Alan K. Simpson, former Senator from the State of Wyoming, once said, “If you have integrity, nothing else matters. If you don’t have integrity, nothing else matters.” As a former public servant…
Category: Editorials
Emerald’s Gem Box: A hole will forever be in my heart
This past Monday my heart was shattered when I received the news of Sheriff David Hobbs’ death. The past 24 hours has been like a shock wave for me; for David was…
From the Sunny Side: Black Friday
Today is the day many folks call “Black Friday.” You probably didn’t need me to tell you that, but I did. I’m not sure from where the term originated; perhaps it came…
Preparation tips for your Thanksgiving bird
Preparing a turkey can be intimidating to most cooks. It’s because we only prepare a turkey once or twice a year, and it is so much larger than anything else we put…
Passing Parade: “Stubby” dies; Dog gained fame in war
Nelson A. Pryor: Guest Columnist That was the headline in the March 17, 1926 Washington Post, p. 24. The subhead was: “Mascot Went Through Four Major Battles and Was Wounded Once.” Education…
National Security: Veterans Day
Joe Boyles: Guest Columnist Saturday is Veterans Day, the day we honor our veteran soldiers, sailors, airmen, coast guardsmen and marines, living and dead, former and current. Originally, this observance was known…
Employment Matters: Do the math
We all know that there are certain times in life when just gotta sit down and do the math. Whether it’s determining a household budget; planning a much needed and deserved vacation;…
Florida’s economic future depends on you
Dear Editor, Everyone loves when a plan comes together. What’s even better is when a community comes together behind a plan. That’s exactly what happened last week when more than 30 leaders…
Emerald’s Gem Box: Happy Birthday Daddy
Saturday, Oct. 28 would mark the 79th birthday of my Daddy. (It would also mark the 55th wedding anniversary of my parents. My mother always said she picked my daddy’s birthday to…
From the sunny side… A glimpse at the future
Not everyone knows this, but I can be a sentimental type on occasion. Those with whom I work will probably be quick to categorize me as the “cynical” type when it comes…
Emerald’s Gem Box: Brooke and Clint have joined together as one
Emerald Greene Parsons: Greene Publishing, Inc. This past Saturday, Oct. 14, my youngest daughter, Brooke, became the wife of Clint Riley. They were married at the Quail Branch Lodge, in Lake Park,…
Christian Concepts: A madman in Las Vegas
Stephen Paddock was the suspected madman of the Las Vegas massacre. I say, “was” because after unleashing a barrage of deadly gunfire on a crowd at a concert, with arrest imminent, he…
Emerald’s Gem Box: Pray for the victims and pray for our nation and world
Monday morning, we all woke up to hear the horrific news of the mass shooting in Las Vegas. Our hearts ache for the victims, and their families, during this strenuous and troublesome…
Passing Parade: What? They didn’t tell you?
Nelson A. Pryor: Guest Columnist There are a lot of things we aren’t being let in on. Nothing has changed! The game’s been rigged, the club’s been formed, and, we’re not in…
Emerald’s Gem Box: Go kneel by the grave of a soldier
More than 200 NFL players sat or knelt, this past weekend, during the playing of the National Anthem. Some teams stayed in the locker room and didn’t even come out on the…
Make food safety a priority
September is National Food Safety Month, a campaign of the Partnership for Food Safety Education with the goal of teaching consumers about safe food handling. It’s hard to convince people their daily…
Emerald’s Gem Box: We all survived
Emerald Greene Parsons Last week, Hurricane Irma brought wrath and destruction everywhere she went; some places got it worse than others. Madison County fared pretty well in comparison to other parts of…
Your wealth of health… Motivation
Emily Akers: Certified Personal Trainer Motivation for anything has ebbs and flows. One week you’re the first one in the office, you’re organized and are checking things off your list. The next…
Passing Parade: Will Al Lawson Meet President Trump?
Nelson A. Pryor: Guest Columnist Scheduled for September 17 to 19, Congressman Lawson, and the Congressional Black Caucus, were to meet with the President. The Congressional Black Caucus, a formidable block of…
Emerald’s Gem Box: Chinese Wisdom – – A Chinese Proverb – –
Emerald G. Parsons: Greene Publishing, Inc. An elderly Chinese woman had two large pots, each hung on the ends of a pole, which she carried across her neck. One of the pots…