If I had to choose between spending time with one good dog or five good people, I’d pick the dog every day of the week and twice on Sundays.

My dad — what a guy.

The Effingham Park District has kept its recreational finances in the red by just a few cents. That’s a roseworthy accomplishment in these economically difficult times. Effingham Park District Board Treasurer Anita Broom told the board this week that the recreation side of the park district …

America and Americans had a rough first half of this year. America’s smile is not as wide as it used to be. America’s eyes are full of tears. The excruciating pain is evident on her beautiful face. A deep and profound sadness engulfs her from head to toe.

In 1785, when the United States was a young nation, after returning from a trip to Europe, Thomas Jefferson wrote to his friend, James Monroe: “My God! How little do my countrymen know what precious blessing they are in possession of, and which no other people on earth enjoy. I confess I had…

As many of you know, the Illinois State Board of Education shared some guidelines recently about the return to in-person learning for the upcoming school year. Unsurprisingly, most Illinois residents took time to read the whole document, and then discussed the recommendations calmly and with…

In Illinois, we are three months into governance by Executive Order.

Conservative columnist Cal Thomas tuned in for the president’s recent rally in Tulsa, and he didn’t like what he heard.

It was certainly roseworthy news this week that signs are pointing to students returning to class in the fall. And roses to the officials from the five Effingham County school districts who met to discuss how that would work. They raised important questions that can’t all be definitively an…

Living in a rural central Illinois town (Toulon, pop. 1,400), I am alert to any forces that might spur relocation to hinterland communities, which are often struggling to maintain population and vitality. Are the pandemic and recent urban, sometimes violent protests such prompts? I conclude …

During our many international travels, Elene and I have witnessed the major influence that America has on the rest of the world. People all over the world, from Argentina to China and from Australia to Denmark, want to be Americans. Some of them may not have a favorable opinion of America, b…

During this time of year, you might look out your window to see bees and butterflies buzzing around nearby flowers, moving from one plant to the next, pollinating along the way. Many of the fruits and vegetables we enjoy in the summer are a result of the important work these insects do.

When our oldest was about six, I rented the Disney movie “Davy Crockett,” starring Fess Parker. At the end of the movie Davy is still alive and fighting at the Alamo when the movie fades to black.

In a recent column, I averred that the George Floyd death and protests-in-reaction represented a classic case of the powerful “us versus them” syndrome that is baked into the human brain. Racism is a subset of this syndrome.

Roses, sometimes, are a matter of perspective. The unemployment rate in Illinois fell by 2 percent to 15.2 percent in May, according to the state Department of Employment Security. The drop seems roseworthy, perhaps a sign of better days ahead. But that’s an awful thorny 15.2 percent. Add to…

The report grew out of what happened on a scorching hot day on the shores of Lake Michigan in July of 1919.

John Brown Gordon was no American hero.

In a famous story from the bible, king Solomon was asked by God to name anything he wanted or desired. Solomon thought of the infinite choices that he could ask for but chose only one thing: wisdom. That is what we should be praying for in these turbulent times.

The next time you snack on almonds, add blueberries to your smoothie or eat pumpkin pie, thank a pollinator and thank farmers, ranchers and private forestland owners who work hard to create and maintain their habitat.

A couple thorny announcements arrived on Friday: First was this press release: Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Gov. J.B. Pritzker will issue an Executive Order canceling the Illinois and Du Quoin State Fairs this year. The announcement of the cancellations has prompted the Department …

The Effingham County Board is expected to, at some point, take up the subject of a Landfill Host Agreement.

Glen Carbon, Illinois – As America wrestles with the impact of racism, Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois focuses on the solution. Children often learn racism at home. Girl Scouts teaches another perspective: respect for all, inclusivity and equity. Girls of all races experience equal opportun…

George Floyd’s death at the hands of police seems to illustrate a too often scenario of our culture. Officer Chauvin with an aggressive mindset had no conscience to restrain his power over another individual. The three onlooker officers were of a passive mindset not willing to take a stand; …

This essay is not about who should be elected president in November, but about something arguably as important: How to avoid a sloppy election count, which could throw the nation into chaos.

