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Attending a 50-year reunion

I walked into the room and was struck by the preponderance of graying hair and balding heads. Who were these old people? And what were they doing at my high school class reunion? It was difficult to comprehend that it’s been half a century since my classmates and I walked across the stage in our high school’s gymnasium wearing those goofy hats and our goofy grins. Perhaps no one was happier with my graduation than our school administrators. This was especially true for our principal, Mr. Grebner. I spent so much time in his office that my name was stenciled on one of its ...

Craziness fit for a king

At the end of 2024, Congress passed a “Continuing Resolution” to fund the government. This was back when Congress still had a heartbeat. The one thing both parties agreed on was that farmers would get $21 billion. I’m all for free money. So, I looked forward to my tiny piece of the pie. Then came Inauguration Day. Elon Musk was suddenly the most powerful person in our country. He was given free rein to cut agencies and programs that both parties had built up over decades. He did this with the subtlety of a herd of bulls in a China shop and all the thoughtfulness. DOGE was ...

PTSD and domestic violence: Understanding lasting impact

By Becci tenBensel June is recognized as PTSD awareness month, a time dedicated to increasing understanding and support for those affected by Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. PTSD is a mental health condition that can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event, impacting individuals’ thoughts, emotions, and daily lives. This month serves as a vital reminder to break the silence and stigma surrounding trauma and mental health, promote early intervention, and encourage conversations. By raising awareness, we can foster empathy, improve access to care, and support ...

Eagle Cafe fire kindles memories of local eating places

A symbol of my family’s history was severely damaged by a fire this spring. The building that housed Ivanhoe’s former Eagle Cafe caught fire in April in a midnight blaze. Fire departments from as far away as Marshall and Canby responded to the Ivanhoe Fire Department’s call for assistance. Much of the roof collapsed and part of the second floor had extensive damage. The owner published a full damage assessment report in the Ivanhoe Times, and has pledged to rebuild. I hope he’s successful. I hope the building can once again become a valuable part of the Ivanhoe ...

The relapse problem

Anyone who works in a helping profession will deal with success that often is followed by the person being helped sliding back into his or her old ways. The setback then needs to be addressed and dealt with. Their self-defeating behaviors have to stop if success is to be maintained When a person initially stops the problem behavior for a brief period of time we say that the person is in remission. Remission is an initial period during which there is no recurrence of the problem behavior. Relapse, however, is any return or recurrence of the problem behavior. A slip is different. A ...

Dairy Month delights

Legend has it that an urban congressman decided to visit a dairy farm. “How often do you milk your cows?” asked the congressman. “Twice a day,” replied the dairyman. “So, ten times a week,” said the congressman. “No, twice a day.” “That’s what I said. There are five days in a week, so that’s ten times a week.” “No, twice a day,” insisted the dairyman. The discussion continued in this vein for some minutes. Shaking his head, the dairyman finally turned to his wife and quipped, “Good news, Helen. It sounds like the ...