Opinion

Body “As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.” James 2:26 (NIV) Both NPR News and the Washington Post reported last week there have been over 240 mass shootings in 2020. Many of these we never heard about.

Body Summer is here and so are the hot temperatures. Triple digits are expected to be with us all week. Summer is a time of hard work and high temperatures. That’s why it’s important for children, workers, farmers, and ranchers to know the signs of heat stress and exhaustion.

Body Dear Neil: How can I get poison ivy out of a large holly shrub? It sprouted up under the shrub, and before I knew it was there it was completely shrouding the bush. You will need to work very carefully.

Body For the month of June, Karan’s Korner will focus on National Dairy Month. Why is it important to eat dairy products? They are the richest source of calcium, which is needed for strong teeth and bones.

Body The only worry I had was that Old Man Miller might be hiding out behind the shed trying to catch us running through his garden when we played tag in our back yards. If you grew up in the 1970s in the suburbs of Pittsburgh, you know exactly what I’m talking about.

Body In the wake of every mass killing in this country, politicians do what politicians do, which is to circle their respective wagons, and offer solutions that fail to get to the heart of the issue. I don’t have a dog in the gun control fight.

Body Monday was Memorial Day. I had the honor of giving the opening prayer for our annual observance of the holiday in Zero Stone Park.

Body Dear Neil: If a large bottlebrush tree that froze to the ground in February is now sending out sprouts from the roots, will the tree grow back to normal size, or is it permanently damaged? It will regrow to normal size if you have the patience.

Body Dear Neil: Our Asian jasmine bed has developed some unsightly dead patches. It’s been a popular hangout for deer, and I thought this might be the result of grazing or trampling. A neighbor thinks it’s grubs. What do you think might have caused it, and what might the remedy be?

Body Let me begin by saying, do not assume you know how I voted on the propositions. I am a retired educator, my children went through the public education system, and my grandchildren are currently in the public education system. I have no “disdain” for public education.