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Near or far, it feels good to be home

Writing for The Sentinel again is a bit like catching up with an old friend. Which begs the question, did I ever leave? Well, yes and no. Since I left Mifflin County for other opportunities in 1999, I have continued to write for these pages periodically as a correspondent, which means if there’s a story to write and I can elect to accept the assignment that’s being offered to me. Or not. I work full-time in property management as the manager of a 180-unit apartment community in the Main Line section of Philadelphia, just outside of King of Prussia. I’ve worked in that field for ...

‘For Here’s to Thee Chief Logan’

That was the first phrase of my high school’s alma mater. It finishes with, “We ever will be loyal, and we’ll praise your grand old name.” So, as you may have guessed, I was and still am a Chief Logan Mingo, having graduated from Chief Logan High School (we will conveniently not mention the year). I often emphasize that fact by stating that my blood runs green, our school color, thus upholding the words of the alma mater, showing my loyalty. I thought it might be interesting to delve into just who Chief Logan was and why it was believed that he was worthy to have a high school ...

Is NIL among high school students wise?

The concept of NIL, or Name, Image, and Likeness, has been a hot topic in the world of college athletics for some time now. Essentially, it refers to the rights of college athletes to profit off their name, image, and likeness, something NCAA rules have historically prohibited. These athletes, who often bring in vast amounts of revenue for their schools, should be able to share in some of that profit rather than being unpaid amateurs. At the high school level, NIL activities allow student-athletes to monetize their athletic abilities. These activities can include endorsement deals, ...

An ode to January and new beginnings

I recently learned that the month of January was named after the Roman god Janus. He was known as the protector of gates and doorways. This, in turn, symbolized beginnings and endings. Janus was depicted with two faces, often one was a young version facing one way, the other an aged one facing the opposite way. You can see how January became the perfect time to stop and reflect on our past year and look forward to the new one stretching out before us. We are given a new clean slate, an opportunity to keep the things in our life that are working and eliminate or change those that are ...

Christmas past – the 1970s

The sights, tastes, and sounds of Christmas in the 1970s were indeed unique and easily identifiable. It all began with a trip to grandma’s house where she proudly displayed the tree she painted in ceramics class. The one with the colorful plastic bulbs that lit up and made the whole tree glow. I think those of us who were adolescents at the time were less than impressed, but many of us now own one, evoking those childhood memories. It is funny how that happens as you age. Various things we didn’t value back in the day, now become an important part of our celebrations. Oh, and ...

It’s for the kids. No, seriously

I spent most of my time at The Sentinel behind the sports desk, where I made most of the acquaintances I have in Mifflin County. Out of all those I’ve met, two stand out, because of their desire to do something for the community’s children and their future (and not their own kids!). “No one is more passionate about Babe Ruth baseball than Ray Wilde.” I’m quoting myself there, from a column I wrote in 2014. But there’s a better way to say the same thing: Few people care more about the young people of this community — at least, the ones who play baseball — than Ray ...