Behind the Mike: Don’t beat yourself

James Wyman Ingram was my high school football coach in the little town of Lexington, S.C.  He loved winning… but he hated losing even more, especially when the defeat was self-inflicted. “Never let one defeat become two,” he would say, clearing his throat constantly between his pearls of wisdom.

Stay safe – vote by mail

Submitted by Lori Edwards, Supervisor of Elections, Polk County: We’re all pretty certain that the shape of our near-term future is uncertain. At your Supervisor of Elections office, we are busy planning for the unknown. Will voters be willing to go to their polling location?

Letter to the Editor: Thank you teachers

To the Editor, My name’s Gabriella, and I’m a rising ninth-grader at Florida Cyber Charter Academy (FLCCA). It’s Teacher Appreciation Week, and I wanted to thank my teachers for making a huge difference in my life.

There’s another crisis to talk about

As the coronavirus outbreak continues to cast a shadow over our everyday lives, it can feel like the world only has one thing to talk about. But even when things are so far from normal, we shouldn’t lose sight of another critical conversation.

Find a community hero in the mirror

By Donna Sines:  When was the last time we recognized everyday heroes? As a society, creatively showing appreciation to people on the front lines in this historic war is celebrated and promoted by the media, and its encouraging people to share their experiences.

Altruism versus selfishness

Innately most people are altruistic. Sometimes selfishness gets in the way of us doing the right thing in the right way at the right time.  Every person must decide whether they will walk the walk when it comes to altruism.

Embrace uncertainty

We fear the uncertain. Not only is it natural it would be an expected and normal response. What if? What if we embraced uncertainty instead of hiding from it? What if we enjoyed the almost certain beauty associated with the unveiling the unknown?

In COVID-19 uncertainty, 2020 Census counts even more

As the impacts of the Coronavirus, or COVID-19, continue to spread across our state and nation, so too does the uncertainty it brings to every community it touches.

A helping paw to independence

The health care needs of each person are multifaceted, consisting of various factors that makes everyone unique. Therefore, effective health care requires collaboration between various professionals to support healthy and meaningful lives. We celebrate April as National Occupational Therapy Month.

Wish You Had More Courage?

Do you wish you had more courage? People often tell me that courage is more about facing your fears willingly. The most courageous people I have met in my life never roared… they quietly faced each day. My grandfather Elias S. Mack, Sr. came to this country without an education, money or resources.