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We’ve reached Labor Day

Depending on your point of view, we could be in the middle of the last weekend of summer. While the season officially runs through 8:43 a.m. on Sept. 22, when the autumnal equinox arrives, Labor Day has traditionally come to signify the end of the summer season. Which makes a couple of reports recently released by WalletHub take on extra meaning as we recognize a holiday that stands in tribute to hard work — and enjoying another summer celebration. Despite what you might hear on social media and through other sources, Americans still hold a strong work ethic. So strong, in ...

History in the Hills: Labor Day Pageants

This past week, my daughter, Stella, attended Weir High School’s youth cheer camp, hosted by the high school and Weir High cheerleaders. She couldn’t wait until cheer camp started this year and was so excited to show us all that she had learned when she got home. This is her third time attending. I appreciate the efforts of the school and the cheerleaders for putting this event on. We can’t wait until the students of the camp perform all they learned at a home football game at Jimmy Carey Stadium. As an attendee of the camp, she has performed with the group at a Weir High ...

October has always been my favorite color

Fall has always been my favorite time of the year. My being born in October has nothing to do with it. For me, Autumn is more than just a season. It is a feeling ... Something which is not experienced or felt during the other three. It is timeless. And yet, it goes by far too fast. I always begin the fall season early. Even though the summer is not quite finished with itself, just yet. The calendar may still say August, but my heart is telling me that autumn is right around the corner. So I begin my preparations. I purchase mums — which are already out in ...

Guest column/School-based health centers a win for everyone

Throughout Ohio, children are heading back to school for a new academic year. Students are excited to be with their classmates and teachers to learn and grow. But for kids to really excel, they need to feel their best to be able to learn at their best. That’s why school-based health centers are so important. School-based health centers provide an opportunity for children to receive health care right in their school building. By having health services available on school grounds, students can schedule appointments with health care professionals or walk right in if they are sick. ...

Guest column/YSU: Best ‘bang for your buck’ education choice

You may have heard, and maybe even believe yourself, that the value of a four-year college degree has decreased. Well, for Pete’s Sake: What is the basis for such thinking, and where do Youngstown State University and our region fit in? This is the first of several columns over the coming weeks that will address these and other important questions regarding YSU and the post-secondary (after high school) education of our region. We’ll highlight how YSU is designing itself to be the anchor university of our region and the post-secondary educational opportunity of choice by offering ...

Guest column/We all need to relax and enjoy and just laugh again

Traditional comedy has always been based on situations that all of us face during our daily affairs at home, work and play. We need to return to such humanistic humor. The problem with some segments of society today is taking humor too seriously, and feeling offended. Laughter is important to our mental health. And we need to be able to laugh at ourselves. It is good for the human spirit. Likewise, we are witnessing contemporary comedy that is based on “hate humor” focused specifically on individuals and various groups. This comedic approach is truly hurtful, biased and ...