My Big Fat Iowa Reunion
Finding Your Fort Madison article for the Pen City Current
An insider’s guide to stories, events, and fun.
Southeast Iowa made a lasting impression on one foreign exchange student—so much so that he just returned here, 33 years later, with his 10-year-old son George. Now staying with his former host family in Donnellson, my friend from Greece is soaking up the simple pleasures he remembers so fondly.
This Greek Loves Maple Syrup!
“I love the land, the people, and the food,” he said with a smile. He loves Iowa’s sweet corn, "gravy with the biscuits", pancakes with maple syrup, crispy bacon, and his new favorite discovery, walking tacos. “We don’t have this!” (Never underestimate the power of Midwestern comfort food.)
The rural charm of Southeast Iowa still amazes him: quiet fields, wide open skies, and friendly faces. His son George was equally thrilled, especially after a swim at their host family’s farm, surrounded by nothing but cornfields and the sticky summer humidity. One of the highlights of the trip was a visit to Central Lee High School. He was excited to show George the school that meant so much to him—especially the lockers, which he still finds fascinating since they’re not common in Greece. And yes, corn surrounds the school too.
After decades of change, what struck him most is what hasn’t changed: the warmth, the welcome, and the peaceful pace of life here. For him, Southeast Iowa isn’t just a memory—it’s a place that still feels like home.
