Opinion

To the editor:Ah, Summer!!! The scent of geraniums and petunias! The sight of corn and beans growing in the field! The smell of suntan lotion! Outdoor grilling!! Warm breezes and temperatures!!!And the sad fact that we have to look up and down the sidewalk as we exit a store on the Square or else we are run over by...yes...that Summer Demon once again: The Bicyclist!!! You know the ones I mean...the Ones ...

Just when I think things at The Ledger are slowing down a bit, allowing me to catch my breath, there is another event that needs photographic coverage. This past week that event was the Greater Jefferson County Fair.From the 4-H horse show on Tuesday through Sunday night?s Demo Derby, I was expected to be, and enjoyed being, at the fair. This week and next involves considerably more time by several of The ...

Nov. 27, 2011Ollie, Iowa Dear Editor,There are some people who have attacked Victoria Childress for refusing to bake a cake for a gay female couple, labeling her a bigot and calling for a boycott of her bakery. Well, as a Christian business owner she has the right to refuse service to someone and she has the First Amendment right to practice her faith without penalty. So where is their tolerance of ...

To say I am not a morning person is a massive understatement. At this time of year, I can get away with saying I don?t believe in getting up before the sun. I am still working on a valid excuse for the summer.So when I scheduled a program for the wee morning hours of Dec. 10, my co-workers were much amused. However, I have a couple of valid reasons for doing so. A) I?ve been wanting to do this type of a ...

I attended only public school throughout my childhood, but I had two good friends who did not. Both of them were home-schooled for large portions of their upbringing and both of them are exceptionally bright. Because of our friendship I was spurred to learn more about alternative methods of education. In the past year, I have been reading about a really interesting version of home-schooling called ?unschooling.?...

Nov. 15, 2011Washington, Ia To the editor,As it?s the season for making out wish lists, I?d thought I?d get mine together so Santa can get a jump start on it because it?s rather lengthy. It shouldn?t cost the jolly old elf much money and little effort to fulfill. My wishes are affordable for everyone; the only expenditure is a change of heart and mind. My wishes are:1) For our governing ...

To the editor:Fairfield is a special designated city in Iowa that has been recognized for its artists, musicians and creative small businesses. Fairfield also has aspirations to be more sustainable with energy, recycling and ?Going Green.? I am amazed that a few leaders in the city don?t see edible landscaping as part of this whole picture. There is a beautiful strawberry patch on Madison Avenue on the parking ...

To the editor:The front page article on ?Principal quits amid birthday spanking uproar? was very upsetting.1. Parents and teachers alike have followed this tradition for years. I have seen parents use their open hand and paddles on children for birthday spankings. They did not use padding at all. Is this abuse?2. A lot of this has been done in schools for years, when has this started to be against the ...

To the editor:During the last several election cycles, voters were told that the most important topics of discussion were the state and federal budget and the creation of jobs. Social issues (life, marriage and family) were minimized and generally not mentioned by candidates or the media. These issues have been largely ignored in the current legislative session as well. Many have given up the fight for the ...

To the editor:I am very interested in politics and so I?ve been watching the presidential candidates very closely. As I listen to some candidates I?ve been noticing a certain theme; cut, cut and cut. This scares me. This scares me greatly. I worry about the effects that these cuts will have on our already deprived schools.I currently go to Fairfield High School and so I got to see firsthand the effects that ...

To the editor: The Society of Fairfield Italian Americans recently promoted their ?All Things Italian? event on a bulletin board at the library, and we postered for Joe Benevento?s author book talk as well. I was impressed with the group?s enthusiasm and organizational know-how, and the multi-generational sense of community in Central Park was palpable. At the library?s front desk, we have responded to ...

To the editor:Growing up as the seventh of nine children in a rural Iowa town, I have fond memories as a 10-year-old listening to my oldest sibling?s records. One in particular was the soundtrack from Jesus Christ Superstar. I found myself listening to this rock opera over and over and over again. Never seeing the production, I was very excited to go to the Way Off Broadway version. Never in my wildest dreams ...