Brazil Times: Opinion

Proud to be 'Too American' (02/07/10)
To the Editor: I feel this is worth sharing. I was recently in China and as I sat waiting in an office, I struck up a conversation with a young Chinese fellow. He lived in New York the last 14 years, but was born in China. All went well until he said, "My mother thinks I'm getting too American."...

Organizers thank all who have purchased park benches (02/07/10)
To the Editor: I would like to thank those who have purchased personalized park benches for the Forest Park Band Shell so far: Dr. Rick Rodgers, Betty Niswonger-Green, Phil Redenbarger, Pell Brothers, Ltd., Brazil Parks Board, William and Leona Shobe Family, Moore Funeral Home, Stoney Stitzle, Susanne Muhly, Barbara McManus, Clifford and Sarah Smith, Tom Jackson, John D. ...

Educator visit area beauty school (02/07/10)
To the Editor: Jocie's Beauty School is very proud to announce that Veronica Rogers visited our school Jan. 28, and again Feb. 4, for an onsite education class for our cosmetology students. Veronica Rogers has been a Scuples educator and platform artist for eight years. Our students had the experience of learning the latest color techniques...

What about renter's rights? (02/07/10)
To the Editor: Over the past few years, I have been through a lot with what I like to call, "slumlords." Did you know that in Indiana, you have no rights as a renter? Trying to find an affordable place is difficult enough, but to find an affordable place such as a three bedroom for $600 a month, that is not falling apart, is almost completely impossible...

Reader updates license situation (02/07/10)
To the Editor: Update on driver's license. I heard from the Governor's office. Not only do I have to have marriage licenses, I also have to have divorce papers. Lots of luck ladies. Sally Garrett, Ellettsville

Responding to 'unfair' attacks (02/07/10)
To the Editor: Recently, I talked to Times' Editor Jason Moon on the phone and he told me that they may be interested in some more letters about past events. Thanks, Jason. I appreciate that. It's good to know that there are other people out there that like reading that type of thing...

Another response to 'play 'em all' (02/07/10)
To the Editor: This letter is in response to ("Reader says play 'em all," which appeared in the Jan. 25, 2010, issue of The Brazil Times). This is my opinion on parents and athletics. I also have two children who play sports in school, one in eighth-grade and one in sixth. ...

Reader responds to 'play 'em all' (02/07/10)
To the Editor: I am writing in response to ("Reader says play 'em all," which appeared in the Jan. 25, 2010, issue of The Brazil Times). I understand and sympathize with (the writer) and her children. I realize how discouraging it must be to get little playing. The goal at every game is to win...

Donation drive to end Monday (02/05/10)
A few weeks ago, citizens of Haiti were rocked by a devastating earthquake that measured more than 7.0 on the Richter Scale. Since the earthquake rocked the country, residents of Clay County have stepped up through donations. Only days after the earthquake, The Brazil Times undertook a relief effort of its own, asking everyone in the county to donate just $1...

Staunton Scene (02/05/10)
Staunton First Christian Church Sunday School begins at 9:30 a.m., with worship service following at 10:30. Doug Parkey is the minister. If you need transportation to morning worship service, phone the church office at 446-3211. The bus is wheelchair equipped...

Give a plant to your Valentine (02/04/10)
It is still a little dreary outside, so why not make the inside of your house warm and colorful with a special gift idea for those you love on Valentine's Day. This gift that I am talking about is not a card, candy or a stuffed animal. The gift that I think makes the inside of a house warm and color actually grows and lives for as long as you care to maintain it. By now, you are probably starting to wonder what it might be and if you haven't already figured it out, I am referring to a plant...

Resident explains how she watches football (02/04/10)
Unlike those who never watch football (like some basketball fans) and those who understand the signals and know players by name and number (like our sons and grandsons), I prefer a relaxed approach. You might say I've perfected a method of watching football without really trying...

