Nov 7, 2024
Jackson’s view
Weekends in the fall are great. Whether you are at a wedding, exploring a nearby park, going to a local market or festival, or simply just sitting on the couch watching football, it can be a great day. Those weekends are about to become even better. Heading into November, it’s a time when we can […]
Nov 7, 2024
For God’s Sake
I write these columns the week before they are published, so this piece will be read two days after the presidential election. It is safe for me to predict, now less than one week out, that roughly half of this nation is cheering the election results, and the other half is sorely disappointed, perhaps even angry. I suspect this could be said of any election.
Nov 7, 2024
Out and About
I was at the water department today, November 4, attempting to straighten out where a water bill is being mailed, and a very slender gentleman came in wanting to put $8 down on his $20 water bill so his water wouldn’t be turned off. He’s been employed in the flooring business for more than 20 years and he said that this year has been the slowest. He thinks it is because people are waiting for the outcome of the election. He, like a lot of other people, think if Trump is not elected, the economy is going to get worse, much worse. By the time you read this, hopefully, there is a clear winner.
Nov 7, 2024
A life of service and sacrifice
On Nov. 11 we will honor the brave men and women who answered a sacred call to duty for our country. It is a day to reflect on the courage, dedication and resilience of our military personnel. It is a small way to say, “thank you for your service” and we should add the words “and sacrifices.”
Nov 1, 2024
Jackson’s View
Let’s talk about brands.
No, not the kind of cereal you buy at your local grocery store.
Oct 31, 2024
For God’s Sake
When I was a young child, my blond hair was nearly white. My blue eyes shown bluer when I wore blue shirts. My teeth were a bit crooked. And one ear didn’t have creases like most ears do.
Oct 31, 2024
Baker doesn’t want to grow up to be Crestview
Baker is starting to blow up with growth. Growth can be good, but uncontrolled growth without infrastructure to match can be a nightmare. Crestview traffic is a poster child for uncontrolled growth. And, in Baker, we don’t want to grow up to be Crestview!
Oct 31, 2024
Daniel’s Column
I’m in a class that was recently tasked with watching two side by side 15-second videos of a woman speaking and determining which was real and which was AI generated.
Of about 25 people in the room, about 50% were able to discern which video was real. (For anyone wondering, I got it right.)
Oct 31, 2024
There is no excuse for not voting in this election
In 2020, in one of the most spirited presidential elections in the history of our country, approximately 66% of the population voted.
That was a record turnout, clearly one of the best turnouts ever, if not the best.
Oct 24, 2024
For God’s Sake
I met a gentleman a week ago who told me that his son is the pastor of a “growing church.” We like to hear churches described that way, but what does it mean? It is typically meant to communicate that the number of people attending that church is growing. No reflection on the aforementioned “growing church,” but increasing attendance is not necessarily the evidence of a growing church.