Columnists | The Prairie Press

For many people in rural America, methamphetamine addiction has become a way of life. It's an epidemic that has torn families apart and left a trail of destruction in its wake. If you're … more

By Jonathan Burns | 5/2/23

Help the world, plant a tree

April 28 was the annual Arbor Day celebration, which is always the last Friday in April and the week after Earth Day. When Europeans arrived in the New World the land was mostly covered in … more

By Terry Sullivan | 5/2/23

May 4: A day to pray

There have been many discussions about the activity of prayer and its purpose lately. Prayer is basically the activity of talking to God, and one of the many subjects we find throughout … more

By Nate Alexander | 5/2/23

A tractor chase mystery

(EDITOR’S NOTE: This is a revisit to one of the Old Codger’s humorous columns to offset a case of writer’s block.) Grover was a prosperous small town back in the early 60s, … more

By Al Englebright | 5/2/23

Out of the Past

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

By Callie Baber | 4/24/23

What if everything worked?

What if everything worked as it should? If everything was perfect, I wouldn’t need a napkin or a handkerchief or an eraser on my pencil. We certainly wouldn’t need a mechanic, a doctor … more

By Roger Stanley | 4/24/23

Trying to put out fires

She seemed frustrated. She was trying to do her best, but the drive-through line was backed up. There were cars in the overflow spots, and it just seemed like things weren’t going good for … more

By Nate Alexander | 4/24/23

Tales of Chuck Littleton

Mayo School had its share of friendly, humorous, story-telling custodians during my tenure there as a teacher. Some of them worked an eight-hour shift elsewhere, then worked late afternoon and … more

By Allen Englebright | 4/24/23

Anxiety and social media

Social media increases anxiety Social media has become an essential part of our daily routine, providing us with instant connections to friends, family and colleagues. However, concerns have grown … more

By Jonathan Burns | 4/24/23

Earth Day is an opportunity to think about environmental impact

Today, April 22, is the 53rd annual Earth Day event. Senator Gaylord Nelson created Earth Day in the spring of 1970 to push a national environmental discussion. Earth Day went global in 1990 when … more

By Terry Sullivan | 4/24/23

Working for mental health

For individuals who struggle with mental health, finding and maintaining employment can be a significant challenge. The Individual Placement and Supports (IPS) program at the Human Resources Center … more

4/21/23

Being stress-aware

We all have stress. Adulting is hard. Stress can be debilitating, or it can be the driving force that pushes us in the right direction. There are many kinds of stresses: stress at work, stress … more

By Jenny McMahan | 4/21/23

Potato planting memories

Many years ago, we always looked forward to Good Friday. That was the only day we got off from school. Back in those years we didn’t get a spring vacation. It truly meant the Resurrection … more

By Roger Stanley | 4/21/23

Out of the Past

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

Callie Baber | 4/21/23

God's promise is eternal

I have to watch what I say. If I even hint at the idea of making a promise to my kids, they don’t ever forget it, and they will, of course, remind me of what I said. It’s not … more

By Nate Alexander | 4/21/23

Foreign rush hour

Don’t ask me when I first traveled to Costa Rica because I can’t remember. At the time I kept a journal of each day of the trip, but the journal was later discarded. So were the color … more

By Al Englebright | 4/21/23

Quantum science: the great explanation?

Unification theory seeks to create master explanation through quantum science April 14 was World Quantum Day playing off March 14 as Pi-Day because it is 3-14. There has been a push to get … more

By Terry Sullivan | 4/21/23

Weather makes life exciting

We hear the weathermen talking about tornadoes this time of year on both the radio and television. Many times while subbing at schools when I checked in at the office a secretary generally gave me a … more

By Roger Stanley | 4/10/23

Out of the Past

Here is a compilation of stories appearing in the April 1923 Paris Beacon-News. Spelling and punctuation have not been changed except for better understanding. O’HAIR GIVES CREDIT TO … more

By Callie Baber | 4/10/23

HRC is good for business

The concept of a trauma-informed workplace has gained significant traction in the modern business world. Creating a safe and calm environment for employees can enhance their job satisfaction, … more

By Jonathan Burns | 4/10/23