Homers: What's going right

LEADING THE WAY: Kathy Cariens, Iowa City's first woman mail carrier, retired Dec. 31 after more than 37 years on the job. She doesn't see herself as a trailblazer for women but colleagues say her strong work ethic and example opened doors. Salute!

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MUSIC MAN: We celebrate the contributions of George Baldwin, a former executive for Armstrong Department Store who was best known by many Cedar Rapids residents for his many musical and community contributions. Baldwin, who died Dec. 26, often played the massive Wurlitzer organ at the Paramount Theatre, as well as another famous pipe organ at the Brucemore mansion. .

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MORE BEARABLE: Coe professor Mark Elliott is turning his battle with pancreatic cancer into a gift. After his wife, Rosanne, gave him one Build-A-Bear teddy bear each week of his chemotherapy treatment, the couple decided to share the collection with children in the encology unit at the University of Iowa Children's Hospital. The professor then enlisted his vocal music students' help. The campaign has collected 60-plus teddy bears and continues until mid January, when the comfort givers will be delivered.