Special thanks is extended to two area residents – Bob Hodson and Jim Lukens – for recently sharing a bit of local history with The Highland County Press.

Buc-ee's are located in Texas, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Kentucky, South Carolina and Tennessee, with new locations planned for Colorado, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Virginia, and Wisconsin. There's land available for development along the Appalachian Highway (Route 32) in Ohio. Who knows? Maybe the Buckeye State is in Buc-ee's future. Just south of Beaver in Pike County would seem appropriate.

In true Iron Man Mark Purdy fashion, let's delve into one of those infamous "Better Mail Than Jail" columns on this cold, late January day. The HCP mailbag news begins on a positive note with a recent handwritten letter from our friend Bob Hodson. Bob wrote that he was going through some files and found a 2011 column I'd written about the passing of Country Music DJ Radio Hall of Fame member Chuck Collier.

"I have always had a deep faith in God and through all of this, I have asked Him to guide me all the way. I have been reminded over and over again of the greatness of God. Not my will, but His. He was my God before all this started, and He will be my God throughout Eternity. Again, thank you all." – Betty Bishop, April 2022

Aside from a moment or two in the country's history, men have held the POTUS office since 1789 when Commander in Chief of the Continental Army George Washington became the nation's first president. Maybe it's time for an all-female presidential ticket and Cabinet. Could they be any worse than the current hot mess in Washington, D.C.? Without further proprieties, let us consider the following for future leadership of the greatest nation on earth.

Aside from a moment or two in the country's history, men have held the POTUS office since 1789 when Commander in Chief of the Continental Army George Washington became the nation's first president. Maybe it's time for an all-female presidential ticket and Cabinet. Could they be any worse than the current hot mess in Washington, D.C.? Without further proprieties, let us consider the following for future leadership of the greatest nation on earth.

Aside from a moment or two in the country's history, men have held the POTUS office since 1789 when Commander in Chief of the Continental Army George Washington became the nation's first president. Maybe it's time for an all-female presidential ticket and Cabinet. Could they be any worse than the current hot mess in Washington, D.C.? Without further proprieties, let us consider the following for future leadership of the greatest nation on earth.

As reported this week, several Democratic senators have spoken out against raising interest rates – less than one week before the midterm election – the horror. The Dems say this will put more Americans out of work and result in a painful recession. I thought the president's mouthpiece has insisted we are not in a recession. Why are top Democrats breaking from the team's talking points just before the general election?

The Highland County Press reported that Bill has served as county auditor since 1990. I told Bill this week that since I have been a newspaper editor in one form or another for the last 32 consecutive years, I should retire as well. But Bill corrected me and actually acknowledged that I am much, much younger than he is. Bill's public service began well prior to 1990. He was a schoolteacher beginning in 1969. If memory serves, he also worked in the public realm (today's Word of the Day is "realm," by the way) for Congressmen Bill Harsha and Bob McEwen. Thus, Bill has maybe parts of seven decades in public service. (Forgive me for pointing this out, Bill.)

"Joe Fraysier was a true public servant. He served for many years as a township trustee in Union Township, plowing snow, cutting trees off the roadway, ditching and many other duties which most townships hire to be done. Joe performed these duties himself." – Highland County Democratic Party Chair Dinah Phillips

I seriously doubt that most major corporations and woke municipalities are anywhere close to being carbon neutral. However, I am – and I've been carbon neutral for more than three decades.

My personal memories of Concord Elementary School are always revisited with a smile and positive reflection. First, credit goes to Principal Loretta Dean for running a taught ship (pun on "taut ship" intended). Indirectly, Mrs. Dean taught me the definition of the word "rowdy."

My personal memories of Concord Elementary School are always revisited with a smile and positive reflection. First, credit goes to Principal Loretta Dean for running a taught ship (pun on "taut ship" intended). Indirectly, Mrs. Dean taught me the definition of the word "rowdy."

My personal memories of Concord Elementary School are always revisited with a smile and positive reflection. First, credit goes to Principal Loretta Dean for running a taught ship (pun on "taut ship" intended). Indirectly, Mrs. Dean taught me the definition of the word "rowdy."

My personal memories of Concord Elementary School are always revisited with a smile and positive reflection. First, credit goes to Principal Loretta Dean for running a taught ship (pun on "taut ship" intended). Indirectly, Mrs. Dean taught me the definition of the word "rowdy."