It’s time to start the annual debate about New Year’s resolutions, whether we’re for or against them. I think some folks are so discouraged by past failures they swing all the way to the other side of the spectrum, denying and defying the notion that making resolutions is a good[Read More…]
Columns
Editor’s Column: So this is Christmas …
To file under your “ridiculous” column: A popular online and brick-and-mortar store has sold out of a popular item: A bundle of twigs—20 “birchwood” branches tied with brown string—retailing for $42. Every time I see how much government entities pay consultants to come up with “new” ideas I shake my[Read More…]
Editor’s Column: When it comes to marketing, ‘free’ isn’t really free
The word “free” is a tantalizing attraction. Maybe it’s our capitalistic system where literally everything has a price, or maybe it’s simply human nature to want something for nothing… results without effort… benefits without expense. You’re probably familiar with the phrase “there’s no such thing as a free lunch.” The[Read More…]
Editor’s Column: The grateful pessimist
For brief periods in my life I’ve attempted to be an optimist—someone who expects the best, is hopeful for the future and has faith in the good of humanity in general. Optimism is supposed to be good for you, mentally and physically. My forays into optimism never last long. Circumstances[Read More…]
Flaming marshmallows {Editor’s Column}
I’ve been cooking for almost four decades, but last Saturday was a new experience. I was making candied yams for the St. James Episcopal Church annual fundraising dinner. Once the yams were cooked, I sprinkled mini-marshmallows (the best part of candied yams) over the top and put them under the[Read More…]
Editor’s Column: How did we get here?
“Many a time freedom has been rolled back—and always for the same sorry reason: fear.” ~Molly Ivins. I don’t care what mainstream media corporate overlord or so-called online “news” pig trough you’re feeding from, it’s time for all of us to step back and try to remember who we are[Read More…]
Editor’s Column: Don’t be a sheeple
Two weeks ago I had the privilege of participating in a live radio broadcast on KDNK, Carbondale’s public radio station. Did you know CNCC had its own radio station once upon a time? And Meeker had its own radio station not too long ago? A group of journalists from print[Read More…]
The club no one wants to join {Editor’s Column}
We received word Tuesday afternoon that our oldest son, Ethan, was killed in a single-vehicle accident near Glenwood late Monday night. He would have been 26 later this month. There’s a lot of things I could say, but I’m saving them for his obituary, which I will write later this[Read More…]
Editor’s Column: Last time I checked …
In fourth grade I coveted a pair of white leather Nike sneakers with the red “swoosh.” They cost $40, which my parents insisted was a ridiculous price for a pair of children’s shoes. Desperate to “fit in,” I sent $2 in cash to my aunt in Louisville, Ky., and asked[Read More…]
Editor’s Column: One page at a time
It’s been exactly two years this week since we took ownership of the HT. That’s 104 issues, one every week, produced on deadline, plus special sections and magazines. I’ve had a number of folks say things like, “You signed up for slave labor!” Others have asked, “Why did you voluntarily[Read More…]
You can’t open someone’s eyes with a baseball bat {Editor’s Column}
It’s human nature to want people to agree with us. We all want to be right, and encountering people who don’t see things the same way we do triggers an almost primal need to correct and convince them they are wrong and we are right. We all do it, whether[Read More…]
Editor’s Column: School’s back in session, but is the four-day week hurting us?
When a topic randomly pops up in conversation twice in the space of a few days, it makes me wonder if there’s more to think about. This week it’s the concept of the four-day school week. I remember the discussion and debate the last time our districts decided to go[Read More…]
