The winter solstice occurs at 8:27 p.m. MST on Thursday, Dec. 21. That’s the specific moment when Earth’s northern hemisphere is tilted as far away from the sun as possible. Also known as midwinter, it’s the shortest day and the longest night of the year. From this point through midsummer,[Read More…]
Tag: Opinion
Editor’s Column – “FRA-GEE-LAY”
I didn’t see “A Christmas Story” until I was well into my 30s. Besides the memorable scenes of Flick the bully being triple-dog-dared to stick his tongue to a metal pole and Ralphie so thoroughly bundled up for harsh winter weather he couldn’t put his arms down (which comes back[Read More…]
Loose Ends – Staying alive!
A recent solution to ensuring the continuation of the weekly Rio Blanco Herald Times was announced last week by Niki Turner and Caitlin Walker. What a relief. A collaborative effort between the newspaper and the Rio Blanco County Historical Society has been successful in devising a plan to ensure residents[Read More…]
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Commending our youth Dear Editor, I was privileged to attend some of the basketball games the last two weeks — the “Shootout” in the Meeker High School for girls and boys. It was a unanimously exhilarating experience. Not a single final score comes to mind, but these things do:[Read More…]
EDITOR’S COLUMN – Desiderata … ‘things desired’
Years ago, the commercial Christmas season was heralded not by the terror of hearing a certain Mariah Carey song-that-shall-not-be-named, but by the arrival of the department store Christmas catalog. Within its glossy pages were sparkling images of smiling children and all the best toys one could request from Santa. Pages[Read More…]
Loose Ends – Honoring family traditions
Honoring family traditions continues during this Christmas season. As families decorate their homes with both outdoor and indoor decorations, quite a few families go up into the Hogback, the Piceance basin, or upriver into the high country to cut their trees. While years ago one could cut down the perfect[Read More…]
Editor’s Column – Making peace with preferences
“Somehow each of the three bears figured out exactly what was comfortable for them. And yet despite the obvious differences, they did not try to impose their preferences on the rest of the family. And if we can take a lesson from that, maybe that would make our society a[Read More…]
Loose Ends – Write this down
Listening to an old familiar tune on a country music radio station with the repetitive verse “Write This Down” will continue to be played on countless playlists across the country. It speaks to so many of all ages and it speaks to anyone who has lived life fully. It doesn’t[Read More…]
Editor’s Column – Assumptions
Be curious, not judgmental. ~ Ted Lasso By the time you read this, you’ve most likely enjoyed (or endured) the annual gathering of friends and family around the Thanksgiving table. Hopefully, the food and drink were delicious, and the conversation was amicable. However, if you walked away agitated or inflamed[Read More…]
Editor’s Column – November 16th, 2023
Three branches of government, Schoolhouse Rock style For those who don’t remember Schoolhouse Rock, it was a series of educational, yet entertaining, animated musical clips inserted into Saturday morning cartoons. You see (putting on my granny voice) back in the days before cable and satellite and streaming on-demand video, the[Read More…]
LETTER TO THE EDITOR – Thank you from the family of Dillon Hobbs
Dear Editor, With appreciation and gratefulness, the family of Dillon Hobbs would like to thank the community for the outpouring of support and assistance throughout the last several weeks. Cassi, John, Donald and Amy are especially overwhelmed by each person, group and organization that reached out to aid during this[Read More…]
Loose Ends – Mixed messaging
The red and white bumper sticker stuck out with its simple design and bold message: “I Miss My Dog.” It was affixed to the left side of a large back window. We have all gotten used to a plethora of political slogans plastered on windows or bumpers. Yet when the[Read More…]



