Opinions

I’m probably what one could consider the biggest scaredy cat in the world. In my later years I have become rather fond of the genre of horror films, but for the first 35 years or so, I wasn’t having much to do with Halloween and “scary stuff.” I didn’t like horror or scary films, but then found that there was a bit of interesting storytelling that could be done with scares and suspense.

I’ve got a kid in college, one in upper high school and two in the elementary - we’ve got 8 offices in 8 different towns over 300 miles, and the only thing I can really think about is this upcoming election.

It shouldn’t really have to be said - but this election season, I hope everyone will take a moment to sit, think and prepare for their ballots. There’s a lot going on, and part of what makes our country the best one in the world is that we get to control our own destinies - so some extent anyway.

We recently picked up another paper in our group - bringing the Verdigre Eagle into the business. I have to tell you, it seems to make everyone nervous.

I’m not much of a fisherman...I mean if someone hits me with a 67 degree sunshiney day and throws a rod in my hand and a chair in the shade, sure, I’ll cast a line a few times. It’s not my biggest hobby, but I’ve been known to fish a bit.

“Another one bites the dust” “Another one in the bag” “Another one behind me” Another year has come and gone, and the clock on the wall has reminded me that I’m another year older. I like doing things in round years - I was born in 1980, so that’s easy to do math with.

My wife will attest, I’m rather resistant to change. I’m rather sentimental about “stuff” - I have lots of “stuff” from when I was a kid left over.

It’s taaaaaax season! But not the type of tax season where you are asked...er...forced to open your checkbook, debit card or ACH transfer to fund our streets and roads and parks and pools and such. It’s tax setting season.

I’ve had the pleasure of working with some great people in this business over the past 50 years, and I hope I’ve made many friends along the way. I wanted to mention that at the beginning of what will likely be my final column.

Last week I had the pleasure of being hosted by a really nice seed company that came to town. I listened to all of their speakers and was really impressed by their leadership, their perspective and their frame of mind when it came to doing business in our “capitalistic” society.