Jim Swenson

1 month ago | telegraphherald.com | Jim Swenson

If I could live a long, relatively pain-free life full of quality with loved ones - but not so long that they would one day have to take care of me - I would be very satisfied. But don't we all pretty much want this? Swenson retired from the Telegraph Herald in 2022 after 37 years in community journalism.

1 month ago | telegraphherald.com | Jim Swenson

My brother Jeff retired recently and relocated to Vero Beach, Florida. When he isn’t golfing or basking in the sand, he’ll answer my text messages. “No, there aren’t too many spring breakers around here,” he responded. “Most of the bars are old people’s bars.”That’ll keep the kids away. I made four spring break trips to Florida in my younger days. The fourth one was a year after I graduated, but I didn’t look any older than my senior year in college.

2 months ago | telegraphherald.com | Jim Swenson

Dubuque has a distinctly different presence today than it did when I arrived in 1985, and that reality hit home during a recent outing with my wife, Kris. The 1980 census reported that our city was 99.2% White. It was nearly impossible to experience meaningful interactions with minorities. Then in 1991, cross burnings and a Ku Klux Klan rally in Dubuque drew national attention. I don’t believe those idiots spoke for the majority of Dubuquers.

2 months ago | telegraphherald.com | Jim Swenson

Who is your favorite president? C-SPAN asked viewers (and listeners, such as myself) that question on President’s Day. During the time I listened while on a walk, most of the expected names were offered, with one surprise to me — Andrew Jackson — garnering multiple mentions. Of course, being obsessed with lists, I mulled over who my favorites were and immediately began working on a top 10 after catching my breath.

Jan 28, 2025 | telegraphherald.com | Jim Swenson

I can’t help but wonder what goes through the mind of our energetic 1-year-old grandson Henry when he joins his precocious 5-year-old sister, Alice, on a visit to see their “Gaga,” Grandma and two cats who want nothing to do with children. Henry, who doesn’t talk a lot yet, is plopped into a place he only sees every third month or so ... “Hmmm, I kinda know this smell and those people and that toy chest and ... kitties!”“Don’t get too close to Leah, Henry.