Columns

Ray Frazier, longtime radio personality and former town alderman, passed away December 23, 2024 at of 81. According to Norm Davis, who worked with him at the Lake Providence radio station when it was KLPL years ago, Frazier was a “radio legend.

I wanted to live. You know, I actually notice overweight people less now than I used to.

As 2024 ends and a new year begins, every single thing I can think of to write sounds cheesy. Gratitude and platitudes go hand in hand but make for measly words that don’t fully express my heart.

If you’re looking for me on the road anytime soon, don’t blink. Speed limits and school zones be damned, I’ve got places to be, things to do and people to see.

The special meeting of the East Carroll Parish Hospital Board ended without a decision by the board to address a 21% increase in employee health insurance premiums. Megan Dunn with the Dunco Group informed the hospital board that a larger than average number of claims was the major reason for the increase in premiums.

My focus for 2024 was getting my family settled into our home. It might be the first year I’ve ever done what I set out to do. I recognized this time last year, as I sat where I sit now, that I had little else in me. I might have named my focus “survival,” if I were looking for something more general.

Well, it’s that time of the year. Time to make resolutions you are probably not going to keep. I mean, let’s be realistic. A bad habit is hard to break. So I don’t try to make any because I know the chances of keeping them are slim. But if I COULD make resolutions that I would keep, these are some of my resolutions: 1) Lose weight. Of course, that is always the first one on most people’s lists. And for those who are skinny, well, I love ya, but I don’t like you. 2) Quit losing my glasses. And keys. And phone. And checkbook. The list could go on and on. I am absentminded. So there’s no need to make this resolution. 3) Drink water. Yeah, right. 4) Quit spending money uselessly. If it’s on sale, I want it. I might not need it, but if it’s a great bargain, I am going to get it. Speaking of money, maybe I’ll make a resolution to break that I will be more fiscally frugal. Too much month at the end of my money. Anybody else have that problem?

As the year comes to a close, it’s the perfect opportunity to focus on our physical and mental well-being. With holiday festivities in full swing, balance is essential to finish well and start 2025 strong!

My wife, Shelby, and I were recently in the Big Apple celebrating our anniversary. Two whole years we’ve been married now. We decided that until we have kids, we would take trips that we wouldn't want to take with little rascals. New York is nearly at the top of that list, though we saw plenty of people braving the cold and the crowds with theirs, something I’ll never understand. I barely understand the appeal of New York in general, but Montana and Wyoming weren’t on the table, so to the Big Apple we went. All jokes aside, we had an incredible trip. Just the sheer magnitude of a place like that is something to behold, along with the raw evidence of the indomitable human spirit. New York stands in opposition to everything I understand in the world, but I digress.

The retail world is insidious, vicious and cruel. Of course, we all know some of their games. Used to, instead of raising prices, they just gave you a smaller package and boasted that their prices are remaining the same. Now they don't even bother with this subterfuge. They just sell us two ounces and charge us $20 for it.