Trying something new can be good

Horizons

Written by Bailey Kaufman Tuesday, 30 October 2012 14:26

Four years ago, if someone would have told me that I would be playing tennis my junior and senior year of high school, I would have laughed and said,“No way!” Back then, I was sure that nothing could keep me from playing volleyball. But I was wrong.

Rewind to the beginning of my sports career. I grew up watching my cousins play volleyball; so naturally, I decided to join the middle school team in seventh grade.

For the first game, I got to start on seventh grade varsity. I was ecstatic. I’m not very athletically gifted, so this was an amazing opportunity for me. Unfortunately, I came down with a nasty cold on game day. I still played, but my head was so congested I could barely function. After that game I was placed on the C team...

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Looking positively at next birthday

Staff Soapbox

Written by Patty Decker Tuesday, 06 November 2012 15:26

I learned a new word this week: gerontophobia. It means the fear of getting old.

With my 60th birthday only a few weeks away, I was thinking about the fact I am no “spring chicken.” Instead of focusing on the negatives, though, I decided to look at all the positives.

For example, I have chalked up almost six decades of experience, strength and optimism, which hopefully can be useful to my family and maybe others.

Randy and I are also grateful for our three children.?We realize that whatever they choose to do as adults is out of our control, and yet we will always love them and be proud of them.

Looking back on our child-rearing days, I think we did the best we could, with few regrets. For us, it was important to know we gave as...

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Takeaways from the 2012 election

Free Falling

Written by Bob Woelk Tuesday, 13 November 2012 15:36

The election of 2012 mercifully has come to an end. Now we can go back to the business of getting ready for the after-Thanksgiving sales. But, what, if anything, can we take away from this year’s balloting?

First, we learned that super PACs are here to stay, and they are major players. More than $1.3 billion was spent by conservative estimates during this election season to try to buy everything from statehouse seats to the presidency.

This torrent of cash was unleashed by a 2010 Supreme Court ruling that permitted big donors to anonymously contribute to the candidate or cause of their choosing.

Republicans were responsible for spending two-thirds of the super PAC total. The return on that investment was low by all accounts. But...

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Growth is reason for thanksgiving

Lipstick & Pearls

Written by Malinda Just Tuesday, 20 November 2012 15:58

It’s here. That day filled with turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy and pumpkin pie. And football. And family. And thanksgiving.

It’s apparent when I take stock of my life that I have much to be thankful for. And Thanks­giving is a perfect time to count those blessings. That’s totally the purpose of the holiday, even if we sometimes tend to focus more on the spread and couch time.

But what happens when we just don’t feel it? What happens when being thankful is the furthest thing from our hearts?

When I was in high school (which more time has passed than I want to believe), I uttered many peevish remarks. Possibly I have the excuse that the majority of teenagers are sullen and moody from time to time, but one statement...

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