If the “official” groundhog sees his shadow Sunday, there will supposedly be six more weeks of winter and if he does not see his shadow then “spring is just around the corner”. Personally I …

Dear Editor, At a time when our society is spiraling out of moral control, isn’t it time for some old fashion principles to be valued once again? Well, there is one timeless rule from my childhood …

This is a short week for many, especially those who work for the government and banks. The third Monday of each January is the official observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and banks and …

This month marks the anniversary of when Lisa and I entered newspaper ownership. It was 37 years ago, in January 1983 when we decided to buy a weekly newspaper that I had worked as editor six years …

With one round of football games to go the teams from the Southeastern Conference have shined. SEC teams have won 7 of their 9 games for a 7-2 record, the best of any conference. That is something to …

By Steve Oden Several readers of this column remember 15 years ago when I wrote of a demon-possessed weapon that mangled two members of my family. When deer season gets underway in Appalachia, I am …

As this is the first newspaper of 2020 we look forward to entering a new decade. Our staff at this newspaper embraces 2020 and we wish much happiness and success to our readers. New Year’s …

By Steve Oden Readers have asked if I would consider re-publishing some of their favorite columns. These scribblings of mine have appeared for almost 40 years in newspapers and magazines. No idea of …

By Steve Oden YouTube is something I enjoy checking every now and then to see if interesting fishing,gardening, historical or recipe videos have been posted. These topics are the limit of my foray …

Dear Editor, What does Christmas mean to all? Is it the sights, the sounds or the smells of the season? Is it the perfectly wrapped packages or the red and gold trimmed trees? In the hustle and …

By Justin Carter Project associate, Center for Rural Affairs Each day, 29 million students participate in the national school lunch program. The Nebraska Food Council is urging Congress to …

By Steve Oden As a child, I had a theory about Santa Claus and Christmas toys that was remarkably advanced for the time, especially for someone whose forebearers celebrated with simple observances …

By Steve Oden New Year resolutions and predictions of the future are trending as we approach 2020. I’m amazed that we’re two decades into the 21 st Century. Time seems to fly when you grow old …

By Carolyn Tomlin Shops overflow with holiday gifts. Carols ring out from every street corner. Bell ringers collect monetary contributions for needy families. Families spend time together. If …

By Melinda Myers The holiday tree is the center of many family celebrations. Ornaments collected over the years decorate the boughs while brightly wrapped gifts are carefully placed underneath. But …

By Steve Oden The loneliest Christmas I ever spent was three years after my wife died. It was the only time in my life that I recall being alone on Christmas Eve. We wed at age 20 and celebrated 40 …

By Dennis Richardson While a large number of people seem to forever be glued to their cell phones for just about everything, and wouldn’t leave home without it, I prefer to read what I want to know …

Dear Editor, Here is a little poem I wrote years ago that your readers might enjoy. It seems fitting for this time of year. There ain’t gonna be no fall, yawl The writings plain on the wall, yawl …

JC Bowman - Executive Director of Professional Educators of Tennessee This year will mark the fact that I have had the opportunity to live through 56 Thanksgivings. I was born on a Sunday, November …

By Steve Oden They called themselves Gray Panthers, the Gray Power Movement and other names denoting people over age 65 who banded together for political purposes. Their issues included mandatory …