Julie Gammack's Iowa Potluck Julie Gammack

Candidate Kimberly Graham had big, bold ideas for changes she planned to make within the office of Polk County Attorney she pursued.
Graham was elected in 2022, so she’s had time to settle into the job after succeeding her predecessor John Sarcone, who held the office for over three decades.
How’s it going?

What I appreciate about our Potluck podcasts is that we have one hour to ask questions and follow up with our guests. Unlike a television or radio interview spliced together into one-minute segments, we can have a real unedited conversation.
Readers who join the call are welcome to ask questions, too.
Graham, a Democrat, broke a bit of news in our call today, so be sure to listen and or read the transcript.
Retired Des Moines Register columnist Rekha Basu, who wrote extensively about issues related to local government as an opinion columnist, was the first on our call to ask County Attorney Graham questions. She had several.
Also joining us was retired District Court Judge Artis Reis and others who have followed Graham for some time.
The unedited transcript is included here.
One quick note, when I asked Graham if she’d consider challenging the Iowa Attorney General, I commented that after all, didn’t the current AG Brenna Bird get her start as Guthrie County Attorney? clarified in the Zoom chat, that Bird first held the county attorney position in Fremont County before assuming the role in Guthrie County.
Graham ran unsuccessfully statewide in a democratic party U.S. Senate primary. Would she consider challenging the current Iowa Attorney General, Brenna Bird?
”Not no, but H-E double toothpicks, no,” she answered. I believe that means HELL NO.
Listen to the podcast. Graham is one to watch, and I appreciate her willingness to talk to us at length about her goals, progress, and her vision for the office. She was candid about party politics and willing to tackle questions posed. This is refreshing and informative.
Graham is pursuing innovative ideas such as making fines more in line with an ability to pay, in other words, the more you make, the higher the fine.
“A $1,000 fine for Bill Gatres is not meaningful, right?” posed Graham. For those who are poor, it can be devasting and put someone in a hole they can’t dig out of.
To join our Monday Zoom lunch chats, simply subscribe to this column (it’s free) and you will receive a link to the call. The time flies. We have an engaged, smart audience, and I conduct the hour more like a dinner party than a slick interview. Try it out. You do not have to be a paid subscriber to join the conversation. Join us.
If you have a guest to suggest, drop me a note:
Next week, our guest is Dr. Richard Demming, of the Richard Deming Cancer Center. He’s a physician, and some call him a superhero. He’s a philanthropist and impacts lives in immeasurable ways.
Okoboji Countdown!
39 seats are remaining for the Okoboji Writers’ and Songwriters’ Retreat, to be held September 22-25.


I am thrilled to be a founding member of the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative.
What is the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative?
Check out the IWC Sunday Roundup
There are now over 50 members of the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative from around the state, and one is reporting from Washington, D.C. Each is an independent columnist who shares two things in common: they have made a living as writers, and they are interested in the state of Iowa. We also have a Letters From Iowans section to highlight commentary by others.
Some digital news and information sites are nonprofit organizations funded by donors and grants. Others accept advertising, but this funding source can vanish, leaving writers and readers adrift.
The Iowa Writers’ Collaborative is an unusual and forward-thinking business model that seems to be working, based on two years of proving the concept. Readers are not required to pay to read our work, but those who do - about 10% on average - fund the mission.
Paid subscribers

To our new subscribers: I host a Monday Zoom call over the noon hour most weeks but usually take holidays off. After meeting Marianne Fons in Winterset recently, we decided we needed her to meet you BEFORE the upcoming Winterest Quilt Festival happening June 5-8, so she was our guest on Memorial Day.
I didn’t expect a big turnout today because it’s a holiday and the weather is mostly beautiful. Turns out, there is a lot of interest in quilting, even among those of us who know nothing about the craft/art form. J. Ann Selzer happened to visit the Quilt Museum in Winterset just last week, with her friend from Michigan, who also joined our call. Liz Seizer, Ames, was on the call, too. Not only is she a fan of the Iowa Quilt Museum, but regularly visits the renovated movie theater on the square called, ‘The Iowa.’
summed up the nostalgic and warm feelings a lot of people have for quilts by being one of the last participants to speak. He said:
“There's something just really comforting about a cold winter night, being able to climb into bed and snuggle under a quilt made by your grandmother, underneath a quilt made by your great-grandmother, given to you by your mother.”


Enjoy the show the conversation with , Reporting from Quiltropolis, and our equally fascinating particpants.
I’m just curious. Do you have a family quilt? Do you know the story behind it?


