Opinion

Every year, it happens like clockwork at my house. At some point in the late fall or early winter, someone in my house gets up in the morning and stumbles to the bathroom, reaches into the shower to turn the handle ... and nothing. There’s no water...

Now that the election is over and the dust has mostly settled, I will be turning my attention to the upcoming legislative session. The Legislature will have eight new incoming senators, six of which are brand new, and two that are former senators. The two former senators were term-limited out, sat out for at least two terms, and have come back for another stint. ...

Dear Editor, It’s almost December, the November 3 election is not in our rearview mirror, but is soon going to be the biggest story going forward that there has ever been. Whether we care to admit it or not, we, as Americans, have always disagreed about things and right or wrong, we have been tolerant through it all. ...

This has been one of your old guy columnist’s favorite weeks of the year. The leftovers from the family’s Thanksgiving feast were enjoyed again. Our favorite cranberry salad, the few remaining special pastry rolls, chunks of turkey for sandwiches and small pieces of cold pie. ...

Jesus said no one will know the day or time, so stop these silly speculations. If the owner of the house knew when the robber would come, & the robber knew he knew, he would not come. How much wiser is a Good God who comes to steal away His Righteous Children & judge a wicked world!...

While the governor has resisted the call for statewide mandates, more and more local governments have acted on their own. Ricketts says imposing a mask mandate may make things worse by creating resentment and resistance, and with this year’s political climate, he may be right...

As we round the corner toward the Christmas holiday, I find myself revisiting an old conundrum presented by our seasonal symbols. I’m thinking specifically of the gift-giving bearded guy and the equally benevolent bunny. My children are grown now, but at one time, I seriously entertained the idea of not promoting those legends in my household. ...

In the early 2000s, my parents moved from McCook to a lakeside retirement community in Arkansas. Even at the time, it didn’t make sense because they had moved from Omaha to McCook just a few years earlier. Not because I lived in McCook but because of something much more persuasive: the grandkids...

Thanksgiving is a time to pause and remember the good things of the year just passed. For sure this old guy’s cup runneth over. Modern medicine and a successful heart procedure avoided COVID (at least so far), a family of grandkids to enjoy, a healthy wife, and a wonderful community in which to live...

Dear Editor, Apparently, Senator Ben Sasse has not the moral courage to stand behind President Trump in his fight to defend America’s election integrity and the sacrosanct right of the vote. It seems too that Senator Sasse neither gives a rat’s tail about justice. ...

Dear Editor, Apparently, Senator Ben Sasse has not the moral courage to stand behind President Trump in his fight to defend America’s election integrity and the sacrosanct right of the vote. It seems too that Senator Sasse neither gives a rat’s tail about justice. ...

Jesus, more than a savior Jesus is the perfect embodiment of God, Himself. God wants to gave Himself as a Gift to each & every one of us. Whatever you need, He is your answer. To the little boy who never had a father, Jesus wants to be your father. He said, let all the little children come unto me...

In 1585, English settlers attempted to establish a colony on Roanoke Island in what is now North Carolina. The colony failed, but a second attempt was undertaken in 1587. Poorly supplied and troubled by ill relations with the native populations, the colony was found abandoned in 1590. ...

The holiday season can be a joyous time as we reunite with family and friends, as well as a time of despair for those who may not be able connect with loved ones or who are alone. Domestic disputes and, sadly, suicides become more common during a normal holiday season, but this year’s pandemic is likely to magnify the problem by orders of magnitude...

Dear Editor, Most of us know the story of the Pilgrims and their settlement at Plymouth, Mass. However, we probably are not aware of all the adventures of Captain Myles Standish, a military leader of the Plymouth colony. He never joined the Separatists or Pilgrims’ church. His build was short and stocky, and he had red hair. When he became agitated, he turned very red in the face. He was like a chimney that was set on fire. His bravery was never questioned...

Supporting and empowering our youth is a topic that should never far from the surface for our community. From grants for youth programs to scholarships to youth organizations, young people are a priority for the McCook Community Foundation Fund. But for many years, there was something missing ... making young people feel like they should return to our community and make an impact...

Dear Editor, I agree with anyone who says we don't need laws to tell us we HAVE to wear masks to keep from getting Covid. When the Spanish Flu was wiping out a huge swath of the world's population back in 1918, laws were put in place requiring mask wearing once they realized how much masks helped...

As I write my column on Monday this old grandpa is babysitting. Actually “baby” is sort of a misnomer as the grandson is a strapping fourteen years of age. The rest of our extended family is scattered to the four winds and my office is in the home — well why not? The young man has a slight fever, doesn’t feel well and sleeps a lot so double tasking is no problem. ...

Dear Editor, I want to send a letter of appreciation to the Copper Mill restaurant, Pinnacle Bank and Voltz Plumbing for the wonderful Veterans dinner last night. It was a 5 star meal. My husband and I enjoyed a great evening out. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We are touched by your generosity and humbled by your recognition in a day and age of such sad division in our country. God bless you and God bless the USA...

A missionary is sent by God to a people who (may or may not) bless their stay among them. Is there opposition in your home, your neighborhood, your workplace, your church? Often as a missionary your worst enemies are in the tribe you serve. Yet, they remain for a God-allowed purpose...

Elections and occasional irregularity The saga continues. Left-leaning media are fond of saying that the administration’s claims of election irregularities are unfounded, but there is plenty of smoke. The several allegations being thrown at the current projection of a Biden/Harris victory range from ridiculous to the sublime, and a few have already been struck down by the courts. ...

Dear Editor, I am writing a letter in hopes that you could put my needs in your paper. We have had a stroke of bad luck. My daughter was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer a year ago, and at the same time, her roofs were damaged from the wind and hail storm...

Happy Birthday today to the US Marine Corps and to all our local former Marines that have served this country in war and peace. Then tomorrow the 11th is our annual Veteran’s Day. The date is chosen to remember the close of World War I, 11-11-11, effective on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month of 1911...

Jesus said, Love God & Love All other Humans (not just the ones in your group that love you back - as the heathen do). Scripture further says, “All who come in the name of the Lord are Not necessarily His.” And, “ I have others of another flock that you don’t know & I must go to them now.” If you are born again, & Jesus said you must be...the Holy Spirit lives in you & He will not let you be deceived for long...

Incumbent members of Congress have a definite advantage when election time rolls around. We’re quick to condemn representatives or senators from other districts or states, baffled at how their voters can send the same buffoon back to Washington year after year...