.....Advertisement.....
.....Advertisement.....

Columns

  • What is Christmas?

    It's that time of year again. Shopping malls and department stores fill with bustling shoppers ready to cash in half their annual salaries.

    Husbands go out and hang enough lights and decorations to make even Clark Griswold jealous. Parents get to threaten kids with the absence of Santa if they don't behave. Overpriced poinsettias are the top floral arrangements, and the movie "A Christmas Story" is played 24/7 until February.

    Yes, it's time for Christmas.

    Click here to read more...
  • Family is part of something bigger

    It was like attending a live taping of "Jon and Kate Plus 8."

    The only differences were that the children were several years older and mine was the only camera around.

    The similarities, though, included echoing laughter, lots and lots of smiles and a heartwarming sense of caring and love.

    A few weeks ago, I interviewed Fred and Donna Sheridan, the parents of nine adopted children. Nine.

    Click here to read more...
  • Tina Turner still rocks at 68

    It wasn't really my scene, but I loved every minute of it.

    A few weekends ago, my mother and I traveled to Atlanta, Ga. to see one of her all-time favorite artists in concert - Tina Turner.

    I knew from the moment I stepped into Philips Arena that this concert was going to be a bit different than ones I have been to before.

    First, there were no cowboy hats or opening acts. The stage looked massive and more like the set of a production than a concert.

    Click here to read more...
  • What has happened to our Christmas spirit?

    "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."

    -Luke 2:14

    We heard the first stories early on Thursday. Unconfirmed reports of additional incidents surfaced throughout the weekend.

    Click here to read more...
  • Our future is in strong hands

    I'm beginning to realize that I was just a lazy teenager. During the past few weeks, I've introduced you to a Latin teacher, symbolic adoptive parents, a veterinarian and a banker. All are teenagers and still in high school.

    Though high school is but a faint memory to me now, I know I never did anything more than what was required of me.

    I never took a job through the school's work co-op program. I'm not even sure that was an option for me. Work? Hey, I was in high school, I'm not supposed to work!

    Click here to read more...
  • Where were all the voters?

    Where were the other 6,000 voters?

    On Nov. 4, Taylor County saw a record number of residents heading for the polls and casting their votes.

    In all, 65 percent, or 10,997, voters voted. However, the county also saw a record number of registered voters with 17,023.

    It stands to reason that there will always be a percentage of registered voters who don't vote, but 35 percent?

    Click here to read more...
  • Take time to be thankful

    "Dear Lord ... Humble our hearts and make us truly thankful for these and all thy blessings. And bless our dear ones, wherever they may be. For Christ's sake ... Amen."

    Those are the words to my family's dinnertime blessing. I've known those words for all of my life, as have my children. My mother has said them all of her life, as did my grandmother before her.

    Most of the time, I simply say the words by rote, without really thinking of their meaning. But there are certain times during the year that it means more to me than others.

    Click here to read more...
  • When you don't snooze, you lose

    Here at the newspaper, we get news releases on an hourly basis from various groups and organizations across the country. Most probably don't realize we're a community paper and, that if it doesn't affect Taylor County or its residents, then we're probably not too interested.

    But every now and then, one comes across my desk - or into my e-mail's inbox - and it catches my attention. I opened one such e-mail the other day, and the first thought that passed through my mind was, "Well, duh ..."

    Click here to read more...
  • Let's philosophize

    I recently purchased my latest car; a loaded Saab 95, complete with 7-speaker stereo system, heated and cooled seats, multi-function sunroof and a plethora of other amenities, some of which I have yet to figure out how to operate. It is a luxury car that gets 32 miles per gallon on the highway, and it could easily be the most comfortable car I've ever owned. 

    Click here to read more...
  • Frightening is fun

    I've been a horror film fan for as long as I can remember. And, as a result, the month of October remains my favorite time of year. In addition to cooler weather, the month also brings us Halloween, which means horror movies rule the airwaves.

    Unfortunately, recent years have found me dipping into my own collection for my fear season frights, as the classics that once dominated the TV screen have been replaced with newer films. In this case, newer isn't better.

    Click here to read more...