Columns

These might well be the most important words that I write this year... our kids are not reading anymore.

Everyone says there is a crisis when it comes to our children in today’s world, but are they really the problem? Could it be that adults are the primary problem leading to disruptive behaviors among our kids? The disciplinary problems that exist at homes and schools across our community and the nation as a whole start in the home. Many of us have abandoned the values that we were raised with, instead adopting the standard of “well, everybody else is doing it this way.” Trying to raise our children like this is wreaking havoc in our homes.

I drove slowly through town Friday night. My husband was away for a work trip. My one-year-old who has a pretty devastating case of hand foot mouth disease was asleep. My fiveyear- old was watching Beethoven, a movie from my childhood, with the babysitter. All was okay.

Last week, we were trapped in the house due to the snow and extremely cold weather that came through our area. We only see this type of weather once every few years with the last one in February 2021. It was the first time in my lifetime that I can remember the mailman delivering mail on a Sunday.

We’ve experienced a lot of negative events here in East Carroll over the past few years, some originating from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, some from ongoing systemic issues like poverty, poor physical and mental health, disinformation.

This Monday we celebrated the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

DEAR EDITOR: I was so proud every time I drovethroughtownandsaw Lake Providence decked out in its Christmas finery. The decorations were beautiful, and the efforts of those who have been working to improve our small town have not gone unnoticed.

You all have had lots of RSV questions lately. Honestly, I don’t know a lot about the vaccine, but I am learning and will share as I learn.

From the window by my desk, I saw the looks of joy on the faces of a few local ladies while they were coordinating the decorations for the Christmas season on Lake Street. Thanksgiving was in the rear view mirror and a season of celebrating the birth of the Savior was approaching.

When Cassie and I bought this newspaper two years ago, one of our goals was to make sure people in East Carroll Parish stay connected. Today, we recommit to that goal by renaming this newspaper that’s been continually published for 136 years, as well as unveiling a new website and social media presence.