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Birth

Luke David Secrest was born Oct. 28, 2024, to Skyler and Shannon Secrest of Marietta. He was born at 6:29 p.m. at Marietta Memorial Hospital, weighing 7 pounds, 1 ounce, and measuring 19.5 inches long. Grandparents are J.D. and Michelle Secrest of Marietta and Mark and Julie Haessly of Marietta. Great-grandparents are John and Connie Secrest of Caldwell, Tim and Ann Carrothers of Newport, Jack and Mary Haessly of Marietta, and Nancy Smith and the late Herbert Smith of Marietta. Aunt is Lakyn Secrest of Columbus.

Spring flowering bulbs

Hello Mid-Ohio Valley farmers and gardeners! There is still time to plant some spring flowering bulbs. You can plant spring-blooming bulbs such as daffodils, tulips, crocus, and hyacinth when ground temperatures drop to around 50-55 degrees F or lower (but not freezing), and continue planting up till a couple weeks before the ground freezes. Spring flowering bulbs can add gorgeous early color to raised beds and other areas around the home in early spring. Crocus, tulips, hyacinths, and daffodils are a versatile group of plants and there is a type for any location. Spring flowering ...

The importance of giving

The word Thanksgiving is telling us the true meaning of giving and as we draw closer to Thanksgiving it becomes more evident. There is nothing more important or self satisfying than that giving and sharing with the less fortunate. Giving is something we must emphasize to our children and how life is not only how much we can accumulate for ourselves but how we can aid and help people in need. All holidays including Thanksgiving have a true meaning behind them and it is important that we teach our children the true meaning of each holiday they will never know. You all have heard ...

College tuition based on lifetime earnings: Education vs. professional majors

INTRODUCTION Teaching is one of the most honorable occupations a person could choose to undertake. It is also the most crucial career regarding our country’s youth with the immense responsibly of molding them into mentally, physically, and ethically productive adult citizens. No other profession is charged with such a monumental task. And I am sure everyone would agree. Ironically, educators are the lowest paid professionals. This has led me to the following research, comparing the average lifetime earnings of K-12 classroom educators to other professions. THE FINDINGS In my ...

Get rid of the guilt

During the pandemic shutdown a few years ago, mental health professionals talked about “lockdown guilt” and “pandemic guilt.” They noticed that those who were allowed to work from home, and those who continued to draw paychecks but weren’t expected to work at all, felt guilty because health care workers, truckers and other “essential” workers had to go to work and face the associated risks while they were safe at home. In truth, there was no reason to feel guilty; the government directed non-essential workers to remain at home. But these stay-at-home employees still felt ...

Leaf Mold Compost

Hello Mid-Ohio Valley farmers and gardeners! I see many homeowners cleaning up leaves this fall around the valley. Why not gather these leaves to make leaf mold, a valuable compost? This week I want to discuss composting leaves to make leaf mold, otherwise known as black gold. Leaves are a natural soil builder, can reduce the need for fertilizer on lawns and gardens and can offer excellent winter insulation for plants. Leaf mold is a nutrient rich soil amendment produced through fungal decomposition of tree leaves. However, unlike traditional compost that undergoes a heat generating, ...