What Makes America Great

I love to travel. And I had an AMAZING trip to Germany for Oktoberfest recently.
But that being said . . .
Until you travel outside the good ol’ US of A, you’ll never know how great it really is. Not to get all Donald Trumpy here, but man! America is a great place. I know we have our problems, but one that we don’t have, at least here in the Midwest . . .
You don’t have to pay to potty!
It doesn’t seem like a big problem, until you’re short of change (whatever they call the less than Euro coins) and you gotta go. That’s when you find out who your friends are. THANK GOD i have great friends with loose change. Pretty much everywhere except your hotel, it’s literally “Pay as you go”.
Potties are plentiful and accessible!
Again, we probably don’t think twice because we have free public restrooms in our parks, at our convenience stores, gas stations, truck stops, restaurants, etc. That’s not the case in Germany (and other European countries) And if you can find a restroom, you gotta pay (see above)
European bathrooms are going to save the world!
Or at least they think they will. They have these eco-friendly commodes that use less water (or so they think). That theory is shot down the moment the Ugly American (yeah that’s me) needs to flush SEVERAL times to get the job done. Nuff said. My new friend John (real guy , not a commode) had a smart commode in his room (he had REALLY nice hotel) that the lid would automatically open when he approached it. Shades of Ali Baba! Open Sesame! Probably good that I didn’t have one of those. After the first time I used it, it would probably clamp shut when it saw me coming the next time.
Oh, and there is NO PRIVACY! The nice bathroom attendants who get the money you pay for going potty, have NO compunction about coming in and doing their job, while you’re doing yours! If you have any trouble performing before an audience (if you know what I mean) you’re gonna hate it there. And why do they bother putting doors on the bathrooms. They’re always left open, and you get a stink-eye from locals if you try to close it. Like I’M the PERVERT,?!?!? And they have an affinity for glass in hotel room bathrooms. Have they not heard of shower curtains? See?
So the moral of the story, European? Not easily, anyway. Unless you have change for a Euro.
Peace
TD
Events Calendar
Calendar of Events
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4 events,
Newton V.F.W. BINGO
Jasper County RSVP Free Tax Assistance Program
Jasper County RSVP Free Tax Assistance Program
This program is for low and middle income taxpayers, in addition to those age 60 and older. […]
This Week in Marshalltown: Feb 27 – March 4
This Week in Marshalltown: Feb 27 – March 4
Wednesday, March 1 - Connect Marshalltown, Smokin' G's, 4:30 - 6 p.m. Thursday, March 2- Saturday, March 4- Marshalltown Community […]
Art Fundraiser At The Newton Public Libary
Art Fundraiser At The Newton Public Libary
Take home some amazing new art while supporting your library! Enjoy refreshments from the Friends of the […]
5 events,
Newton Community Theatre presents Angel Street
Newton Community Theatre presents Angel Street
Newton Community Theatre presents Angel Street (Formerly known as Gaslight) By Patrick Hamilton Production: March 3, 4, […]
Coffee & Connect presented by The Newton Chamber and Newton Main Street 3/2
Coffee & Connect presented by The Newton Chamber and Newton Main Street 3/2
"Coffee and Connect is an informal, free monthly series and collaboration between The Newton Chamber of Commerce, […]
6 events,
Kellogg Lions Breakfast
Kellogg Lions Breakfast
Saturday March 4th the Kellogg Lions is having a breakfast in the park at the cabin. It […]
Neal Smith Astrophotography Workshop
Neal Smith Astrophotography Workshop
What: Astrophotography Workshop When: Saturday, March 4 from 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm Where: Neal Smith National […]
5 events,
Lutheran Church of Hope-Capitol II Theatre Livestream
Lutheran Church of Hope-Capitol II Theatre Livestream
Lutheran Church of Hope – Local Newton Livestream Worship Service Every Sunday, 9:30 am Capitol II Theatre […]
4 events,
Newton V.F.W. BINGO
Jasper County RSVP Free Tax Assistance Program
Newton Community Theatre presents Angel Street
This Week in Marshalltown: March 6 – 12
This Week in Marshalltown: March 6 – 12
Monday, March 6 - Live On Stage presents Divas3, Marshalltown Preforming Arts Center, 7-9 p.m. Wednesday, March 8- Caffeinated Conversations, Iowa […]
5 events,
Jasper County Veterans Affairs Open House
Jasper County Veterans Affairs Open House
There will be an Open House @ Jasper County Veteran Affairs new offices at 315 W 3rd […]
