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Guest column/Let children have access to books suitable to their age

The library always has occupied a special place in my heart from the time I was young. Its hallways were passages into history and its shelves filled me with visions I could never have dreamed of. Afternoons of every season were spent there. It was more than books; it also was a community. You can imagine my concern then, when my sister came home wielding a book filled with pornographic images. Closer inspection showed that our library is full of adult-themed sexual books masquerading as children’s literature. I could not believe my eyes. “What Makes a Baby” by Cory Silverburg ...

Numbers adding up

There was only one issue on the ballot in Tuesday’s special election, but it certainly brought out voters across Ohio. That item — Ohio Issue 1 — aimed to change the way state residents can petition to change the constitution. And, shortly after the polls closed, it became evident the voters were happy to keep that at a simple majority — 50 percent of the votes cast, plus one — instead of instituting a stricter standard — one which would require a 60 percent super majority. Exact totals won’t be known until the votes are certified, but the final numbers won’t alter ...

Guest column/Remember: You are what you think you are

“Jody” was taught to be a respectful person, to be kind and thoughtful. She loved to laugh, visiting with her neighbors in the classroom, much to the teachers’ displeasure, and everywhere she went. Until the bullying started. It wasn’t directed at her, but she saw the hurt in the other child’s eyes when he was bullied. She tended to stand up in defense of the bullied, drawing attention to herself because “when they pick on me, they leave everyone else alone. And I can ignore them.” When she actually experienced bullying and complained to the bully’s mother, the woman ...

Guest column/Activists are just citizens who care about Ohio’s parks

Recently, Energy in Depth, a pro-fossil fuel publication, published a piece about the Ohio citizens who are trying to stop the leasing and fracking of Ohio’s public lands (Save Ohio Parks.) The EID author specifically targeted a June meeting of the Ohio Oil and Gas Land Commission where Ted Auch, Youngstown Battalion Chief Silverio Caggiano and I presented fact-based evidence as to why fracking on or near Ohio’s parks would be disastrous for the parks, park visitors and local residents. Throughout the EID article, experts and citizen members of Save Ohio Parks were referred to as ...

History in the Hills: A few historical gems

Last week, I was fortunate to have taken a trip to Myrtle Beach with my family. The weather was perfect, the sun was hot and the ocean was warm. It was a nice trip, and I really appreciated the time to spend with my family. It’s those memories that one will cherish into the future. Something happened on vacation this year that hasn’t happened to me in quite some time. I actually was able to read a book from start to finish on the beach. One would think that with four children this is an almost impossible feat, but my children are just old enough that they are starting to entertain ...

Enjoying the dog days

We’ve just completed the first week in August, and that means the end of summer is quickly approaching. In fact, the Dog Days of Summer will reach their end on Friday. That’s the period that runs from July 3 — 20 days before Sirius comes into conjunction with the sun — and Aug. 11 — 20 days afterward. It’s usually the hottest stretch of temperatures we will experience during the year, and while Sirius has no impact at all on weather on our planet, it’s a period that has been noted since the time of the ancient Romans and Greeks. It’s also a time when a lot of ...