Editor’s note: The following is a memo from the owner of the HIghlands News-Sun and Highlands Sun to all D-R Media employees in Highlands, Lake, Polk, and Sumter counties.
Over the last few weeks I’ve been searching for things to occupy my time. Since I used to work, I’ve found myself with hours every day to fill with activities (or to hangout on my couch doing nothing). Recently I found myself at such a loss for activities to fill my time with, I began search…
This Wednesday, April 1, will officially mark one year since the first column I wrote. While it was just a guest column titled “Why isn’t Sebring growing?,” it led me to the blessing that having my own weekly column is. Over the course of that year, I have been able to write about many topic…
Editor’s note: The following is a memo from the owner of the HIghlands News-Sun and Highlands Sun to all D-R Media employees in Highlands, Lake, Polk, and Sumter counties.
These are challenging times we live in right now. Oftentimes it’s hard to find the American spirit when you take a look around at what is happening in our community, our state, our country and our world. If you take a quick glance at the big picture and make a snap decision you may just thin…
So, we’re in Day Whatever of this virus, and people are getting cranky. I know I’m getting cranky, which is why I waited to write this column until my mood improved some.
What we are experiencing now as a nation is, no doubt, a historical event. At times, we are witnesses to history; however, in this case, we are active participants, each playing a role in the outcome. Our role as a school district is balancing the needs of students and families with directiv…
I have been a Democrat, a Republican, an Independent, a salesman, a school teacher in both high school and college, a steel worker, a chaplain and a pastor/evangelist, have spoken in about 10 different states, and have been involved with politics from time to time, but never have I been as d…
WASHINGTON — When Blaise Pascal said, “All of humanity’s problems stem from man’s inability to sit quietly in a room alone,” he clearly didn’t foresee the coronavirus. But one complication of the virus, and the social distancing necessary to slow its spread, is a nation where quiet rooms are…
My Aunt Cecelia was just beginning the eighth grade when it happened.
With the progression of recent events, all of us in Highlands County have been asked to practice social distancing. This means not gathering in large groups, in unnecessary places and generally trying to stay away from others as much as possible.
At a time where panic is more common than toilet paper, life has become nothing but stressful. Everything you can possibly listen about on the television is the newest number of infected patients or the latest drops in the stock market. It is all relevant information to the state of the worl…
America’s response to the pandemic reflects that life is precious and that life is perishable. I appreciate President Trump for proclaiming Sunday as a National Day of Prayer. We definitely need to pray Sunday and every day.
“The sincere wish to be good is half the battle.” — Marmee, in Louisa May Alcott’s “Little Women.”
Shortly after President Barack Obama’s first inauguration in 2009, then-White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel got into a bit of hot water when he observed to an interviewer, “You never want a serious crisis to go to waste.”
We could use some Irish wit and wisdom right now.
I turn the “big 5-0” this year, which means I’m at imminent risk of slipping into a midlife crisis.
The coronavirus is serious. It’s OK to panic. Panic if a panic means you wash your hands, again and again and again. I’ve not seen so many grown men wash their hands in a public restroom before in my 60-plus years of life. That’s good.
When I began this column concerning the coronavirus, or COVID-19, or whatever we’re calling it today, on a scale of 1-10 — 1 being totally calm; 10 being “Oh no, we’re all gonna die!” — I was feeling about a 3.
WASHINGTON — One symptom of the coronavirus outbreak — at least for me — has been nasty flashbacks to Hurricane Katrina in August 2005. At the time I was a policy adviser to President George W. Bush, visiting New York City for meetings. The day after the storm hit, I recall talking to a coll…
The time change is something we have all learned to deal with, however it can actually have an effect on your health. This old tradition, of course, stems from efforts to allow farmers the maximum amount of daylight hours in the day but this was a decision made before the health effects of t…
These liberal columnists and journalists just can’t help themselves when it comes to blaming President Trump for anything and everything. Michael Gerson, an opinionist of the Washington Post, in his guest column that ran in this newspaper under the absurd title, “Public health officials can …
I have become frustrated with several businesses in this area. It seems as though they do not want work and do not want to grow their business.
The recent New York Times article “The Struggle to Mend America’s Rural Roads” used Wisconsin as a microcosm for the infrastructure crisis that either directly or indirectly affects all Americans.
WASHINGTON — America is entering a disturbing new stage in the coronavirus outbreak. There has been community-spread in at least one and likely two locations in Washington state. And it appears the virus was being transmitted for several weeks before current cases were recognized. So we can …
As a writer, I love hearing that people read. I applaud parents who read to their children, because that will help generate future readers.
America’s cultural suicide is gaining momentum. Two professions that are the bedrock of a successful culture are rotting from within.
I’ve been vegan for the last three years. Throughout this time, I’ve learned where I can get food that meets my dietary restrictions and needs, and I’ve also learned where I can’t go to get food made to my specifications. Because of these restrictions, there are only a handful of places I wi…
There is no legitimate argument for making this change now and sending government further into a black hole and out of the light.
It is on every major news station, every social media site, and the topic of discussion wherever you go: the COVID-19, popularly referred to as the Coronavirus.
I was nearly a decade late, but, yes, I finally summoned my intestinal fortitude and underwent a colonoscopy.
On a recent frigid day in February as I was entering Target to defrost my nose hairs and purchase a designer toilet brush, I noticed that they already had an array of skimpy women’s swimsuits on display, which dredged up some disturbing memories for me.
Get this: New parents are giving newborns outlandish names — so they’ll stand out on social media.
I hope the document remains locked away unused for many years, but my brother and I finally got around to meeting with a lawyer and helping our mother make out her last will and testament.
I recently realized that I’ve worked at the same job for nearly five years. That’s from age 18 to age 23. And though I have mostly enjoyed my time at this job, the idea to find something new grew in my head.
With this year’s numerous elections, I have taken it upon myself to research as much as possible about each position being voted on. From county commissioner positions to Highlands County’s federal representative, the goal was to be knowledgeable about the candidates involved. Therefore, goi…
Parents and caregivers of young children know first-hand how curious and inquisitive a young mind can be. This is an amazing time of discovery for children and they are eager to explore, gather information, and learn about the world around them. One way to take advantage of a child’s natural…
By the time you read this, I will have further evidence that I’m not a sane individual. This requires some explanation, so read on.
As someone who loves to read, I’m forever devouring this book, scrolling that feed or scanning a paper or magazine. This past week I read an article about the best advice ever given and easily slipped over well-worn statements. Then a few gems appeared.
CNN issued a study a while back that found regularly attending church may increase a Christian’s lifespan, while at the same time help “them stay grounded and [provide] spiritual guidance.” I’m guessing this positive benefit results from the additional sleep gained by snoozing during boring …
Local business is the heartbeat of a community. Everything a community is, wants to be and can be is driven by commerce. In other words, Business Matters.
The national Democratic Party is in full panic now, its leaders in a headlong flight like something from a 1950’s sci-fi flick where terrorized townspeople flee a 10-story tall monster crushing cars and flattening buildings.
The recent weather and seasonal developments have left many of us suffering from runny noses and sinus inflammation, myself included. In fact, February through April is the most severe allergy season in Florida due to the amount of pollen that is released, coupled with the drastic difference…
Despite being the shortest month of the year, February brings one of the most exciting events of the year: the Highlands County Fair. Lasting nearly a week and a half, the Highlands County fairgrounds is filled with plenty of fun rides and hundreds of local residents wanting to have a great …