Harmony Happenings (02/03/10)
The Harmony Town Council held their regular meeting at the Community Center on Tuesday evening, Feb. 2. There were no big items on the agenda but several smaller ones needed to be discussed. Junk cars/trucks, eyesore properties, and park repairs always seem to need attention...

Brazil Buzz (02/03/10)
Last week this lefty carried a handful of swollen fingers to my health care provider. The index finger, especially begged for attention and so did I. After careful examination, a blood draw and the results, an anti-inflammatory drug is now in my system. I hope that the medicine will ease my pain or at least keep it under control...

Commissioner responds to letter (01/31/10)
To the Editor: This is in response to Rick Sanders' letter to the editor recently published in The Brazil Times on Jan. 25. There was a team from Rose Hulman Institute who came and gave suggestions on how to take care of the traffic problems on Kennedy Crossing and Hendrix Street. The suggestions they gave the Clay County Commissioners have taken action on...

Thanks for the well wishes (01/31/10)
To the Editor: I would like to take this opportunity to say "thank you" to the emergency personnel and the professionals at (St. Vincent Clay) Hospital (especially her nurse, Susan) for the excellent treatment our daughter received after her accident on Kennedy's Crossing on Jan. 18...

Reader responds to cheer letter (01/31/10)
To the Editor: I would like to start by saying that I agree with the lady that wrote the (letter) about the NCMS cheerleaders. The only thing I agree with is that they did a wonderful job this year. They were obviously coached very well over the summer and were taught awesome routines...

I need all this for a license? (01/31/10)
To the Editor: Wednesday afternoon, I made a trip to the License Branch to change my address since I had recently moved. I figured as long as I was there, I would go ahead and get the new Secure Driver's License. Was I in for a surprise. I had my birth certificate, I had my Social Security Card, I had three utility bills with my address on it, and, of course, my current driver's license...

More education necessary (01/31/10)
To the Editor: There was a letter from a man about the deaths of our children on our roadways. I am not a parent either. I, too, am saddened by these accidents and deaths and injuries. However, it isn't the roads that are causing these deaths and injuries, but the drivers...

Pruning away at winter (01/28/10)
Pruning is one of those dreaded events that no one wants to do and you definitely don't want to be out there doing it in the cold. Yet, now is the time to start thinking about pruning your trees and shrubs. You might wonder why I am saying now is the time to start. That is because there are no leaves to block your view and you will know the exact shape of the tree or shrub...

Brazil Buzz (01/27/10)
I do not know about you, but I think that I am ready for a heaping helping of sunshine. I looked forward to the January thaw and a rise in the temperature, because there is a lot of outdoor work to do around here. I did accomplish a lot, but this weather is toying with my arthritis...

Harmony Happenings (01/27/10)
Harmony United Methodist Women met at the church on Monday evening. With all the icy, blowing, snowing weather, only five of us braved it. Carolyn Kumpf was the hostess. She had fixed snacks for us and made up two nice winter themed door prizes. I did the lesson reading from author, minister, TV personality Joyce Meyer...

Open letter to school board, public (01/24/10)
Our student drop out problem is a destructive aspect of the educational process in our schools. The numbers of these students are unacceptable and can result in adverse effects on students who remain in our schools and graduate. They can develop a poor attitude toward our school system, retain bad memories of their school days, blame their teachers, principals and school board members for the dropouts. And they should...

Maximum education, minimum cost (01/24/10)
To the Editor: Recently, Gov. Daniels announced that funding cuts will be made to General Fund payments to K-12 across Indiana. School corporations around the state began a mad scramble to find ways to cut costs, but not Clay Community Schools. Many of the suggested methods coming out of state government, we are already doing and we are maintaining, percentage-wise, more of a cash balance than other corporations...

What can be done about roads? (01/24/10)
To the Editor: I am not a parent, but a concerned citizen. My concerns relate to Northview High School, Kennedy's Crossing Road, and Hendricks Street. Northview school has our youth going to school on "Death Roads." I was born and raised in Bee Ridge, moved away, came back and this road has taken a few of our "young kids." This isn't right...