Open Line

February 27, 2023

Editor’s note: The Sentinel offers readers the opportunity to express opinions in the Open Line, but there are some restrictions on what will be considered for publication. Only comments that are positive in nature or legitimately seeking or providing information will be considered. No comments will be accepted in response to signed letters to the editor. Comments may be shortened or omitted at the discretion of the editor. Comments published in the Open Line reflect the views of the caller and not The Sentinel. Comments are verified when possible, but should be taken as ...

Systemic change needed to address stock trading

February 21, 2023

Earning a position in Congress requires significant financial resources. In the 2022 midterm elections, candidates and political action committees collectively invested nearly $17 billion in their state and federal campaigns, making it the costliest midterms to date. While having financial support can be advantageous for gaining access to Congress, it also presents an opportunity for legislators to build their personal wealth once they secure their position. Members of Congress often mention representative Nancy Pelosi in relation to stock trading. She is the poster child for ...

Honoring the past, inspiring the future

February 18, 2023

Since February is Black History Month, a time set aside to pay tribute to the generations of African Americans who have struggled through adversity to improve their lives, I thought it might be a great time to focus on a forgotten piece of Lewistown’s own black history. If you have been following my articles you may recall that the Juniata River Valley Chamber of Commerce has been working with the Juniata River Valley Visitors Bureau, the Mifflin County Historical Society, Lewistown Borough, and others to restore the African American Memorial Cemetery located across the street from ...

Romantic love is the most complex of all

February 15, 2023

The version of Valentine’s Day we experience now is quite different then the origins that the holiday may have evolved from. One particular celebration that may be associated with its origins took place in Rome from February 13-15, it was the feast of Lupercalia. According to an article by Arnie Seipel with NPR, “the men sacrificed a goat and a dog, then whipped women with the hides of the animals they had just slain.” He also added some details like the men were naked and drunk and yet young women would line up for this absurdity because they believed this strange ceremony was ...

Don’t be afraid to spread some love

February 14, 2023

Love is a potent, powerful emotion. It can bring us joy and peace, as well as great sadness, if it’s lost or taken from us. That’s why it’s so important to cherish the people we love and show them how much we care. When we take time to share our affection with others, even small acts of love such as holding hands, giving a hug, or telling them they are special—bring us closer together. It creates strong bonds that can help get us through difficult times. Love also gives us strength when life gets tough. Knowing you have someone who loves you no matter what can give you the ...

Safe driving remains a challenge

February 11, 2023

Across the United States, people have heard the phrase, “drive home safely.” But it’s harder to do that when people can’t get out of a parking lot. Unfortunately, I’ve seen drivers in multiple Pennsylvania counties going too fast in parking lots and it’s to the point where some cars nearly hit one another. According to a nationwide poll by the National Safety Council, 66% of people said they would make phone calls while driving through parking lots. Meanwhile, 56% of drivers are texting during their trip through a parking lot. Whatever the reasons are for poor parking ...