Opinion

Legislative leaders preview key issues ahead of upcoming budget session

Published by admin on Thu, 01/11/2024 - 12:24pm

As the Wyoming Legislature readies for 20 days of discussion and debate ahead of the 2024 Legislative Budget Session, we prepare for this work as servants to the people of our communities. Over the past eight months, legislative committees have held 62 standing committee meetings around the state. At these meetings, committees gathered public input and industry perspectives to draft common sense conservative solutions to the problems we face together.
 As the presiding officers of our respective chambers, we will focus on fighting rising costs like property taxes and electric utility increases, placing parents in the driver’s seat of their children’s education, and supporting mental health programs for our fellow neighbors.

And a happy ‘24 to all

Published by admin on Thu, 01/04/2024 - 3:10pm

With 2023 behind us, nothing but a memory, perhaps we and America can turn the page, also, and make this a year of “peace on earth,” and try to make our community and our country a true United States; that we can put hatred, finger-pointing, name-calling behind us and work together as one nation, divided in opinion, yes, but a country willing to sit down and work out its multiple problems in a way that benefits us all.
Hopefully, we can recognize our differences and realize that there is no “one size fits all” in any solution.

The Light of the World

Published by admin on Thu, 01/04/2024 - 3:07pm

“Bless the Lord, o my soul, o my soul
“Worship His holy name
“Sing like never before, o my soul
“I’ll worship Your holy name
“The sun comes up, it’s a new day dawning
“It’s time to sing Your song again
“Whatever may pass and whatever lies before me
“Let me be singing when the evening comes”
— From Matt Redmond’s “10,000 Reasons”

One in 10 may experience a seizure in their lifetimes

Published by admin on Thu, 01/04/2024 - 3:04pm

A seizure can be one of the most frightening things for a family member, friend, or anyone to witness. However, for some people with epilepsy, seizures may be fairly common and not unexpected. Roughly 1 in 10 people may have a seizure at some point in their lifetime.
A seizure occurs when there is a burst of uncontrolled electrical activity in the brain. This may cause a sudden change in awareness or full loss of consciousness, unusual sensations or thoughts, or temporary problems in muscle tone or movements, such as stiffness, twitching, or limpness. 
The two main types of seizures are focal and generalized. A focal onset seizure starts in one area of the brain and spreads, causing mild or severe symptoms. A generalized seizure occurs when both sides of the brain are affected. Generalized seizures may include:
Absence - which causes a staring spell, the “petit mal” seizure

Here’s to another year

Published by admin on Thu, 12/28/2023 - 11:59am

Not too many folks write holiday letters anymore. Postage stamps are more expensive than ever before and it takes time — precious time that many of us don’t feel like we have — to write, print, fold, stuff, address and mail.
A growing number of of people are posting a family photo and warm wishes on Facebook or Instagram.  Simple and fast.  Nothing wrong with that.
But it’s still a great feeling when a personalize holiday letter of any kind lands in your mailbox. I enjoy reading about what everyone’s been up to in the past year, especially family members and friends I don’t get to see that often.  

‘Three old photos in a wallet’

Published by admin on Thu, 12/28/2023 - 11:54am

Among my Christmas cards was one from my favorite Washingtonian, Jeff Tolman, who included three columns he had written in year-s past.  It was too late to include the wonderful Christmas one, but this one, I think, speaks to all of us.  I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
‘Three old photos in a wallet”
“The Greeks opined that you don’t really die until the last person who remembers you passes away ... you simply live in another form.
“I’ve always believed that and so, carry three photos in my wallet.
“My oldest photo is of Chris Kelly, the big brother I never had. Chris lived four houses away from me in Greybull, Wyo. He was everything I wanted to be. Handsome. Smart. Athletic. Most important, though four years older, he was my friend.

Letter to the Editor: Rude behavior was written into the elementary play

Published by admin on Thu, 12/21/2023 - 1:56pm

Dear editor:
I want to congratulate the kids, Mrs. Clucas, and everyone who was involved in the grade three through five Christmas concert. It was fantastic!
Also, to clarify, my rude behavior and fake phone call at the beginning were part of the play.  I don’t think many connected my actions and the two kids’ line telling me to sit down because the show was starting, and I don’t want people to be upset with me for my behavior.
I love this time of year and wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
Thanks,

Tim Eardley
GHS Spanish teacher

 

Merry Christmas to all

Published by admin on Thu, 12/21/2023 - 1:55pm

There are Christmas cards and Christmas cookies, Christmas presents and Christmas decorations, Christmas movies and Christmas dinners.  So many things that we associate with this time of year.
None of them, however, tug at the heart strings quite like attending an elementary Christmas concert or program. At least in the eyes of this observer.
We’ve reached the end of those performances, with the kindergarten, first and second graders taking their turn on the stage Monday evening.  
There’s just something about that group of kids -- maybe it’s having kids of my own and having seen Christmas through their eyes at every step along the way.  It’s the sweet spot of Christmas parenting.

Tree decorating evokes memories

Published by admin on Thu, 12/21/2023 - 1:53pm

I am a bit late decorating the tree this year. Decided it couldn’t just sit on the side countertop, and magically, one morning, I would get up and it would be completely decorated on the small table in front of the deck doors.
Son #4 did put it on the small table. It was partially still decorated from last year (some stray man wandered in, saw the half-decorated tree, and took it downstairs and sat it on its year-long perch down there). But it does need a bit more to make it pretty.

Prairie Doc Perspective: Unraveling some medical myths

Published by admin on Thu, 12/21/2023 - 1:53pm

Myths are just stories we tell ourselves and others to make sense of the world around us.  Myths convey beliefs or values and attempt to tell truths.  In their effort to tell the truth, myths may exaggerate or misrepresent things.  Sometimes this misrepresentation is innocent, while other times it is used as a tool to regulate or manipulate people.  Myths can be used to give a sense of power and control over an overwhelming situation.
Of the many types of myths, ones that deal with medicine are particularly common.  A person’s life can feel out of control during times of sickness or injury.  It is easy to feel powerless when one’s body is not feeling or acting normally.  A story that helps explain why this is happening can be comforting.  A story can assign blame to whom or what caused this. It can also serve as a lesson or a warning to others.  In every myth there is usually some small bit of truth that makes it believable.