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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

I was backing out of a downtown parking space when something flashed on my dashboard. The mileage calculator changed to a wrench. OMG. What’s wrong? This is not good. It was late Tuesday, and I was leaving for Dayton Thursday morning. I was heading for the Erma Bombeck Writers’ Workshop ...

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. ...

I submitted my passport application this week. The total was $190 including processing fee at the post office in addition to the eight-dollar passport photo. I am fortunate that the expense was an irritation and not part of the grocery budget. Luckily, I had a certified copy of my birth ...