My Turn: Vaccinations, public health part of Big E

By CHRISTINE HAMP

Who doesn’t love a good combo? Milk and cookies. Peanut butter and jelly. Bacon and eggs.But how about the combination of smart public health strategy with one of the largest agricultural events in the nation? That sounds like an excellent idea to...

My Turn: A peace plan for Israelis, Palestinians

By ELIYHO MATZ

As a young and alert person growing up in Israel, my witnessing of the Israeli-Palestinian brutal conflict and constant hostilities provided my fertile mind with all sorts of dreams and thoughts. From a very early age, I began searching for possible...

Laura Briggs: We can't securitize our way out of school shootings

The other night, my kid had a nightmare about guns. I bet he wasn’t the only one, in the wake of all the publicity about the Apalachee High School shooting.The New York Times reported afterward that the Georgia school contracted with a private...

Steven William Lindsey: Walking the grounds of the old church

I drove down to see the old abolition church, also known as the Zion Korean Church on Main Street last Sunday. The white church is expected to be dismantled by the YMCA next door to make room for the their child care center. The demolition contract...

My Turn: MAGA and secession

By DAVID PARRELLA

 Following the election of 1860, the so-called fire-eaters of the planter class had a problem. Even though Lincoln was not talking about emancipation just yet, the planter class was worried about the value of their investment in the ownership of 4...

My Turn: Character, experience, and accomplishments make Harris the best choice

By MITCHELL R. GROSKY

 In the Nov. 5 election, Kamala Harris is clearly and indisputably the best candidate for president of the United States. Her character, qualifications and experience, and her accomplishments prove that she is an outstanding candidate who will be a...

My Turn: How to become truly tolerant

By WENDY GOODMAN

 In regard to the Aug. 20 letter “Liberals not so tolerant” [Recorder], I think the writer misses the point.I speak for myself and some other “liberals” who had similar “outsider” experiences. It seems if we fought for change, we are now labeled...

My Turn: A close look at the contender

By CARL DOERNER

 The German-American philosopher-historian Hannah Arendt was one of the 20th century’s wisest and respected interpreters. In her famous book, “The Origins of Totalitarianism” (1968), she wrote:“In an ever-changing, incomprehensible world the masses...

Tom Peabody: Is the U.S. doomed?

As I sit and watch news on different channels, I have lost my faith in the good old US of A. I believe former president Donald Trump will win this election, but I don’t think he can save this country anymore.My reasoning? First, and most importantly,...

Mark William Bracken: How unclaimed property can help your favorite nonprofit

National Nonprofit Day was celebrated just a few weeks ago on Aug. 17. Many people chose to acknowledge the day by volunteering at their favorite nonprofit or donating to an organization in their area. If you are looking for a unique way to contribute...

Lucy Fagella: No easy answers to knotweed problem

In response to the My Turn column “Japanese knotweed is the problem, not the solution,” [Recorder, Sept. 4], I agree. Japanese knotweed is the problem as it is choking out our native species, but saying that glyphosate is the solution is troubling.The...

John Gould: Road to Mary Lyon House could become a private driveway

As a matter of interest, there will be a public hearing by the Buckland Planning Board on Wednesday, Sept. 11, at 7 p.m. regarding the discontinuance of Old Upper Street, location of the Major Joseph Griswold House, also known as the “Mary Lyon...

Joe Robert Parzych: Not satisfied with the two presidential candidates

I am not voting for the two candidates who are running for president this time around because it’s a big mess. In addition, there are many reasons I think it’s time for three parties, including an Independent Party to get a chance hear their voices....

My Turn: The tyranny of a CSA

By RUTH CHARNEY

My mother told me to eat my vegetables, now a CSA does.            Don’t get me wrong, I love my CSA. It’s a privilege to belong and I’ve been a member for many years. It’s a membership I would never think of relinquishing. I am a proud, boastful...

My Turn: Empowering tomorrow’s innovators — Advancing gender, racial diversity and leadership in STEM

By KELLEY BRYANT

Massachusetts is leading the charge in innovation with incubators supporting startups, drug manufacturers developing lifesaving treatments, and technology companies using AI for solutions in various sectors. Women in government are promoting...

My Turn: Hospitals are one of my safe spaces

By JOANNA BUONICONTI

I swear the temperature drops 10 degrees upon entering the procedure room. The thin johnny does little to stop the goosebumps from rising all over my body. I can’t keep my eyes from lingering over the procedure table that my body will soon be draped...

Connecting the Dots: It’s time to elect a woman president

By JOHN BOS

Some Republicans appear to have decided that Kamala Harris is only 3/5ths of a person and therefore cannot run for president.They made “big news” last week, though, when they charged that Kamala Harris is not a “natural born citizen” and therefore not...

As I See It: America’s mighty power explained

By JON HUER

During the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, President Joe Biden was making his farewell speech. In part, he said, “Years ago everybody was talking about how China would overtake America as the world’s superpower, but today, nobody talks...

My Turn: Tis’ the season for a liberal meltdown

By WALT GORMAN

Well, the season is winding down. As I look forward to not going to the Franklin County Fair and tossing my cookies on the Tilt-A-Whirl, I hope to be less cranky as the nights become cooler and the days grow shorter. And since this newspaper...