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Sherwood Forest: A top secret operation xx

Throughout American history individuals or small groups have made a big difference. Recently, I was a guest on an Oklahoma radio show about energy and manufacturing. One of the listeners asked if I had seen the PBS documentary “Sherwood Forest.” It aired in January. I hadn’t heard of it. He sent me the link to the movie. It’s a great story of the hard work, ingenuity, team work, bravery and dedication of 46 American men who helped win WWII and our continued freedom. It’s important for us to understand our history. Here is a brief summary of the story. In 1943, France and ...

Grant provides opportunities for business in Appalachia

Southeastern Ohio businesses were given a powerful new tool that is paying dividends across our region thanks to JobsOhio. JobsOhio, Ohio’s private economic development corporation, rolled out the Inclusion Grant program in 2020 to help existing Ohio businesses invest in and grow their operations. Through the program, scores of locally owned small businesses in Appalachia have received funds that can be used for equipment, infrastructure, training, and other essential costs. We believe many more companies can benefit from this program, and we wanted to share examples of how area ...

Bidding farewell to community leaders

Eastern Ohio residents learned this week that some key players in their community are taking on new roles and stepping away from the posts they have held in the public eye for several years. I had the pleasure of sitting down for one last interview with outgoing Martins Ferry police chief John McFarland on Wednesday. The very next day, we received word the Belmont County Common Pleas Judge Frank Fregiato also plans to retire at the end of June. Both of these men have been key players in providing justice for the people of the county for a couple of decades. And both have focused on ...

Recall the meaning of the empty tomb

Most authorities agree that a missionary, Mr. Roberts, first introduced the lovely Bermuda Easter lily, which so many of us enjoy today. Many of the Easter lilies which symbolize the Resurrection in churches everywhere are Bermuda lilies. Thousands and thousands of lily bulbs and stems are exported from Bermuda each year. They were first introduced to Bermuda about 1850 when Mr. Roberts, whose ministry coincides with that date, was returning home from Japan. The lily is a native of Japan—the Ryukyu Islands to be exact, a chain of islands stretching from the south of Japan to ...

For centuries, the truth has set us all free

Some years ago, my wife, Lynnda, was working at a nursing home. She came home from work in tears. “I’m going to get fired tomorrow.” When I asked what happened, she explained there was an incident with a patient. Two of the nursing assistants who were responsible got together and blamed Lynnda. They were all going to meet with the director the next day. I told Lynnda, “Just tell the truth. It doesn’t change.” The next day Lynnda was smiling when she came home and said, “The director talked to each of us separately in her office. The nursing assistants couldn’t get their ...

Spring Break: Soak up the sun, not the screen

Spring break is an opportunity for families to escape their monotonous daily routine and indulge in relaxation. And whether your family is jetting off for spring break or has a staycation planned close to home, spending some quality time together is likely high on your list. But how do you accomplish that when everyone (even you, parents) is glued to their phones and tablets 24/7? Let’s face it: our phones are an extension of our hands. It’s hard to imagine taking a trip to the store without a device, much less a full vacation, even if your goal is to spend more time with your ...