More from Marshalltown

Off to the races

The cross country season finally started today after being delayed a week because of excessive heat. This race was at Marshalltown Community College, a surprisingly hilly course. Pictured above are some of the Ankeny kids starting. Below is my Hoop-lah, coming in fifth. Go Hawks!

Remembering Iowa's missing children

Anyone growing up in the Des Moines area in 1982 can tell you who Johnny Gosch is. He disappeared 30 years ago today while delivering newspapers in the early morning hours. He was around my age, and his disappearance stunned the metro community. Things like that simply didn't happen here. Then, in 1984, Eugene Martin also disappeared while delivering newspapers in Des Moines. Both cases remain unsolved.

And then, this July, two young cousins from Evansdale, Iowa, disappeared while out riding their bikes. Their names are Elizabeth Collins and Lyric Morrissey. They are still missing.

In between, other children gone.

Every once in a while I see Johnny Gosch's mom, Noreen, around town. I wonder how she has made it 30 years, if the pain ever ever leaves her, where her determination to go on comes from.

As a mom, I can't imagine anything worse.

So tonight, please say a prayer for these children and the others torn from their families. And help keep an eye on the ones in your neighborhood.