Roses to those who intend to gather in downtown Effingham on Saturday to promote a message of peace and unity. Some demonstrations across the nation have been marred by violence. After speaking this week to local organizers and police, your EDN editor is confident that peace and unity will …

Father’s day is Sunday, June 21 and I would like to offer a few thoughts in regard to “Dad.” Thank you for reading my column.

A few months ago, my beloved country, America, was the envy of the world – strong economy, low unemployment and clear prosperity. It has always been the kindest country. A country with a heart. Our wealth and strength gave us a sense of superiority and invincibility. Things were rosy and ful…

There are 4,000 degree-granting colleges and universities in our nation: community colleges, private liberal arts colleges, regional and urban public universities, and graduate research centers. I have taught within each type; each has its strengths and makes distinctive contributions to society.

It’s a sad Memorial Day when a virus keeps us from gathering to celebrate those who gave all to defend our rights – among them the right to peaceably assemble. But no virus can keep us from still honoring them in our own way. Please pause this weekend to do that. No one has ever bestowed mo…

Since I live in a small out-of-the way county that has had one reported case of COVID-19, a second recently rumored, I have been hesitant to write about The Big Disruption in our lives. I am obviously not sharing the valiant struggles of nurses and their associates, at the side of infected p…

Each spring when introducing the research paper I ask my sophomores how many of them are biased. Most of them don’t move; a few of them slowly raise their hands; there’s always at least one student who shoots up his hand for attention. After a few moments, I raise my own hand and admit that …

I am thankful to the Effingham Daily News editorial board for bringing up the proposed Constitutional amendment that will be on the ballot this November, even though I disagree with their conclusion. This is a vitally important topic that needs to be fully discussed so folks can have full un…

There is roseworthy news for Jasper County this week: Officials there announced plans to build a $400 million renewable diesel plant that will also implement technology to test and certify a COVID-19-free workplace. As we report on Saturday’s front page, the city and county are partnering w…

The only major, contested issue on the ballot this fall in our Blue State will be whether to enact Gov. JB Pritzker’s proposed constitutional amendment to allow graduated income tax rates. I think the Pritzker approach — not the concept — is wrong-headed. I try to explain here.

My birth certificate tells me I am in my early 70s. My body tells me I am 105. My mind tells me I am just 18; still inquisitive, still searching and still unsettled.

Roses to all the mothers out there, inlcuding the four we feature on Saturday’s front page. Your EDN editor’s mother has been gone for a while, now. Roses to you, mom. Your EDN editor’s wife is a fine mother and grandmother. She didn’t want roses. She wanted a bluetooth speaker for her smart…

In a recent wide-ranging column, I had only space enough to touch on my thought that we need a reset of American politics. Several readers (well, actually, one reader) asked that I drill down on the topic. Here goes.

Subscribers to the Effingham Daily News did not get a print newspaper on Tuesday. They will not get one on Thursday.

As the coronavirus pandemic was sweeping the entire world, the nature of this virus – how it got into humans and how to prevent it or treat it – became the issues discussed everywhere in almost every country. Talking to our families and friends who live in other countries, Elene and I were a…

Roses to the good work Delbert Delaine Mundt has performed during a seemingly tireless life. The Dieterich man died Thursday at age 91. You can read about his service and accomplishments in an obituary that appears on page A5 of Saturday’s paper. He is perhaps most widely known as the founde…

Since I was a boy growing up in rural Illinois post-World War II, American agriculture has achieved momentous productivity increases, from about 45 bushels an acre of corn back then to an average of 180 today, with farmers in my area sometimes getting 300 bushels per.

As the quarantine goes on, leaders in state government and business together should concentrate on readying the plan to re-open our state — at least that portion which is safe to open, only when it is deemed safe, using data, pragmatic guidelines and common sense.