Columnists
Amy, Emily & Branna Dive Into Etiquette, Grace
What comes to mind when you think of the words finishing school?! The final bell at the end of the school day? Secondary education or post-graduate studies? Do you even think about it at all? I know I sure didn’t as a young teen until my mom handed me the huge, hardbound Bible of best…
Read MoreColumnist Reminds Us All to Never Forget Atrocities, Horrors of Holocaust
How do we keep memory alive? At that point where memory becomes history? Late January in Indiana is a time that a friend from Texas refers to as “The Gray Zone.” While not a lot is going on, for the Indiana State House things are in full swing to get the Rotunda ready for a special ceremony. Every year, representatives, judicial officers and executive staff take time…
Read MoreRemembering the Too-Short Life of Purdue Great Rondale Moore
These are the toughest columns to write. My friend and longtime Journal and Courier colleague Jeff Washburn used to write heartfelt tributes for high school athletes who died too young and for Purdue greats who he admired. I always admired his skill of persuading grieving family members to talk about their children or their husbands/fathers.…
Read MoreAsk Rusty About Claiming Social Security Early and Investing It
Dear Rusty: I am a 63-year-old single lady, and I have questions regarding Social Security “early retirement,” though I will still be working full time. I know there is a maximum allowable income limit and, if I exceed that, I will need to return probably 2/3 of my received Social Security benefit. I’m thinking about taking those…
Read MoreBranna Celebrates National Schools Week
We’ve got spirit, yes we do! We’ve got spirit, how ’bout you? This week marks National Public Schools Week 2026, celebrating the achievements of public schools, educators and staff. Led by the Learning First Alliance, this annual initiative aims to showcase what’s happening in our public schools, their current challenges, solutions and the ongoing improvement…
Read MoreWhy I Love Noblesville Schools
Did you know this week is dedicated to celebrating public schools? Well, if anything ever deserved a tip of the seed corn cap . . . this sure fits the bill. In addition to that, my alma mater (Go Millers!) has a thing going on, Why I Love Noblesville Schools. So guess what I’m writing…
Read More‘A Man of Strong Convictions of Right’
From Time to Thyme By Paula Dunn When I wrote about the Neal family a few weeks ago, I deliberately included a mention of Reverend Jabez Neal, the first Neal to settle here, because even though he had nothing to do with the newspaper business, he left his own mark on this county. According to…
Read MoreHeights Superintendent Kicks Off Public Schools Week
Today kicks off Public Schools Week — a national celebration dedicated to recognizing the essential role public schools play in shaping the lives of young people and strengthening the communities they call home. This week invites us to pause and reflect on the profound impact of public education, not just as a system, but as…
Read MoreThe Temper of God
Temper: a state of mind… or to moderate something. Tempering: to let a big, fat juicy steak rest at room temperature before throwing it on the grill! When we hear the word temper, we often think of anger or a deeply frustrating annoyance, often with outward signs of display. It was not the anger of…
Read MoreBoy Scouts Celebrate 116th Anniversary; Columnist Celebrates Boy Scouts
Boy Scouts Celebrate 116th Anniversary; Columnist Celebrates Boy Scouts To do what’s expected of them. It’s human nature to look at one’s own upbringing as the apex of virtue: to hold one’s beliefs and lofty morals in juxtaposition to the worst actions of a younger generation. I’ll admit I hold a similar opinion. A few years ago in December of 2022, I sat at a book presentation in Dana, Ind.:…
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