Columnists | The Prairie Press

There have been nippers nipping and chainsaws buzzing around here after the windstorm the other day. I even got the tractor with the scoop on it out of the barn when I finally got enough help, … more

7/22/23

It's time to tone the body

We often hear promoters of exercise programs promise using their system will result in getting toned up. That raises the question of what does it mean to be toned? Is a toned body difficult to … more

By Julee Dennis and Preston Skinner | 5/22/23

What should you know about RMDs?

You may spend decades contributing to various retirement accounts. But for some accounts, such as a traditional IRA and 401(k), you must start withdrawing funds at a certain point. What should you … more

By Derrick Lorenzen | 10/16/23

Reflecting on a milestone

There’s a small change in today’s Prairie Press most of our readers will not notice. On page 2A, in the information box located at the top left, there’s a new volume number which is … more

By Nancy Zeman | 9/5/23

Theater is messy, but magical

I have always thought the term, the arts, has a sort of relaxed feeling to it. It makes me think of the art galleries in Washington, D.C., which are incredibly still, silent, organized and divided … more

By Bethanny Lawson | 3/27/23

Get the lead out and visit Galena

A small town in Illinois made the list of the 20 best places to visit in May. Among the major attractions like Hawaii and San Francisco touted by travel bloggers Megan and Aram is a small river … more

By Terry Sullivan | 5/9/23

On Monday the eclipse activities will last three hours, but other than peak time it will be slow. The first hour and the last hour are worth checking in on but be social, enjoy the day and the company.

It’s go time for the eclipse

It’s go-time, the eclipse is now just 48 hours away. The weather forecasts are stabilizing and for April it is looking okay, a normal upside-down forecast with Texas and Oklahoma predicting … more

Terry Sullivan - Armchair Science | 4/6/24

Hume athlete still plays

Everybody in the village of Hume here in Edgar County seems to know everybody else in Hume. After all, the village only has a population of 300. It is in their thrifty village where … more

By Allen Englebright | 5/9/23

Ice cream is more than a tasty treat

The summer is winding down, but there is still time to enjoy ice cream, the undisputed king of summer treats. Ice cream makes the top-10 dessert list in every country. It’s not just for … more

By Terry Sullivan | 9/3/23

Appearing as he appears

“So the LOR D has rewarded me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in his sight. With the merciful you show yourself merciful; with the blameless man you show … more

By John Youngblood | 5/9/23

No Virginia, it probably won’t be a white Christmas

The National Weather Service defines a White Christmas as having at least one inch of snow on the ground. We will not see that this year. You will have to travel to a city along the Canadian border … more

Terry Sullivan - Arm Chair Science | 12/21/23

If you can find a way to contribute to a Roth IRA, either directly or through a conversion, consider it carefully — you will find a lot of upsides to this investment account.

Know the key benefits of Roth IRA

As you save for retirement, you’ll want to take full advantage of the investment vehicles available to you — and one of the best is a Roth IRA. But what sets it apart from other accounts? … more

Derrick Lorenzen - Financial Focus | 12/21/23

Sycamore may still recover

One of the most common shade trees in our area is the sycamore. If you have recently moved to a home with a sycamore on the property, you may be panicking because it has failed to leaf out yet. … more

By Jan Phipps Master Gardener | 6/10/23

Faith helps overcome addiction

Our community, like many in our state and nation, are living with many people struggling with a variety of addictions, primarily drugs and alcohol. Good people and organizations in Paris are working … more

By Rick Cook | 9/5/23

Tragic legacy of the White Star Line's Titanic

On April 15, 1912, the British White Star line’s Titanic sank after hitting an iceberg. The great ship was just four days into its maiden voyage from Southampton to New York City. It went … more

By Terry Sullivan | 7/5/23

Out of the Past

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

By Callie Baber | 11/10/23

We can trust in the Lord

A favorite Bible verse for many of us is “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not unto your own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths … more

By Gary Williamson | 7/5/23

Conflict on wars and warriors in the Bible

Sunday, Nov. 12, Paris First United Methodist Church will recognize those from the church family who have served, or are currently serving, in the armed forces. It is an opportunity to show our … more

By Lance Leeds | 11/10/23

The future of technology

What in the world is going to happen in technology, especially in the field of computers, be it hardware or software? I remember back in 1946 thinking about a television set and wondering how … more

By Roger Stanley | 9/5/23

The moon is deeply ingrained in human history and has been a driver leading directly to our modern world. You can follow the connections step by step through human history.

Eclipses aid in understanding the universe

The moon will be eclipsing the sun in 64 days. It was those moon patterns, symmetry and mystery that inspired religion and then the math that made science possible. Friday was the Last Quarter … more

By Terry Sullivan - Armchair Science | 2/7/24