Opinion

Dear Editor: I wanted to take a minute and thank you for your tribute article to Eric Hahn and the KISS Rebreather team in the Oct. 19 paper. I thought it was very well done and presented the empathetic approach that was much needed after such a tragic accident. I have gotten to know the team quite a bit over the past year as they stay with us each month. I was gut-wrenched that Friday afternoon after I heard about an “incident” that had occurred with the team and then completely heartbroken as we learned the news of Eric’s death.

It’s been a big year for local journalism. In July, I attended the International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors conference, where I accepted a Golden Dozen award for column-writing, and just a few weeks ago, I attended the Missouri Press Association conference and accepted more than 50 awards on mine and my staff’s behalf.

When Kyle asked me to do a monthly column regarding finance I told him that I would try not to bore people too much, since that category can be less than exciting. So today, I will start off with discussing the correlation between the federal reserve interest rate moves and the associated impact on the gross domestic product. Just kidding, please continue to read. I definitely wouldn’t go near that topic with a tenfoot pole.

A weekend rife with anticipation turned into one of sorrow and grief, as the KISS Rebreathers dive team exploring the Roaring River spring lost one of its members. Eric Hahn, 27, of Blacksburg, Va., died in the water on Friday, possibly from the effects of oxygen toxicity due to a personal air tank with an improper mixture. He was recovered more than four hours later from more than 200 feet below the water’s surface.

Fall is here. The trees are changing, and noses are running. Kids are back in school, and let’s face it, they’re little petri dishes. All of this is the perfect combination for viral illnesses to spread like wildfire.

Ever wonder how many volunteers are needed to make this week’s activities actually become a reality? Believe me, it takes s much an actual count is virtually impossible. A long time ago, this subject was the topic of discussion in a meeting, and one of those involved shared this definition of what a volunteer came to be.

Four months ago, I heard a St. Louis surgeon tell me he planned to stop my daughter’s heart, patch two holes, then start her back up and set her on a path to full recovery.

The 2022-2023 school year is well underway, and we are excited about the many exceptional programs within our district. The start of our school year has been a great one so far.

During these times of many groups thinking they could run our Constitutional government, a review of a flag story is undoubtedly appropriate. The American Legion Magazine has told a story that will outdo any auto agency or those displaying large flags of the United States of America.

There are few feelings as great as coming up with an ambitious idea, pursuing it and seeing it through with a successful result. Today’s opinion page is the epitome of that feeling.