Skip to main content
Home

Syndicate contentOpinion

Sense and Nonsense: One fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish; for me, it's no fish

April 23, 2013

By Lynda Hollenbeck
 
When Ed and I married, I had never been fishing. Not once.
That sounds weird to a lot of people, but it never bothered me.
Plainly speaking, I wasn't interested.
My brother-in-law, George, who's obsessed with the sport, would consider this grounds for commitment to a rubber room. But George, the psychologist/author, long ago elevated fishing to a religious experience. He has fished in many other lands, including a recent trip to Argentina, after which I teased him about trying to catch fish that speak with a Spanish accent.

Schools getting too much of the blame

April 19, 2013

By Steve Boggs

Last year was my 30th high school reunion. I was not able to attend because of work, but about half of my graduating class of 22 showed up. A friend sent a photo of my classmates, and it was the first time I had seen most of them since graduation night in 1982.

Sense and Nonsense: Don't panic; police alerted to bad habits

April 15, 2013

By Lynda Hollenbeck

Oral hygiene is rarely high on the list for children, particularly the male kind.
Most little girls, who are more fastidious by nature, don't object to a regular tooth-brushing routine. But a boy child can be another matter altogether.
Little boys and dirt tend to go hand in hand anyway. And the ones I raised were always so eager to get to their next activity that they gladly would have skipped toothbrush time altogether.
A friend who takes an active role in her grandchildren's lives recently shared a tooth-brushiing moment.

Common Sense: Could you do it?

April 12, 2013

By Brent Davis

The debate over gun control completely misses the real issue. Giving everyone a gun isn't the answer. Neither is taking away pistols, rifles and shotguns of law abiding citizens.The real heart of the matter is a question we all must ask of ourselves and is vastly more important than a trivial alliance to conservative or liberal ideology.

Aging pipelines might fuel oil sands debate

April 11, 2013

By Steve Boggs

The rupture in Exxon Mobil’s Pegasus pipeline near Mayflower last week has touched off numerous debates about the present state of America’s aging pipeline system. The pipeline that spilled 12,000 gallons of Canadian oil was originally laid in the 1940s, and its soundness 70 years later should be called into question.

Sense and Nonsense: 'Supper's ready, little children; come and get it'

April 11, 2013

By Lynda Hollenbeck

As attention was focused on Holy Week and activities leading up to Easter, many conversations touched on references to particular scriptures.
This also came about as a result of many people watching the History Channel's broadcast of "The Bible," which depicted events related to the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus.
By no means could I be called a biblical scholar; but by living with one for nearly 37 years, some of that knowledge did rub off on me. And I confess I'm a purist about certain passages that are fully ingrained into my psyche.

Sense and Nonsense: A day of rebirth and freedom from shoe bondage

April 1, 2013

By Lynda Hollenbeck

Today is Easter Sunday, a milestone for those of us who grew up in the church.
By "church," I don't mean the little Cumberland Presbyterian body that's a big part of my life and where I play the piano every Sunday. I mean the church at large, not any particular denomination.
Attendance in most congregations swells on this holiest of days, which is great. Better to go one day out of the year than none, though I've never understood why so many avoid corporate worship most of the other Sundays of the year.

Sense and Nonsense: 'Dad, where did I come from' gets many responses

March 25, 2013

By Lynda Hollenbeck

Parents — probably since the beginning of time — dread the day when they have to enlighten their children about the onset of life.
You know what I mean. The old "birds and bees" stuff; facts of life; creation; whatever you want to call it.
This can sometimes be the theme for movies and television shows, even TV commercials, where a kid raises a pointed question that begs for some "real" information.
The days are long past when kids will buy into the stork story.
I don't remember my mother ever having this biological discussion with me.

Arkansas in Obamacare spotlight

March 25, 2013

By Steve Boggs, publisher.

The state of Arkansas has become the focal point in the implementation of the Affordable Care Act. Also known as Obamacare, the Affordable Care Act included many controversial aspects. One was the mandate that every person carries health insurance, or faces a fine. The Supreme Court upheld that mandate when challenged in court. The other was forcing states to expand the Medicaid program to include everyone making 138 percent of the federal poverty level in wages. That one got struck down by the Supreme Court.

Common Sense: The sounds of the game stay with you

March 25, 2013

By Brent Davis, editor.

America's national pastime is gearing up for another season. Exhibition games have begun and player evaluations are underway. The "boys of summer" may be dealing with frigid temperatures in some regions of the country, but the enthusiasm they have for the game provides a layer of insulation that is difficult to penetrate.

Community Events Calendar

«  

April

  »
S M T W T F S
 
1
 
2
 
3
 
4
 
5
 
6
 
7
 
8
 
9
 
10
 
11
 
12
 
13
 
14
 
15
 
16
 
17
 
18
 
19
 
20
 
21
 
22
 
23
 
24
 
25
 
26
 
27
 
28
 
29
 
30
 
 
 
 
 

Add to calendar
Gardner inks to Ozarks
BENTON - Benton High School has become accustomed to having athletes play and succeed at the next...
Lady Cardinals 'excited' about state finals
HASKELL - The Harmony Grove Lady Cardinals have been the hottest team in Saline County all season....
Panther duo to be Greyhounds
BENTON – The Benton Panthers had a historic year this past season, winning a school-record 27 games...
Read More Sports Stories

 

News

Sports

Classified Ads

Entertainment

Services

Premium Drupal Themes by Adaptivethemes