Very often the thought arises of how lucky I was to be born and live out my life in the greatest nation that has ever existed on this planet. While we have our faults and we’ve made mistakes; I know that our nation is the major force for good on this planet. What follows is the story ...
Sunday was opening day at Chautauqua, and like all Sundays during the 9-week season, admission was free. Ginger, my BFF from New York City, is visiting us this week for the holiday. She joined me Sunday as the interim president of Chautauqua Institution opened its 153rd season just before the ...
The fact that we have a mental health treatment capacity shortage in rural areas should come as no shock to anyone. Those in the health care industry have been talking about the lack of capacity for years. State and federal officials have heard the stories. And while we understand that it takes time to rebuild the mental health care infrastructure after it has been intentionally dismantled in well-meaning but ultimately fruitless efforts over the course of decades, work to increase mental health care capacity cannot continue at the current snail’s pace. We don’t all think about ...
Residents around Chautauqua County have plenty to choose from when you consider the plethora of Fourth of July events and fireworks planned for the upcoming weekend. Not only is it a major celebration of summer — but about our great country that turns 250 years old. Even though the spotlight is greater in 2026, this celebration is nothing like 50 years ago when the nation proudly marked 200 years. In 1976, patriotism abounded — even though we were healing from the Vietnam War and a shake-up in the presidency due to the Watergate scandal. In this era, America seems to be at a fork ...
Hi there! What have I been doing since my last column you ask? It’s been a few years. Covid ran amok and changed countless lives. Cut-backs curtailed my writing, and isolation dampened my enthusiasm. I haven’t been totally idle, however. In 2021 I finished and published my first book, ...
Editor, OBSERVER: Fredonia residents do indeed have the right to be heard by their elected village officials. Unfortunately, because of the actions and behavior of a few people, that right has been changed to sending a letter to the village, and requesting that your letter be read at the meeting. A previous writer to this publication has stated that nothing untoward has happened during the public comment time at the village board meetings, and that there is no reason for the board to consider this change. If you have attended or watched any of the village board meetings, you will ...
