Children love learning, and it’s undeniable that great ideas and principles shared at a young age can impact the path of a child for a lifetime. A coloring book I had as a child about America’s national parks instilled a desire to visit all of our country’s parks – a goal still in process – …
Decades ago my sister Maureen often used to call the Republican Party “The Stupid Party.”
“Hey David. I thought you might write about mothers for Mother’s Day. Kind of sad you overlooked them.” – T.
First off, to say an event belongs in church – we, the followers of Jesus Christ, are the church!
I am writing today as I am disappointed that I did not speak up at the Highlands County Board of County Commission meeting discussion about the Sebring Public Library. You see, instead of standing up and sharing my thoughts, I listened and observed as community leaders that I have grown to a…
As a pet-loving family, our abode has been home to a wide variety of creatures over the past few decades. From dogs to cats, reptiles to amphibians and more insects and arachnids than can be mentioned, we’ve had oodles of freeloaders. Along the way, we’ve learned a few things about care, fee…
When you hear someone repeat that phrase to you, they would probably like you to go away. I’m not asking you to leave though. I’m just suggesting you take advantage of our nearby, almost 10,000-acre state park. Highlands County, and especially Sebring, are fortunate to have a place to “take …
In response to 05/08/21 edition editorial titled “Reignite dreams for a better future,” I offer the following as my thoughts on the subject.
This past week, Governor Ron DeSantis signed a new bill into law that aimed to strengthen Florida’s election security. It makes Florida one of the strictest, if not the strictest, states in the nation when it comes to voting. While the column is not meant to focus on the bill itself, it is m…
Whenever I hear of an emergency on a commercial airliner, it all comes back to me — in laser sharp detail — the emergencies I experienced over 27 years as a flight attendant.
Since you asked, my niece Claire is expecting her first baby in August. Her sister Emma is expecting her second child in October.
Recently, Marco Rubio published a guest opinion piece in the New York Post. I’ve reprinted much of it below, but go to the New York Post website and read the entire column.
“We each have a mission to accomplish, and have been designed in such a way that we are not lacking anything to accomplish it. We just have to find it and figure out how to cultivate it,” explains Ryan Hall who holds the American record for the fastest half marathon. In his book, “Run the Mi…
Over the years, Don and I have developed a routine when it comes to Wednesday nights. Wednesday nights we attend Bible study at Sebring Parkway church of Christ. Given the fact that Don’s workday often means he doesn’t come home before class, we generally put off dinner until after the study.
In my opinion, I believe part of society’s problem in regards to lack of ability to fill job vacancies is attributed to more than simple stimulus and unemployment checks. Granted, they are a huge cause but not alone.
“The Wright Brothers created the single greatest cultural force since the invention of writing. The airplane became the first World Wide Web, bringing people, languages, ideas, and values together.” – Bill Gates. “It is possible to fly without motors, but not without knowledge and skill.” – …
I am writing this column in response to a letter published in the May 4th edition. In the letter, the author claims that in the 12 years she has lived here, she has “never observed a traffic violation being handed out.”
Having recently completed just a second RV excursion more than a year from rig purchase date, the rest and recreation proved to be just the right mix of well needed escape. Did you know that April is a fantastic time to camp? May is also great. When June storms arrive, things get hot, humid …
The annual refugee resettlement kerfuffle is underway.
After reading some recent letters to this paper written by persons enamored of guns, I found what they did not say to be of interest. I had hoped to hear their views about the recent mass murders. Sadly, they fell back on the usual NRA diversions about the definition of “assault weapons” and…
Sometime back in the summer of last year, I decided to sign up for former President Trump’s text messages. I had seen his messaging system on the front of his podium at televised rallies and I was interested in seeing how his campaign was running such a system. So, I texted the number along …
CAMDEN, S.C. — The tightrope one must walk when discussing race these days is especially perilous if you happen be Republican Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina.
My recent trip to Florida was glorious for one simple reason: it was normal.
I have never been a fan of Barack Hussein Obama, but he was way ahead of science, common sense, persons looking for glory, and recognition.
“We thoroughly enjoy our yard showcasing Florida native perennial plants that supply constant flowers and beauty for us as well as a habitat for birds, butterflies and pollinators.
