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Chautauqua Institution picks a new president

I must admit, upfront, that I am a bit biased in this matter... but I was delighted with the decision of Chautauqua Institution to hire Mark Johnson as its new President. He will be undertaking these new duties in the coming year. I first knew Mark as a kid growing up in Jamestown when we lived on Chestnut Street...he lived right down the street from us. We were good friends with his parents and, one summer, went with their family on a canoe trip to the Adirondacks. And, aside from that, how can you be against a “Johnson” from Jamestown...especially, this one? His grandfather was ...

Donating to Rural Ministry helps your neighbors

Across Chautauqua County, more families are struggling to make ends meet. Rising food prices, increased housing costs, utility bills, and other financial pressures have created a growing need for food assistance throughout our community. At Chautauqua County Rural Ministry, that need is visible every day. Through its soup kitchen and emergency food pantry, Rural Ministry provides food and support to hundreds of local residents each week. The organization serves more than 600 meals weekly and assists families, seniors, veterans, and individuals facing difficult circumstances. As the ...

Shining opportunity for area’s grape growers

Currently a weak market for Concord grapes in New York and Pennsylvania has been recognized. More than 100 Concord grape growers along Lake Erie were informed in March by Refresco that the processor would no longer be purchasing their produce. Farmers in other states and countries have been using solar arrays and wind turbines and storage batteries on portions of their property to ensure financial stability during difficult economic times and growing periods. Besides loss of buyers and poor markets, agriculture is also subjected to more extreme weather events. These include warmer ...

White House spectacle overshadows big fights

What kind of desecration is being erected in our nation’s capital now? It’s all over social media; pictures of a huge frame-like structure obstructing and dwarfing the White House itself. This is a personal front row seat for Donald Trump to his 80th birthday celebration. He will be treated to a special presentation of his favorite sport (the one he participates in vicariously, not like the one he practices almost daily on the golf course) along with 5,000 invited guests. One guess as to who they will be. Once it is over, a large portion of the cost will go toward replacing ...

Visit Chautauqua Institution this summer

CHAUTAUQUA—Progress often comes in steps rather than all at once. One encouraging step at Chautauqua Institution is particularly worth applauding. A few years ago a visitor came to Chautauqua other than by being invited by the institution. Shortly thereafter, the visitor was critical of the institution in a national forum. Never mind who the visitor was, what the visitor said, or what the forum was. None of those is important here. What is not only important but also noteworthy here is that the institution—the institution itself—has invited the visitor to give a ...

Trump foes blind to faults of others

For the last 10 years I have been trying to understand why people hate everything that Donald Trump says and does. I have never been able to comprehend why some have gone out of their way to destroy not only the president, but also all the members of his family and a thriving business that ...