Editorials

Ken Aucoin

A pleasant winter season continues

With the balmy winter weather we are experiencing this year, many are asking, “What temperatures are considered ‘normal’ for January?”

 

Cathy Gilbert

When He said ‘false witness,’ He meant rumors, too

I hate rumors.

 

They are nasty little things.

 

Cathy Gilbert

It takes a village to (educate) raise a nest

The County Tax Assessor’s Office info says my house was built in 1950. I was told it was earlier than that when we bought it. Regardless, as houses go, it’s old. And I love it.

 

Kevin L. Johnson

What the Governor didn’t say to the State

I listened attentively as Gov. Haley delivered her “State of the State” address. Although her speech was 16 pages long, there were many issues that I expected her to address that received no or very little mention.

 

Ken Aucoin

Check visibility when taking to the road

Weather statistic tables will often report “visibility” in miles, but when you go for your morning commute, you can hardly see across the street.  We often wonder, where is the visibility measured from and to, and why is it useful to me?

 

Cathy Gilbert

She’s a keeper, and she must be cared for

The first time I came to Manning was around Christmas in 1987. My mom had taken the library director’s job just a few months earlier and I was making my first visit to what would eventually become my home. I had flown into Columbia in what seemed to be the black of night and made the harrowing trip through the Manchester State Forest. I thought I was going to the very edge of the earth. It was so dark. I came from Miami where, unless you go to the middle of the Everglades, it is never dark. Dark in Miami is that ghastly sodium vapor light orange.

 

Cathy Gilbert

It’s not the practice of ‘Tebow-ing,’ it’s praying

Not being the rabid football fan so many of my friends are, I kept hearing Tebow, Tebow, Tebow … not having a clue what a Tebow was.

 

Cathy Gilbert

A more open world, a more closed government...

Gird your loins. This is my annual (semi-annual or more) rant about the need to participate in our own governments, from local to national.

 

Ken Aucoin

In the second week of winter …

December 2011, was quite mild, with the average temperature of 52.1 degrees – over five degrees above normal. For the most part, the month was rather uneventful, with a handful of light freezes and less than two inches of rain. The coldest we have been so far is 28 degrees.

 

Ken Aucoin

There are multiple levels of “freeze”

Now that temperatures are dipping below freezing, it is important to know that there are different levels of freezing and different issues to be aware of.

 

Cathy Gilbert

Time for those pesky resolutions again

I hope all of you had a fulfilling Christmas holiday. For those of you that celebrate other holidays at this time of year, I wish the same for you and yours.

 

Cathy Gilbert

Our grown up list for a very Merry Christmas

A Christmas song came out in 1990 with very limited success. The first time I remember hearing it was by a Miss S.C. in 2009, I think. Some of its lyrics are quoted over in that box over there.

 

Cathy Gilbert

I’m feeling like I’m just a little bit ‘Grinchy’

I know it is not a good idea to be venting right before Christmas but my colleague, Sharron Haley, recently shared a little news blip with me that has my hair on fire. Not a pretty sight, I assure you.

 

Ken Aucoin

Cold air causes fog on windows

While it has been unseasonably warm the last few days, cold weather is on its way to our area.

 

Cathy Gilbert

Time for a little Christmastime reality check

I love Christmas. I like the fact that it is generally cooler outdoors. I like Christmas lights and Christmas music. I really like Christmas food, so that makes this season a challenge for all who join me in that department.