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Lessons from a vacation in the Hudson Valley

(Editor’s note: This column is part one of a two-part series.) To celebrate Mother’s Day, my children began the tradition of all pitching in to fund an adventure that my daughter, Joy, and I take together. I cannot put into words how much this gift means to me. To spend quality time with an adult child is nothing short of priceless. Last year we traveled to the Hudson Valley to explore Nyack and Sleepy Hollow. This past weekend we returned to the region to visit Springwood, the home of President Franklin D. Roosevelt; Val-Kill Cottage, Eleanor Roosevelt’s retreat; the ...

Passport services at the Juniata County Library

As of Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026, the Juniata County Library can no longer process applications for new passports. We can still assist you with renewals and taking the photos. This is a federal decision beyond our control. Use this website to find a passport acceptance facility near you: https://iafdb.travel.state.gov/. Passports can be renewed if 1) they were issued to someone aged 16 and older and 2) within the past 15 years. You must retain possession of your passport, as it must be mailed with the application. The old passport is then mailed back to you. Once the renewal ...

Events for grown-ups at MCL

The library’s summer reading program is coming to a close. Here are a few things going on for grown-ups if you are looking for things to do. Before July ends, please come into the Mifflin County Library in Lewistown and see the wonderful patriotic artwork our patrons made. We call it our favorite American Art collage. Eleven artists and library users participated. They each were given a small canvas to work on. The canvases are on display and people are encouraged to come and view the artwork but also vote on the artwork with spare change. This is also a small fundraiser for ...

You don’t need permission to care

Every community has a "somebody" problem. We've all heard these familiar lines or similar ones and perhaps have even spoken them. Somebody should clean up that park. Somebody should rehab that old building. Somebody should organize an event. Somebody should create a space for kids to gather. Somebody should help our senior citizens. Everyone agrees that something should be done. The problem is that everyone assumes somebody else will do it. Communities don't change because everyone identifies the problems. They change because individuals decide to become that "somebody." I learned ...

The World Cup reminds us of America’s beauty

Our country has spent far too long focused on what divides us. We have become so accustomed to hearing what is wrong with America that sometimes we forget to notice what is right. Who would have guessed it would take the FIFA World Cup to stitch us back together? I recently heard someone sum it up perfectly: “Who knew all the USA needed to begin healing was inviting other countries over for a giant sleepover to watch their favorite movie: soccer.” It made me smile because, in many ways, it feels true. Like so many others, I have enjoyed not only watching the World Cup matches but ...

America’s history woven into the fabric of family

In 1976, during our nation’s Bicentennial year, my brother and I were newspaper carriers for the Lewistown Sentinel. Our route covered both sides of West Fourth Street in Lewistown, from the 500 block near what is now the auto parts store through the 800 block, where Hess’s gas station once stood. One of my favorite memories from that year was the summer tip we received from one of our customers: Bicentennial Kennedy half-dollar coins. Those silver-colored 50-cent pieces are still special to me today—not because of their monetary value, which is only about face value, but because ...