5 events,
Newton Masons March Pancake Breakfast
Newton Masons March Pancake Breakfast
The Newton Masons will be holding their March pancake breakfast on Saturday, March 11th, from 7:00-9:00AM. Pancakes, […]
5 events,
Lutheran Church of Hope-Capitol II Theatre Livestream
Lutheran Church of Hope-Capitol II Theatre Livestream
Lutheran Church of Hope – Local Newton Livestream Worship Service Every Sunday, 9:30 am Capitol II Theatre […]
2 events,
Newton V.F.W. BINGO
Jasper County RSVP Free Tax Assistance Program
3 events,
This Week in Marshalltown: March 13-19
This Week in Marshalltown: March 13-19
Friday, March 17 -St. Patrick's Day Dance, Midnight Gardens, 6-9 p.m. Friday, March 17 - Live Music by Phil Shipley, […]
4 events,
Free Movie At Capitol 2 Theatre 3/13 & 3/15
Free Movie At Capitol 2 Theatre 3/13 & 3/15
The Movie Minions The Rise Of Gru is being shown for free at The Capitol 2 Theatre […]
5 events,
Newton American Legion St Patricks Dinner 3/17
Newton American Legion St Patricks Dinner 3/17
American Legion having a St. Patrick dinner. March 17th 5:30PM-Gone $10.00 cornbeef & Cabbage with red potato […]
8 events,
Prarie City Blood Drive 3/18
Prarie City Blood Drive 3/18
PRAIRIE CITY-MONROE BLOOD DRIVE When: Saturday, MARCH 18 th TIME: 7:15 am—10:30 am WHERE: First Reformed Church […]
Prairie City Pancake Breakfast
Prairie City Pancake Breakfast
LIONS PANCAKE BREAKFAST The Prairie City Lions Club is having their monthly pancake breakfast Saturday morning MARCH […]
Jasper Co League of Women Voters Hosting Legislative Gathering
Jasper Co League of Women Voters Hosting Legislative Gathering
There will be a Legislative Gathering this Saturday, March 18th at 10:00 am, at the Newton Library, […]
Smartphone Photography 101 Workshop
Smartphone Photography 101 Workshop
What: Smartphone Photography 101 Workshop When: Saturday, March 18 from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm Where: Neal […]
Mulligan Stew Supper
Mulligan Stew Supper
Mulligan Stew Supper on Saturday, March 18 from 5 to 7 pm at the Immaculate Conception Catholic […]
5 events,
Jasper County Take Away Hunger 3/25/
Jasper County Take Away Hunger 3/25/
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church will host the Jasper County Take Away Hunger meal packing event on Saturday, […]
Lutheran Church of Hope-Capitol II Theatre Livestream
Lutheran Church of Hope-Capitol II Theatre Livestream
Lutheran Church of Hope – Local Newton Livestream Worship Service Every Sunday, 9:30 am Capitol II Theatre […]
3 events,
Newton V.F.W. BINGO
Jasper County RSVP Free Tax Assistance Program
Newton Community Theatre Auditions
Newton Community Theatre Auditions
Getting Gary By Brian Mitchell Directed by Mary Thompson Production: June 2, 3, 4, 9, 10 & 11, […]
3 events,
Newton Public Library Board Meeting 3/23
Newton Public Library Board Meeting 3/23
A meeting of the Newton Public Library Board will take place at 4 p.m. Thursday, March 23rd […]
5 events,
Ham Ball Supper 3/25
Ham Ball Supper 3/25
A ham Ball Supper is being held Saturday, March 25th starting at 4:30 until they are gone […]
Need Jasper County Volunteers to Take Away Hunger
Need Jasper County Volunteers to Take Away Hunger
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church will host the Jasper County Take Away Hunger meal packaging event on Saturday, […]
PCM Fine Arts Showcase 3/25
PCM Fine Arts Showcase 3/25
PCM Fine Arts Boosters presents the 2023 Fine Arts Showcase fundraising event. Featuring and art gallery and […]
3 events,
Lutheran Church of Hope-Capitol II Theatre Livestream
Lutheran Church of Hope-Capitol II Theatre Livestream
Lutheran Church of Hope – Local Newton Livestream Worship Service Every Sunday, 9:30 am Capitol II Theatre […]
2 events,
Newton V.F.W. BINGO
Jasper County RSVP Free Tax Assistance Program
3 events,
Jasper County Concert Association Concert 3-30-23
Jasper County Concert Association Concert 3-30-23
The Jasper County Concert Association will welcome Sean Altman and Jack Skuller to the stage at the […]
3 events,
Mercy One Newton Auxiliary offering health-related scholarships.
Mercy One Newton Auxiliary offering health-related scholarships.
Mercy One Newton Medical Center Auxiliary is proud to offer scholarships to local residents once again this […]
3 events,
Free Concert For Kids April 1st
Free Concert For Kids April 1st
An afternoon of music, movement, and fun is coming to Newton on Saturday, April 1st at 1:30 […]
3 events,
Lutheran Church of Hope-Capitol II Theatre Livestream
Lutheran Church of Hope-Capitol II Theatre Livestream
Lutheran Church of Hope – Local Newton Livestream Worship Service Every Sunday, 9:30 am Capitol II Theatre […]