Monday, June 3, Zoom
Next Monday, our guest will be Polk County Attorney, Kimberly Graham. You need to be a subcriber, but can do so at no charge. However, paid subscription revenues fund the Okoboji Writers’ Retreat Scholarship Fund.
ALERT
The Early Bird Discount for the Okoboji Writers’ Retreat ends on May 31.
Roundup
Would you like to recieve a weekly roundup of columns by members of the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative? It’s easy, free, and lands in your inbox early Sunday morning.
IOWA WRITERS’ COLLABORATIVE
Nicole Baart: This Stays Here, Sioux Center
Ray Young Bear: From Red Earth Drive, Meskwaki Settlement
Laura Belin: Iowa Politics with Laura Belin, Windsor Heights
Tory Brecht: Brecht’s Beat, Quad Cities
Dartanyan L. Brown: My Integrated Live, Des Moines
Douglas Burns: The Iowa Mercury, Carroll
Jane Burns: The Crossover, Des Moines
Dave Busiek: Dave Busiek on Media, Des Moines
Rachelle Chase : Reading with Rachelle, Ottumwa
Iowa Writers Collaborative: Roundup
Steph C: It Was Never a Dress, Johnston
Art Cullen: Art Cullen’s Notebook, Storm Lake
Suzanna de Baca: Dispatches from the Heartland, Huxley
Debra Engle: A Whole New World, Madison County
Randy Evans: Stray Thoughts, Des Moines via Bloomfield
Daniel P. Finney: Paragraph Stacker, Des Moines
Marianne Fons: Reporting From Quiltropolis, Winterset
Arnold Garson: Second Thoughts, Okoboji and Sioux Falls
Julie Gammack: Julie Gammack’s Iowa Potluck, Des Moines and Okoboji
Avery Gregurich: The Five and Dime, Marengo
Fern Kupfer and Joe Geha: Fern and Joe, Ames
Rob Gray's Area: Rob Gray’s Area, Ankeny
Nik Heftman: The Seven Times, Iowa
Beth Hoffman: In the Dirt, Lovilla
Iowa Capital Dispatch, an alliance with IWC
Iowa Podcasters' Collaborative
Iowa Writers Collaborative Roundup Sunday Roundup
Black Iowa News: Dana James, Iowa
Chris Jones: Chris’s Substack, Iowa City
Pat Kinney: View from Cedar Valley, Waterloo
Robert Leonard: Deep Midwest: Politics and Culture, Bussey
Letters From Iowans
Darcy Maulsby: Keepin’ It Rural, Calhoun County
Hola Iowa: Iowa
Alison McGaughey: The Inquisitive Quad Citizen, Quad Cities
Kurtis Meyer: Showing Up, St. Ansgar
Vicki Minor: Relatively Minor, Winterset
Wini Moranville: Wini’s Food Stories, Des Moines
Jeff Morrison: Between Two Rivers, Cedar Rapids
Kyle Munson: Kyle Munson’s Main Street, Des Moines
Jane Nguyen: The Asian Iowan, West Des Moines
John Naughton: My Life in Color, Des Moines
Chuck Offenburger: Iowa Boy Chuck Offenburger, Jefferson and Des Moines
Barry Piatt: Piatt on Politics Behind the Curtain, Washington, D.C.
Dave Price: Dave Pri

Greenfield Tornado Relief
Susie Oleson, of Greenfield, answered a question asking how people can help our Iowa neighbors recover from yesterdays horrific tornado that ripped through Adair County and spit out homes, cars, trucks and wind turbines in its wake. Some lost their lives, many others lost their homes. The button below is a link to the Greater Greenfield Community Foundation Tornado Relief Fund, a reputable organization that will collect and distribute funds. When disasters hit, some unscrupulous folks try to take advantage of the situation, so I wanted to offer this option for those who want to contribute.
More on the story from The Des Moines Register:
Watch: Drone video shows destructive tornado topple wind turbines near Greenfield, Iowa
https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/weather/2024/05/22/reed-timmer-drone-footage-wind-turbine-greenfield-iowa-tornado/73801918007/
Michael Dahlstrom, director of the Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication, Iowa State University

Like it or not, and as imperfect as it can be, artificial intelligence is seeping into our world. The one-hour conversation we had on Monday hardly scratches the surface about what we need to know to discern fact from fake. Micheal Dahlstrom, the dean of the Greenlee School of Journalism, introduced the topic and shared what is being taught about AI on Iowa State University’s campus today.
If you are a new subscriber, this Potluck column is so-called because everyone brings something to the table. One day, we might discuss artificial intelligence, as we did this week. Another, we might interview someone running for congress. Next week, we will be talking about quilting with , a world-renowned expert who lives in Winterset, and who just joined the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative. She has stories to tell, and every quilt has one. The following week, we’ll be talking with the first woman to be elected Polk County Attorney Kimberly Graham, who ran on a platform calling for sweeping change. How’s she doing?
In other words, we create a space for you to ‘meet’ and engage with newsmakers, experts, and simply interesting people in our midst.
The conversations are more like what you’d have at a dinner party than in a formal interview setting. You, the reader, get to ask questions and be a part of the discussion. The Monday Zoom calls are open to all subscribers (free and paid), and are held between noon and 1 p.m. central time. Join us!
I usually upload the podcast in audio-only format. Today, I offer it in video, and I’d like to know what you think of this. Many of you just read the transcript. In the comment section, would you be so kind as to let me know if you prefer having it posted in video or audio? Thank you.

