Opinions

We have crossed the invisible threshold into spring. While Mother Nature may not be as sure, and we will have some days that feel like winter, we are in the home stretch of the wintry weather and warmer days are ahead.

Dear Editor, April reminds us of our shared responsibility for the well-being and healthy development of children and families, which is crucial for the future health of Kansas. National Child Abuse Prevention (CAP) Month is a perfect time to emphasize that prevention thrives on collaboration.

Women's sports is getting a lot of attention right now, and deservedly so. Much of the attention the past few weeks has been on women's collegiate basketball.

Yard work can be daunting...if you look at it as needing to be tackled all at once. I've been in my home in Goddard for more than 20 years now, and during that time a lot of physical labor – mostly mine – went into enhancing my yard after the house was built.

From the Editor’s Files You have to be able to laugh at yourself...and when you couple that with big doses of humility, you're in for an interesting day. I guess I had one of those days this past Friday, all brought on by some random acts of poor judgment on my part.

Dear Citizens of Clearwater, I am writing on behalf of Officer Scott Hollingsworth's family and the entire Clearwater Police Department to express our deepest gratitude for your overwhelming support during this difficult time. Your kind words, generous donations, thoughtful services, and the beautiful flowers have touched our hearts in ways we cannot adequately express.

Random Thoughts Most days, I don't need a reminder that I'm on the wrong side of 50. My pill organizer is a ready reminder that I see as part of my morning routine and again right before I go to bed.

Savvy Senior Dear Savvy Senior, Who should be screened for lung cancer and how is it covered by Medicare? I used to smoke but quit many years ago and am wondering if I need to be tested. Just Turned 65 Dear Just Turned, Even if you haven’t touched a cigarette in decades, you could still be due for an annual lung cancer screening, based on new recommendations from the American Cancer Society (ACS).

There are fewer than 2 million farms in the United States according to the USDA Census of Agriculture released last month, down from a peak of just under 7 million in the early 1930s. Any agricultural enterprise with at least $1,000 in sales was counted as a farm, which excludes the family vegetable garden.

Dear Savvy Senior, What types of funeral benefits are available to old veterans? My 83-year-old father, who has Alzheimer’s disease, served during the Vietnam War in the 1960s. Planning Ahead Dear Planning, Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) National Cemetery Administration actually offers a variety of underutilized burial benefits to veterans as well as their spouses and dependents.