Semi View/Hard-working FFA students have bright futures ahead (05/13/08)
Experts often say that when you "catch" your children doing something good, you should praise them right then. They say that's better than scolding them for doing something wrong. Well, I agree, and this past two weeks I caught about 400 Saline County high school students doing something "good" at the Sweet Springs, Malta Bend, Slater and Marshall FFA banquets...

The Shepherd's Heart/Throw another log on the campfire (05/08/08)
Ahhh. The clear night skies. The smell of Oak and Walnut burning in the fire ring. The melodious symphony of a pack of coyotes singing in the woods. The wind whipping through the trees. These are a few of my favoritest things -- things that come as part and parcel of the first family camping trip of the year...

Adventures in Libraryland/New face behind the library's circulation desk; Book sale set for May 9-10 (05/07/08)
I'm pleased to announce that we have a new circulation clerk at the library. Denise Parris comes to us from Florida but was born and raised in Columbia. We encourage everyone to stop in and welcome her. The library's semi-annual Book Sale takes place all day on Friday and Saturday (May 9 and 10). There will be a variety of children's books as well as paperbacks. You don't want to miss it!...

Semi View/Weather: The farmer's ever-present worry (05/06/08)
Weather. As a kid, I never worried about it, unless it rained when I wanted to swim or play outside. Of course, like any other kid, weather was important when it snowed -- and I got out of school. Other than that, I really didn't care. My children never had that luxury. No at our house, it is a rule -- no make that a law: There is no talking, crying, sneezing, coughing or even heavy breathing during the weather report...

Adventures in Libraryland/Marshall library launches (04/30/08)
Thank you to the people who attended the storytelling programs offered by Bil Lepp last week. As those of you who had the opportunity to enjoy the storytelling know, the library is starting a storytelling group. The Finney Creek Storytellers is being formed to offer a place for beginning storytellers to come and meet other storytellers as well as having the chance to practice their storytelling in a supportive environment...

BYS VIEW/Prevention begins with awareness: Some causes of child abuse (04/30/08)
Since the month of April has been designated Child Abuse Prevention Month, we'd like to share some thoughts about its causes.It would be very easy to say that there are bad parents in the world; however, in 25 years in the field, I have never met a parent who set out to do a "bad" job with his or her child...

Recollections/Napton connections to Murray family past and present (04/30/08)
Randy and Diane Parker are good people, gracious as part of their character. They live off County Road 215 going from Wilton Springs to Napton. Their distinctness in their relationship with others are about the norm for the Napton neighborhood. Sam Igo lives there and his son, David, and family live there, too. ...

The Shepherd's Heart/Seek not the solution to moral decay in gun control (04/25/08)
Today we have many conveniences that we did not have 40 or 50 years ago. However, I must ask whether we truly believe our country is better off than it was 40 or 50 years ago, especially considering the fact that we have more lawlessness than ever. Rest assured that it is not my purpose to try to reform America through this column, or even to encourage you to reform America. ...

BYS View/BYS director: April is Child Abuse Prevention Month (04/25/08)
Passers-by on Route WW on the city limits of Marshall may notice pale blue ribbons tied around the trunks and branches of budding trees. Over the last several years, we Americans have identified ribbons on homes and trees as a way of speaking out for a cause...

Adventures in Libraryland/Quack! Meow! Hello! A children's book review (04/25/08)
One of my favorite things about working with books is that, in all honesty, we have a book for everything. Whether your child is getting ready for their first dentist visit, or getting ready for the first day of school, or any one of the million things families get to look forward to, we have a book that will help you out...

Semi View/A watched field never dries (04/23/08)
It's "hurry up and wait" time at the farm. "Hurry up" because we (and every farmer in our county) want to get the corn planted. "And wait" because it is too wet to get in our fields. It seems like we go through this at least once a year -- sometimes at planting and sometimes at harvest. ...

The Shepherd's Heart/It's party time -- play it smart (04/17/08)
Spring is here, and along with come it parties, family get-togethers, graduations, proms, and other such spring oriented special events. To some, even those who normally do not partake of alcoholic beverages, the season may seem like the perfect time to have a few "social" drinks. April is Alcohol Awareness Month, so in the interest of public service, here are a few alcohol related facts to consider before you pop that tab, uncork that bottle, or screw the top of that long-neck bottle...

Adventures in Libraryland/Library makes changes based on results of patron survey (04/16/08)
I want to thank everyone who participated in the library's most recent survey. Because of suggestions from our library customers, there will be several new services available at the library. First, the meeting room is available for use as a quiet study or reading area when not in use by the library staff or a group who has reserved the room...

The Shepherd's Heart/Food scarcity is bad, but there are worse famines (04/10/08)
This world we live in is quite familiar with famines. In the Bible, we read about the seven-year famine during the days of Joseph. During that time, only Egypt had plenty and it was because Pharaoh had enough sense to listen to God's man -- Joseph. The scriptures also tell of a three-year famine in the days of David. "Then there was a famine in Samaria...

Recollections/C.G. Page oversaw construction of Saline County Courthouse (04/09/08)
In 1882, the builders of the courthouse in Marshall placed a cornerstone on the southwest corner of the structure. "C.G. Page, Sup't." is inscribed below the names of the three judges of the county court. "C.G. Page was the commissioner appointed by the county court to superintend the construction of the new court house, and the building was constructed under his special direction and supervision," according to W.B. Napton's "Past and Present of Saline County."...

Adventures in Libraryland/Young library patron's review catches the eye of famous author (04/09/08)
The coolest thing happened last week! Those of you who had the pleasure to read the March 19 interview with Sophia Bolser, who offered her opinions on the book "Cookie's Week" by Tomie dePaola might be interest in what happened next. Apparently, Mr. dePaola found out about Sophia's review of his book and he wrote her a letter in care of the library. He even sent pictures of himself and his pet...

Semi View/'King Corn' is propaganda -- and it's personal (04/08/08)
I often hear people say "it's a small world." But I really don't think about it much until "that small world" comes right into my life -- and in this case my heart. Almost seven years ago, two young men, graduates of Yale University, stopped by and spent the night at our farm...

OBTW/Tired of taxes? Talk to the guy behind the tree (04/04/08)
The late Senator Russell B. Long of Louisiana, long-time chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, is famous for his definition of tax reform: "Don't tax you, don't tax me. Tax that guy behind the tree." And wouldn't it be great if that's the way it worked?...

The Shepherd's Heart/It's all very simple, really (04/03/08)
It's a simple gesture, really. The slight wave of a hand; the gentle nod of the head; the second-nature brush of fingers on the brim of a hat or cap. Simple gestures that tell someone -- even someone you don't know -- that they are noticed. In today's world -- our "gotta get there now 'cause I gotta get me mine before someone else gets there and gets their's" society -- something as simple as a nod or a wave or a cordial "How do you do?" goes a long way...