Okoboji
I know, summer is just getting started, and it’s early to think about what you’re going to be doing in September, but wouldn’t you love to spend three days on the shores of West Lake Okoboji with a bunch of folks who want to learn to be better writers, start a memoir, write the great American novel, or simply wallow in the company of those who do? We’ve sold out each year, so save your place.
Check out the Okoboji Writers’ and Songwriters’ Retreat:
Did you catch the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative Roundup on Sunday? Check out our two newest columnists, and .





This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit okobojiwriters.substack.com/subscribe

This week, we held an extra podcast to discuss what’s happening in Gaza and the protests on college campuses over Israel’s reaction to the attack on their country by Hamas.
If you are a new subscriber or have not listened to one of these Zoom sessions with readers and special guests, I invite you to check this out. They are described as informal but facilitated dinner-party conversations with wise, well-informed participants and guests.
I never know if we will have three or 35 people on the call. This one had over 50 attendees, which is remarkable since the time slot was unusual and readers had little notice.
On this episode is Iowa Writers’ Collaborative member, , a long-time journalist with executive leadership positions within the Gannett newspaper group and a passion for history; Corrine Whitlatch, the former director of Churches for Middle East Peace and a surprise guest, was able to join us, retired Admiral Michael Franken.
Reader participants included the current editor of The Des Moines Register, a former Lt. Governor of the Iowa, legislators, and other thought leaders from around the state.
I’m afraid we did not reach a consensus, of course. However, in our 60 minutes together, we discussed many thoughtful points of view from our featured guests and Potluck subscribers.
Listen. Share it. Thanks.
There will not be a Monday Zoom call next week.
If you have topic or subject matter experts you would like to see featured in this program, please send me your thoughts.

IOWA WRITERS’ COLLABORATIVE
I am so doggone proud of the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative. For those who become paid subscribers to the IWC Roundup Column, please know you support the group in many ways. Today and tomorrow, about 25 of us will gather at Whiterock Conservancy to share best practices and learn from a Substack staff member and a consultant who works with writers on improving and growing their audience.








This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit okobojiwriters.substack.com/subscribe

The picture above is not of the esteemed Randy Evans, executive director of the Iowa Freedom of Information Council, our special podcast guest in this episode. It is meant to portray a stereotype of secretive public officials who don’t want you, the taxpayer, to know things, like lawsuits filed against public officials or cost overruns on public expenditures.
There’s a lot of stonewalling going on, more than ever, and this tiny nonprofit organization stands up tall to hold our ‘representative’ government accountable.
Why does it matter? You have a right to know how taxpayer dollars are being spent; sometimes, they are misspent. And if government officials don’t think anyone is watching, how can they be held accountable?
This picture below is Randy Evans, a hero some of you might not know.
Please listen to the podcast and read the transcript of this meaningful conversation.
My biggest takeaway is how underfunded this vital cause is. To read more about specific cases in which the IFOIC is involved and how you can be in support:
Iowa Freedom of Information Council
Attention writers: Randy Evans will speak during the Okoboji Writers’ and Songwriters’ Retreat. He’ll also participate in a ‘Masterclass on Reporting’ panel and conduct small group workshops on accessing public information.
Finding public information can be critical to a project, whether working on a nonfiction book, essay, or memoir.
The Early Bird discount ends July 1.
Click on the purple link to learn about the 60+ speakers coming to the Okoboji Writers’ and Songwriters’ Retreat.
If you use the enrollment button below, $100 of your fee will go to the Iowa Freedom of Information Council.
Enroll Now: OWR IV - Iowa Freedom of Information

