Opinions - Topics from December, 2011
You call this fair?
I read an interesting article a few days ago written by T.J. McCormack titled ‘Hey, 99 Percenters, You Call This Fair?’. According to McCormack the New York City Independent Budget Office released some staggering information about the city’s tax information.
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Happy New Year!
Santa Claus came by Pine Grove last week and dropped off enough Legos to entertain Trey and Jakey for a while. Even little Will got some, and each dawn this week will find the dining room table covered with various construction projects. We’re excited that they can spend a week. What fun. We’ll have plenty of time to break in the new toys, put together the new puzzles, and read the new books. Santa always brings lots of books. Will stopped in the middle of opening presents to read his Spiderman book.
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Holy socks, stinky feet
Like any good parent, my wife and I were involved in our children’s lives. Accordingly, I attended countless renditions of The Nutcracker in which my daughter appeared, each year in a different role. This particular year, she was to be the Rat King and, of course, the Little Woman ordered me to be present and dressed to kill as photos were to follow the performance.
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Fun in Old St. Augustine
St. Augustine, Florida is an old stomping ground for B. J. and me. Our first memorable trip to this historic city came when we carried our young son Richard to Marineland and we included a visit to the Fountain of Youth and the Old Jail. Since then, we have spent much time there. We have nice condominiums on Vilano Beach and on St. Augustine Beach. It is a fun area with lots of fun things to do.
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Thanks offered to community
On behalf of our Board of Directors, staff and the children and families we serve, Thank You to the Baxley community for your support and love for Ronald McDonald House Charities® (RMHC®) of the Coastal Empire. We are blessed to benefit from such a philanthropic community that gives willingly of their time, talent and treasure. The mission of RMHC is to create, find and support programs that directly improve the health and well being of children.
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How many kings?
Follow the star to a place unexpected
Would you believe after all we’ve projected
A child in a manger
Lowly and small the weakest of all
Unlikeliest hero wrapped in His mother’s shawl
Just a child
Is this who we’ve waited for ‘cause [Full Story »]
Would you believe after all we’ve projected
A child in a manger
Lowly and small the weakest of all
Unlikeliest hero wrapped in His mother’s shawl
Just a child
Is this who we’ve waited for ‘cause [Full Story »]
Ready or not
Christmas is coming. Before this newspaper arrives in your mailbox again, Christmas with all the trees, presents, lights, and mistletoe will have come and gone. The ham will have been eaten, along with Grandma’s macaroni and cheese, pumpkin and pecan pies, and the $30 fruitcake. Most family members will have departed to return to their regular lives. Only the memories will linger.
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Raising children II
As I stated in a recent article, raising our two children has been a blast for my wife and I. We each worked but held to our promise for one of us to be with them whenever they were not in school and still in the ‘child’ mode. This was a huge promise but we did manage it somehow.
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Anxious moments in the Caicos
In January 2010, the luxury liner Holland America Westerdam sailed from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale and set her course for the Blue Caribbean. B. J. and I were aboard. It was our Golden Anniversary cruise that we had promised ourselves. Our ports of call would be Half Moon Cay in the Bahamas, Grand Turk in the Caicos Islands, through the Windward Passage to Grand Cayman in the Cayman Islands and Cozumel, Mexico. We were elated!
The captain had promised us smooth sailing but it was a little choppy and would get worse for a while. I feared that B. J. would be seasick and my fears would be realized along the way. In fact, I would get a little green around the gills myself—something I almost never do on a cruise. [Full Story »]
The captain had promised us smooth sailing but it was a little choppy and would get worse for a while. I feared that B. J. would be seasick and my fears would be realized along the way. In fact, I would get a little green around the gills myself—something I almost never do on a cruise. [Full Story »]
“Com’ on man”
Dear Editor,
In the afternoon of December 14, I went to pick my son (Austin Wilson) up after school was released. The ride home was quiet and I could obviously tell he had a bad day, so I ask how his day went. He told me he was upset because “tomorrow is fun day and I have to stay in a classroom and do work all day while all my friends get to have fun”. I asked why he had to miss fun day and he explained to me he missed more than four days of school. These days were completely excused absents due to a death in the family and doctors appointments, however this did not seem to matter. [Full Story »]
In the afternoon of December 14, I went to pick my son (Austin Wilson) up after school was released. The ride home was quiet and I could obviously tell he had a bad day, so I ask how his day went. He told me he was upset because “tomorrow is fun day and I have to stay in a classroom and do work all day while all my friends get to have fun”. I asked why he had to miss fun day and he explained to me he missed more than four days of school. These days were completely excused absents due to a death in the family and doctors appointments, however this did not seem to matter. [Full Story »]
The twelve days of Winter Wonderland
Dear Editor and Community,
On the First day of Winter Wonderland, Bobby Matthews delivers the flatbed. [Full Story »]
On the First day of Winter Wonderland, Bobby Matthews delivers the flatbed. [Full Story »]
ACHS Pirate Football….What A Season!!!
