Every day decisions must be made in our lives which deviate living from the norm. Much of it is stimulated by the results of the pandemic COVID-19. Schools and school boards must make decisions in uncharted areas. Online only, or a hybrid, or, blend? In the most recent week many
Last of three parts The second part is available at thevoice.us/prison-reform-rooted-in-care-better-than-punishment Mary Rinaldi and Ashish Prashar posted the following article in Fast Company. “Imagine a world without prisons. It may sound radical, but for millions of black and brown Americans, this fantasy is urgent and necessary. “Programs based on this
First of three parts “Younger than Springtime are you. Gayer than laughter are you.“Sweeter than music are you.” —Richard Rodgers Spring cleaning had come early due to the stay-at-home directives in the Spring. Closets, drawers, garage, pantry all were involved. I came across my journal entries from the Eurail Pass
As millions lose their $600 unemployment checks and coronavirus (COVID-19) deaths realize new highs, I’ve been thinking about my teeth. Not because I have any major dental problems other than my bicuspids occasionally bursting into flame for no apparent reason, but because I’ve been wondering what would happen to my
Intolerance, insensitive, incapable. Likely we can offer improvement as individuals in at least those three areas. Perhaps it is easier to see those flaws in others than in ourselves. In these highly-political days, too many of us see society through our own lens and fail to understand more thoroughly another
Second of three parts First part is available at thevoice.us/beginning-the-long-journey-significant-change-in-prisons Mary Rinaldi and Ashish Prashar posted the following article in Fast Company, a business magazine in print and online. “Imagine a world without prisons. It may sound radical, but for millions of black and brown Americans, this fantasy is urgent
When Robert Louis Stevenson, romancer, essayist, writer of adventure stories, analyst of the moral ambiguities of man, tried to explain his ideas about the differences between morality and religious institutions to his father, he tried in vain. Stevenson said he accepted the ideals of Christian morality while repudiating the Church
One in a continuing series Concerning the further adventures of PFC Chas: The Third Armored Medical Company, a.k.a. the “Third Herd,” in the land of door handles (Germany) was logistically a MASH (mobile army surgical hospital) unit, but we never performed similar to a MASH unit. We were too busy
School districts around the country are developing plans and preparing to make decisions whether to hold classes, in-building, virtual, or, even not at all. There will be national impacts, of course, however, school boards, communities, and districts, will make the final decisions. • The U-46 Board of Education, in the
First of three parts Mary Rinaldi and Ashish Prashar posted the following article in Fast Company, a business magazine in print and online. “Imagine a world without prisons. It may sound radical, but for millions of black and brown Americans, this fantasy is urgent and necessary. Prison has been a
“A short introduction to learne to swimme.” -C. Middleton circa 1595 The year was 1909. The Messina earthquake of 1908 struck the Straits of Messina in southern Italy and destroyed cities and caused up to 150,000 deaths. Compare that to 636 Italian deaths from COVID-19 as of April 7, 2020,
It’s hard for me to crack the writer’s block this week, because I’m constantly bombarded with the latest Trump idiocy and inanities. Let’s see if I can change the subject slightly. I can focus on face masks. It’s now confirmed by doctors and other science professionals, that wearing a face
COVID-19 cuts a wide swath into our daily lives and routines. The impending Fall school year is in jeopardy of several potential tragedies. If students miss a school year, or, a half-year, because of contagion of the novel virus, it would be a tragedy. Students, especially younger, more pliable children,
July had arrived. Not of a thousand Julys as the song went, but this July. Anna was playing tennis with her friend Janet. It was a hot July day and the friends had been playing tennis together for the last 10 years. The thermometer hovered at 85 degrees. The sun
Tear it down! That seems to be the rallying cry across these United States (or is it these “Untied States”?) in a loud and clear voice against white supremacy. Most of the action is taking place east of the Mississippi River where white supremacy once held sway in the Southeast.
Important items cross our paths with the celebration of Independence Day and have difficulty securing space. For example: • Representatives of Batavia Reconnected disbursed checks recently to 11 Batavia businesses for up to $1,500 to cover additional expenses during COVID-19. Every little bit helps. Most communities are making efforts to
John Adams, who was graduated from Harvard College, was the husband of Abigail Smith Adams, and the father of six children, one of whom, John Quincy Adams, became president of the United States and served one term in the 1820s. John Adams was a lawyer, a farmer, and a revolutionary.
It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood. Our president, Dr. D. Trump, has denied permission for Dr. Fauci to speak to news outlets so he will be the only source of COVID-19 information. That’s good news because The Donald has said the 99% of COVID cases are harmless. There may
Living in a rural central Illinois town, Toulon, population 1,400, I am alert to any forces that might spur relocation to hinterland communities, which are often struggling to maintain population and vitality. Are the pandemic and recent urban, sometimes violent protests such prompts? I conclude there might be some, modest
Liberty. Freedom of speech. First Amendment rights. Independence. Self-determination. They are components of Independence Day and the resultant celebrations which are important to many U.S. residents, including individuals who inhabit these parts of our world. Those lofty goals are still a part of what most of us seek to achieve:
