The Way It Is

“That’s just the way it is. Some things will never change,” sings Bruce Hornsby with a beautiful piano back-up. Hornsby recorded this track in 1986, and the catchy tune made the Billboard charts, but not surprisingly, fared better in other countries.

Hams and jams

A most necessary back story: Amateur Radio Operators (Hams) often gather at different cities during the year to trade/buy/sell ham equipment and renew old face-to-face friends. These events are called Hamfests.

In Memory of an Ex

It was a puzzle without instructions, a grief that felt out of place, an unbidden territory where sorrow flickered at unexpected moments and old memories surged from the depths. There was no script, no instructions for letting go of someone who was once everything, then became a distant echo.

Please Don’t Blame the Kids

We welcome your letters. All letters must be signed and must include a phone number for verification (it will not be printed). Mail letters to P.O. Box 38, Tecumseh; e-mail to editor@countywidenews.com, or bring them by our office at 101 N. Broadway.

Golden Age Center welcomes new officers

Greetings from the Golden Age Center. With the welcome of the new year, the members installed new officers for 2026. Thanks to Jack Parson for his many years of serving as President of the site council.

Happy 250th Birthday

I couldn’t wait until July to write this column. All of 2026 is a year-long celebration of the birth of this great nation. Those of us who love this God-Blessed Land of the Free and Home of the Brave must ignore the whimpers and cries of cynics and critics who were probably baptized in pickle juice!

CAPITOL COMMENTS

Oklahoma has seen several major wins in recent weeks, a number of which will directly benefit Oklahoma’s Fifth District.

Capitol Comments

The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2026 ensures we have a ready, capable, and lethal fighting force to deter our adversaries. It fulfills an agenda of “Peace through Strength” and reflects our ongoing work to strengthen our national defense and security.

Hustle and Bustle

Whew! It’s finally over. I’m talking about before Thanksgiving when I carried two calendars on my person at all times. The paper calendar kept track of everything that needed doing before Christmas. My e-calendar alerted me to all scheduled appointments.

Another year of aging

Getting older isn’t just about life getting smaller or quieter. For a lot of people, it’s actually about going deeper.