Photos by Tonya Kehoe Philip Hensher’s book The Missing Ink: The Lost Art of Handwriting discusses the vanishing act of the written word plays in our world today. The widely reviewed book claims that the diminishing use of handwriting is in turn diminishing our humanity. It seems Hensher may take his scribbling a little too […]
Articles by Megan Ranegar
Crafty: Life in a jar
Bill Sackter’s Centennial Celebration at Uptown Bill’s & Wild Bill’s Coffeeshop
Crafty: Homemade soda perfect for taste tweakers
A-List: Old Capitol City Roller Girls Host First Responders Appreciation Night Sat. March 9

Old Capitol City All-Stars vs Fargo Moorhead Northern Pains Saturday, March 9 7 p.m. (doors at 6:15) The Old Capitol City Roller Girls are back in action! Roll on down to the Coralville Marriott Convention Center as the All-Stars host the Northern Pains from the Fargo Moorhead Derby Girls of North Dakota. Get rowdy with […]
Crafty: Love letters for your Valentine

Dear Little Village readers without a significant other: Hello, and thanks for reading! It’s February, the month of candy hearts, roses, love and chocolate covered things. You’re single, and I’m calling you out on it, right here in front of everyone (I just lost a few of you). What kind of crafty monster am I?! […]
Crafty: Handmade Gratitude

Bring on the cocktail parties, ornament exchanges and holiday dinners: It’s time to host and be hosted. With all this celebrating going on, you might want to check your list twice. Hostess presents can lengthen your to-gift list quickly, which can get pricy. Rather than breaking the budget with bottles of wine, use your crafty […]
Crafty – Making your own Tea Bags!
Crafty: Do It Yo-Self

Of all kitchen appliances, the slow cooker ranks as “third most useful” in my book (coffee maker, wine opener, slow cooker). There was a time when it fell somewhere between pizza slicer and pastry blender, but those days were over as soon as my roommate brought an all-things-slow cooker cookbook into our apartment. This thing […]
Braving the Elements
There’s nothing quite like an Iowa winter to make you want to lock yourself inside the house (with a few dozen tins of leftover holiday cookies) and not come out until March. As the temperatures drop, my wimpiness skyrockets. Venturing out to the grocery store makes me feel outdoorsy and I grant my bicycle an […]
Crafty: Hot Thyme in the City
Don’t let your apartment dwelling ways dictate your green thumb. You’ve got to fight for your right to rosemary (and basil and chives). The experts at Pleasant Valley Garden Center (1301 South Gilbert St.) have generously shared some tricks of the trade, so let’s get your apartment-friendly herb garden started. […]
Crafts: Bubbly Bliss
INGREDIENTS Liquid castile soap Liquid glycerine Optional: Essential oil Few things are more pampering than unwinding with a hot bubble bath after a chilly day. But, if you’re anything like me, lying in a mixture of “cocamidopropyl betaine” and “red #5” sounds anything but relaxing. Despite the daunting ingredient list on your bottle of Mr. […]