Sioux Cityans contribute to "Letters to a Young Iowan
By Lynn Zerschling Journal staff writer
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"Too often we Iowans look around us to find that our neighbors have an enhanced sense of what makes their state unique. The Black Hills of South Dakota, the lakes of Minnesota, the Ozarks of Missouri and the Sandhills of Nebraska are only aspects of each place. ...Embrace this place we call home. If you come to northwest Iowa and you feel the positive spirit of the hills, let us know."

From "Letters to a Young Iowan" by Bruce and Jeanette Hopkins, Sioux City.

The Hopkins are educators, writers and environmentalists who shared their sense of home in a newly published book called "Letters to a Young Iowan."

The book was the idea of Zachary Michael Jack, an English professor at North Central College who was raised on his family's century farm near Mechanicsville, Iowa. The book arose out of his posing a question around the farm table one night.

"What's the single most important piece of advice you would give a young Iowan?" he asked.

From that conversation, he asked dozens of other Iowans to pen their thoughts on what makes the Hawkeye state special and a place where young people should consider sinking deep roots.

Among the contributors were former Gov. Robert D. Ray; former First Lady Christy Vilsack; Olympic wrestling champion Dan Gable; Ted Kooser, former poet laureate of the United States; Catfish Keith, an internationally known Blues singer; and dozens of other Iowans. Those include Sioux Cityan Phil Hey, professor of English and writing at Briar Cliff University.

Bruce Hopkins is the retired chief administrator of Western Hills Area Education Agency, while his wife, Jeanette, is an adjunct professor at Morningside College.

Hey, an Illinois native, wrote in part, "So, what's worth saying after living in Iowa these past 37 years? Here's a good beginning: love the people. ...People leave Iowa all the time, moving to places like California (which is most of what you see on TV), and what do they do there? They form Iowa clubs!

"But, what I'm really thinking about here is the wonderful people you might never get to know, whether you move away or stay in Iowa and they pass on before you come to know them well enough. What Iowans as people are known for isn't their slickness -- leave that to Californians -- or their snobbery or their money. ...Of the words I've tried to fit to the Iowans I know, two keep sounding right: Iowans are kind and wise."

The Hopkins said they find a sense of place in the Loess Hills prairie, noting they look forward to giving presentations at the annual Loess Hills Prairie Seminar. Bruce Hopkins noted he began his teaching career in New York.

"Kids there seem so beaten down. There was no vibrancy. I didn't feel I could make a difference in New York."

He found he could have a fulfilling teaching career in Iowa where he could make a difference in students' lives. Jeanette Hopkins said she grew up in the Sandhills of Nebraska and found a home in the Loess Hills of Iowa.

"Part of what I think this book can do is getting you to experience the sense of place.," he said, with his wife adding, "Then people will take care of it."

Mark Edwards graduated from Sergeant Bluff High School and now works for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. He recalled his youth playing in caves in the Loess Hills west of town. Now, he sometimes returns to those bluffs.

"The view is majestic," he wrote in his letter. "Over the muddy Missouri River, a clear, deep-blue horizon sweeps off into the western plains. North lies Sioux City, a picturesque river town nestled into the hills. ...Last year I held a Clovis projectile point found near here and knew this was someone's home 8,000 years ago. I know Indians dance and dream here yet today. ...And, I hope you will come to western Iowa where your dreaming self can open up to grander hopes."

The Hopkins suggested the book would make a wonderful graduation gift. It sells for $19.95 and was published by Ice Cube Press, North Liberty, Iowa.



The Hopkins will read their chapter to the public at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the Perry Creek Branch Public Library, 2912 Hamilton Blvd., followed by a wine and cheese reception at Book People at the Marketplace Shopping Center across the street. Book People has the book for sale.