© 2025 Iowa Public Radio
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Celebrating 30 years of the Wapsipinicon Almanac

Ways To Subscribe
Talk of Iowa, hosted by Charity Nebbe

For 30 years, the Wapsipinicon Almanac was a homegrown, homemade journal of great writing by and for Iowans. Even though the final almanac was published in 2018, fans have one more chance to dive in with the anthology, The Wapsipinicon Almanac: Selections from Thirty Years.

One hope for me would be for this anthology to plant seeds that would inspire some young writer/editor
Tim Fay

Host Charity Nebbe speaks with Tim Fay, the longtime editor of The Wapsipinicon Almanac, and with contributors about the publication's legacy and the new anthology.

Later in the hour, Shir Safi shares his family’s arduous journey of leaving Afghanistan. Since 2021, the Afghan Military Services veteran with Des Moines Refugee Support Coordinator Erin Bell have been working tirelessly to help his wife and children get out of the country to safety. Today they are safe, and the family is soon to be reunited.

Guests:

  • Tim Fay, editor of the Wapsipinicon Almanac and one of 2 curators of the anthology
  • Steve Maravetz, Wapsipinicon Almanac contributor
  • Beth DeBoom, Wapsipinicon Almanac contributor
  • Shir Safi, Executive Director, Afghan Partners in Iowa
  • Erin Bell, Des Moines Refugee Support Coordinator
Charity Nebbe is IPR's<i> Talk of Iowa</i> host. She also hosts IPR's podcasts <i>Garden Variety</i> and <i>Unsettled</i>. Since 2010, Nebbe has interviewed, conversed with, and shared ideas from guests of all backgrounds and locations, and has helped listeners better understand, appreciate, and explore their state and the world around them. Nebbe has a bachelors degree from Iowa State University.
Caitlin Troutman is a talk show producer for Iowa Public Radio. She holds a bachelor's degree from William Jewell College. Since 2022, Troutman has worked with IPR's talk team to bring news and features to IPR's listening audience.
Dani Gehr is a talk show producer for Iowa Public Radio. She holds a bachelor's degree from Iowa State University. Since 2022, Gehr has worked with IPR's talk team to bring news and features to IPR's listening audience.