I’m currently reading Ron Chernow’s thousand page tome on Ulysses S. Grant. Chernow is an excellent biographer. Years ago, I read his work on Alexander Hamilton. I’m in the last third of…
Category: Editorials
Emerald’s Gem Box: Back The Blue
The first thing a person does when he or she is in danger, and needs assistance, is dial 911. A law enforcement officer will show up at your door, or wherever your…
From the sunny side… Spare parts
I drive an old vehicle. Actually, a 2006 Jeep Liberty I inherited from my father. It has been a very good vehicle, as evidenced by the fact that it has over 250,000…
Reduce fat and sugar in your diet
Since March is National Nutrition Education Month, let’s continue our focus on making positive food choices. The USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans has a full chapter on foods Americans need to work…
Emerald’s Gem Box: My Mom – My Blessing
My mother has always been one of the most Christian, caring, sweetest and generous women that I know. I am confident other people who know her would say the same thing. While…
From the sunny side… Remembering Herbie
I have been very blessed in my life to have had the opportunity to meet some very fascinating people. People from literally all walks of life, from all over the world. I…
Emerald’s Gem Box: The boiling frog affect
I have watched and listened closely these last several weeks about the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting and all the discussions about gun control since then. I cannot possibly understand the…
Passing Parade: The Last Ounce of Courage
Nelson A. Pryor: Guest Columnist Everyday heroes! Yes, that describes the four chaplains and their sacrifice. It was on Feb. 3, 1943, that the U.S.A.T. Dorchester, a military transport ship carrying 902…
Christian Concepts: Billy Graham, God’s Servant
Gary B. King: Guest Columnist Billy Graham, God’s servant, died last Wednesday, Feb. 21. He was 99 years old. He has been called the Pope of Protestantism, America’s Pastor and Pastor to…
Your wealth of health… Reduce your anxiety
Emily Akers: Certified Personal Trainer Anxiety. One of the things we all have experienced, but is not always discussed. Anxiety can be caused by any number of things. There are a variety…
Passing Parade: “Beetle Bailey” has passed
Nelson A. Pryor: Guest Columnist “Beetle Bailey, a comic strip about an Army private who malingered his way through seven decades at Camp Swampy to the consternation of his commanding officers and…
Emerald’s Gem Box: Love
Happy Valentine’s Day! The smell of love, flowers and candy fill the air. Whether it’s love for your spouse, your children, parents, or a best friend – everyone has someone they can…
National Security: Immigration
Joe Boyles: Guest Columnist No problem that besets our lawmakers in Washington is more difficult, more vexing than immigration. Both sides of the political divide have very strident, entrenched views on how…
From the sunny side… Don’t make the Indian cry
Rick Patrick: Greene Publishing, Inc. I am not a neat person. One quick look at my desk would easily confirm that to be more than just a little bit of an understatement….
Letter to the Editor
“OUR LIVES BEGIN TO END THE DAY WE BECOME SILENT ABOUT THINGS THAT MATTER” ~~Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. ~ This rebuttal is in response to a commentary and article in…
Your wealth of health… Prevent the flu
Emily Akers: Certified Personal Trainer The flu season is in full swing and can be deadly. If you are around people who have the flu, there are several ways to prevent yourself…
Emerald’s Gem Box: Crying babies and rambunctious children in church
I took my babies/children to church. Let me start off by saying that. But, I either took them to the nursery, or they behaved during church (depending on their age.) Please, hang…
Free income tax returns at the Madison Extension Office
Diann Douglas: Guest Columnist For the sixth year, Madison County Extension Office will be hosting an IRS Voluntary Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site. Over forty years ago, VITA began training volunteers…
Emerald’s Gem Box: Happy Birthday Brooke
Sunday, January 21, will mark the 23rd birthday of my daughter, Brooke. I have always lovingly called Brooke my “problem child.” Brooke IS the reason I had to keep health insurance. From…
Passing Parade: The great rules rollback
Nelson A. Pryor: Guest Columnist With the realization that a president can’t do anything that a Congress won’t allow, our President Donald J. Trump has had a great first year. This is…