Columns

Just one more term. Yes, lawmakers are once again considering giving themselves 12 years instead of eight to figure out how things work and try to do something for their constituents.

On a good day, I think term limits should be eliminated as they were until 2006. On a bad day, I think a monthly contract seems too gracious for some of the babbling, bumbling idiotic things that state Senators do.

Norfolk Sen. Robert Dover has offered LR22CA, a proposed constitutional amendment that potentially would extend the current limit of two consecutive four-year terms for state senators to three consecutive four-year terms. If approved by the Legislature, the proposed constitutional change would be put to voters at the November 2024 general election.

Dover said while he favors term limits he is concerned about the loss of institutional knowledge under the current system.

There are many distractions that adults and youth alike face in today’s ever-changing world. Finding something that provides oneself with a sense of purpose and hope can help one stay grounded.

Today’s 4-H professionals continue to work in the positive youth development area by helping youth find their spark which motivates youth to accomplish something and find a purpose in their lives.

National 4-H has launched a model, called the 4-H Thriving Model, which has several social, emotional, and cognitive learning pieces that intentionally aim to help youth succeed or thrive. One of the indicators of a successful youth program is providing youth with a sense of “hopeful purpose.”

When youth have hopeful purpose, they see themselves as being on the way to a happy and successful future.

Research shows that youth with a sense of purpose are more goal-directed and have increased life satisfaction, better emotional well-being, and great positive affect.

Accomplishments are a small part of my 58 years, almost 59 years, but they are a very small part. I’ve never been a big person on awards and accolades, it’s just not how my “ticker” works, but I often step back in this game of life and wonder if I’m truly still “writing my story.”

I’ve often shared in this weekly column that I don’t need the feedback, good or bad, to tell me if I’m working this community newspaper gig the right or wrong way, but it still leaves me wondering about how my lifetime story is working out.

There are days that I wonder if I’m missing out on something...if I’ve forgot something. Many of you that truly know me, know that I’m an “on-schedule person.”

Deadlines have always been a part of what I do on a day-to-basis, ever since I was a kid growing up in this small town newspaper world, watching my parents trudge through the muddy waters of the business world and life in general.

With the weather finally warming up and school moving along, as well as community events, we’re slowly moving into one of the busier parts of the year.

Recently you’ve probably seen some photos with a “Courtesy Photo” credit on it.

With a small staff and events starting to pile up on each other, it’s unfortunately common when we can’t be at all events, especially if there are multiple events at the same time.

However, going back to the courtesy photo credit lines, we greatly appreciate everyone who has sent us photos of events and school activities.

If you notice we’re not at an event or you see something going on photo-worthy and we haven’t arrived yet, feel free to snap a photo and send it in.

Deadlines, deadlines, deadlines. I’ve led most of my life, say after I turned 14 or 15, of following a schedule, and when I decided to step into the newspaper business to follow the lead of my parents, I knew that I was at the mercy of even more deadlines.

I remember, as a kid, both in elementary, junior high and even high school, that my parents were always at the “phone always rings,” point in their lives.

Back in the day, when your name and home phone was published in what we used to call a phone book, you were never out of reach, even if it was at 11 at night.

This brings me to my point this week. I’ve seen numerous social media posts that boldly state: “don’t text me or call me after hours. I’m not a 24/7 booking agent for you to get an appointment, or in my case, send a picture or place an ad in the newspaper.”

Wrestling, as I’ve shared many times over my newspaper career, isn’t a sport for the faint of heart, meaning both the athlete himself, or herself, as well as for the fans of the sport. I myself DO consider myself a fan, because outside of most track and field events, wrestling is all about the individual, which sure, benefits a team’s score, but in the end, wrestling is all about that one athlete, as he or she steps on the mat.

Coaches, moms, dads, or family members can’t wrestle for each athlete, all they can do is coach or suggest moves.

Over the course of the past couple of weeks, Clay County’s wrestling teams entered the post season, taking part in district competition. From those district meets, there will be four wrestlers representing our local schools at the state meet.

It’s incredibly easy to fall into the regular routine of life, where you do the same things day in and day out.

This year I wanted to challenge myself in various ways, the first being by reading more.

Now I know I’ve said in the past that I was going to read more, and then suddenly it’s the end of the year and I read maybe three books the entire year.

This time, though, I asked for 12 book recommendations from friends/ family, and that’s what I plan to do.

Already this year I’ve read two books— “What Moves the Dead,” by T. Kingfisher, and “The Lost Village,” by Camilla Sten. I don’t really recommend either book; I especially did not like “The Lost Village,” which was a huge bummer because the concept of the book is great, but it was poorly executed.

Unfortunately, neither of those books were recommended to me, so I’m already behind because I am by no means a fast reader and will not finish a book by midnight tonight (Jan. 31).

Year after year the home stretch of the winter sports season always creeps up on me, this year is no different. We’re just two weeks away from the state wrestling championships, which also means we’re just a little over two weeks away from the girls sub-district tournaments, and so much more post-season action.

This week, as most of us all know, is conference tournament week for our local schools. The Southern Nebraska Conference wrestling meet was held this past Saturday, with Sutton and Sandy Creek both coming away with two conference medalists.

By the time you read the Bull this week, the action on the hardwood for the SNC and Twin Valley Conference basketball tournaments will be halfway through each respective tournament.

It’s been a rough season for the Harvard girls basketball team.

Currently, just prior to a second round with Elba on Thursday and the opening- round of TVC play on Saturday, they sit at 0-16 on the season.

However, that is not to say they haven’t fought and worked hard in the games they’ve played so far.

I’ve covered several home games they’ve played, as well as the holiday tournament in Kenesaw back in December.

Due to this, I’ve seen a variety of plays, opponents, hard-missed shots, and easily-sunk 3-pointers.

As with every sport no matter the team, there are extra rough games and there are the better ones. There are lost and won quarters; foul outs; small numbers; and everything in between.

But there are also well-done plays; 100 percent from the foul line; tough players; and there are great moments on and off the court.

My observation from the opening days of the 108th Nebraska Legislature: “The fix is in!”

Google it, information worth having as this highly partisan influenced session stumbles on. In the 20’s, when the term first surfaced, it meant the deal was done–robably in advance. There is also mention made of bribes or pay-offs. I’m not suggesting that’s in play right now, or is it?

Chairmanship races this year were cut and dried, not unlike five years ago when the majority party in the officially non-partisan Legislature met before the session convened and decided who was going to do what. This year was similar with the 32 Republicans exercising their power in numbers over the 17 Democrats. Most seats went to Republicans.