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We should pardon the president for thinking with heart

My brother-in-law recently sent a message to our family text chain, the members of whom rest somewhere on the political spectrum from solidly Democratic to more liberal than Mao Zedong. What do we think of this? He linked to a story about President Joe Biden pardoning his son, Hunter, who had been convicted on tax evasion and gun charges. Ever since the decision has been announced, the right wing (and much of the left wing) has gotten up in arms to protest it, for varying reasons. Chief among their valid complaints is that Biden said he wouldn’t issue such a pardon — flatly ...

Our community creates magic for the holidays

Like so many things in life, creating a special hometown Christmas holiday requires hard work, sacrifice, and determination. Much of this effort is carried out by unsung local heroes who do it simply because they love their community and cherish the Christmas season. They don’t seek recognition or accolades — the joy they feel seeing others enjoy this magical time of year is thanks enough. But I believe they deserve more. For starters, there wouldn’t be a holiday tree in downtown Lewistown without the dedication of one local business owner’s wife. Every year, she takes it upon ...

Presidential footprints made in Mifflin County

Well, we have survived this election cycle! Our mailboxes are no longer stuffed with political advertisements, my incoming texts have dropped by 90 percent, and the television commercials have returned to the usual fare of laundry soap, insurance ads, and medications. No matter which side of the aisle you are on, I’m sure you too are glad it’s over. I hope your candidates won, but even if they didn’t, we still live in one of the greatest places on earth. Now, as we move forward, I hope we can stitch our communities back together using the needle and thread of our shared ...

Apples, apples everywhere in Bev’s Kitchen

Hello from the kitchen! Apple picking is almost done for the season but creating things with apples has just really got started. I love making baked goods using apples. Cookies, dumplings and pies. Then there are jellies, apple sauce, apple butter and so on. There's nothing like a slice of fresh warm bread spread with apple butter and topped with cottage cheese. Or better yet, have a hot apple dumpling topped with vanilla ice cream. My spouse drives truck and doesn't get home cooking out on the road, so the weekends are all about comfort foods and desserts. I enjoy making all things ...

Election Day 2024 prep: Conservatism vs. liberalism

The 2024 presidential election is underway. Early voting has begun and with it hangs the fate of our nation. The candidates for the White House stand in stark contrast to one another in their beliefs and their vision for the United States and its people. This election is not about personalities despite efforts to make it just that. Election 2024 is solely about political ideology — two diametrically opposed ideologies — and the outcome will determine the future of the United States for generations to come. The founding principles of the nation are part of the political ...

Books are a portable magic

Not the kind of magic you might be thinking of with Halloween approaching, but I must confess, I have a long-time addiction to a certain type of portable magic that has followed me throughout my life — books. This addiction began when I was just a child and has only grown more intense over the years. Like many of us, I blame my mother. She was the one who opened the door to this magical world for my brother and me when we were very young. Each week, she took us to the public library, encouraging us to wander the aisles, carefully selecting the books that would come home with us. I ...