R-T Columns
Let’s play ’20 Questions’ | Ott Observations
Many of us are familiar with a game called “20 Questions.” The object is to be able to guess a specific person, object or place by asking questions to eliminate…
Read MoreThe benefits of shutting up | Mark’s Remarks
Back in school, there were very few days that I didn’t get in trouble for talking too much. I’m pretty sure my teachers mentioned that I visited too much in…
Read MoreCheese! | Mark’s Remarks
I think we put enormous pressure on ourselves as parents. Would you agree? I blame Facebook. I blame society. I blame misguided priorities. Somewhere along the line, people started…
Read MoreTake your party back, please | Ott Observations
My very first letter to the Republic-Times was an appeal to my Republican neighbors after the 2020 election. I’d like to make another appeal. Please restore the Republican Party back…
Read MoreThe Great Bus Tirade | Mark’s Remarks
When I start thinking about how disrespectful and silly kids can be at school, and when I get to the almost nth degree of crazy, I think the Lord whispers…
Read MoreA year of goodbyes? | Mark’s Remarks
When you read this, I will have completed my 33rd year of teaching. Maybe not a big deal to you, but dang. Time seems to have gone by at…
Read MoreDefying reason | Ott Observations
As I digest many current events, I find myself thinking about the word “reason.” The dictionary defines the word as “a cause, explanation or justification for an action or event,”…
Read MoreCarol Burnett’s birthday | Mark’s Remarks
I was born in 1967, the same year Carol Burnett’s television show went on the air. So you could say I sort of grew up watching her. I remember being…
Read MoreLay off | Mark’s Remarks
I was having a great conversation with a group of folks the other day. Some were retired and some were close to retiring. The truths spoken at this meeting…
Read MoreWhen we eat can matter, too | For Your Health
By Dr. Graham A. Colditz Siteman Cancer Center It’s that time of year where the calendar still says “spring,” but the weather and the school and vacation schedules are quickly…
Read MoreThe belch heard ‘round the world | Mark’s Remarks
Our hospital in my hometown of Fairfield has been around for a long time. It was always a mysterious building to me when I was little, mostly because I was…
Read MoreThe liberal plan to destroy America | Ott Observations
A recent letter writer to this newspaper expressed her fear that a liberal left ideology, started early in the 20th century, has the purposeful intent to destroy our country. Specifically,…
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