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Difficult decision of downsizing

When you get to be my age, if you haven’t already, you start to think about downsizing the footprint of your life. It makes common sense to do so—the kids are grown and on their own, you are tired of mowing the grass and maintaining the house, and you just don’t need as much room anymore. But, there is more to it than that. You are also becoming aware that you won’t live forever, and having things more simple in your life is good, not only for you, but for your family, for your friends and for those around you. Some of this is also health driven. Your body and back just ...

Pomfret’s move leaves void

The town of Pomfret’s office move seems all but finalized. Town officials seem pleased by the much larger space the new office provides, and I’m sure any fishermen on staff will be pleased with the creek access behind the building. But there’s reason to be concerned by the move for any residents. For instance, it seems to be being downplayed by all parties that Pomfret Town Hall will no longer be in Pomfret. When I had heard there was a plan to move the hall, I had assumed the new location would be better centrally located in Pomfret to better serve our community as the ...

Alliance defends mural ‘investments’

We appreciate the thoughtful discussion taking place regarding the Paint CHQ Mural Festival and the role of public art in Chautauqua County. Public art has long been recognized as a catalyst for community pride, economic vitality, and cultural vibrancy. While opinions may differ on funding and process, we would like to highlight why projects like this matter. COMMUNITY IMPACT The murals in Falconer, Sherman, Westfield, and the upcoming Dunkirk project have already sparked excitement and positive feedback from residents and visitors. Public art invites people to linger, explore, and ...

Rapid-fire pace in D.C. accomplishing chaos

Release the Epstein pedophile files. Maxwell interviewed, knows nothing, moved to a cushier prison. Justice for the victims, accountability for those they are hiding, we don’t care who it is. How humiliating! Pete Hegseth talking to 800 of our military’s highest-ranking leaders as if they were in boot camp! The audacity! So unqualified with his history of disorderly conduct. He actually called them FAT, yes, the word fat, to their faces. No men in dresses. Last I knew, military wore uniforms.Then they are forced to listen to Trump and his delusional ramblings. Our own ...

Inciting violence isn’t protected speech

Let’s pick up where we left off last week. Intolerance directly or indirectly begetting (1) threats of or (2) actual physical violence may ultimately reflect something along the spectrum from disrespect for others to disregard of the rule of law. It’s often smart to pull back on the rhetorical reins long before loose language rises to the level of implicit threats, much less explicit threats. Since the Sept. 10 assassination of Charles James Kirk, many have called for pulling back on the rhetorical reins. Toning it down. Being respectful of others. Such calls have been ...

A lifelong love of golden smiles

A giant of the film industry died just recently, and his passing brought back a flood of memories. As I explored those moments, I realized that in a small, eye-opening way, Robert Redford changed my life. But first, a little history. Four years before I saw Redford, a date invited me to my first theater evening. I was seventeen. And thrilled. So sophisticated! The South Shore Music Circus in Cohasset, Mass. was a summer destination for professional touring shows. I think the circular stage within a tent was the reason it was dubbed a “circus.” That first musical was Showboat and ...