Columnists | The Prairie Press

Getting farther away from the period when air conditioning was not common is getting harder to remember how we coped. I wonder if we had better sweat glands that provided our bodies with a type … more

By Roger Stanley | 8/28/23

Learning to cleanup is essential

Steve loved to make his favorite concoction — Chili-N-Fries Surprise. As a bachelor in his late 20s, Steve made Chili-N-Fries as often as he could. Sure, it was a messy clean up but totally … more

By Rick Cook | 9/17/23

McLeansboro's Spoon River Anthology

This month Nancy and I traveled for one day and visited four cemeteries in southern Illinois. The first was Springer Cemetery in remote Hamilton County where my mother’s parents are … more

By Allen Englebright | 9/17/23

Out of the Past

Here is a compilation of stories appearing in the September 1924 issues of the Paris Beacon-News. The September 1923 volume is misplaced so Out of the Past is 99 years instead of a century ago. … more

By Callie Baber | 9/17/23

Just for fun brings adventure

Just for the fun of it, we bought our first camper in 1965. Our family got aboard with the idea since we were farmers, and didn’t have a lot of livestock, to do a two-week vacation starting the … more

By Roger Stanley | 9/17/23

The Great Triangle is at the peak for celestial viewing

Big things happened in 1873. Hume was founded in Edgar County, and the United States Government put the world’s most powerful telescope at the time into operation at the Naval Observatory. Both … more

By Terry Sullivan | 7/24/23

Radar was my buddy

Like most youngsters in my high school and college years, I developed friendships with other boys and girls in my age range. A common activity all across the USA in those days was to cruise the … more

By Allen Englebright | 7/24/23

Avoiding pond water

When I was a kid growing up my mom sometimes said in reference to someone or something, or at times even herself if not feeling well, “They’re as slow as pond water.” Normally, … more

By Gary Williamson | 7/24/23

Scaring Kingsport to death

Sept. 11. Remember that date? That is when terrorists hijacked airliners, need I remind anyone? One plane deliberately crashed into the Pentagon. Another crashed into a Pennsylvania field. It … more

By Allen Englebright | 10/16/23

Supporting Youth Mental Health

Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) is a growing initiative designed to equip individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to support young people experiencing mental health issues. The … more

By Jonathan Burns | 10/16/23

Spending on pure R&D gives the greatest return

Congress is debating the debt limit. The bulk of spending goes to the military and entitlement programs. One area likely to be cut is spending on research. Research spending did escalate $50 … more

By Terry Sullivan | 5/22/23

Reptiles are more than creepy crawlies

Fall weather has arrived and cold-blooded reptiles are about to disappear for the winter. Reptiles are vertebrates with a backbone and skeleton. They have lungs and they never go through a phase … more

By Terry Sullivan | 10/16/23

Out of the Past

Here is a compilation of stories appearing in the June 1923 issues of the Paris Beacon-News. Spelling and punctuation have not been changed except where necessary for better understanding. … more

By Callie Baber | 6/25/23

Finding a cow on the roof

(EDITOR’S NOTE: The Old Codger was unable to create a new column this week, so here is a previously printed column to keep his readers … more

By Allen Englebright | 5/22/23

New horizons with faith

Once again, it is that time of year. Local high schools and colleges are celebrating the graduates of the Class of 2023. For those receiving their diplomas, it is a wonderful time of … more

By Vallerie King | 5/22/23

Out of the Past

Here is a compilation of stories appearing in the October 1924 issues of the Paris Beacon-News. The October 1924 volume is misplaced so Out of the Past is 99 years instead of a century ago. … more

By Callie baber | 10/16/23

Out of the Past

Here is a compilation of stories appearing in the May 1923 issues of the Paris Beacon-News. Spelling and punctuation have not been changed except where necessary for better understanding. CIRCUS … more

By Callie baber | 5/22/23

Farm boys try to help

I remember when I was just a little squirt going to Grandpa’s farm on Saturdays to catch a ride on those old wagons full of corn. Many times, my brother and I walked right on the edge of … more

By Roger Stanley | 10/16/23

Nobody likes butter fingers

No, I am not talking about the candy bar known as Butterfingers, unless I am trying to unwrap that tasty morsel perhaps with slick or sticky fingers and can’t get it unwrapped. When I … more

By Roger Stanley | 5/22/23

Out of the Past

Here is a compilation of stories appearing in the July 1924 issues of the Paris Beacon-News. The July 1923 volume is misplaced so Out of the Past is 99 years instead of a century ago. TO MEET AT … more

By Callie Baber | 7/22/23