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Several activities planned in Barbour County

Hello from Barbour County! It's been a while since I've written Life has been busy, but I'm trying to get back into the swing of things. School is out for the summer, and I'm sure that lots of kids (and teachers) are welcoming the break.  Congratulations to the Philip Barbour class of 2026! Things will look a little different for middle school in Barbour County next year, but sometimes change needs to take place. Even though school is out, there are plenty of Vacation Bible Schools around the area to take part in. Camp Popeye will be hosting VBS from June 8 - 12 from 6 to 8 p.m. ...

‘Common good’ not a priority

Arthur Larson, an adviser to President Dwight D. Eisenhower, penned a book entitled 'What We Are For' in 1959. The gist of the work focused on what came to be known as “modern Republicanism.” Larson's work amounted to a plea for a party willing to compromise rather than destroy all that the New Deal had created. Right-wing Republicans desired to rollback Social Security and other government programs. Eisenhower admired Larson and criticized Republican Ultra-Conservatives. As he expressed to his brother Edgar, if the GOP tried to liquidate New Deal programs, “You would not hear ...

Summer reading required to reduce ‘Reading Recession’

Summer Tutoring can help kids develop reading skills they may have missed because of snow days and sick days during this last long winter. If you know students in grades 1-6 who could use some help with reading skills, send parents to register students for tutoring at Kump Education Center (across from Kroger in Elkins) Monday, June 15th between 3-6 p.m. Reading scores are declining in many parts of the world, and the idea of a “Reading Recession” is in the news in different print media including The Economist, The Charleston Gazette, and our local Inter-Mountain. Randolph County ...

Try Summer tutoring because reading is still fundamental

If you have a student in elementary grades (1-6) who could benefit from summer tutoring in reading, sign up at Kump Education Center (across from Kroger in Elkins) Monday, June 15, between 3 and 6 p.m. Each student will plan to work with a tutor for an hour one day a week over a four-week period between June 16 and July 15. Tutoring sessions will be available Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday between 3 and 6 p.m., or on Saturday between 10 a.m. and noon. There is a fee for tutoring and scheduling adjustments may be made for family vacation times. Both parents and teachers are faced ...

Trump’s visit to China

President Richard Nixon and National Security Advisor Henry Kissinger received a surprise in February 1972 when they deplaned Air Force One and were immediately whisked away to greet Chairman Mao Zedong. Mao, who was rarely seen, had spent six turbulent years trying to manage the chaos unleashed by the Great Cultural Revolution. Nevertheless, he greeted the American leaders with grace and coolness. All appreciated the moment and made the most of it. Nixon was the first US President to visit the People's Republic. As with Donald Trump's visit with Xi Jinping, he tried flattery. It was ...

The approachable leader: How to let people in

What makes a good supervisor? I have asked this question hundreds of times. The consistent answers when someone says they have a good leader are, “They are approachable,” “They are willing to work side by side with me,” and, “They don’t ask people to do things they do not do themselves.” This column is on approachability. My experience is the higher a person is on the organizational chart, the less approachable others assume they are. People are reluctant to ask questions, give suggestions, and share concerns when they perceive the person is in a powerful position. ...