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How Far Is It Going To Go (Part 1)

*Note – Because there is a lot to say about this subject, this narrative will be in two edition segments beginning today and concluding next week. I’m not a huge fan of the “to be Continued” blurb, so I’m giving you a heads up now. I hope it doesn’t change your mind about reading it. As a huge baseball fan, I try to keep up with the history of the game as best I can, including the bad that comes with, what I feel is the greatest sport of all. That’s not to say I don’t care for other sports, but baseball seems to be the sport most often statistically discussed and ...

Is Anybody Sorry Anymore?

In today’s generation, the simple phrase “I’m sorry” is used far less than it should be. Instead, many people play the blame game or deflect responsibility rather than taking personal accountability for their actions and choices. Receiving an apology for an unprovoked action of another can feel wonderful, but the crucial question remains: Does an apology reflect true sincerity, or is it a strategic avoidance of consequences, or quite possibly it’s merely a passive phrasing like “How are you?”, “Dude”, or “Man” but really has no substance? Google defines an ...

Just One Well-Aimed Snowball

Frankly, I don’t throw a snowball very often these days. Occasionally I might toss a mischievous handful at Richard in the driveway. I do remember though, back when I was first aware that a good snowball is a weapon. I’ll never forget what happened: I was in the fourth grade. In the winter we couldn’t wait to blast out of school and race home for snow play. My classmate, Nancy, and I built a tall snow fort behind the front yard low hedge. It was a fun place to snuggle out of the wind and we kept fortifying and smoothing its sides with each new snowfall. We dug out peep holes so ...

Securing Our Elections Hinders Cheating

Let’s suppose. Let’s suppose you went into a bank and tried to open an account or take out a loan without proving your identity. Let’s suppose you tried to get a hunting or fishing license without proving your identity. Let’s suppose you tried to buy a gun legally without proving your identity. And the list goes on and on. Let’s suppose that, without proving your identity, you tried to: • Start a new job. • Get a marriage license. • Get a driver’s license. • Rent a vehicle. • Lease a vehicle. • Buy a vehicle. • Register a vehicle. • Get ...

Voting Should Never Depend On Paperwork

In the art world, the provenance of an object establishes a documented history of ownership—a “biography” of sorts, integral to verifying authenticity and establishing legal ownership. Tracing provenance is instrumental in identifying forgeries or fraud. To prevent fraud in elections, the SAVE Act would require proof of citizenship through a legally verifiable document trail before registering to vote—a sort of provenance of identity. Representative Nick Langworthy voted yes when the House passed the SAVE Act on February 11, 2026. At first glance, proof of citizenship for ...

Sewers Around The Lake Nearly A Reality

It has been a long time coming, but recently financing has been achieved so that public sewers around Chautauqua Lake can be completed. Right now work is underway to complete the sewer lines up the west side of the lake. It is expected that most if not all remaining septic systems in the sewer district between Stow and Prendergast point will be replaced by public sewers this year. The final piece around the lake that had been missing was the area on the east side of the lake from Point Chautauqua down to Midway State Park. Recently, however, the county received a grant commitment of ...