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The first big crop of the season — grass

I’m sure every property owner in Eastern Ohio has noticed that grass-mowing season is upon us. It’s a great sign that warmer, sunnier days are soon to come, but it’s also exhausting. At this time of year, when it seems the rain might never stop, the grass on our lawns — and the weeds around their perimeters — just soaks it all up, using the moisture as fuel to grow ... and grow ... and then grow some more. We were all grateful to awake to some sunshine on Friday. The chill that had been in the air all week quickly melted away. And then the engines started. I think nearly ...

Recognizing the extra challenges teachers face

Teacher Appreciation Week, May 8-12, is just one chance for us to thank our teachers for the vital role they play in, literally, shaping our future. They inspire and educate the next generation, guiding them toward achieving their dreams, while simultaneously helping create the workforce that drives our nation’s economy. Despite their essential role, however, teachers are often undervalued and underpaid, which contributes to a teacher shortage with potentially long-term impacts on our young people and America’s competitiveness. The number of teaching graduates has been declining ...

A global community setting up shop here at home

This week we were in Washington, D.C. at the SelectUSA Investment Summit. This is a conference and exhibition put on annually by the U.S. Department of Commerce to encourage foreign investment in the USA. Every United States State and territory is represented with an exhibit booth. Some companies exhibited and well as other local and regional Economic Development Organizations like Shale Crescent USA. This year, SelectUSA had a record attendance of over 5,000 people from all over the world. Shale Crescent USA was an exhibitor. Nathan, the SCUSA president, Lynnda my wife and ...

Another year, another garden begins

Spring has arrived. Have you started planting your garden yet? I have — because my eye doctor insisted on it! For some time now, Dr. Doug Huff of Barnesville has been telling me something I already knew. I wait until too late in the season to start planting my crops, especially things that do well in the chilly spring soil. He decided to put a stop to that and got me started planting this year by providing me with a large container filled with fresh, young lettuce sprouts. After I picked it up, I followed his instructions, I simply disturbed the soil and set the little plants in ...

It’s time for Europe to adjust or be left behind

Last Sunday my daughter, Dannielle and I ran a half-marathon in Toledo, Ohio. The weather was cool, great for running. It was a beautiful course winding through neighborhoods. Dannielle and I had some great conversations. Her college roommate is now a doctor in Toledo who has a lake cottage. We spent Saturday relaxing and visiting on the shore of Lake Erie. These are the kind of trips we missed during the pandemic. My race training was hampered by a painful injury. I was only able to do a 9-mile training run, instead of the usual 11- or 12-mile long training run. Race day I felt ...

A life-changing moment and a chance to help

We all know it’s true, but sometimes we forget (or try to forget). But regardless of whether we ignore it or deny it, the fact is that life can change in the blink of an eye. And that is exactly what happened for a Martins Ferry man and his family several days ago. That man is Jeff Williams — a friend of my husband Mike’s since they went to Bridgeport High School together. Jeff and his wife Christi (Trigg) Williams and their daughters, Kiri and Ashlyn, have made their home in Martins Ferry for a couple of decades now, and Jeff and Christi both work at local businesses. Kiri is ...