Breaking News

Local Columns

Getting rid of the grave clothes

When I read this passage I could not help but think of the account of our Lord raising Lazarus from the dead. You remember that Lazarus was four days dead when Jesus approached his tomb. Jesus came and demanded that the tomb be opened, spoke one word and Lazarus rose and walked out. When he came out he still had on his grave clothes and our Lord said, “Loose him and let him go”. Many Christians are like that today. They have been lifted out of the darkness of being separated from God, they have been redeemed, and yet they still walk around in their grave clothes. Our Lord would say ...

Lesher Poultry Farm sunflowers in full bloom

Last Saturday, I found myself standing in the midst of what can only be described as sunflower heaven. We’re not talking about a few flowers in someone’s backyard. No, these were sunflowers as far as the eye could see, a golden ocean stretching toward the horizon. I stood there absolutely awestruck, soaking in the sea of proud yellow blooms swaying in unison, cradled in the arms of a warm breeze. Each flower seemed to have a personality of its own, but together they moved like a perfectly orchestrated, captivating floral dance with a host of bees along for the ride. It was almost ...

4 signs your athlete might have a sports injury

Whether your young athlete plays soccer, field hockey, football, volleyball or any other sport, do you know the signs of sports injuries to look for in your kids? From the stands, it can be difficult to see what’s happening with your child after an injury or collision. But there are signs and symptoms you can watch out for before and after the game. Here are four things to look out for if you suspect your child has a sports-related injury. 1. Unexplained headache If your child leaves the field with an unexplained headache or nausea, they could be dealing with dehydration. Dehydration ...

A stadium, a community, a future

Last Friday, as the flood lights flickered on and the initial notes of the marching band echoed through the stands, something extraordinary happened. After years of debates, delays, and difficult decisions, Mifflin County spectators finally took their seats for the historic Husky home opener at Chapman Stadium. There’s no need to rehash the details of how we got to Aug. 22. At the end of the day, for reasons of safety, maintenance, and equity, we took on a task as monumental as the century-old stadium we set out to replace. Friday’s achievement never could have happened without a ...

My favorite unsung holiday: National Thrift Shop Day

Can I get a hip, hip, hooray from all my fellow thrift shoppers? This Sunday, Aug. 17, is National Thrift Shop Day! While thrifting has recently become the “in” thing to do, I’ve been at it for as long as I can remember, not because it was cool or trendy, but out of pure necessity. Growing up, my father worked hard but never made a lot of money. My ever-resourceful mother found countless ways to stretch our dollars, and secondhand shopping was one of her favorite secret weapons. Back then, we didn’t call them “thrift stores.” They were “rummage sales,” and to my ...

I ruined my ‘surprise’ party, so I joined in the planning

Is it wrong to ask for Father’s Day gifts from your four kids and wife who just threw you a semi-surprise 60th birthday party in which you were showered with love, gifts and baked ziti, along with dozens and dozens of homemade cookies? OK — so before I request some Father’s Day swag (that’s what the kids call gifts these days for you old folks like me who don’t use, or understand the origin of the word swag) — let me tell you about my birthday party. My wife, Ann Marie, says I have always wanted a party, and she is partly right. I did but I didn’t want to have to pay ...