Human nature can be a troubling thing. One of the problems is that we're all too often predisposed to whatever's new and shiny on the market. A good friend of mine could take a glance at the Hope Diamond and utter a simple, one-word description in his best Homer Simpson impersonation: "Shy…nee…"

Had we known there'd be gifts, flowers and cake delivered to the new HCP digs, we'd have moved a long time ago. Seriously, who knew there'd be cake? (Thanks, Carina May!) To all of you who were so kind and thoughtful to acknowledge the HCP's new office opening on South High Street, we thank you. Your generosity was much appreciated. You really didn't have to do that!

As to the physical relocation of The Highland County Press, three people have worked very hard to make this all come about: Jim Matticks, Rosemary Ryan and Kathleen Fuller. Mel and Bonnie Nicholas of Wilmington also deserve our heartfelt appreciation. I'm sure they had better things to do this weekend than carry office furniture. Thanks, Mel and Bonnie.

Bud Brown, many local Republicans might recall, is a former Blanchester newspaperman who represented the Seventh Congressional District from central Ohio. (If memory serves.) When Bud asked how my mother was doing, we touched a bit on his own health. (Bud had suffered a stroke, maybe four or five years ago.) He and Joyce were surprised that I remembered his birthday. It's easy, I told them. Bud was born in the summer of 1927, the year of perhaps the greatest Major League Baseball team ever: The Murderer's Row 1927 New York Yankees.

Regardless of the outcome of the Hillsboro's mayor's race, we look forward to working with the next city administration, much as we have enjoyed working with the present administration. After all, it is our government – and we'll have the government we deserve.

I can opt for a paltry $2,000, a more accommodating $5,000, a gravedigger's special of $10,000 or a rip-roaring Saints-Come-Marching-In New Orleans Brass Band Deluxe Funeral for $15,000. For 15 grand, I think they throw in a couple of KFC buckets, a gallon of tater salad and a keg of beer for the bereaved (if there are any).

Chuck Collier’s voice left the airwaves way too soon. The Hall of Fame radio show host and New Vienna native passed away Sept. 22, succumbing to a heart attack at the age of 64. Cleveland area listeners knew Chuck from his country music program on WGAR, where he also served as the station’s music director.

Believe me, your support is appreciated and has not gone unnoticed. Because of that support, we did not increase our advertising rates in 2009 or 2010 or 2011. And if that support remains strong, I'll go out on a limb and say we won't increase our rates in 2012, either. Lord knows, we have a tough enough economy as it is.

Hillsboro City Schools Superintendent Rick Earley was the guest speaker at the Sept. 22 meeting of the Highland County Board of Realtors, and one of the things he told the local business professionals was this: "One of the questions I always ask during an interview (for a teaching position): 'Is this a calling or a job?'"

Three of my favorite people have birthdays this week: Clyde Pidcock turned 93 on Sept. 17; Mike Royko would have been 79 today (if my arithmetic is correct); and my niece, Claudia, turned 6 on Sept. 16. I spoke with Clyde this past Thursday and am happy to report that the World War II Navy veteran is as cantankerous as ever in Springfield. He sends his best to everyone in Highland County, too.

Three of my favorite people have birthdays this week: Clyde Pidcock turned 93 on Sept. 17; Mike Royko would have been 79 today (if my arithmetic is correct); and my niece, Claudia, turned 6 on Sept. 16. I spoke with Clyde this past Thursday and am happy to report that the World War II Navy veteran is as cantankerous as ever in Springfield. He sends his best to everyone in Highland County, too.

Is there any connection between this summer’s announcement of a new tavern at the Ohio Statehouse and this week’s initial proposal for redrawing the state’s congressional districts? That might help explain a few things.

Opponents of Senate Bill 5 – now State Issue 2 – can be expected to have a field day with this report. And why not? After all, it's Gov. Kasich and the Republican majority who have been preaching  – ad nauseam – about smaller government, pension reform, collective bargaining reform, etc., etc.

Pastor Shane Montgomery organizes a local 9/11 observance. This year’s event will be from noon-2 p.m. Sunday outside the Highland County Courthouse. Pastor Montgomery tells me the community doesn’t seem interested in attending a Sept. 11 commemoration. That’s unfortunate. Because we ought to remember the date Sept. 11, 2001 for the rest of our lives. In fact, we’d better remember.

What a difference a few months make. Back in January of this year after the Arizona shooting that left six people dead and 20 wounded, including Arizona Democratic Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, President Obama called on the nation for "civil and honest public discourse." Maybe the president forgot this request. Or maybe it just doesn't apply to him or his supporters.