2013 Columns Archive Stories

A young man found a $2 bill on the road. From that time on, he never lifted his eyes from the ground while walking. In the course of 40 years, he accumulated an interesting collection. This treasure comprised 29,516 buttons, 54,172 pens, 7 pennies, a bent back and a miserable disposition. He lost the glory of sunrise. Beautiful sunse

• Wellton Elementary School — Kindergarten Child Find for the 2013-14 school year will be from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday through May 23. If you have children who will be 5 by Aug. 31, call 785-3311 to make an appointment. If you know of a child from birth to 5 with a disability or suspect disability, bring the child to Child Find.

We may not be able to grow raspberries in Yuma, but blackberries certainly enjoy our hot climate. By the beginning of April, white flowers are popping out all over blackberry bushes, and by May, delicious berries are ready for picking.Sandy Silvas, owner of Silvas Farm, has grown blackberry bushes for many years.“I

Itching to visit Australia but don't have the time or money? Why not bring a bit of Australia to your patio by planting Kangaroo Paw, Anigozanthos flavidus?It grows naturally only in western Australia, but many hybrids have been developed and offered for sale worldwide. Its unusual blooms are a cluster of bent, fuzzy petals that remi

• Wellton Elementary School — Kindergarten Child Find for the 2013-14 school year will be from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. May 20-23. If you have children who will be 5 by Aug. 31, call 785-3311 to make an appointment and get more information. If you know of a child from birth to 5 with a disability or suspect disability, bring the child to C

Life is beautiful. These words hang on a frame in our kitchen wall. Some may consider this statement naive or blissful, but I truly believe one can find beauty in every season of life, even during difficult times. I do admit, in certain situations our sight becomes blurred by the pain or the challenge life brings. But if we are able

For many families, their vacation homes hold a special place in their hearts. A vacation home in the family can be the source of memories of special times shared with family and friends. Summer and/or winter weekends and holidays at the lake, beach or mountain home give a rare chance for families and friends to bond without the distractions of t

“Tough as a mule and pretty as a prom queen” describe a unique bulb, the crinum. It has graced Southern gardens and been a “pass along plant” from one gardener to the next for generations. Its trumpet-shaped blooms hang in clusters from a tall stalk and steal the spotlight from other summer flowers.Nurseries h

• Town of Wellton — Next alley cleanup will be the first week of May. Town council meetings are 7 p.m. on the first and third Tuesdays of each month.• Fundraising raffle — The Tacna Volunteer Fire Department is holding its annual fundraising raffle. The drawing will be 6 p.m. Saturday at the Tacna Fire Hall. Thi

April is child sexual abuse prevention and awareness month. Having a child sexually abused or physical hurt is often a parent's worst nightmare. However, many parents can turn their fear into action by understanding that they are the No. 1 protective factor in a child's life.Most children are sexually abused by a family member or som

For many years, it has been wisely suggested that we “think globally and act locally.”We begin by embracing all humanity in our hearts and prayers and expanding our vision to a world that works for everyone. Until we dream a greater dream for our planet and truly desire a vibrant life for all our brothers and sisters, ine

Just as gardeners plant seeds in their gardens and hope for beautiful blooms later on, so, too, does Crossroads Mission.Myra Garlit, executive director, her staff and volunteers from the community plant seeds of hope and change in the lives of hundreds of people enrolled in the mission's homeless, drug abuse and alcohol recovery prog

I was recently presented with an exciting opportunity that required me to think about doing something that I had never previously considered. This required a complete reframe of the plans I had previously made for myself. All of us have felt that feeling of restlessness and stagnation in our lives at some point. For me personally, th

This story, adapted from McGuffey's Third Reader, is about help that comes from a source that knows our need and provides for those who are unassuming and weak.During a drought, a rich baker sent for 20 of the poorest children in town. He said to them, “In this basket there is a loaf for each of you. Take it and come back to me

Obtaining a healthier self is something many individuals strive for in our society. Getting yourself healthy is a great idea, but an even better idea is to get the whole family healthy. Here are some tips and concrete steps for working toward getting the entire family healthy.Current statistics from the Centers for Disease Control (C

It was Ralph Waldo Emerson who urged, “Let us take our bloated nothingness out of the path of the divine circuits.”This is a great reminder to be less attached to our personality, with its behaviors, quirks and demands, in order to open ourselves to the flow of something greater. We are far more than our human activities

• Mohawk Valley School — School will resume after spring break on Tuesday.• Dateland Elementary School — School will resume after spring break on Monday.• Wellton Elementary School — School will resume after spring break on Monday.• Wellton Rose Garden — The last wor

Becoming an Outdoors Woman (BOW) has put together their spring workshop for April 19-21 near Prescott at the Friendly Pines Camp, sponsored by the Arizona Wildlife Federation in partnership with the Arizona Game and Fish Department with over 30 classes for ladies to choose from. If you are interested in the outdoors, this is the place to learn h

• Easter sunrise service — An Easter sunrise service will be 6 a.m. Sunday on the east side of Antelope hill.• First Southern Baptist Church — Easter services include Sunday school at 9:45 a.m. and Easter worship services at 11 a.m. Free Kiwanis breakfast included.• Mohawk Valley School —

How many times have you seen a close friend or family member in need and offered to help? Most of us are more than willing to offer assistance to those we love. When situations like this arise, there are often two types of people. The first type of person offers to help with a phone call or email by saying, “Please let me know if you need

If you haven't been to the water with your fishing pole since our cold temperatures took a hike, do it now and don't hesitate.Water temperatures have started a warming trend. Local fish, especially largemouth bass, are cruising big time with the spawn in progress at local waters.Awhile back, Bob La Londe, local bass man w

A cross-country hiker was in a densely forested area. His high altitude trip was in a very remote region. Traveling in the declining light of evening, he accelerated his pace, realizing the imminent potential of being caught in the forest at night. The experienced hiker was surprised and concerned when he came upon two young Boy Scouts in unifor

I plan to live till I am 107. Not too sure where 107 comes from but it is the number that pops into my head over and over when I am thinking about my life. So why not? I think living till 107 sounds grand. To accomplish this goal, I know that I need to keep my body in the best shape possible. I am on an exercise program (not too hard

Here's what's going on in the east county this week: • Mohawk Valley School — Parent teacher conferences are March 27-28 with early dismissal at 12:30 p.m. each day.• Easter sunrise services — Sunrise services are 6 a.m. on the east side of Antelope hill.• First Southern Baptist Church &

Contentment is not a word commonly used in our culture. And how to attain contentment is considered by some as one of life's mysteries. According to our good friends Merriam-Webster, to be content is to feel or show satisfaction with one's possessions, status or situation. Yet, we must learn contentment is not found; it is an attitude.