Moving on

Written by Hillsboro Free Press Tuesday, 08 May 2012 13:57

Another commencement season is quickjly upon us. While most high school and college graduates yearn to be free of lectures, homework and exams, some of us watching from the sidelines wish we were back in what looks to us now as a relatively carefree life of inquiry and discovery compared to the daily grind of job, family and responsibilities.

The truth is, both worlds have advantages and disadvantages, joys and frustrations. When it comes down to it, freedom and fulfillment are realities we create or negate for ourselves, in whatever lifestage we occupy.

Graduates, post-graduates and pre-graduates, if there’s a word of wisdom to consider, it might be this: You probably won’t find peace and contentment tomorrow if you can’t find...

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Protect their potential

Written by Hillsboro Free Press Tuesday, 01 May 2012 14:08

More by default than by design, this issue of the Free Press celebrates a lot of good things that characterize the majority of the youth in our readership area. Goessel Junior High student Lanna Wagner (front page) makes us all proud with the impressive effort she invested in winning the Kansas History Day Contest earlier this month. She will be an excellent representative at the national competition in June.

The tree-planting enthusiasm of fourth-graders at Hillsboro and Centre elementary schools (front page) is an encouraging sign that our youth see the value of caring for our earth and replenishing its natural resources. Thank you, Hillsboro Lions, for leading the way.

Of course, the determination of our young athletes is...

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Moderates forged a smarter, better Kansas

Written by Dick Bond Tuesday, 24 April 2012 14:48

Liberal Democrats believe that with enough tax money, government can cure all ills and make the world just right. Very conservative Republi­cans, who control the party, believe that government is evil and it needs to be starved, shrunk and hated. They believe that if we cut taxes the wealthy will get wealthier and will create jobs for the “least of these” and all will be good.

In the middle are the hated moderates. Hated in recent years since the far-right Republicans have established a litmus test of purity in order to be a “real” Republican and not a RINO (Republican in Name Only). Further, the moderates, with all of their impurities, are being seriously targeted at the polls by large corporate dollars, evangelical dollars...

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Unmerited favor

Written by Katie Morford Tuesday, 17 April 2012 13:43

It’s almost mind-boggling that Marion County absorbed so little damage during the surge of tornadic activity Saturday night and into Sunday morning. At varying stages of the evening’s storm coverage, the tornado that ultimately sliced diagonally across our county was variously described as bearing down on Goessel, then Hillsboro and Lehigh and finally Lost Springs before moving beyond our borders. Miraculously, the twister avoided all four communities.

Our hearts go out to several rural residents, such as the Ecklunds, who sustained significant damage. We trust that neighbors have offered comfort and support in these past days because that’s what folks around here do.

As the rest of us breathe a sigh of relief and speak prayers...

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