Opinion

Lynn Hilburn: It’s that time of year
Although we were poor, most of the families and people that we knew were in about the same boat. For the children and families that attended the rural schools of Barry County, late fall and Christmas was some of our favorite times of the year.

Kyle Troutman: 10 thanks
Some weeks, I sit down to write this piece and come up with little inspiration. It’s in these moments I’m thankful for my wife, Jordan.
Dakoda Pettigrew: The meaning of the Declaration
The rain was falling with misty, unrelenting force as President Calvin Coolidge rose to deliver the greatest speech of his life. It was Monday, July 6, 1926, and the rain beat the president’s face as he stood before a crowd of 35,000 on the grounds of the Sesquicentennial Exposition in Philadelphia, the birthplace of American independence and constitutionalism. “Despite a fine drizzle, which became a heavy downpour,” The New York Times reported the next day, “the crowds patiently lined twenty miles of streets to pay their respects” to a man whose cool and quiet demeanor hid a patriotic intellect that could not be contained.

Donnie Spears: Peace and comfort
This devotional and directory is made possible by these businesses who encourage all to attend worship services. The thing every one of us looks for in so many different places and different ways today: true peace.

Kyle Troutman: My double rainbow
As I left the office at about 4:50 p.m. Monday, a bright, orange haze had set in from the west following an afternoon of rainstorms.

Jon Horner: Giving thanks for gratitude
I’ve always loved Thanksgiving Day — it is one of those traditions that has meant a lot to me and my family throughout my 61 years on this planet. One of the reasons for my warm feelings for this day are the fond memories from Thanksgivings in the past.

Janet Mills: Over the river and through the woods
Over the river and through the woods, to grandmother’s house they come! Hurrah for the fun! Is the pudding done? Hurrah for the pumpkin pie! Spring over the ground like a hunting hound, for here comes Thanksgiving Day! We know that all grandmas just like me are thrilled when it is their turn in the rotation for sons and daughters to journey all the way from the big city and come home to partake of the country life for Thanksgiving. It is grandma’s job to set the stage, dust off the furniture, plan the meals, fluff the pillows, and prepare activities to enhance the joys of country life for her urban visitors.

Bill Hodgson: A Christmas comparison
There are parallel accounts in the Bible that are sometimes recognized later as a sign of something to come. One of these is when the introduction of Moses in Exodus runs in parallel with St.

Trout Tales, Nov. 13
I was scrolling through my Fishbook last week and came across this informative graphic provided by the Eagle Rock-Golden-Mano Fire Protection District.

Kyle Troutman: County voters tow the line
Another election is in the books, and in Barry County, it came with few surprises. As many may have predicted, the county remained unabashedly red.