One of my favorite quotes is “the only constant in life is change.” Change is ever present, especially in our new COVID world where rules, recommendations and policies seem to change frequently.
Weddings, by their very nature, are memorable. It’s a day when a couple comes together and declares before God and guests their intention to be together “til death do you part.”
It started in 2014 as our high school aviation program was growing. Scott Dressel, the editor of the News-Sun at the time, lives across the street from me. I asked if he would be willing to have me write a press release from time to time about what we were doing with our high school students…
No new library. No improvements to our old library. Let’s leave it the way it is, and where it is. Don’t change anything.
The great outdoors was calling and finally an opportunity to answer had arrived. As the packing began, I questioned my choices in gear and supplies as the piles by the doorway grew. While day hikes are all about carrying everything I need, camping is another sort of animal. Roughing it doesn…
Tommy was a little boy who always went to worship with his mother. As a rule, Tommy did not pay particularly close attention to the sermon. One Sunday, however, he was more attentive than usual. He listened closely as the preacher taught about creation, the origin of Adam, and how Eve was cr…
Disclaimer: These rules are a guide and are probably not legal. This is meant to be “humorous” (I hope), so stay safe and follow the laws and speed limits. Above all, be courteous to others.
For numerous years now, there has been an on-and-off debate surrounding the statehood of our nation’s capital city. In the early years of our nation, the nation’s capital rotated between New York City, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and even Lancaster, Pennsylvania. It was not until 1800 that the …
The cost of construction materials has gone through the roof – if you can still afford a roof, which isn’t very affordable right now.
I recently used my monthly Superintendent’s Corner to share information about some of the exciting programs we offer students in our district. This month, I would like to give you an overview of our Advanced Placement (AP) Capstone Program, provided at Avon Park High School and Lake Placid H…
“Very hard to believe that you are not aware of the scandal going on in New York with Governor Cuomo.
Wow, what a year huh? I have got to tell you, the last 12 months have been more difficult than dealing with a teenager for a year. It is a pandemic, I know, and we all have had our hands full getting to where we sit today. There is so much I could rehash, but darn it anyway, I just want to m…
For those who have never met me, I need to explain something. I am short. In bare feet, I barely brush the 5 feet, 2 inches mark.
My birthday is coming up and while I’ve spent many years disdaining the opportunity to celebrate this sort of milestone, I’m rethinking my apathy.
Just because you “believe” something doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s ‘true’; as you’re a fallible human being, possibly not a very bright one at that, and perhaps easily misled? Case in point: In the allegory of ‘the garden’ in Genesis, Eve and Adam eat the forbidden fruit of ‘the knowled…
I knew it. I get the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine and three days later, “J&J vaccine paused due to blood clots.”
If you missed out on this past weekend’s Highlands County Heritage Festival, then you missed out on one of the best events in the area in a while. I had the great opportunity to volunteer with the Heritage Association on Saturday and witnessed firsthand the amazing event that saw over a thou…
Tree huggers, are you contemplating a Zoom meeting with Mr. Elm instead?
In Florida, we’ve had a special reason to celebrate Mothers’ Day every day for the last 30 years.
I’ve tried to help our readers understand how the state of Florida government managed to cut taxes at the state level every year since 2009. To keep the state budget in balance, the state transferred the costs those taxes used to pay for down to local government. It is good old-fashioned bai…
So, I was scanning news stories in search of a column, and ran across not one, but two different headlines about women who lost weight during this pandemic.
When I was almost 8, I was invited to spend the summer with my little friend at her grandparents’ home in north Georgia, away from the four-room shack in West Hollywood, Florida, where my father had abandoned us.
Twenty-one years ago, I made a proposal to Dr. Ruth Heckman, my principal at Lake Placid High School, to develop a high school aviation class. The Florida Department of Education (FDOE) has a three-year aerospace technologies curriculum that I could adapt. I was a pilot and thought this effo…
Just the other day it happened again. A couple who had seasonally spent their winters in our sunny region for many years made the decision to pick up stakes and head back north. That’s right, I said they were flying back to their former state and planned to stay there permanently.
