Opinion

Common Sense: Who wants to live to be 200 years old?

February 26, 2013

By Brent Davis

A news report came across my television screen recently. The headline was “72 is the new 30.” The premise of the report was that with all the advances in health care, housing, clean water supplies and the availability of food, human beings are living longer lives.
The next question should be, “But do you really want to live to be 200 years old?”
My answer would be, “Only if everyone else does, too.” Here’s why.

The many incarnations of our favorite tales

February 26, 2013

By Jennifer Joyner

I vividly remember watching Disney's "Cinderella" when I was 5 years old and then attempting to recreate scenes from the movie in my bedroom. There was one particular part that stood out to me, and that was when Cinderella cleaned her room. To me, even while she was completing the mundane task of making her bed, she was the epitome of grace and beauty. She sang and danced, and as she shook out the sheets, they sort of floated up and landed perfectly in place.

Sense and Nonsense: Pantyhose, it's about time for a fashion comeback

February 25, 2013

By Lynda Hollenbeck

I'll never forget the first time I wore pantyhose. I felt as if I had been freed from bondage.
This new style evolved from the infamous garter belt used to secure individual stockings or, even before that, garters to hold up the leg coverings.
Pantyhose were the new frontier. Women were ecstatic, and I was the leader of the pack.
I don't recall when all of this occurred, but I do remember the joy with which I embraced the contemporary legwear. And now a lot of women shun them for the barelegged look, which, I'm told, they believe to be more attractive.

A random sampling of observation

February 25, 2013

By Steve Boggs

It has been an eventful week here in Saline County. We can’t seem to shake a stubborn winter, the Benton boys and girls basketball teams are on historic marches toward the state playoffs, and real progress is being made on the worthwhile Saline Crossing Regional Park effort.
It is also worth pointing out that Wednesday’s edition of the Courier was 100 percent local. It was our first in a while, but certainly won’t be our last. The newsroom’s efforts to drive more local content into our pages are paying off, and our readers will certainly see that moving forward.

Common Sense: Easy like Sunday morning

February 25, 2013

By Brent Davis

Sunday is a day of rest. It’s the last day of the weekend. According to the Bible, it’s the day that God took time off from his creation and it was good.
It’s a day of worship, relaxation, recharging, family and friends. By its very nature, Sunday is different than the other days of the week.
So, shouldn’t your newspaper be different on Sunday also? The answer is … yes.
During the coming weeks, watch for changes in the Sunday edition of the Saline Courier. A few of the changes are already in place today.

COMMON SENSE: It's hard to visualize $16,000,000,000,000, just ask your uncle

February 24, 2013

By Brent Davis, editor of The Saline Courier

At 10:30 a.m. yesterday, my debt was $52,504. By the time you read this, the amount will grow second by second … and there is nothing I can do to stop it.
The $52,504 represents my share of the national debt which was $16,538,350,597,830. Visit the website www.usdebtclock.org, but do so at your own peril. The site is full of information, but the most disturbing part of the site is watching the U.S. national debt grow by hundreds of thousands of dollars before your very eyes.

ENTER THE NET: YouTube great site for hands-on research

February 24, 2013

By David Hughes

My younger brother Steve (he’s in his 60s) comes out with some profound ideas in his old age. Recently, he struck again with a concept I had not thought of in all my years of being on the Internet.
Steve has embraced photography in his later years full tilt. He has invested in all kinds of camera bodies and lenses and the accoutrements for the mechanics of making a good photo. But, speaking as a journalist photographer of almost 40 years, the old saying of “it’s not the camera that makes the photo, but the nut behind it,” (grin).

They say 'Men are from Mars ... '

February 19, 2013

By Jennifer Joyner

It's not uncommon for us in the newsroom to engage in a spirited debate. (Read: bicker like a dysfunctional family.) Topics of discussion range from serious political and social issues, to the best Beatles song, to the question of who is scarier: Freddy or Jason?
I have never shied away from this type of discourse because in my opinion it's a good way to broaden one's perspective.
There is no shortage of opinion in the editorial department, but, in all seriousness, our little arguments are always lighthearted. It's all in good fun.

Common Sense: The voice in your head sometimes might not be yours

February 19, 2013

By Brent Davis, editor

Another season of American Idol has begun. The early shows of each season are filled with teasers of the good singers that made it through to Hollywood. However, most people tune in at this point to see the rejects and how they react to being told their effort was "karaoke" or "pitchy" or only to be heard in a lounge on a cruise ship. It has been several years since I watched American Idol, but I never could understand how these singers confused the judges comments with their perceived talent.

Sense and Nonsense: The view from the obituary desk can be revealing

February 18, 2013

By Lynda Hollenbeck

When I first started working for this newspaper — which was then known as The Benton Courier — one of the first assignments I drew was writing the obituaries.
In those days this was a pretty usual practice and, as far as I know, it continues today.
Obits, as a rule, aren't difficult to write. In my rookie days, we had a set style for all obits unless it was a feature obit highlighting the death of a community leader.

Community Events Calendar

February

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

Opinion

Common Sense: Who wants to live to be 200 years old?

February 26, 2013

The many incarnations of our favorite tales

February 26, 2013

Sense and Nonsense: Pantyhose, it's about time for a fashion comeback

February 25, 2013

A random sampling of observation

February 25, 2013

Common Sense: Easy like Sunday morning

February 25, 2013

COMMON SENSE: It's hard to visualize $16,000,000,000,000, just ask your uncle

February 24, 2013

ENTER THE NET: YouTube great site for hands-on research

February 24, 2013

They say 'Men are from Mars ... '

February 19, 2013

Common Sense: The voice in your head sometimes might not be yours

February 19, 2013

Sense and Nonsense: The view from the obituary desk can be revealing

February 18, 2013

Community Events Calendar

February

News

Sports

Classified Ads

Entertainment

Services