Opinion

Flair for leadership . . .

The other day I read a quote that made me stop and take pause. It read, “Don’t ever work for someone you don’t want to become.” Now at first glance, it makes perfect sense. Some might read that and say to themselves, “Well, of course. That’s a no-brainer. I would never do that.” At closer inspection though, how many people do we all know who work for bosses or companies who exhibit qualities that are unbecoming or downright negative?
Read MoreFlair for leadership . . .

Good morning, Robert!

I wanted to let you know that I really like what’s happening with the Mountaineer Echo. Lots of good friendly reading and I sure like Cindy Wood-Young’s ‘Growing up in Flippin’ contribution. I wish we had a few more local contributors like her. Please, keep up the good work! I’ve been doing a lot of research for a book I’m writing about Caney Store and have leaned on past articles of the ME to ‘jog my memory’, and it’s interesting to see how much the community has changed along with reporting along with it. For instance, back in the 50’s and 60’s the paper was full of national and state news on the front page with the important local news. Of course, the format of the paper was significantly different too. All fascinating.
Read MoreGood morning, Robert!

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Mr. Ellingson, As the editor of the Mountaineer Echo, I rarely respond to letters to the editor because as a Veteran, I believe everyone is ENTITLED to express their opinions in a respectful manner.
Read MoreLETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Wild Gobblers… Fewer and Fewer

A comeback in populations of the wild turkey is so simple it could begin this year. First of all, we need to end the fall gun season, which allows the taking of too many hens and gobblers. It does indeed affect breeding numbers for the following spring. How could it not? That argument is ridiculous. Right now, we have the lowest number of wild turkeys in the Ozarks since the seventies.
Read MoreWild Gobblers… Fewer and Fewer

“Would you like to buy…”

It did not take me long to realize that, as grateful as I am to have this opportunity to write, having a weekly column is not without its own challenges. Some weeks the topics – and subsequent words – flow easily. Other weeks, they trickle. And then, occasionally, the flow is completely damned up. This has been one of those weeks. I still have quite a number of special memories to share, but I’m determined to find accompanying photos before I go with them.
Read More“Would you like to buy…”

Cryptocurrency?

If you take financial advice from this column, in the future, you may not be able to afford to read this column. That said… let’s talk digital currencies. There are more than 18,000 cryptocurrencies on the market but what is it? Most agree it’s a digital currency that operates outside the traditional government/banking control, instead using public ledgers known as blockchains. But did you know that anyone can make a digital currency with a little coding? Yes, you and I can make our own digital currency. Late Show host Stephen Colbert’s crypto is called Ijustmadethatupeum. But is it a currency?
Read MoreCryptocurrency?

Pocketknives and handkerchiefs . . .

As much as technology has done for our society, there are a few things that it has taken away, like privacy, and the ability to work on a vehicle. Gone are the days of driving through a neighborhood and seeing fathers and sons or daughters, working under the hood of the family car or truck. These days you practically have to have a degree from MIT to figure out how to change a spark plug. I’ve always loved old cars and trucks. I get that from my dad. Over the years, he has had an old Chevy truck, a Packard, a ’55 Chevy, ’64 Mustang convertible and at his death a couple months ago, he had a 1946 Ford truck he tinkered on. For the past couple of years, I’ve been wanting an old truck. There’s something about the heavy clang of the door slamming shut, and the roaring sound of the engine. My husband and I purchased a 1965 Chevy truck to work on a little at a time. My dad was helping on the project. So far, we have a wiring harness installed. The way the previous owner had everything connected, he must have had stock in electrical tape. You know, you can tell a lot about a person’s work ethic by the decisions and shortcuts they make when working on a vehicle.
Read MorePocketknives and handkerchiefs . . .

Ante up, place your bets and hope

I usually tune out criticisms of the modern mess of humanity that come with phrases such as “late-stage capitalism.” That’s a gussied-up way implying that everyone knows the game is over, the plutocrats are making a killing while they can, and when the rubble is cleared away, we’ll find ourselves in a gentle and just Age of Aquarius.
Read MoreAnte up, place your bets and hope

Boozman Bills to Enhance Veteran Breast Cancer Care, Improve VA Oversight Signed into Law

Washington — President Joe Biden signed a suite of veteran’s legislation into law today including several bills led by U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR), a senior member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee and ranking member of the appropriations subcommittee responsible for funding the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
Read MoreBoozman Bills to Enhance Veteran Breast Cancer Care, Improve VA Oversight Signed into Law