For The Record

Welcome to The Record. We’re so glad you’re here.

In your hands (or on your screen), is something quite remarkable. Established as The Deep River Record in 1899, this newspaper has quite literally kept the record of the collective history of Poweshiek County and its people. It has survived two world wars, a great depression, 75 years of the television, and 30 years of the internet.

And still, she stands.

In the coming month, The Record’s longstanding owner and editor-in-chief, Shirley Dunham, will begin her well-deserved retirement. She faithfully managed The Record alongside - and after the passing of - her husband, the legendary newspaperman Chuck Dunham.

Shirley, to her immense credit, was determined to honor this newspaper and its constituents by continuing to use its voice and give it life. She understood its value, and so do we.

Our family (Derek and Simone, along with our two small children) is taking up Shirley’s baton to steward the newspaper for its next season. We believe in the profound importance of recording local news. We believe in celebrating our community and telling her stories. We believe in the written word and the life given by the voice of the printed press.

Our commitment is to preserving your record for future generations. This is a serious commitment and one we can only achieve together. It is our firm conviction The Record newspaper exists to serve you. She is there only for the good of Poweshiek County and surrounds. This paper will highlight your successes, champion your businesses, promote your events, and of course, be a record of the life of our communities.

We hope you share this conviction and will partner with us to see The Record – the grand old lady she is – succeed in this mission.

There are a number of ways for you to be involved:

1.     Subscribe! From now until the end of September 2024, yearly subscriptions are BOGO (Buy One, Gift One).

2.     Connect with us! Do you own a business? Do you participate in a community or ministry group? We want to support you!

3.     Have a story idea or a person to celebrate? Send them our way.

4.     Keep on picking up your paper.

We stand on the shoulders of The Record’s rich heritage and all those who came before. And we stand looking ahead to her bright future and the bright future of our small, but mighty towns.