The fruit fly is a pesky little fly that is apt to be seen in mid-summer to early fall. They are enticed by the sweet smells of ripening or rotten fruits and vegetables that permeate the air. Their desire for sweet things can also be an advantage- for the home-owner that is. You see, ...

Let’s pick up where we left off on Labor Day weekend 2025. In the court battle over New York’s new wetlands law, Round 1 goes to the challengers. Bravo. * * * You, faithful reader of this column, will recall how devastating the law can be for Chautauqua County, particularly because ...

Back in the 1960s, people were side-eyeing things like meditation, yoga, and “finding your inner self” as if someone had just suggested chatting with their toaster. Fast forward to now, and suddenly everyone has a morning mindfulness routine, a favorite breathwork app, and a strong opinion ...

Throughout my life, as a parent, a teacher, a coach, as a churchgoer, and as an advisor when asked to be by others, I look for “magic” words that will help those whom I am raising, teaching, coaching, praying with, and/or advising. I try to think of ways to just say something I think will ...

If you have driven over the Chautauqua Lake Bridge lately, there are signs that spring construction work has started. The wooden railing along the centerline of the bridge to protect workers as they walk has been completed, cranes have started to put platform barges back into the water, ...

At ‘No Kings’ rally all the way back in June last year, I stood at the corner of 6th and Washington holding a sign that read: “If you care more about someone’s legal status than his 34 felonies, you might want to check your humanity.” The truth behind those words is worth repeating. ...