guest column

Janet Mills: Gifts of the car wave hello

September 4, 2024

Since the earliest days of human history, our neighbors have shaped our lives in profound ways. It’s difficult to find true purpose if we can’t first create a sense of peace with the people around us.

Jon Horner: What’s next?

June 5, 2024

As I started on this month’s column, the graduation season was concluding. That became the reason or idea for my “What’s Next” theme.

Janet Mills: The most honorable man I ever knew

June 5, 2024

Is the road to acquiring genuine compassion only found by traversing painful experiences? Is it in times of trials and suffering when our deepest bonds of connection to others are formed? Maybe a transformation takes place when we personally connect with our own pain and then we can truly begin to understand the pain and suffering of others. The hurdles and obstacles we face can easily embitter our outlook and cause us to become self-centered and even angry.

Lynn Hilburn: Work still needed on Bayless-Salyer house

April 9, 2024

We have finally completed the placing of the columns on the front porch at the Bayless-Salyer House at 9th and Townsend streets. The Barry County Historical and Genealogical Society would like to thank the people, families and businesses who have contributed money to pay for the purchase and installation of the new columns.

Michelle Hilburn: Faith in the future of literacy

April 9, 2024

April is not only a month to celebrate the return of spring, but it’s also the month the library community celebrates school libraries and school librarians. Executive members of the American Association of School Librarians created this annual celebration to highlight the work school librarians and school libraries do to support student learning.

Merlyn Johnson: Safeguarding our children — Navigating the digital landscape

April 2, 2024

As educators and parents, we are entrusted with the monumental task of working together to guide our children to achieve a bright and fulfilling future. In today’s digital age, where the internet pervades every aspect of our lives, this responsibility takes on a new dimension.