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Holiday shopping season arrives

Editorials

This past weekend brought Small Business Saturday and the start of 2025’s holiday shopping season. We understand the impulse to decry the consumerism of the season — to search for something more authentic or more meaningful. And we believe there certainly should be days and moments ahead of the holidays for reflection on the season’s meaning. But we also must defend consumerism. Our economy — and our society supported by that economy — is built on certain precepts — our towns, our neighborhoods, our families are able to grow, to chase their dreams and to enjoy their ...

Uncommon sense from United Nations

Editorials

Maybe the United Nations isn’t as useless as it so often shows. A little over a week ago the Security Council endorsed President Trump’s 20-point peace plan for Gaza, ratifying for the first time the requirements that Hamas disarm and Gaza be demilitarized. The resolution passed 13-0, with Russia and China abstaining. It’s a setback for the terrorists. Many had worried that the U.S. jaunt to the Security Council would come at the price of bending the peace plan’s terms for Hamas or adding anti-Israel terms. Would France’s Emmanuel Macron elbow his way into the deal’s ...

Juniata County Dairy Promotion pointers

Local Columns

Hi. My name is Jena Rissler, a Juniata County Dairy Ambassador. Are you looking to try a new recipe for lunch or supper? Here is one of my favorite recipes. Dairy casserole • 1 lb. hamburger, browned • 2 small cans of corn • 1 can cream of celery soup • 2 cup noodles, cooked • 1 pk. cream cheese, softened For the top: • 2 tsp. browned butter • ½ cup crumbs Instructions: Mix ingredients well and place in a greased casserole dish. Mix crumbs and butter and place on top. Bake for 30 – 45 minutes at 350. Always remember to get your three ...

Waiting periods will not reduce crime

Editorials

Legislation before both the state House and state Senate would set a 72-hour waiting period before law-abiding Pennsylvanians could complete a purchase of a firearm. Similar bills have been considered — and failed to secure passage — before. We are skeptical this measure warrants the time and effort for debate and voting. Supporters have given no indication that the additional time is necessary or valuable in conducting background checks. Assurances that a waiting period is constitutional hinge on how reasonable the length of the mandated wait is — and considering the aversion ...

Readers' opinions

Letters to the Editor

Remember to be respectful during Christmas concerts To the Editor: The Christmas concert season is fast approaching, a time when family and friends are invited to hear what their students and their teachers have been preparing for many weeks. For concerts to be rewarding experiences for everybody, music teachers (this writer included) would like their audiences to remember these respectful behaviors: • Please turn off or silence all cell phones for the duration of the performance. • We know that you are excited to see your student on stage, and want him/her to know that you ...

Addressing tuition costs should be priority

Editorials

Though a well-trained, well-educated and skilled workforce is more important than ever, students seeking a higher education to prepare them for their careers are having a harder time being able to afford it. Sure, many people still believe having a college degree will translate to higher earnings, but students are increasingly challenged to decide whether the expense of that education (or the long-term debt they may incur) is worth the risk. According to WalletHub, the cost of attending a four-year public college has risen by an average of 30% over the past 20 years. And that cost ...