As I write this post tonight I find myself extremely inspired from the words of Aaron Thomas (Ed’ son):

My father was a great man of character, that’s something I’ve taken from him. But come tomorrow, it’s time we all get going. There’s a lot of work to be done in this town. My dad was here for a reason. He wasn’t taken before the tornado. He got us close. I think now it’s a challenge to all of us.

It’s been quite a week for the people in Parkersburg.  Heck it’s been quite a week for the entire nation.  It seems like every single day we heard of someone else dying.  And every single day the top story lead with details from a death, or remembering someone who died.  It was a tough week to be in the news business.

I found myself digging deep to find reason for all of this, still haven’t found it and I probably never will fully understand it all.  It’s not easy covering such tragedy; asking people to talk about someone they just lost.  Hoping that they understand your genuine desire to remember him and honor him, not disrupt and destroy their privacy or mourning process.

Wednesday I attended and reported from Parkersburg and the vigil at the Sacre Acre (see pictures below).  It was inspiring to see the thousands of people that turned out to pray for Thomas and remember his legacy.

That night on the drive home I found myself flipping through my ipod on my drive back to Dubuque.  The song “Place In this World” by Michael W. Smith came on the random list.  Most haven’t heard this song but it’s basically about how we’re all looking for a reason, roaming through life, trying to find a place in this world…a meaning and purpose.

I’m not going to lie to you, I often question the same thing.  I wonder if what I do really matters; if the stories I tell make a difference and if people are inspired by the things they see and hear in the stories I tell.

This week was no different.  Wondering if I could possible do any justice to remembering Ed Thomas in a town that had already been through so much.

Saturday night I attended mass here in Dubuque.  The homily was all about the death we’ve heard in the news the last week. Starting with the boyscout accident on Sunday last week (where a troop leader and boy scout were killed) and ending with Michael Jackson.  The priest mentioned Coach Thomas and the impact he had.  He talked about how hard it was to hear of all this death.  But the thing he said the most is that….if you believe in life after death…no matter who you are or what you’ve done, when we die….we all go to the same place.  Which regardless of what you believe, it puts one thing in perspective.  Life is precious, we’re put here for a purpose.  Life is meant to be lived to the fullest.  Ask anyone in Parkersburg and they’ll tell you Ed Thomas lived life to the fullest.

Then Sunday thousands of people lined up, 8 blocks at one point, outside of the church to pay final respects to Coach Thomas and his family.  The wake last more than 8 hours!  The family waited until everyone got through the line, they talked to everyone. Talk about tribute to the man who lived life to the fullest!!

Which takes me back to what Aaron Thomas said about his dad in this reflection at the funeral: My dad was here for a reason. He wasn’t taken before the tornado. He got us close. I think now it’s a challenge to all of us.

It’s a shame that it takes something like this to challenge all of us and remind us how precious life can be.  But it’s true.  Ed Thomas is dead, but he can live on in all of us.  Truth is, every one of us has an Ed Thomas in our lives.  Someone that pushes us to be the best we can be, that challenges us to get better each and everyday and that sets a strong example of how to live a faithful and fulfilling life.

As I sat, glued to the screen and the computer on Wednesday, I couldn’t believe what had happened.  6 days later I still can’t.  I’ve been a lot of time watching the many stories we’ve done on Ed Thomas and Parkersburg.  I’ve watched the national media and their coverage and I’ve seen raw interviews witht he man.  Everytime I see his pre-game locker room speech from September 15th I get goosebumps.  When I hear his words quoted, see video of him coaching or even hear him in past interviews, I can’t help but think I hope someday I can make as big of an impact on one persons life as Ed Thomas did for thousands.

I conclude tonight’s blog with a the final words from Aaron Thomas’ message today at the funeral:

And as he’d say, it’s time we get up and get ourselves going ’cause the true test of character is how do we respond to adversity. This is adversity. This is adversity. Now, my challenge to you: how are you going to respond, what are you going to do tomorrow?

Better yet, what are you going to do today?

God Bless,
Lauren~

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For once in my life…I have nothing more to say.  The pictures taken in Parkersburg today simply tell the story better than any blog post I could write:

It only seemed appropriate that as thousands gathered on the Sacred Acre, a field torn apart by the tornado 13 months ago, that the crowd would sing Amazing Grace and On Eagles Wings. That’s because tonight, there is a coach watching over everyone.

