Tag: Creston News Advertiser

  • Girl on Fire: Acknowledging first responders

    [As seen in Creston News Advertiser, December 5, 2013] As someone who was on the outside of anything news— and emergency—related until recently, I am still somewhat stuck on the outside looking in. And, this past week is no exception. My boyfriend Russ Finehout and I were on the way back to Creston from a […]

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  • Girl on Fire: Determination to reach long-term fitness goals

    [As seen in Creston News Advertiser, November 21, 2013] Thanks to coworker Brooke McIntosh and newsroom discussion, there is a health and fitness competition in the newsroom. I’m glad we have this competition. Already, having an in-house competition has helped me get on track before Thanksgiving and Christmas feasts roll around. My goal for Thanksgiving […]

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  • Girl on Fire: Yellow Brick Road, here I come

    [As seen in Creston News Advertiser, October 31, 2013] In six months, I will be finishing my first half marathon. I caught the marathon bug from my mom, who has been doing half marathons for a couple of years now. Her next one is the Monumental Half Marathon in Indianapolis, Ind., Saturday. I wish all […]

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  • Girl on Fire: How books, music inspire my writing

    [As seen in Creston News Advertiser October 17, 2013] One thing I love talking about, which could be one reason why I have a degree in English and creative writing, is books. I’m an avid reader, and occasionally I can devour a book in a day or two. Currently, I’m reading several series, two of […]

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  • Girl on Fire: Appreciating what firefighters do

    [As seen in Creston News Advertiser, October 3, 2013] I climbed the ladder and stepped onto a roof of wooden shingles and moss. The slant made it hard to climb, as did the uncertainty of whether the wood would give. I followed firefighters Lee Freeman and Jake Winkler up near the peak, and Jake and […]

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  • Girl on Fire: Achievement is a dream itself

    [As seen in Creston News Advertiser, September 19, 2013] My feet hit the concrete hard as I ran past a Japanese garden and gazebo overlooking the Des Moines River, then ran up to a bridge crossing the water. The breeze cooled me off while I ran in the Diva Dash 5K in Des Moines over […]

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  • Girl on Fire: Crohn’s: Ranked right next to cancer

    [As seen in Creston News Advertiser, September 5, 2013] Over Labor Day weekend, I visited family in Minnesota. While I was there, I witnessed the slow deterioration of my aunt, Rhonda. My aunt has Crohn’s disease, and from what I’ve seen of the disease, I rank it right next to cancer in terms of the […]

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  • Girl on Fire: Parties, running and more parties

    [As seen in Creston News Advertiser, August 29, 2013] Last week was my birthday, and I don’t feel any older. However, it hasn’t stopped me from having epic weekends. I went to Des Moines and stayed with my sister Breezy Thursday and Friday nights. Thursday we went to a restaurant called Tally’s, where I had […]

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  • Girl on Fire: My first real-life fire

    [As seen in Creston News Advertiser, August 15, 2013] I have some big news! Monday, I responded and participated in my first-ever, real-life fire. Responding to a call is always an adrenaline rush. I ran in, tossed my sandals off, borrowed a fellow firefighter’s extra pair of socks and jumped in my turnout gear, stuffing […]

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  • Girl on Fire: I can’t wait for ‘Blackfish’

    [As seen in Creston News Advertiser, August 1, 2013] It is hard to describe how excited I am to see the new documentary “Blackfish” in theaters. “Blackfish” is a 2013 documentary that premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January and focuses on how orcas, large black and white whales also known as killer whales, […]

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