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What is insomnia?

Community Voices

It’s not uncommon for people to have issues with sleep. Most will get back to regular sleep patterns sooner rather than later. What if the difficulty with sleep does not stop? What if sleep problems go on and on? Impaired sleep is a threat to a person’s general well-being and ability to function. The typical name for this problem is insomnia. Sleep disturbance is so important that it really should be addressed sooner rather than later. Impaired sleep, at a minimum, can impact your memory, your ability to think, your job performance, how you interact and socialize with ...

My Cororna

Community Voices

It started out as an ordinary, run-of-the mill winter cold. It’s been a few years since I’ve had a cold, so I thought OK, I’m due. Generally, my colds are simply an annoyance. Seldom do I take anything for it. Besides, the syrups that are commonly used to treat the symptoms of a cold taste so horrible that you want to scrub your tongue with soap and water. My cold journeys usually go like this: I develop a slight case of the sniffles. This is followed a day to later by some light to moderate coughing. A week later, it’s all over; the symptoms resolve, and life goes on. Not ...

Ice spoons for specks

Community Voices

When it comes to ice fishing, a hot bite for crappies under the hardwater is tough to beat. While sometimes these finicky fish need to be finessed with tiny jigs tipped with spikes, in presentations more suited for bluegills, the best bites where crappies are aggressively feeding and slamming small spoons are often the most memorable. That’s not to say one can’t get away with some small spoons these days though, either, as more and more lures cater to crappie anglers on the ice. What follows are some tips to get the most out of an enjoyable spoon bite for crappies. Line it up Of ...

It’s difficult

Community Voices

Please excuse me for being a downer, but in today’s world, it’s difficult to stay upbeat and positive. Why is it hard to see the light today? Well, let me list a couple of downers, and, then, finish with some uppers. Within the least few days, the happenings in our country scare the heck out of me. As a nation founded on the rule of law and democratic values, how did we become a nation similar to other non-democratic countries? How can we not respect territorial integrity? The short term and the long term repercussions of what’s happened will be felt by everyone, and the ...

Is 4% rule right retirement income strategy for you?

Community Voices

Planning for lasting retirement income requires a thoughtful strategy, especially with factors like longevity, market volatility and evolving lifestyle needs in play. As retirement approaches, one of the most common questions people face is: “How much can I safely withdraw from my savings each year?” For decades, the 4% rule has served as a widely accepted guideline. The premise is straightforward: withdraw 4% of your total savings in the first year of retirement, then adjust that amount annually for inflation. While the 4% rule offers a straightforward framework, it doesn’t ...

World Almanac: Still a valuable resource in an era of technology

Community Voices

About a month ago I learned firsthand how much things have changed when it comes to finding information. I went to the Marshall Lyon County Library to look at the 2025 World Almanac. There were several things I wanted to check (election statistics, biographies of famous people who died etc.) Much to my surprise there wasn’t an opportunity. The library’s almanac is dated 2023, with information compiled in 2022. The librarian at the desk checked the Internet and found that the World Almanac is still published. Maybe they’ll order one for 2026. It would be useful to me and to ...