Lauren~

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It’s certainly been an interesting couple of days for severe weather in Iowa. I seem to almost always nearly dodge the storms (except on Friday when it came right through Dubuque). It kind of feels like it’s never ending.

But in this business, severe weather is the times we are tested the most. The time when you are tuned to us for information that may only be available from us at that very moment. It’s a constant test of endurance and knowledge.

So this morning when I got a text message from Jamie Grey saying that I’d be headed to Elkader for a flood remembrance picnic (live at 6) I knew there was a chance for severe weather. Now there are two things about this assignment. It meant I’d get a photographer - which is always a plus when you’re a one-man-band journalist like myself. I shoot, edit and write everything you see from here (unless I’m lucky enough to get a photographer).

So I ventured up HWY 52 towards Elkader.  I’ve been here several times before - doing flood stories, visit friends and driving through.  My fondest memory of Elkader is a canoe trip I took with Cheri and Jon Moser after their wedding.  We canoed down the Turkey River and ended in Elkader (at the baseball fields you see below).  That was the summer of 2007.  I never imagined a year later that river would swallow the town.  And neither did anyone else.

Getting back to having a photographer.  Nate Hoffman is the man!  He shot all my video - set up the LIVE truck and helped take care of odds and ends with my camera while I was editing.  I laughed with him because it was hard for me not to shoot.  I actually didn’t know what to do while he was shooting.  I decided to take pictures on my BlackBerry for the shear purpose of writing this blog.

The story was about flood recovery a year later.  Dozens turned out but the pinic was supposed to be in the city park (weather flag #1).  They moved it inside because of heat.  Good choice, esspecailly given the severe weather coming across Eastern Iowa.

So here comes weather flag #2.  As we’re hearing reports in Waterloo/Cedar Falls area of tornadic activity and winds, we were watching this cloud roll into town.  It sure looked rough.  Nate set up the live truck to show the clouds rolling in.  At one point it got pretty windy but there wasn’t much else that happened.  It rained a bit and certainly looked like it was gonna do something.  And this is the part of our career that we call “hurry up and wait.”  We waited a bit and then decided to continue moving forward with the Elkader flood story.  The storm blew over.

Nate and I headed into the banquet hall and talked with Dave Wilke.  He owns the grocery store in town.  It was flooded last year and opened 10 days after the floods.  It was what he called “a miracle.”  After talking with him and a few others we headed into town to shoot more video of the grocery store and the Turkey River. At 8:00 pm we made it back to the LIVE truck where I edited my story (see picture above for a view of what things looked like from my vantage point inside the truck).

All of a sudden, while I was editing, the sun came out again and this beautiful sunset was upon us.  Just even more of a sign of how wonderful and crazy mother nature can be.  On a night where our story was about recovering from what mother nature did a year ago (flood waters), at the same time a storm blowing through out viewing area and damaging various places (the tornado and thunderstorm warnings in CR/CF/Waterloo).  Then to end it all with a story about recovery and a sunset that was oh so calm.

Gotta love how it all works out.  Glad there wasn’t anything too terribly bad after the storm and glad the people of Elkader are coming together and improving life there.

None the less, when I got a text this morning about going to Elkader.  I never imagined it turn into this…and end with the sunset.

All in a day’s work I guess!

Lauren~

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Hello!

Happy Tuesday…on the hottest day of the year so far. I’m not sure about you but…I’m pretty sure it’s HOT!

Anyway, I wanted to share our new look with you. YOu may have noticed that we have a new LIVE shot background, courtesy of the Telegraph Herald newsroom. Previously we used a background inside our studio. Now we’ve moved out into the TH newsroom right by the copy editors and photographers desks.

Here you can see what I see when I got live. The camera is set up right outside the studio door.

This is what it all looks like from behind the camera. You can see the lights behind me, the plasma TV’s etc.

And this is what you see at home. Here is the toss to me from the Waterloo studio to the Tri-state newsroom.

And then what you see at home from our Tri-State newsroom live shot location.

As you can see things look very different depending on your perspective! haha. Either way I though you might be interested in seeing what the new set up looks like. It’s different then what we’re used to. Jamie and I now have a LIVE audience in the newsroom every time we go live. It will probably take some getting used to for all of us! But it’s a new look, which is always fun!

