New Senate’s focus must be building up, not tearing down

November 7, 2014

Let me tell you a story.Once upon a time, six frogs sat on a log, on a hot July day. Four of the frogs felt just too warm, and decided to jump off the log.Here's a question: how many frogs are on the log.The right answer, my friends, is six. Because deciding is different from doing. It is safe to expect this is what we'll see the Republican party learn over the next few months as they take leadership of the Senate. The people have decided; now it's time to get to work, to do something to prove your leadership to us.Whether or not you're thrilled by this change in Washington, there are ...

Remembering the front porch days

November 4, 2014

Whatever happened to the front porch? Why are nearly all post World War II homes built without one? Most of the older homes that have front porches were most likely built before the Great Depression. During the 30s, few new homes were built, and World War II saw virtually no homes being built at all.I don't know about you, but if you have ever experienced living in a home that had a front porch, you just might share my sad feelings about its demise. Front porches made us neighborly. It seems that front porches of that bygone era sat much closer to the sidewalk and street, so it was an ...

Looking at the history of Halloween

October 28, 2014

Trick or treat. Smell my feet. Give me something good to eat!Thankfully, now that I'm grown up with a home of my own, there really isn't much of a threat of being "tricked" by kids on Halloween. I've never had to smell any feet either, for that matter.My children don't have to wear stiff character masks that have huge holes to see through and a tiny slit for air, like I did as a kid. Remember those masks with rubber bands that always snapped and the matching plastic smocks?My children don't have the same freedom to wander the streets after dark, knocking on strangers' doors, and eating ...

Groups get books, backpacks to kids

October 27, 2014

WARREN - Volunteers from GFWC Ohio Warren Junior Women's League were in every second-grade classroom at Jefferson PK-8 School in Warren providing backpacks and books and reading to students as part of the United Way's Reading Great by 8 Literacy Initiative.Ginny Pasha, president of United Way of Trumbull County, said, "Reading 4 Fun is one of several programs within our Reading Great by 8 Literacy Initiative, all of which are designed to increase the number of Trumbull County children reading at grade level by grade three. Reading 4 Fun will help children experience the fun of reading ...

With Election Day around the corner, keep these issues in mind

October 24, 2014

With fall upon us with beautiful certainty (how can you hate Ohio when the trees look like they do?) there is something else adorning our yards and streets amidst the leaves: political signs pleading with you to vote for their candidate or their cause. It's true: Election Day is just around the corner, and I wanted to share with you three causes worth your consideration in the coming days and weeks.First, on the ballot this fall is a levy for Trumbull Career and Technical Center, which plays a significant role in educating and training teenagers and adults alike with key skills for a ...

BMX can make dreams come true

October 21, 2014

Bicycle Motocross or BMX racing is a type of off-road bicycle sprint racing for up to eight racers on a dirt track course. It's a family-oriented activity with riders who can be any age from 4 to 70.My younger son, Matt, now a grown man with a family, a bit more than three decades ago was a shy 10-year-old who was quite avid about the idea of BMX racing.I had helped him build up a pretty good BMX racing bike, and now came the time for the true test his first BMX race.We loaded up the old Cadillac with the bike. Matt, his mother and I drove down to Harding Park in Girard, the venue for a ...