Our upcoming Monday Zoom guest is Kevin Brooks, lead singer of the Annapolis based musical group, The Eastport Oyster Boys.
Here’s Kevin and the Boys:
A link to the Zoom call will be sent to subscribers on Monday Morning:
Iowa Writers’ Collaborative
Stay tuned for announcements regarding two new Iowa Writers’ Collaborative members.
Each member is an independent writer. The connection members have is that we are professional journalists and authors who share an interest in Iowa. Please subscribe if you would like to receive a Sunday Roundup of columns posted the previous week. . It is free.
The Iowa Writers’ Collaborative Roster
Nicole Baart: This Stays Here, Sioux Center
Ray Young Bear: From Red Earth Drive, Meskwaki Settlement
Laura Belin: Iowa Politics with Laura Belin, Windsor Heights
Tory Brecht: Brecht’s Beat, Quad Cities
Dartanyan L. Brown: My Integrated Live, Des Moines
Jane Burns, The Crossover, Des Moines
Dave Busiek, Dave Busiek on Media, Des Moines
Iowa Writers Collaborative, Roundup
Steph C: It Was Never a Dress, Johnston
Art Cullen, Art Cullen’s Notebook, Storm Lake
Suzanna de Baca, Dispatches from the Heartland, Huxley
Debra Engle: A Whole New World, Madison County
Daniel P. Finney, Paragraph Stacker, Des Moines
Arnold Garson: Second Thoughts, Okoboji and Sioux Falls
Julie Gammack: Julie Gammack’s Iowa Potluck, Des Moines and Okoboji
Fern Kupfer and Joe Geha: Fern and Joe, Ames
Jody Gifford: Benign Inspiration, West Des Moines
Rob Gray's Area: Rob Gray’s Area, Ankeny
Become Inspired... Nik Heftman, Iowa
Beth Hoffman: In the Dirt, Lovilla
Iowa Capital Dispatch, an alliance with IWC
Black Iowa News: Dana James, Iowa
Chris Jones: Chris’s Substack, Iowa City
Pat Kinney: View from Cedar Valley, Waterloo
Robert Leonard: Deep Midwest: Politics and Culture, Bussey
Letters From Iowans, Iowa
Darcy Maulsby: Keepin’ It Rural, Calhoun County
Hola Iowa: Iowa
Alison McGaughey: The Inquisitive Quad Citizen, Quad Cities
Kurtis Meyer: Showing Up, St. Ansgar
Vicki Minor: Relatively Minor, Winterset
Wini Moranville: Wini’s Food Stories, Des Moines
Jeff Morrison: Between Two Rivers, Cedar Rapids
Kyle Munson: Kyle Munson’s Main Street, Des Moines
Jane Nguyen: The Asian Iowan, W

Yes, poetry is on the grow.
The 2023 Poetry Palooza will begin on April 19 at 5:00 p.m. and run through April 20 at 9 p.m. Mark the calendar, find your way to Grandview University, 1200 Grandview Avenue, and immerse yourself in this old yet new (slams) way of storytelling. But first, REGISTER. Thanks to the generosity of donors, this event is free and open to the public.
On the one hand, in this podcast is Dawn Terpstra, the president of a 78-year-old group called the Iowa Poetry Association. On the other is Kelsey Bigelow, who is at the early stage of her career in poetry. Together with poet Diane Glass, they joined our discussion with readers of this column to talk about bees, words, pain, joy, and why poetry is a particular art form and not just something you might have hated when you were in school.
Kelsey runs the Des Moines Poetry Workshop. She’s a spoken word poet and a performance poet, and she has made it her mission to bring as many Iowans as she and her car could find and include them in this year’s event. Kelsey clicked 1,300 miles to the odometer by holding Poetry Slams in Ames, Iowa City, Cedar Falls, Davenport, and Sioux City.
“There are beautiful voices out there that just need to be amplified,” she said.
Our potluck podcasts are a chance for readers of this column to interact with folks who are making a difference in this community, and I know you’ll enjoy getting to know them in this one-hour conversation.
We closed the session with a poem read by Kelsey Bigelow, who was inspired to write it during last year’s Okoboji Writers’ Retreat (she’ll be returning to hold workshops in September). The poet found herself on a screened-in porch overlooking the lake, where sitting in the middle of the room was a dusty coffee pot. Why was it there? She became obessed and turned her attention to poetry.
Listen to hear this wonderful poet read: Cafephobia, A Fear of Coffee.
More congratulations to Kelsey are in order. Her book was released this week. You can find it at Beaverdale Bookstore in Des Moines. Buy local when you can.
The Okoboji Writers’ and Songwriters’ Retreat is proud to support Poetry Palooza by awarding a full scholarship to the winner of this year’s competition.
Your paid subscriptions to this column support the OWR Scholarship Fund. Thanks!
Our Monday Zoom Lunch guest this week is Randy Evans, a long-time journalist and editor who can’t seem to retire. He is the executive director of the Iowa Freedom of Information Council, a surprisingly tough job these days. Let’s find out why together. Subscribers will receive a link on Monday morning.
Share this with someone you know.
Check out the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative Roundup Sunday Roundup of columns:



This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit okobojiwriters.substack.com/subscribe