Anyway, I’m headed up to Elkader today for a flood remembrance story. Be sure to tune in LIVE at 6 and 10 for more details. Hopefully I don’t melt!

Stay cool.
Lauren~

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MORE PICTURES FROM DIKE: Courtesy Sherree Sharp.

HERE FROM GRUNDY COUNTY: Ashley Hemmen

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BELOW ARE SOME PICTURES SUBMITTED BY Lavonne Dwinal and Chris Swartout- Dike Iowa. WANTED TO SHARE THEM WITH YOU. SEND US YOUR PICTURES AT KWWLNEWS@KWWL.COM I’LL TRY TO POST MORE LATER. NOTHING IN DUBUQUE JUST YET.

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You’ve probably been hearing about the various bear sightings through out eastern Iowa the last week or so.  Well one of those hit close to home this weekend (of course while I was on vacation).  People near Bellevue reported seeing the black bear about 3 miles west of the town.

Today I met with the DNR and some people who captured some pictures of the bear.  Below are photos submitted by Stacy and Corey Kettmann of Bellevue:

Here is where he was spotted.  Under this “no hunting or trespassing” tree.  It’s funny because it almost looks staged!  It may even become the “post child” for hunting.  haha who knows but its funny.  I do think he looks rather cute here.

Witnesses say he walked around, took a nap, and sat under the tree for about an hour or so.

Then he ventured into the field…

And walked away until he was out of sight.

The Iowa DNR says he’s not harmful.  He is just looking for a place to call his own, a territory.  They also say he is looking for a mate.  I mean who can be mad a guy for looking for love? haha.

They also said not to confuse black bears with grizzle bears.  Grizzles are much bigger and more harmful.  They attach animals but black bears don’t.  The biggest thing they might attack is a bird feeder because they want to have some of the sunflower seeds inside.

They rarely attack humans unless they are cornered or feel threatened.  So if you do spot one just keep your distance.  This guy has moved south.  He was last spotted near Clinton.  But there is no indication whether or not it’s the same bear that was spotted in Allamakee County last week.  But chances are it is.

Either way, many of the people I talked with in Bellevue today were pretty thrilled to have seen a real black bear in their presence.  It’s funny one person said they had just returned from the zoo and were not able to see the bears there.  So it was quite a treat.  I never thought of seeing a bear as a treat but I suppose if I had seen it myself I’d be writing on this blog and bragging about it!

Oh well….either way…if I could name him I would.  For now he’s just Black Bear.  And we’ve tracked him or someone like him all the way through out viewing area.  There’s no telling where he’ll head next.

If you see him or have seen him let me know.  I’d love to hear your story!

Have a great night!

Lauren~

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They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I suppose that is true, especially if you go to a modern art museum.  But I’m kind of into that kinda of thing.  I enjoy abstract art andI find it interesting to take everyday things and make them art.  You can tell that by the way I take photographs.  I emphasize reflections and shadows.

Anyway - what does this have to do with?  Well last Thursday (and I apologize to blog this so late I was on vacation) I attended the reopening of Zins in Cedar Rapids.  You see on June 11th, 2008 the restaurant closed it’s doors at 4:15 pm.  They left the tables set for dinner and expected to come back Monday morning to a flooded basement a little clean up.  But they never imagined the Cedar River would swallow downtown and leave their restaurant a muddy mess.

After a year of work and support from the downtown community and their loyal customers Zins (which had only been open 7 months before the floods) reopened at 4:15 pm on Thursday June 11th, 2009.

The best part about it:

this frame on the far wall.  Look closely and you’ll see it.  Remember how I told you they left the tables set when they close.  When they returned this was the markings left on one of the table clothes.  It’s the table settings washed with floodwater and mud.  See the art andsymbolism behind this one?  It says so much without saying anything.  It’s a reminder of what everyone has been through. It’s a sign that even amidst tragedy andtriumph beauty can be found in the simplest things.

When you first look at it, it seems like a random work of art on the wall.  But when you realize what it means…it’s absolutely stunning. 

Owners says when they unveiled the frame there was silence in the restaurant.  People were stunned and they didn’t even know how to react.  How powerful?!

Anyway, I wanted to share this with you because it’s one of those stories that serves as a reminder to everyone - to all of us.  No matter what, there is beauty in everything.  It seemed fitting to share with you, even if you don’t live in Cedar Rapids or you weren’t directly affected by the floods. 

