Columns

By TORY DUNCAN

For the past several weeks I’ve been reading over and over and over again a condensed article that was shared with me via email from an editorial that was published in the Smith Center County Pioneer in Kansas.

The author of the editorial, Darrel Miller, shared some perceptive thoughts regarding a study that was done by former Kansas State University professor Dr. Cornelia Flora. Flora’s study gave thoughts as to why some communities prosper and why others “wither away.”

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The Legislature convenes in a few months. It’s a long session in a non-election year, traditionally the best time to talk about that 800-pound elephant in the room, taxes.

Yes, we’re having leftovers, but everything is on the table. Or should be to deal with the problem of property taxes. And, the entire Legislature should join the newly minted Revenue Committee at the table. The governor and lobbyists should respectfully await their turns.

The state’s two largest think tanks have already weighed in. As expected, the conservative Platte Institute says the problem is sales tax exemptions. Director Jim Vokal of Omaha said those exemptions already cost the state $4.8 billion a year. Removing some of them would bring in more revenue for property tax relief.

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By Tory Duncan

With the recent news of the financial stress that the nursing home industry is struggling with because of the lack of Medicaid reimbursement and a nursing shortage, Walt Becker, a resident of the Sutton Community Home, decided it was time to speak his mind....and boy did he.

Walt, as many of you know, is a proud man, a man that will share his thoughts and a man that has seen it all; there is no “sugar coating” when you have a chat with him.

This past Friday afternoon, while I was at the Sutton Community Home, Walt, while getting in his daily exercise routine, stopped me and well, we talked, mostly about the story on our front page last week regarding the Sutton Community Home’s financial losses last fiscal year, but with Walt, a conversation will go anywhere.

By Ashley D. Swanson

Due to both of our schedules, Loetta and I don’t get to see each other that often, or at least spend more than 30 minutes with each other.

Honestly, some days that’s a blessing because either one or both of us are not in a good mood and our attitudes don’t make situations better. So staying away from each other is actually good once-in-awhile.

By Ashley D. Swanson

Afew weeks ago I wrote about nurses being angels in disguise.

Last year, I wrote about the importance of keeping a nursing home in your town. In 2009, I took a test and officially earned a badge that stated I was a Certified Nursing Assistant.

Prior to 2009, I learned to have a love for caring for others and understood the importance of having facilities for those who can no longer care for themselves, compliments of my mom, the CNA and med aide.

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By Tory Duncan

I think that this past week in the rollercoaster ride of being a Husker football fan over the course of the past several years might be that so called rollercoaster ride that is Nebraska football, as it is right now.

We all know and feel that Big Red football will be back where it belongs, in a yearly battle to be national champions again, that is the hope and desire, but over the past two games, we’ve learned some lessons as fans.

Week one, with the deluge of rain that cancelled the Akron game left us waiting and ready to see the new era of Nebraska football, then week two, UGH! It taught us to be patient.

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By Ashley D. Swanson

U nexpected conversations are the best. And I’m not talking about those bad unexpected conversations— like coming home from school and your mom is standing with one hand on her hip and has that look on her face that says, “We need to have a talk.”

I’m talking about the unexpected conversations that come about and lead to many different topics or where you learn something or leave you with a happy feeling afterward.

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By Tory Duncan

Sunday’s adventure at Old Trusty always gets me into what is usually a really good conversation with somebody. This year was no different.

The topic this year? Volunteering to support your communities!

We’ve seen a few Letters to the Editor as of late related to the Sutton American Legion, and over the years I’ve often felt that being a volunteer, while it definitely adds to your “to do list,” it’s also a rewarding experience, at least most of the time.

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By Tory Duncan

Nebraska was in a total frenzy for nearly 300 days, since the hiring of one Scott Frost. Saturday night was to be the night to see the life in which Frost and his staff had breathed into the Cornhusker football program, but a higher power, even that of Frost, decided that maybe Akron wasn’t the right season opener!

Of course, I was just as hyped up as most Husker fans were to get the ball rolling, but you know, after getting through the disappointment of the game being “postponed” (most likely canceled), I’m OK with that.

I’d much rather open the year with Colorado, who up until both Nebraska and Colorado left the Big 12 conference, was a feverish rivalry (according to Colorado anyway...we all knew who Nebraska’s big rival was), sometimes even mean and fierce, if you will.

By Ashley D. Swanson 

W hat do you get when you combine Scooby- Doo shows, cupcakes, living room camp outs, and coffee?

Answer: A dang good weekend.

Saturday my sister Zoey came up for a weekend visit.

This day proved to be more chill than Sunday, as we arrived back in town by 3:30 p.m., and we were all decently tired.

Before Loetta had to go to work, we enjoyed ice cream cones...which Zoey proceeded to get all over her face and clothes. Back at home, she decided to spread as many toys as she could across the living room floor, and then use me as a jungle gym.

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