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Christmas is season for compassion

Christmas, as I contemplated writing about this topic, I wondered: what is there to say that has not already been said? I, along with countless others, have written on this subject many times. I had to pause to reflect on what fresh words I could offer about this much-anticipated holiday season. The lens I have chosen to compose through is not necessarily a rose-colored one, but an honest and important one. While many of us look forward to this season filled with family, friends, and hustle and bustle, what about those who do not? What about those who are alone or lonely? Yes, there is ...

Give Ohio State football coach Ryan Day his due

The traditional rivalry week of the college football season unfortunately concluded with some ugly visuals. Brawls broke out at the end of the Ohio State-Michigan game along with fights after wins by Arizona State, Florida and North Carolina State. Attempts by the victorious road teams to plant school flags on their opponents’ fields triggered ire, as this is viewed by players defending their home turf as the worst sign of disrespect. For Ohio State, emotions were demoralizing and extremely painful after suffering a fourth straight loss to the team up north, as we say in Buckeye land. ...

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 ...