Columns

Several times over the past couple of weeks I’ve heard the phrase deferred maintenance. They were all in reference to buildings – new homeowners realizing the extent of what they have to do; workers putting a new roof on an old building explaining how it got so bad; a newcomer lamenting how much work there is to be done on the property he oversees.

My heart has been burdened lately for our youth. We hear so much about children who make terrible choices and face a life of ruin and despair. From a medical and neurological perspective, children and teens are just wired to make impulsive or risky choices simply because their brains are still under construction.

In my social living colum in the newspaper, I sometimes put what special day or week it is, and it’s usually something real comical. But this week I want to address National Telecommunicators Week. This is the week that is set aside to honor dispatchers, our unseen and sometimes unsung heroes. I have been thinking about what I can do to honor them. I try to show them as much as I can how much I appreciate and respect their professionalism, their work ethic, and their commitment to making East Carroll Parish safer.

At certain points during a March special meeting of the Lake Providence Board of Aldermen regarding the issues with the town’s police department, many voices talked over each other, not necessarily saying anything directly to anyone else, but just commenting to the room at large. “It’s wrong... they’re doing us wrong…I know where that money went, uh-huh…you got that right…it ain’t right, no way.” There was no shouting, just raised voices, loud talking, murmuring. Forcing others to have to raise their voices to ask questions.

DEAR EDITORS: I compliment the local newspaper for publishing, and Debra Hopkins for writing, the two very excellent articles which appeared in the April 3 edition of the Banner. These articles concerned Transylvania, and the benefits of growing up and going to school in a small community.

God made man in his image, and we made dogs in ours. That is the thought that occurred to me this weekend as I was driving to bury one of my own. Pretty sure that is a quote from someone,butsinceIcouldn’t find it on the internet, you can attribute it to me. From the Chihuahua to the Great Dane, the Schnauzer to the… well, Giant Schnauzer. They all descend from one ancestor, the wolf.

It's My Turn By Debra Hopkins Every day I pass through the town of Transylvania on my way home from work. Much of the time, I pay little attention to my surroundings.

For Our Health By Amy Hale As the flowers bloom and the grass grows tall, millions of people brace themselves— not for nature’s beauty, but for the sniffles, sneezes, and itchy eyes that come with allergy season. Whether you're battling pollen in the spring, mold in the fall, or dust mites yearround, allergies can be more than just a nuisance.

DEAR EDITORS: When they vote on March 29, Louisiana voters should reject Constitutional Amendment No. 2.

(Using) My Voice By Cassie Condrey This is my first spring in my home and, as we do most of our living on the second floor, I have watched with something like wonder from eye-level as the tops of the trees have changed. We’ve mulched the fallen oak leaves and cut branches of redbuds for arrangements and from my kitchen window, my son and I have laughed at the squirrels’ antics.