Commentary

Oh Betty, how we miss you. That mischievous laugh, perfect comedic timing, beautiful smile and funny zingers are just a few of the reasons why the whole world is in mourning.

Julian was having a difficult day at work. Projects were due, and his boss had just made major changes to a spreadsheet that would mean a long night. Julian isn’t the type to get angry, but he does get withdrawn.

On a beautiful afternoon in October and again in November, my husband Rick and I were privileged to tour Cottonwood-Oak Creed School District’s two school campuses with Superintendent King. He was a great tour guide. Here’s what we discovered.

Brrrr, it’s been cold! Yes, even here in Arizona, it has been frosty.

On this day one year ago, I sat on the Floor of the House of Representatives preparing to speak in support of the validity of Arizona’s election results when armed insurrectionists breached the Capitol and staff and members were rushed from the chambers. All around me I saw people running, calling out to friends, and doing what they could to help one another, their faces full of fear.

America runs on petroleum, still, even as in-roads are made toward other fuel alternatives. It is especially true in Arizona and other wide-open western states, where even the most casual of errands can chew threw $10 worth of gas.

Dasia Taylor is your typical high school student, with one exception. She cares about the rest of the world — and she’s doing something about it.

Another year. And another year older. It is my granddaughter, Bella’s birthday today. She is thrilled to be six years old. My husband, Doug’s birthday is Friday. He has little enthusiasm for being a year older, but Bella has enough excitement for all of us.

The story behind America’s first and only 10,000-meter Olympic champion.

I've observed opinions regarding Northern Arizona Healthcare’s vaccination policy with some amusement and sadness. I retired March 2021 from NAH after 24 years of employment as the lead medical laboratory scientist in charge of molecular diagnostics and infectious disease testing.

Are you ready to board Flight 2022? Well, fasten your seat belts because we are on the verge of saying “hello” to a New Year. Ready or not, it is coming, so we might as well pop the cork, pour the bubbly and watch the ball in Time Square (or boot in Prescott) drop. Time, once again, is marching into the beginning of a new calendar, dragging us along with it.

As of Dec. 31, 2021, I will be retiring from practicing at Northern Arizona Healthcare for the past 15 years.

This week, as we make the Big Approach to all things Christmas, we might be flooded with memories of days gone by.

Beatrice “Tilly” Shilling had a penchant for speed. In 1913, at age 14, she bought her first motorcycle. She tinkered with it and roared around the English countryside, eventually racing for the British Motorcycle Racing Club.

In May 1869, John Wesley Powell, a former Union Army major who had lost most of his right arm in the Battle of Shiloh, led 10 explorers in launching four heavy wooden boats loaded to the gunwales with 10 months of supplies.

Do you believe in Santa? Yes, of course you do. Who can honestly say that there is no Santa? As we approach Christmas, there are so many reasons to believe.

I sat at the table with my family during Thanksgiving dinner this week and I couldn’t help but realize how lucky I really am.

How was your Black Friday?

Our language has changed drastically, our community spirit has changed and our general purpose for the holiday has changed (family fights and football, anyone?), but Thanksgiving remains a true treasure of the American society.

Americans don’t know it and children aren’t taught it, but George Washington is responsible for our Thanksgiving holiday. It was our first president who led the charge to make this day of thanks a truly national event.

Press accounts inform us that the Salt River Project and greater Phoenix cities are planning to rebuild and raise Bartlett Dam, located just north of Phoenix on the Verde River. By raising the existing dam another 97 feet, the lake could produce about a 100,000 acre feet of water per year, enough for another half million people.

It seems we are all thankful for the ability to get together this year. Last year we had to cope with words like “social distancing” and “nuclear family gatherings,” with suggestions of holding dinner outdoors.

Junior high school can be a punishing place. It’s where extroverts thrive, introverts are pushed aside and class distinctions are sharply defined as adolescents try to find a place to belong.

When Yavapai County Community Health Services announced this week that teens by far have the lowest vaccination rate among all age groups when it comes to its vaccination status against COVID-19, I was actually a bit surprised.

“To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given to America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations.”