We remain Highland County's only locally owned and operated newspaper, and we think that really ought to mean something. When local readers and advertisers see a datelined financial story from New York that says some financial restructuring investment banking group announced the placement of $62.5 million in senior credit facilities following the formation of blah, blah, and blah…it's not this newspaper. Never will be. And don't worry. We're still your only locally owned newspaper. You want to speak with the owner, just give me a call. A local call.

From all early indicators, Congressman Wenstrup is the real deal. He's yet to learn the fake sincerity and convenient political-speak of his Republican predecessor in the Second District. Maybe the Highland County GOP can also extend an invitation to Dr. Carson one of these days. In fact, he'd be a great speaker for any public policy event – regardless of political affiliations.

From all early indicators, Congressman Wenstrup is the real deal. He's yet to learn the fake sincerity and convenient political-speak of his Republican predecessor in the Second District. Maybe the Highland County GOP can also extend an invitation to Dr. Carson one of these days. In fact, he'd be a great speaker for any public policy event – regardless of political affiliations.

Prior to settling in to watch Super Bowl 47, your only locally owned and operated, independent newspaper of record has a few housekeeping matters to address. Let's get right to it, as kickoff is only a few moments away. To begin with, there was a bit of misinformation shared at the Jan. 23 meeting of the Highland County Board of Commissioners.

Every now and then, you just have to follow the lead of one Ferris Bueller, who took an infamous day off from school some 27 years ago. Matthew Broderick said it well in his title character from the 1986 film: “Life moves pretty fast. You don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” Ferris went to a baseball game on his "day off."

There's an old axiom that suggests "Nothing is against the law until someone … er (complains)." There's also an old newsroom standard that goes like this: "People will tell you they want the truth, until the truth lands at their doorstep."

Highland County hunters and anglers are very fortunate to have a local store like Town and Country. For many years, if they needed something, that was the place to find it.

My heart says big brother John Harbaugh wins the Super Bowl. My head says younger brother Jim wins. We'll see. Either way, I am happy for Father Jack Harbaugh.

Gene Patterson and Ralph McGill can have a drink now and maybe exchange edits on a much more spiritual text. (Jeremiah's earlier works might be under a bit more editorial scrutiny now!) One thing's certain: The South and the nation were better places because of their humanity toward their fellow man as exemplified by Gene Patterson and Ralph McGill. Newspapers were better, too. A lot better.

Just for the record, I am happy to live in an area where there is absolutely no doubt where the red dots and blue dots will appear on the map. (Everywhere.) In our neck of the woods – where we have more red and blue dots than a Smurf with the measles, an armed society remains a polite society.

After three decades of putting more ink on paper than Bartleby, the Scrivener (thank you, Mr. Melville), one of the greatest things I've come to appreciate about the online version of your only locally owned newspaper is this: When I delete those asinine comments from the occasional anonymous online commenter, Mr. or Ms. Anonymous never calls or emails to complain. Gutsy folks, those anonymous talkers.

Today seems as good a day as any to bring back those wonderful Sunday Funnies. No, and with regrets, we won't have Hi and Lois, Hagar the Horrible, the Lockhorns or Blondie and Dagwood. Not even Beetle Bailey, B.C., or the Wizard of Id, sadly. Besides, who needs Popeye and Pogo when you've got those Curmudgeonly Comics of Congress?

With such close friends and admirers as the befuddled Sen. Harry Reid and the behemoth Gov. Chris Christie, Ohio Congressman and House Speaker John Boehner doesn't need anything from this ridgerunner's peanut gallery. But Whiskey, Tango, Foxtrot. This is my column. The Speaker of the House must go.

Being an eternal optimist – and one who rises each morning around 5 a.m. just tickled to be alive – I tend to always look on the bright side of life. (Whistle your own tune, Monty Python fans.)