Guest Editorial: The healthier our children, the better our society
Perham FocusViolence is an urgent public health problem in our communities. Far too many Americans, both young and old, have witnessed or experienced violence in their homes, schools or...
View ArticleEditorial: Distracted driving deserves our full attention
Perham FocusWe’ve all seen it, and – let’s be honest – we’ve all done it.Driving down the road, we decide to have a little snack, reprogram the GPS, turn our...
View ArticleEditorial: Sparking up a conversation about outdoor fire danger
Perham FocusThis week, April 20-26, is Wildfire Prevention Week in Minnesota.It’s a good time of the year to remind people of the dangers of wildfires, and to spread information about...
View ArticleGuest Editorial: Mental illness doesn’t discriminate, and neither should you
Perham FocusMany people pay attention to their physical health, but total wellness involves eight basic dimensions: spiritual, financial, social, occupational, intellectual, emotional, physical and...
View ArticleEditorial: APPLAUSE / A PAUSE
Perham FocusThis is a monthly feature of our Columns & Commentary page, in which we either applaud a person, group or event for something positive that we feel is worthy of...
View ArticleGuest Editorial: The hidden perks of the Affordable Care Act
Perham FocusMost people know the Affordable Care Act, otherwise known as Obamacare, for its web-based health insurance exchange, and its unpopular requirement that everyone carry health insurance or...
View ArticleEditorial Memorial Day a meaningful, solemn day
Perham FocusInitially known as Decoration Day, Memorial Day is a day to remember all the military men and women who have died in service to the country.It’s a solemn day...
View ArticleEditorial: Applause / A Pause
Perham FocusAPPLAUSE / A PAUSEThis is a monthly feature of our Columns & Commentary page, in which we either applaud a person, group or event for something positive that we...
View ArticleFocus Editorial: Don't become a train wreck; show care at rail crossings
Perham FocusGov. Mark Dayton has proclaimed June to be “Rail Crossing Safety Awareness Month” in Minnesota.And for good reason.While the number of highway-rail accidents has dropped dramatically in...
View ArticleApplause / A Pause
Perham FocusA PAUSE to soggy weather that has flooded some area cabins, basements and crop fields. Precipitation levels have been well above normal in recent weeks, with some areas around Perham...
View ArticleGettin' Lizzie With It: Guide to gift wrap, Christmas edition
Perham FocusI’ve always been a big believer in not judging a book by its cover. Of course, as a bookworm and history nerd, I’ll admit my reading preferences aren’t always in...
View ArticleThe worst Christmas gifts I could find
Perham FocusResearch on this column, which is to be about the worst Christmas gifts ever, reminds me of a time when we decided that only children would receive gifts. Granted, we...
View ArticleOptimism is a useful quality
Perham FocusOne of my favorite quotes is by Winston Churchill: “I choose to be an optimist. It does not seem to be much use to be anything else.”I agree with...
View ArticleExpecting the unexpected
Perham FocusMy ‘mama clock’ is ticking, and I figure now is as good a time as any to say my temporary goodbyes.With Simon (the name my husband and I have...
View ArticleSports highlight community involvement, teamwork
Perham FocusThe 2014-15 athletic season has brought me several firsts; including my first Minnesota State Cross Country Championship, Heart O'Lakes basketball game and Minnesota State Wrestling...
View ArticleReferendum Responsibility
Perham FocusSomeone recently told me that they knew that I was a big supporter of the school referendum. That I was all for raising people’s taxes for a...
View ArticleFree-range parenting and egg bombs
Perham FocusA recent article in a magazine brought up a concerned citizen’s out-spoken dismay (She called the cops.) because some local parents had let their two children—aged six and ten—play...
View ArticleIn the Write Zone
Perham Focus Words and coherently writing them down for others to read have been a big part of my life since I won my first writing competition in the seventh...
View ArticleNo time to cry over spilled ketchup
Perham Focus One of the best parts of working for a weekly newspaper is all the great festivals and community gatherings I get to attend. With camera in hand, I ...
View ArticleThe word ‘another’ has become bothersome with regards to school shootings
Perham Focus Stephen Colbert, on his former late night TV show, The Colbert Report, use to have a funny segment called “The Word,” where he would discuss a topic of...
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