Columns

By VINCE LUECKE, Editor

Time is scarce for all of us, but investing an few hours – as little as 90 minutes Tuesday – over the coming months can help several groups move forward with important projects.

The public is welcome to attend a Tuesday gathering to hear updates to Perry County’s Hometown Competitiveness project, which launched last year. Volunteers are working on five broad areas important to the community: youth, leadership, entrepreneurship, leaving a local legacy and rural families’ economic success.

By VINCE LUECKE, Editor

There might be a new entertainment option for New Year’s Eve this year. Instead of gathering around the television to watch New York City’s famed ball drop in Time’s Square, a large illuminated apple may drop in or near City Hall Park.

It may be a novel idea to ring in 2013, but members of the Perry County Quality of Life Committee are exploring the idea as a New Year’s Eve event. Hopefully, the event would be a hit its first year and then grow in popularity each year thereafter.

By VINCE LUECKE, Editor

I try to get to weekday church at least once every couple of weeks. Friday was such a day. I went because it was the feast day of St. Blaise and because I was happy to be on the upswing from a nasty bug of some type that kept me on my back the previous day.

It’s on Saint Blaise Day that in some churches the throats of the faithful are blessed, usually with a pair of candles. Father Dennis did that after Mass Friday morning.

Why the throat?

By VINCE LUECKE, Editor

My father died the morning of Jan. 16. Losing a parent to a terminal illness has to be one of the most challenging things an adult can face.

My father, whose legal name was John but who was known by most of his friends as Paul, suffered from lung cancer for about two years. He died peacefully in his sleep and for a loved one who knew he wasn’t going to get better, a quiet death is a blessing. I felt guilty saying that to myself and to others over the past week, but I no longer have any reservations.