July/Aug 2022 (Volume 14, Issue 4)

 

By Michael Swanger

 

I want to share some good news and other items regarding Iowa History Journal to help clear my desk before turning the page to the next issue of Iowa History Journal.

 

For starters, a round of applause for longtime Iowa History Journal contributing writers and authors John Skipper and Jerry Harrington, whose stories for Iowa History Journal swept the 2022 George Mills-Louise Noun Popular History Award category. 

 

Each year the State Historical Society of Iowa (SHSI) Board of Trustees honors those who preserve and promote Iowa’s history with a variety of Excellence in History Awards. The George Mills-Louise Noun Popular History Award recognizes the author of the most significant article on an Iowa history topic published in a popular history periodical during the previous calendar year. It is named in honor of Iowa reporter and popular historian George Mills and historian of women’s history and philanthropist Louise Noun.

 

The SHSI Board of Trustees selected Skipper’s 2021 Jan/Feb cover story for Iowa History Journal — “James B. Morris Sr.: Persevering War Veteran, Lawyer, Publisher and Civil Rights Activist” — as the winner of the 2022 George Mills-Louise Noun Popular History Award. 

 

It also selected Harrington’s 2021 Nov/Dec cover story for Iowa History Journal, “‘Iowa’s First Lady’ Phebe Sudlow: Educator Broke National Gender Barriers in 19th Century” and his story for our 2021 Jan/Feb issue, “Amish School Crisis Captured the World’s Attention in 1965,” for both of the 2022 George Mills-Louise Noun Popular History Award Honorable Mentions.

 

Skipper, who lives in Mason City, is a retired newspaperman who contributes to IHJ and his hometown newspaper the Mason City Globe-Gazette because one can only surmise that ink courses through his veins. A consummate professional and versatile writer, Skipper’s copy is always compelling, concise, factual and on time … hallmarks of a man who spent more than 50 years working for newspapers. 

 

Harrington, who resides in Iowa City, retired as marketing public relations manager of DuPont Pioneer in 2014. Not one to rest on his laurels, Harrington enjoys deep dives into the state’s archives and other resources to research and write about Iowa’s political history. A gifted and thought-provoking writer, Harrington is a previous recipient of the George Mills-Louise Noun Popular History Award. He also teaches classes and hosts lectures about comic books and the history of politics in Iowa. 

 

Iowa History Journal congratulates Skipper and Harrington for their work recognized by the SHSI Board of Trustees and reminds readers that our back issues featuring their award-winning stories are available at iowahistoryjournal.com. 

 

For a complete list of winners of this year’s Excellence in History Awards, visit iowaculture.gov.

 

Where to find IHJ on newsstands

As we work to increase and diversify our distribution, we remind readers that they can find the current issue of Iowa History Journal on newsstands or in the pockets of checkout aisles of most Hy-Vee Food Stores in Iowa, as well as every Barnes & Noble in Iowa, Beaverdale Books (Des Moines), Hartig Drug (Belle Plaine), National Cigar (Waterloo), Randy’s Neighborhood Market (Clear Lake), Dollar Fresh (Nevada, Independence, Vinton, Hampton) and select Fareway, Walmart, Mills Fleet Farm and Spartan Nash stores. Visit iowahistoryjournal.com for a list of retailers.

 

Snowbirds, change of address, lost issues

Whether you are temporarily leaving or returning to Iowa, or moving to a new permanent address, we remind readers of our policy to provide us with at least a 30-day notification of their change of address via email at info@iowahistoryjournal.com, or by calling (515) 490-7325, or by mail at PO Box 65832, West Des Moines, Iowa 50265. 

 

It is also our policy that we cannot replace magazines that are lost or damaged in the mail, though we have bent that rule as a courtesy to our customers. Unfortunately, due to the rising costs of printing the magazine and postage we will no longer be able to extend that courtesy for free. Issues that are lost or damaged in the mail must be purchased and include payment for postage. We encourage readers who encounter delivery problems to file a complaint with their local post office. 

 

TO READ MORE FASCINATING STORIES ABOUT IOWA HISTORY, subscribe to Iowa History Journal. You can also purchase back issues at the store.