I hope you enjoyed it.  From what I hear Zins has a pretty good menu.  If you’re ever in CR check it out on 3rd street and 2nd avenue.  They even have valet parking!

That’s all for now.  Have a great day!

Lauren~

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Oh how I wish I could get my media card in my blackberry to work again.  I took some lovely pictures from our LIVE shots at Decorah on Monday.

Ron Steele and the crew were up in Decorah remembering a year after the Upper Iowa river and Turkey rivers rose high enough to destroy homes and towns.

We were live at 5 and 6.  I took some great shot to show you what things were like behind the scenes.  We had two photographers, a director, Ron and I. I made cookies in honor of my birthday (which Ron preceded to tell everyone watching…about 6 or 7 times).  After the 5:00 pm, in between shows we were standing along the river by College Drive in Decorah.  Looking out onto the river which was so much lower than a year ago.  We spent the next 30 mins remembering what it was like for us a year ago.  The things we covered, the long hours we put in…the people we met, the stories we told.  It was kind of like we were reliving it for a moment; remembering that at the time we were just doing out jobs, there was hardly any time to think twice about what we did and said.  At times we were the only ones in a given place, at a given time, giving that information.

I dug up my first ever blog on Squires Scribbles and I found it fitting (written in July….a few weeks after the floods and tornadoes):

It all started with Parkersburg, as many of your know Iowa has been pounded with natural disasters since the end of May. First with EF-5 Tornados and then with massive flooding. It has been absolutely devastating to see the people and the lives affected by all of this. Even more so, its been absolutely overwhelming to covering all of these places where I grew up and have so many memories.

My first day on the job I shadowed Jon Wilmer, one of our reporters from Parkersburg, IA. His house was hit hard by the tornado…the house he grew up in, the place where he called home…was hit. Then we went through town and saw all the devastation of the town. It literally looked like a war zone. Nearly half the town was torn apart by the tornado.

Over time I covered election day in Parkersburg, flooding in Waterloo, Evansdale, Decorah, Elkader Iowa City, Coralville, and Cedar Rapids; not to mention clean-up once the waters went down.  It’s been tough for me, certainly not as tough as those directly affected by the floods. I found myself covering places where friends lived, grew up and even still to this day reside.  Seeing people’s homes completely under water, unable to do anything but watch and wait for water to leave.

Seeing the efforts of volenteers, tirelessly sandbagging and helping to save their cities; only to see their very city covered in water. The places I traveled to everyday, visited all the time, ate at, drank at, played at…all under water. It was devastating to see.

I am continually amazed at the strength, support and community in Eastern Iowa. And I can’t imagine reporting anywhere else right now. It’s an absolute blessing to be reporting on something so close to my heart, in hopes that amidst all the tragedy we can see the community coming together, rebuilding and getting stronger.

I can’t help but share my care and compassion for the communities that have helped shape who I am, and truly are a part of me. These next few weeks and months will be tough for everyone effected, but I believe that Iowa is strong enough to get through this!!!

I will continue doing all I can to help be a part of keeping you informed…along with all the media outlets out there who have been working around the clock to bring the latest updates.

God Bless everyone! If you’re not in Iowa, please keep Iowans in your thoughts and prayers, if you are…know you’re not alone.

It’s strange to read that…to see and feel what was on my mind and in my heart a year ago.  A part of me really grew up last summer.  I had just started the job and was literally thrown into the disasters.  No scripts, no rules, just stories and information.

A year later I’m amazed at the progress that’s been made.  I know it’s not over, it’s not easy and it will take time.  BUT I am continually reminded how lucky we are to live where we do. 

As we approach June 13th, 2009…let us not forget what was lost….but let us remember how many people came together through it all. 

If I ever get my BlackBerry fixed I’ll be sure to post those pictures. 

Have a great day!

Lauren~

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Hey there -

I apoligize for neglecting you once again.  It has been a very busy week, I feel like I barely have time to sit down and blog for you.

But I wanted to share last night’s Annual Chamber Dinner with you.  First off, in case you didn’t already know, Mike Ditka was the keynote speaker at last nights dinner.  They had over 560 people in attendance.  I’m sure everyone was there for the Chamber and Ditka was just an added bonus.

