Groundhog Day, Feb. 2, as we all know, is the day when a politician comes out of his hole; and if he sees his shadow, we’ll have at least six weeks more of political shenanigans. Sadly, even if he doesn’t see his shadow, we can always count on at least six more weeks of dubious politics.

Groundhog Day, Feb. 2, as we all know, is the day when a politician comes out of his hole; and if he sees his shadow, we’ll have at least six weeks more of political shenanigans. Sadly, even if he doesn’t see his shadow, we can always count on at least six more weeks of dubious politics.

Highland County, like the rest of our great nation, has its share of volunteers. For those of us who pay attention, well, we know many of these kind-hearted souls. We know about the South High Street restaurant owners who have done so much to help others. The young people they’ve employed. The veterans they have welcomed. The dollars they have donated. We know their names, too. And we thank them. To be sure, there are others.

Highland County, like the rest of our great nation, has its share of volunteers. For those of us who pay attention, well, we know many of these kind-hearted souls. We know about the South High Street restaurant owners who have done so much to help others. The young people they’ve employed. The veterans they have welcomed. The dollars they have donated. We know their names, too. And we thank them. To be sure, there are others.

I’m not sure that anyone touched on goats – even kidding about them (OK. Sorry. I’ll stop kidding around about goats.) – at this year’s Agriculture is Everyone’s Business event at Southern State Community College on Jan. 16. But maybe someone should have.

I’m not sure that anyone touched on goats – even kidding about them (OK. Sorry. I’ll stop kidding around about goats.) – at this year’s Agriculture is Everyone’s Business event at Southern State Community College on Jan. 16. But maybe someone should have.

While this arrangement has been, by all appearances, profitable for the mayor (i.e., administrator), council owes it to taxpayers to ensure that their money is being similarly well spent. This is by no means a disparagement on the Paint Creek Joint EMS and Fire District or, more specifically, its negotiating board of trustees. No one can blame the Paint board for being a better poker player.

While this arrangement has been, by all appearances, profitable for the mayor (i.e., administrator), council owes it to taxpayers to ensure that their money is being similarly well spent. This is by no means a disparagement on the Paint Creek Joint EMS and Fire District or, more specifically, its negotiating board of trustees. No one can blame the Paint board for being a better poker player.

The “new math” solution requires writing 36 digits, drawing nine boxes, and dividing these nine boxes diagonally into 18 boxes. At the end of the exercise, it can best be described as a numeric game of tic-tac-toe. Grandma’s Math is much more practical – and conventional – than the tic-tac-toe method. It requires just 23 digits – including the answer: 151,678

The “new math” solution requires writing 36 digits, drawing nine boxes, and dividing these nine boxes diagonally into 18 boxes. At the end of the exercise, it can best be described as a numeric game of tic-tac-toe. Grandma’s Math is much more practical – and conventional – than the tic-tac-toe method. It requires just 23 digits – including the answer: 151,678

Regardless, my proposition to Mr. Maurer of the Hillsboro Argus is as follows: “I will wager a bottle of Buckeye Vodka, made right here in southwest Ohio vs. a bottle of Oregon wine of your selection. Should you have any interest or require any proof of identification, feel free to contact me.”

Regardless, my proposition to Mr. Maurer of the Hillsboro Argus is as follows: “I will wager a bottle of Buckeye Vodka, made right here in southwest Ohio vs. a bottle of Oregon wine of your selection. Should you have any interest or require any proof of identification, feel free to contact me.”

Surveyors have always been held in high esteem by me. Think about it. Whatever road you travel, before there was a road, there was a surveyor. Before there was a railroad line or an airport runway, there was a surveyor. If you’re a fan of electricity, you might know that before there were utility poles and power lines in place, there was a surveyor. The same goes for water lines, sewer lines, bridges, urban streets and sidewalks, baseball diamonds, football fields, community subdivisions, shopping centers and movie theaters. Surveyors were there first.

Surveyors have always been held in high esteem by me. Think about it. Whatever road you travel, before there was a road, there was a surveyor. Before there was a railroad line or an airport runway, there was a surveyor. If you’re a fan of electricity, you might know that before there were utility poles and power lines in place, there was a surveyor. The same goes for water lines, sewer lines, bridges, urban streets and sidewalks, baseball diamonds, football fields, community subdivisions, shopping centers and movie theaters. Surveyors were there first.

Surveyors have always been held in high esteem by me. Think about it. Whatever road you travel, before there was a road, there was a surveyor. Before there was a railroad line or an airport runway, there was a surveyor. If you’re a fan of electricity, you might know that before there were utility poles and power lines in place, there was a surveyor. The same goes for water lines, sewer lines, bridges, urban streets and sidewalks, baseball diamonds, football fields, community subdivisions, shopping centers and movie theaters. Surveyors were there first.