By Harold Tymes
Staff Writer
MEEKER — So what is a recession, anyway? According to the National Bureau of Economic Research, a recession is defined as “a significant decline in economic activity spread across the economy, lasting more than a few months, normally visible in real GDP (gross domestic product), real income, employment, industrial production and wholesale-retail sales. A recession begins just after the economy reaches a peak of activity and ends as the economy reaches its trough. Between trough and peak, the economy is in an expansion. Expansion is the normal state of the economy; most recessions are brief and they have been rare in recent decades.” It’s kind of like going on an economic diet after the waistline expansion that usually happens during the holidays.
Speaking of holidays, everyone’s favorite spring holiday is coming up Tuesday: Tax Day! Personal income taxes are due April 15. Don’t forget to file! Interestingly, April 16 is officially “International Stress Awareness Day.” Let’s just put it this way, if you aren’t aware of your stress, you don’t have enough.
Happy birthday to Kaylee Ridings and Paul Neilson, April 10; Ron Spencer, Steve Harman, Tom Walsh, Mandy Mobley and Tom George, April 13.
Are you or your family members missing from this list? Please send us your family’s special dates — anniversaries, birthdays, etc. — so we can celebrate with you! Send info to [email protected], or mail items to P.O. Box 720, Meeker, Colo., 81641.