Opinion

It's not often that a story moves me to near tears. But the one I ran across Wednesday of last week - about a group of volunteer student pallbearers - came close. The Ohio group's work, I think, offers local young people a chance to do something similar in carrying out one of the corporal works of mercy: that of burying the dead.

It's easy for people like me without children to preach to people with kids. I do that sometimes with my siblings, all married with children. I complain about nephews who are far too young to talk like sailors and who seem to think they're smarter than their parents, or their uncle.

"District 9," the part faux documentary, part straight up sci-fi film, is one of the most enjoyable, compelling, thought-provoking films of the year. This is what great science fiction films are all about. There are amazing visuals, the action is brutal and impressive, and there are mirrors held up to humanity.

My name is Danny R. Bolin. I am an inmate at Branchville Correctional Facility and I am writing this letter on behalf of myself, Paul James and Shawn Kahler, who are housed in a therapeutic community program dorm for treatment of alcoholics, drug addictions and criminal behaviors.

It has been a great blessing to all three of us and others to have had the opportunity to participate in a treatment program such as this one.

Tell City, like most small-town communities, takes pride in its high-school sports teams and marching band.

After Sept.11, 2001, the United States found itself involved in a new kind of warfare. We had an enemy with no discernable borders, no real army or uniforms. He was elusive and was hiding in at least 40 different countries all around the world.

There was no way we could fight his kind of shadowy war. The only way to get at him was to coerce him to fight ours.

Another Schweizer Fest has come and gone. A week after its conclusion  we're left with not only warm memories of a successful community event but hope and optimism about the festival's future - and its growth.

Schweizer Fest is already the longest-running community festival in southern Indiana. That success has been achieved by providing experiences all of us look forward to, whether they be rides and games around City Hall Park, a lively beer garden, great live entertainment and crowd-pleasing attractions such as road runs, pet show and diaper derby.

Editor's Note: Due to its size, this column about a planned recovery home on Girl Scout Road will run in two parts, today and in Thursday's edition.

First I would like to introduce myself. My name is Randy Paris. I am currently the president of Recovery Connection Inc. I am also a resident of Perry County, work in Perry County and have served on boards such as the Perry County Substance Abuse Committee and the Troy Township Water Association.

Two stories, two sets of dog owners, two different levels of respect. The first story made me gag, darned-near literally. The second one is an example of being kind to your pet and your community.

Story No. 1: I was sitting in my cubicle facing Tell City's Main Street a couple of weeks ago. It was a Sunday and several people were walking down the sidewalk on what was an enjoyable sunny morning. A number of people, drivers as well as pedestrians, were stopping to purchase our Monday paper, which is usually available for purchase before 9 a.m. Sunday.