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Guest column/Canine companionship can be important for elderly

I was chatting with an elderly friend who is widowed. We were talking about canine companions. Because of advancing age, this friend didn’t think it was a good idea to get a dog. But home was lonely. So, my friend got a dog. My parents wanted another dog after their border collie, Josh, died. But Mom and Dad both had health issues that the family thought would hinder their abilities to raise a puppy and provide for the dog’s basic needs. An older couple I know lost both of their dogs last year, one in mid-June, the other in early December. The gentleman wants a dog. His wife is ...

Guest column/One billion dollars and a flat iron steak later

The recent testimony, interviews and op-eds by the contractors and benefactors of the Beef Checkoff program, has this first-generation cow-calf operator asking and looking for the real facts about the OFF Act. Let’s start with the op-ed about Sen. Mike Lee of Utah in the Salt Lake Tribune on May 18. The first paragraph says it all: “Sen. Mike Lee’s political positions typically align with agriculture. He usually opposes the burdensome regulations that threaten family farmers and ranchers and understands the importance of a fair tax code.” Maybe, just maybe, the family cattle ...

Guest column/Supreme Court case a smokescreen for causes of inequality

The end of the U.S. Supreme Court’s annual term typically comes at the beginning of summer and is always an active time. During the last week or two, decisions come down related to fundamental issues including our rights, economy and government on a near-daily basis. Some cheer and some mourn as the nation’s legal framework shifts and sets up the next round of debates and decisions. There used to be true suspense. Justices’ decisions were less tied to party affiliation and more tied to legal theories and precedents. Now it seems the die is cast well before the case is ever ...

Celebrating those who are making life beautiful

Today is national, “Making Life Beautiful Day.” I guarantee most of you didn’t know that. You see, there’s always a special day if you look online at the National Day calendar. Of course, this week also consists of National Axe-Throwing day — but we will not be discussing that in this column. Sorry to those of you who enjoy weaponry. Yes, June 11 is set aside to celebrate those who make life beautiful. Perhaps you are one of those people. It is a day dedicated to the ones who perform simple acts of kindness for no reason other than they genuinely care for us. It is a ...

Bringing people together

When an event has been held 36 times, it develops a special place in the hearts of a community. That’s the case with the Greek Food Festival presented by Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Steubenville. The festival always has drawn thousands of visitors from across the Tri-State Area and around the country to the corner of South Fourth and South streets for several days of fun, friendship and, of course, food. When last year’s festival was reduced to a carry-out event, it left a big hole in the region’s event calendar. “I think that last year, when we weren’t ...

History in the Hills: The King of Cool in Steubenville

June in Steubenville is busy. Summer concerts are in full swing, festivals and events are kicking off and soon, the annual Dean Martin Celebration will be here before we know it, this year taking place June 16 and 17. While I was working at Historic Fort Steuben, the Dean Martin event was something that the Visitor Center took pride in being a part of, and thanks go out to the Spot Bar for keeping the event alive for many years. This year is no exception as there will be an exhibit and a film at Historic Fort Steuben as well as an opportunity to ride the trolley for a mural tour; ...