Columns

By Ashley D. Swanson

Every year, without fail, as soon as I step onto the dirt at the Clay County Fairgrounds, I’m engulfed in the feeling of home.

No matter what else may being going on with life, all of it drains away and my mind is refocused on the events, the shows, and the people of the Clay County Fair.

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By Tory Duncan

Traditionally I kind of wrap up the Clay County Fair while it is fresh in my mind, but this year, my county fair thoughts are going to have to stay fresh in my mind for another week, which I will share in next week’s paper when we publish our annual special salute to the hard working kids, parents, grandparents and all the amazing volunteers that make what is one of my favorite events of the year in the county.

This year, it is my position this week to ask YOU all for your feedback.

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By Tory Duncan

Traditionally this is the week that I lend my words to the Clay County Fair, and even though my thoughts aren’t directed that way, before I dig in to the Bull this week, be sure to support the kids and families that work their tails off to reach the point of the annual event.

It is, and always has been, one of my favorite events of the year!

This past week was to be my “little getaway” from the pace of a usual work week, but because of a few things here and there, it just didn’t work out to get away.

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By Ashley D. Swanson

When I was younger, and even into college, I was an avid writer. Now, I know how that must sound. I’m an avid writer now. But these things I was writing were stories, ones that came from my mind and usually spiraled down in a chaotic explosion…meaning I never finished these stories.

Being an avid writer now means finishing the stories, and having them come from real people with real stories in real situations.

Let me tell you a short story now, one that wasn’t made up, but is instead of how far a dream can go if you work hard enough to achieve it.

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By Ashley D. Swanson

Reading through countless news articles Thursday morning, I still couldn’t wrap my head around the fact that someone walked into a newsroom and killed five journalists and injured two staff members.

What is wrong with people? It’s a question I asked myself, and others, many times since that day.

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By Tory Duncan

This past week has led me to a whirlwind of thoughts that kept changing by the day, sometimes by the hour, which I am used to during the busy school year, but not necessarily during a routine summer week.

By Tory Duncan

Duncan’s at it again many of you will say...you’d be right! However, I’m cheating a little bit to “preach” my thoughts.

This past weekend I found a piece written by York Public Schools Superintendent Mike Lucas. Man did it hit home and make sense, not just for students but adults alike!

I traveled to Albion Saturday to take in the Six-Man All-Star football game and made it north in time to stop at the local Pizza Hut and have lunch. In the place were fans from both Nebraska and Wyoming...full families and groups of what I assume are friends and it just totally blew me away how many people were glued to their phones, with four to five people sitting at the same table...doing the same thing.

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By Ashley D. Swanson

The first responders of Clay County, and just any first responder for that matter, have my immense respect.

What they do comes at a price—they miss or have to leave family functions; some situations can be tough on their mental well-being; at times, the hours are long; the trainings take quite a bit of time...but through all of that, first responders never complain about having to help someone who’s having the worst day of their life; they never think someone else will get to the call; they’re present, even at the worst of times.

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