Opinions

For those of us at the newspaper, Fair season lasts all summer. We start early each June, getting ready to publish the Sedgwick County Fair Guide.

A few months ago, I registered my two children for two weeks of swimming lessons at our town’s pool. Registering my 8-year-old daughter for lessons was nonnegotiable. She needs to continue learning skills that’ll help her keep her head above water while also gaining strength as a swimmer.

Savvy Senior Dear Savvy Senior, My wife and I had our estate plan – including a will, power of attorney and advance directive – drawn up about 10 years ago but have recently read that our plan should include a digital will too. What can you tell us about this?

Paul Rhodes | Publisher & Editor You can lead a horse to a concert, but you can't make him enjoy the music. That statement might need a little explanation, but it does sum up one small portion of my grandson's annual summer visit.

Random Thoughts I don't have many hard-and-fast rules in my life. Generally, I go by some basic principles, such as try to be nice.

Savvy Senior Dear Savvy Senior, Can I stop my Social Security retirement benefits and restart them later to get a bigger payment? I recently got a nice unexpected inheritance, so don’t need the money from Social Security right now.

Insight Getting the hay wagon through the gate was always a challenge when taking bales off a field to be stored at a yard.

From the Editor’s Files The Sedgwick County Fair Guide is officially off the press, and is being distributed far and wide as this week progresses.

Savvy Senior Dear Savvy Senior, Are there any easier alternatives to a colonoscopy to screen for colon cancer? I just turned 60 and my wife keeps nagging me to get tested, but I hate the idea of drinking that laxative solution and being sedated for the procedure.

Sometimes, life is heavy. A couple of months ago, I was in the throes of motherhood, having a newborn baby as well as three other little ones. Trying to balance my career, household duties, being a mother and a wife and helping on the farm after my maternity leave quickly became overwhelming.