By Tom Poland, A Southern WriterTomPoland.net I visit cemeteries never knowing what I’ll find. February 10, a cemetery gave me a story that has the elements of a great movie—risk, bravery, tragedy, the largest fire in the country, and a drunken sailor with wobbly feet. The story actually began whenContinue Reading

By Curtis LoftisSouth Carolina State Treasurer South Carolina children are learning that when they gain knowledge and develop skills, they’re making smart investments in themselves. Almost 300 educators across the state are using a new lesson plan to teach their kindergarten, first and second grade students that by investing inContinue Reading

By Dee Griffin Is semaglutide the best weight loss medication? It really depends. Semaglutide has changed the treatment approach since this medication was approved by the FDA to treat obesity in 2021. This GLP-1 medication mimics a gut hormone that suppresses appetite and helps regulate blood sugar. This action resultsContinue Reading

By Eileen Renders Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) can present with several intestinal symptoms that can include those associated with the gastrointestinal tract, such as stomach pain, bloating, cramping, gas, constipation, diarrhea, or both. Most of the time, symptoms are not considered severe, however, it is a persistent, long-termContinue Reading

The split-rail fence, in harmony with the earth. By Tom Poland, A Southern WriterTomPoland.net A fence has become more than a way to mark property — delineate — as a five-dollar word goes. “I put that fence up to delineate precisely where my line runs.” Redundant. To delineate is toContinue Reading

By Tom Poland, A Southern WriterTomPoland.net Man Will Always Wage War I remember the Vietnam anti-war protests at the University of Georgia. Some group firebombed the Army ROTC building and I recall four protestors walking abreast holding a “Stop War Now” banner. “Stop war now” chanted the throng behind them.Continue Reading

By Dee Griffin Snoring is an issue that affects not only the person snoring but for their bed partner as well. Lack of sleep can cause more issues than just being tired the next day. Snoring happens when air flows past relaxed tissues in the throat causing them to vibrateContinue Reading

By Dee Griffin The flowers are blooming, the bees are buzzing, and the allergies are flowing. Understanding the causes, symptoms, and some natural remedies can help reduce the discomfort during this season. The main cause of springtime allergies include pollen from trees, grasses, and weeds. These plants release pollen intoContinue Reading

By Eileen Renders Most of us over 60 have heard that old rhyme: “The thigh bone is connected to the leg bone, the leg bone is connected to the ankle bone, etc.” A similar analogy can be expressed whenever we voice concern over the ear, nose, or throat, as theyContinue Reading

By Sarah Ostergaard Like democracy, education is a participatory exercise and we all have essential roles to play in support of our local public school system. A well-functioning public education system requires that we communicate with our elected officials to educate them after making sure we are educated on theContinue Reading

By Tom Poland, A Southern WriterTomPoland.net Mom never darkened the door of a juke joint, but that didn’t stop her from rendering a harsh judgment. “The only people who go to juke joints are drunks and floozies.” I have a hunch where her belief came from. Early in her marriage,Continue Reading

By Radley West Let’s face it: we’re all a little too attached to our screens. Phones, tablets, laptops, TVs—if it glows, we’re glued to it. And while these magical devices bring us cat videos, endless TikTok dances, and online shopping at 3 am, they’re also robbing us of something critical:Continue Reading

By Dee Griffin Yoga is more than just physical exercise. It is a comprehensive practice that includes different elements to improve strength, flexibility, mental clarity and emotional calmness. Yoga is a health practice that originated in India and combines physical postures, meditation, and breathing exercises. Yoga has been practiced forContinue Reading

By Eileen Renders Many of us as we begin to age ask ourselves at the first symptoms of joint pain, do I have rheumatoid arthritis, or could it be osteoid arthritis, and what is the difference? Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder, and Osteoarthritis is not. Rheumatoid arthritis affects theContinue Reading