What’s more “Fourth of July” than sparklers? How about sparklers adorning a “Green Eyed Head” sculpture that resembles the helmet of a robot from a science fiction film? That’s a combination Clark Ellefson thought would be a perfect way to celebrate our nation’s birthday while social distancing, too. Ellefson explained, “The piece took about three or four weeks to create. […]
Lexington Two selects new superintendent
The Lexington School District Two school board has selected Dr. Nicholas Wade to replace Dr. William James Jr. as superintendent at the end of the 2020-2021 school year. He will serve as superintendent-elect until then. “I think what really appealed to me aside from the community is that there is a shared vision held by the district that’s very much […]
CDC executive director retiring
“You don’t take on something because it’s possible. You take it on because it’s going to be really beneficial,” Columbia Development Corporation executive director Fred Delk said. Those words pretty much sum up the impact the Columbia Development Corporation has had in the City of Columbia for the last three decades. Delk has been one of the people leading the […]
Moving On, The Gift of Forgiveness
A friend recently saw her ex for the first time in years. It was time to make peace. Past time really. She saw his truck when she pulled into the church parking lot. She wanted to turn around but made herself find a spot and go inside. She knew where he would be sitting, in the same spot where they […]
Quirky Crimes in the Capital City
Richland County Two Notch Road: A woman called police at 11 a.m. Saturday to report a stolen car. The 28-yearold told the reporting officers she had gone to “a dollar store” and accidently dropped her keys. When she returned to her car, she could tell someone had rifled through the vehicle but nothing appeared to be missing. She left the […]
Response to claim masks infringe upon freedom
People are now responding to peer pressure and wearing masks to protect themselves and others—encouraged by the leadership of Columbia City Council which, along with other local governments, has now mandated masks and social distancing. Yet I remain irritated by a recent letter to the editor from Robert Hartman III who dubiously claimed masks infringe upon his freedom. Here we […]
Bottom line: Be vigilant in your hygiene and be sure others are also
ASK US AT THE STARWhat are more safety steps for going out with COVID- 19 cases increasing? With businesses open and widespread mask requirements, people are free to shop, dine, exercise, and socialize, but surging COVID-19 numbers still have people feeling uneasy. For that, we can all turn to the CDC (website cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019) for important advice. For example, site recently provided advice for grocery, […]
Finally Scoring TP
It’s not a criticism; It’s an observationI stood, stunned for just an instant. Looking around for someone to celebrate with, I realized there was no one. Sadly, I was alone. I could hear the theme from Rocky playing faintly in the distant recesses of my subconscious. I scanned the perimeter, searching for one of those blonde sideline reporters who would ask me what I’m feeling at […]
Starke Reality
I’m just saying...My husband, Marty, and I were reminiscing about some of our past trips as we were eating dinner the other night. It feels like we may never get out of the house EVER again as long as The Insanity prevails so I guess the next best thing would be to remember the trips we’ve already taken. For some reason, we […]
Technology moves too fast for rules
50–SomethingThere’s no Emily Post Guide to social etiquette when it comes to texting because it would be helplessly out of date by the time it was published. Having said that, I would like to ask what the etiquette is on abandoning text conversations. I have one friend in particular who just “disappears” on a regular basis. He sends me a […]