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The following is an index to selected commentary by
the Gazette editor between 2002 and 2005. Other commentary was
deleted in 2011 when the Gazette was simplified and some old, perhaps
contentious, material was removed.
A
Tornado Threatens Gilbert
A blog-like report on one person's perspective of weather in central Iowa
and the tornado that threatened Gilbert today.
by Helen D. Gunderson, former Gazette
editor
November 12, 2005
Essentially, this storm was a close encounter for the town
of Gilbert. The tornado hit the closest farm south of town and the closest
farm east of town. Both are within a half mile of the city limits.
Passing
the Torch
A brief history of founding the Gazette; thoughts about turning the
web site over to Lauris Olson, the new publisher of the web site; and
reflecting on the process of detaching from the project.
by Helen D. Gunderson, Gazette
editor
October 29, 2005
...it is a time to celebrate the fact that the Gazette has
taken root, that it has a good following, and that a new publisher wants
to adopt the site and make it part of something bigger. The Gazette has a
future, and I don't have to worry about making it happen. That’s awesome.
Thinking
about the Season
A reflection on the recent death of a mother, lessons from working with
prairie restoration projects, and a thank you to the Gilbert community.
by Helen D. Gunderson, Gazette
editor
December 7, 2004
My list of intrigue about prairie life could go on and on. On one hand, I am
grateful to be able to get answers from some of my friends who are experts
in prairie work. On the other hand, I am in awe of the whole process and
appreciate the mystery and wouldn't want to be able to "figure it all out."
And maybe, just maybe, I am learning to be patient and appreciate the
mystery of my own unfolding life. Also, the enduring metaphorical images,
resulting from the experiences of working with prairie help me deal with
on-going cycles of life and death — death and rebirth.
A
Grassroots, Year Around, Attitude toward Divisiveness
This is an election-day reflection on the divisiveness of various
political campaigns, the importance of year around civic involvement, and
the value of listening to people who differ from us.
by Helen D. Gunderson, Gazette
editor
November 2, 2004
A person has to ask, "So what really is a liberal. And
what really is a conservative?" And "what is so bad about a liberal. And
what is so bad about a conservative?" How often do we stop and really
listen to each other and get a feel for what it is that deeply concerns
a person whose stripes are different than our own?
Thanks for the Awesome G125 Celebration
by Helen D. Gunderson, Gazette
editor and member of the G125 Group
August 28, 2004
It is impossible to create an exhaustive list of the
workers. However, it does seem wise — before the autumn leaves begin to fall
— to thank as many people as possible. I encourage other members of the G125
Group, or for that matter, anyone who is interested, to write a letter to
the editor describing their perspective of the celebration and adding their
two cents worth of thanks. In that way, perhaps most, if not all, of the
people who helped make the event a success will be honored. Also, those
perspectives will become part of the historical record about what happened.
A Day of Mourning by
Helen D. Gunderson,
editor of the Gazette and the Rolfe High School alumni web site
September 14, 2001
Following the hymn, a pastor delivered a traditional
benediction which included the phrase, "Render unto no one evil for evil."
That is my prayer, even though I am not very good at following its content.
The color guard and President Bush and Laura Bush left
while other people remained standing. Then the bells of the National
Cathedral rang, and Neal (the NPR commentator) reflected about the sound of
those bells on a day that was otherwise one of "supernatural quiet around
the city."
The ringing resounds in our small towns and cities. It
resounds across the airwaves and in the air in general. It resounds in our
hearts and resonates with the human spirit. It tolls not only for you and me
but for all who are heavy hearted and hope for justice and a renewal of
life.
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new section: Gilbert Historical Society