Letters to the Editor

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I wanted to add to your story that featured "Mt. Vernon Barn Showcases American Gothic." About a quarter mile east of the American Gothic barn is another barn painted by Mark Benesh, which showcases the Statue of Liberty holding an apple. The business is called the Big Apple, and they grow a variety of apples on more than 2,000 trees. Also, our family loves the fresh salsa I make with produce from our garden. I don't do any canning, so I was excited to see the recipe for Winning Freezer Salsa in the spring issue of your magazine. We can't wait to still have fresh salsa after the first frost has set in!

— Sally Hofmann, Cedar Rapids

As a result of being involved with the Iowa Food & Family Project over the past few years, we are constantly looking for new ways to support local farmers, restaurants and businesses. We recently discovered a fun platform called Harvest Host, for when traveling in an RV or camping that helps to support farmers, businesses, breweries and wineries across the country. We can't wait to meet some local farmers and small business owners, see their beautiful properties, and try their products!

— Julie Kohles, Johnston

We moved to Clive in July 2019 and knew nothing about the area and what there was around us. We got out a little that fall and went to a few festivals and tried some local cuisine. We were quite excited to get out and explore in 2020, and then COVID took the stage, front and center, and we couldn’t do much of anything; we stayed hunkered down. Your magazine was uplifting and gave me ideas on where I want to go this summer, like local farmers markets, and interesting places to eat on our journeys. I have enjoyed making several of the recipes I have found in the magazine and am working on living a healthier life. Keep up the great work!

— Jacqui Tourk, Clive