took over Drake football and won a league title after going 72-and-5 at Grand View and to Woodley’s successor at Grand View, former defensive coordinator E.J. Peterson, who went undefeated this fall in his first season…and for Iowa State’s phenomenal Audi Crooks and her basketball coach, Bill Fennelly, now in his 30th year at ISU. …
Nine ladies dancing…
…for Craig Owens, moving over to run the Harkin Institute after building Drake’s John Dee Bright College…for Randy Wehofer, promoted to general manager of the Iowa Cubs in his 18th year there…and Sam Bernabe, who is stepping aside after a lifetime with the team…for the Goodmans — Shane and Jolene — who built a thriving media business in an era when media companies don’t always thrive…And Celeste Tilton, too. …
Eight maids-a-milking…
…and hoping you can make better friends next year, for R.B., T.B., G.C., and M.A., — the anonymous men onetime sports broadcaster and full-time con artist Marty Terrell allegedly scammed for $1.5 million or more, according to a federal indictment charging the glib Terrell with 11 counts of wire fraud. … Presumably, Terrell is “deeply remorseful” this Christmas, as he said he was five years ago when he was sentenced to 41 months in prison for similar crimes. …
Seven swans-a-swimming…
…for bloggers who inform and enlighten — Laura Belin, still the best and hardest-working political reporter in the state, and Dave Busiek, the retired TV guy who brings his strong values and clear writing to his columns on the media…and to Chuck Offenburger, the state’s biggest cheerleader, who pops up everywhere…and, especially, to Randy Evans, who fights for openness in government and free speech for the censored and intimidated…and, luckily, he’s aided and abetted by Mike Giudicessi, the best First Amendment lawyer in the Midwest…and Central Presbyterian interim pastor Sarai Rice, whose sermons should be piped into every household. …
Six geese-a-laying…
…for the very pleasant Nichole Hansen at the Iowa Economic Development Authority…and for the architects at BNIM who designed the great new Two Rivers Park to be accessible for all handicapped — not just those in wheelchairs. And for MidAmerican Energy, which developed the nine-acre park on the east bank of the Des Moines River downtown…for the breakfast regulars at the Waveland Cafe…and the irregulars, too…for the cheerful Aaleah Johnson and her equally cheerful mom, who make sure the newspapers are at the door bright and early. …
Five golden rings…
…for Rob Barron, who will be great as a new Des Moines city councilman. . . and former county personnel boss Jim Nahas, who walked away from his lawsuit with his reputation intact and more than $4 million…and to his lawyers, Mike Carroll and Nick Mauro…to whoever makes the pasta at Christopher’s…and the steak sandwiches at Skips…and the salmon at the Waterfront…and the soup at Palmer’s…and the malts at the Drake Diner. …
Four colly birds…
…for Iowa Public Television, which binds the state together with a common set of facts and stories the way the Register did 50 years ago. With everything from “Masterpiece Theater” to the state wrestling tournament, from the “PBS News Hour” to “Market to Market,” from “Clifford the Big Red Dog” to “Ken Burns Documentaries,” it provides the same base of information to the druggist in Cherokee and the farm-equipment worker in Waterloo and the teacher in Creston and the Governor in Des Moines. …
Three French hens…
…to Al Weber and a handful of others who have started up a free community newspaper in Ames, where news is plentiful. . .and to Amanda Lepper and Ellyn Grimm, who started Dog-Eared Books in Ames five years ago…and to Steve Schainker, who has guided Ames as city manager for more than 40 years. …
Two turtle doves…
…for the newly married Ronald Autry and Bailey Mathis…for Marilee Mitchell, a dog whisperer…and the very organized Katie Miller. . .for retired Supreme Court Justice Bob Allbee. . .and Diane Graham and Ann Selzer and Susan Voss and Sally Pederson and Anjie Shutts and Ruth Harkin — who have led the way for others. …
And a partridge in a pear tree…
…for three Iowans who died too young: 59-year-old Claire Celsi, who left her mark as a politician and a human being…and 54-year-old sportswriter and dogged reporter Bryce Miller…and Jay Byers, also 54, longtime head of the Des Moines Partnership who was barely getting started as Simpson College president…for Mark McCormick, greatly successful as a lawyer and jurist — but not so much as a politician — whose intellect was rarely matched in or out of court…for pastor Chet Guinn, who worked hard to save young souls and old buildings…and R. W. Nelson, who with his wife, Mary, turned the germ of an idea into a gem of a company, building Kemin Industries into a billion-dollar company that they managed to keep in the family…for Ned Chiodo and Chuck Rohm. . .and Bernie Saggau, who ran the state’s boys athletic association for nearly 40 years with a hard fist and a soft heart. . .and Denny O’Grady, who sounded as if he were on the radio even when he was making pronouncements in the barber shop…for Bill Knapp, a good citizen, a good businessman and a good guy who gave away money almost as fast as he could make it…
…and, always, for the first Christopher. ♦
