While driving on Sunday to Greenfield which is approximately an hour and forty-five minutes southwest of Des Moines, I struggled to keep my Honda Civic from being blown into on-coming traffic on SR 92. Wind gusts were reported at over 40 miles an hour. From my stay in Iowa, I knew why Iowa is one of the states leading the nation in harnessing wind energy.

I was struck by the rolling meadows and the black dirt which would soon be planted in corn for ethanol - another fuel product that Iowa excels at producing. Gas prices are usually 15 to 20 cents cheaper in Iowa because of its bio-fuel processing centers.

I was to stay upstairs in one of two rooms at the local optometrist's Greenfield office. When I arrived at the eye doctor's office, I was somewhat surprised because the door was left open and on a small table was an envelope with a key inside of it for me. I climbed the stairs and found a charming room that even included its own restroom. It was already nice and cozy and so after getting my things I needed from the car I decided to explore on foot the town of Greenfield. The courthouse - which is Adair's county seat - was located in the middle square. The town was situated in traditional Lancaster style which means cars enter and access the town's local businesses on one of four corners and the more traveled streets via the mid-block of what I call a square within a square - which is very rare and only a few towns today are still structured in this traditional fashion. Parking was free and because it was Sunday the town was desolate with a few hardy bikers smoking just outside the local bar.

I was amazed to find a screen printer in one of the red-brick buildings and the opera house and "Old Hotel" caught my attention. I stopped near a cement bench by the red-brick hotel and read the metal plaque: "In memory of Hugh Sidey and hundreds of Adair County men who left from the Greenfield Hotel steps to serve around the world in WWII."

I found out from Dan Dickinson who was like the town's historian as well as my guide during my visit to Nodaway schools that Hugh Sidey's family owned the local newspaper, which is still printed today under "Adair County Free Press". Hugh was a local legend and one of the town's most famous citizens having been a "Time" reporter covering the White House and U.S. presidents for nearly a half century.

In between my speaking engagements, Dan Dickinson gave me a tour of the 1896 E.E. Warren Opera House that Yvonne Schildberg purchased and donated to the town. The Opera House had fallen on disrepair and Dan and several local residents were busy raising money to restore the turret style opera house to its original lavishly styled luster. In addition, Dan had Lee Ann Nelson give me a personal tour of the Iowa Aviation Museum and we toured the only Iowa Aviation Hall of Fame wing in Iowa. The museum houses a 1928 Curtiss Robin and is the oldest Robin known to exist. As well, the museum has a restored 1941 Aetna-Timm which was built in 1941 and as one of only six models, this Aetna-Timm is now the only one of its kind. There are many other planes at the museum and these were the planes that Schildberg collected throughout his life. His brother, Dennis, was an avid collector of classic corvettes, corvairs, and antique Chevrolets. His personal car collection is located near the town square. The Schildberg family owns 20 limestone quarries.

My time with the students was both exciting and fun. Over 30% of the students purchased a Principal Park book which made me realize that dreams still flourish in Bridgewater, Fontanelle, and Greenfield. I should also take note that Norman Lear found Greenfield charming have produced "Cold Turkey" which starred Dick Van Dyke, Jean Stapleton and Bob Newhart in the 1969 Hollywood movie.

When you visit Greenfield you will discover a charming community that holds on to its lure of yesteryear while finding itself struggling financially during this economic downturn. In each of us is the desire to remain immortal through our life's work/passions and I have to believe this is why the Schildberg's were such avid collectors. I have to believe this is why Dan Dickinson is so passionate about restoring the old opera house, too. I hope Dan succeeds but I already know that in my book he has already succeeded through his 33 years of teaching children who call him "Mr. D."

Thank you Mr. D. and the community of Greenfield for the hidden jewels the world should come discover in your tiny nook of Iowa.