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Columns

  • COLUMN: Thanks, first responders, for having our backs

    A nap to recover from an end-of-week and out-of-town meeting was all that stood in the way of having a nice dinner date with my husband on Friday night.
    Or so I thought.
    Around 6 p.m., however, I found myself awake and hearing one end of a conversation about a tornado warning.
    My mother-in-law called to tell us about the impending storm, so I sleepily dragged my feet into the only real “interior” room in my house – the bathroom.

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  • COLUMN: A ‘freshman’ review of the regular, special sessions

    Thanks for taking a moment from your busy schedule to review the 2011 regular and special sessions with me. My freshman experiences were educational and exciting. While it would be easy to feel overwhelmed and discouraged, I see great opportunities to make positive changes for our district, state and nation.
    I’m happy to discuss any specific issue with you personally. For now, let’s focus on the two bills, from both sessions, that created a lot of discussion: the Medicaid budget shortfall and Kentucky’s dropout age.

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  • Must. Get. More. Sleep.

    I am not an exemplary figure when it comes to good sleeping habits. In the past, and even sometimes now, I sleep whenever I can. I also tend to be a night owl and a morning zombie, so the idea of early to bed and early to rise is one I am working to embrace, but I definitely have progress to make in that area.

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  • COLUMN: This week’s paper is on us

    Many of you were surprised when you went to your mailboxes and found today’s edition of the Spencer Magnet. And, don’t worry – you will not be receiving a bill for this edition – because this one is on us!
    It is important to us to do whatever we can to see that everyone has access to today’s issue because it not only contains our regular A and B sections, but it also has a C section that focuses on health, and it includes our annual Easter section.

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  • COLUMN: Hold, please. Yes, I'd like fries with that.

    One morning last week, I went through a local drive-through for a much needed cup of coffee (heavily flavored, of course).
    As it was a particularly sunny morning, I was wearing my sunglasses – probably the ones atop my head in the photo to the right. As I approached the window, I did as I normally do and positioned my sunglasses just as they are in this photo.

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  • COLUMN: Bench players play role, too

    Most of the state is abuzz with chatter of the University of Kentucky Wildcats ending a 13-year Final Four drought.
    Lots of national attention has been placed on Brandon Knight, Terrence Jones and Doron Lamb — the fabulous freshmen that Calipari teams are becoming known for.
    Now, sportscasters are starting to pay attention to our veteran players, DeAndre Liggins, Darius Miller and, Jorts himself, Josh Harrelson.
    But, if you ask me, some very important role players aren’t getting the attention they deserve.

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  • COLUMN: Moving along with Main Street Phase II

    Countless hours have been spent working diligently on Phase II, to insure compliance with Federal and State guidelines. One of my character flaws is the lack of patience; I am constantly reminded that possessing patience is a virtue.  Every setback encountered only unifies those involved, city and county officials, as well as, Main Street Committee members. The completion of the revitalization on Main Street is our collective goal.

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  • COLUMN: No matter the diction, recycling is best

    When we use our normal English in conversation, we have a mental picture of the noun or pronoun we use for descriptive purposes.
    For example, “to,” “too” and “two” are all pronounced the same, but have totally different meanings.
    Therefore, consider the word “waste.” We can say the word identifies that which is left after we finish using an item (i.e., potato peelings, worn out brooms, tires, etc.).

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  • COLUMN: Help make Spencer a showplace

    When I was young, we had a small population in Spencer County. Even so, we had few wild animals other than rabbits and general varmints. We did have a cleaner landscape as one could drink from a small running branch without much danger of getting sick.

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  • COLUMN: Flattered, but no relation

    Monday afternoon, I walked into the open house at Seven Counties and heard what is becoming a very familiar question. Well, I sort of heard it.
    I struck up a conversation with a very nice lady, and it went a little something like this:
    “Shannon, I saw your article in last week’s paper, and your last name is Brock, so I bet you know what question I’m going to ask,” she said.
    “Yes,” I responded.
    “Well, are you?”
    “Nope, not to my knowledge.”

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