Dear Editor and Community,
“It’s a great year to be a PIRATE!” It’s certain that many share this sentiment. Making it to the final four in division 2-AA in the state playoffs is a tremendous feat. It’s been 12 years since the Pirates have had this honor. This has taken much effort on the part of the players, coaches, parents, cheerleaders, band, teachers, staff, and administration of Appling County High School. However, it cannot go unnoticed that fan and community support has been overwhelming. The support that the Pirates have experienced from local businesses, dedicated fans, and the board of education is awe-inspiring. We would like to express our sincere appreciation to all who have took the time to encourage and support the Pirates, Head Coach J.T. Pollock, and the coaching staff. [Full Story »]
“It’s a great year to be a PIRATE!” It’s certain that many share this sentiment. Making it to the final four in division 2-AA in the state playoffs is a tremendous feat. It’s been 12 years since the Pirates have had this honor. This has taken much effort on the part of the players, coaches, parents, cheerleaders, band, teachers, staff, and administration of Appling County High School. However, it cannot go unnoticed that fan and community support has been overwhelming. The support that the Pirates have experienced from local businesses, dedicated fans, and the board of education is awe-inspiring. We would like to express our sincere appreciation to all who have took the time to encourage and support the Pirates, Head Coach J.T. Pollock, and the coaching staff. [Full Story »]
“Just what if?”
Dear Editor,
I am a disabled 53-year-old black female who lives in Lakeview Retirement Center (a personal care home) on Stephens Avenue in Baxley. I am a law-abiding citizen and a registered voter. I don’t drink, smoke, sell or use illegal drugs. I am a member of Satilla Missionary Baptist Church in Baxley. In order to feel as though I can give a little of myself back to society, I choose to do volunteer work at the Pavilion two or three days a week. I help out in the Activities Department. [Full Story »]
I am a disabled 53-year-old black female who lives in Lakeview Retirement Center (a personal care home) on Stephens Avenue in Baxley. I am a law-abiding citizen and a registered voter. I don’t drink, smoke, sell or use illegal drugs. I am a member of Satilla Missionary Baptist Church in Baxley. In order to feel as though I can give a little of myself back to society, I choose to do volunteer work at the Pavilion two or three days a week. I help out in the Activities Department. [Full Story »]
Perspective:
Why the U.S. was downgraded:
• U.S. Tax revenue: $2,170,000,000,000
• Federal budget: $3,820,000,000,000
• New debt: $1,650,000,000,000
• National debt: $14,271,000,000,000
• Recent budget cuts: $38,500,000,000 [Full Story »]
• U.S. Tax revenue: $2,170,000,000,000
• Federal budget: $3,820,000,000,000
• New debt: $1,650,000,000,000
• National debt: $14,271,000,000,000
• Recent budget cuts: $38,500,000,000 [Full Story »]
Patience: a year-round virtue
When I was a child waiting for Christmas to arrive, time dragged on forever. Every single day had at least 72 hours in it; some, more. The closer to Christmas Day we got, the longer the days grew. During those days I worked conscientiously at doing everything Mama told me to. Even when the rain fell in sheets, I ran to the wood pile and brought back armloads of wood for the fireplace. Without complaint, I washed dishes immediately after each meal. I bit my tongue and refrained from arguing with my sister, no matter how obnoxious she became. The whole process was a lesson in patience for me.
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