Anyway - at about 5:00 pm the media had a special session with Ditka.  Of course I had to turn a news story yesterday as well so I got done with my work at 4:45pm.  I quick changed into my dress for the evening, loaded my gear in my car and headed over.  I arrived to the presser late…well on time but they had already started.  SOOO…that’s always good.  Show up to a press conference with a legend like Mike Ditka…LATE!

But it gets worse.  So I set up my camera, ruin everyones shots and microphones by asking him to put on my microphone.  I turn on the camera and get the shot set…as I’m rolling…the to make sure I at least get the sound from what he says.  About 5 mins into the interview my camera battery light starts beeping at me…5 seconds later it goes dead.  So for the next 15 mins of the coolest press conference I’ve had so far…I had no video or power to my camera.  Cool right?!  So I didn’t get to ask him who he’s choose (cyclones or hawkeyes).  And I didn’t get to ask him what he thinks about Dubuque and his visit here.

I was sooooo bummed.  BUT I did manage to get some pictures off my phone. 

Here he is being interviewed by all the press.  He was such a character.  I remember him saying “it’s not life or death; it’s football.”  Good one!

here he is autographing a few Bears football helmets.  He kept talking and forgetting to sign these.

Here is a better picture taken by Kelley Schiesl over at the Chamber.  She was the one who hooked us all up with an interview with Ditka. 

After the interview session we went to a cocktail reception before the dinner started. 

This was the scene from the balcony at the Grand River Center.  Record number of people attending.

Here is Mike Ditka walking into the Grand River Center from the press conference.

After dinner the chamber awarded their annual awards of distinction.

            Retail Business of the Year

Kennedy Mall

Dick Launspach

 

Small Business of the Year

Graham’s Style Store

Ben Graham

 

            Manufacturer of the Year

Eagle Window & Door

Sande Peters, VP of Operations

Ron Vander Weerd, VP of Engineering

Andy Wickham, VP of Finance.

 

Employer of the Year

Mercy Medical Center

Rusty Knight

 

Non- Profit of the Year

DubuqueInitiatives/Greater Dubuque Development Corporation

Bill Callahan

Mike Blouin

Rick Dickinson

 

Volunteer of the Year

B’Ann Dittmar of US Bank

Congrats to all those who recieved the award.  Following the presentation the Dubuque Colts performed for Mike and the crowd.  Starting with “76 Trombones” from the DC Parade.  It brought back some wonderful memeories.  Then they played a piece from their summer show, followed by the Bears fight song.  And then the moment of truth…Mike Ditka took the stage. While he was speaking I was updating some of the things he said on my Twitter.

Here the colts bass drummers are playing for Ditka.

Here are my tweets from last night:

Had a blast at the chamber dinner. Sleeping now.

Walter Payton was the greatest football player that ever played say Ditka.

COMMON SENSE NOT NO SENSE! Says Ditka.  

You get outta life what u put into it says Ditka via Lombardi.

Three things in life: ACE. A is attitude in life. C is for character. E is for Enthusiasm. Says Mike Ditka.

Ditka takes the podium!! He’s awesome. Talking about success. Says success is happiness!

They r playing 76 trombones. What memories of DC.

The Colts r about ready to perform for Ditka!

Starting Monday the 8th and 9th floors of the Roshek Building will be turned over to IBM.Chamber not for profit of the year is a tie…GDDC and Dubuque Intiatives.

Kennedy Mall wins best retail. Grahams wins. Eco Window and Door wins manufactuer of the year. Mercy wins employee of the year.

Barton calls Ditka’s 85 Bears the best team every…and Dubuque, the best city.

Barton says Dubuque is the Ditka of business.

Chamber chairman Tom Barton is speaking…laughing a lot.

At the Chamber dinner. Can’t wait to hear Ditka speak!!!

So there you have it.  All in a days “work.”  It was a wonderful time!  Good to see so many people I’ve worked with on a daily basis.  Nice to talk to people outside of work and great chance to network with people in the future.  If you were there I hope you enjoyed it.  If you couldn’t make it, try again next year.  Who knows who they’ll bring then. 

On that note…I’m taking off for the weekend.  I have a furlough tomorrow.  YIPPIE for unpaid time off.  Enjoy your weekend get out and enjoy the sun…or rain!

Lauren~

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