Columnists | The Prairie Press

Here is a compilation of stories appearing in the late May and early June 1923 issues of the Paris Beacon-News. Spelling and punctuation have not been changed except where necessary for better … more

By Callie Baber | 6/5/23

Bobalong Burl's drill sergeant encounter

Bobalong Burl’s drill sergeant encounter Have you ever watched a pigeon walk? Or a mourning dove? Their heads are constantly in motion as they move. Or so it appears anyway. It seems like … more

By Allen Englebright | 6/26/23

Out of the Past

Here is a compilation of stories appearing in the October 1923 issue of the Paris Beacon-News. Spelling and punctuation have not been changed unless necessary for clarity. AS SAFEGUARD FROM … more

By Callie Baber | 10/23/23

Maps are fascinating

Ever since I was a little boy I thought maps were a wonderful invention. I could hardly wait for Mrs. Judy, my first grade teacher, to pull down a wall map that hung above our blackboards. I … more

By Roger Stanley | 6/5/23

Stand in your faith

If we grow in our wisdom, our ability to love and to be gracious then we will be able to stand confidently in our faith in God. The growth that we have talked about the last three weeks is … more

6/26/23

Graffiti holds wisdom

I recently entered the men’s restroom at the Chrisman Café to wash my hands. It’s a nice, friendly small-town eatery. On the wall, facing me, were some framed words of … more

By Allen Englebright | 9/4/23

Hello Edgar County!

My name is Erin Hutchison and I am the Executive Director of the Rec Center. The Rec will soon be showing up more in the Prairie Press. With that, we want to bring to light all the amazing … more

by Erin Hutchison | 6/26/23

Thinking about fatherhood

What did my dad mean to me? First, I must reflect back in time and compare a little bit about being a dad, a granddad and a great-granddad. Times have really changed and being a new dad in the … more

By Roger Stanley | 6/26/23

There is more to teeth than a brilliant smile

Data reveals 47% of us have braces at some point in our lives. Braces are most commonly associated with the teenage years, but there is no age limit for their use. Some choose to improve their smiles … more

By Terry Sullivan | 9/13/23

Tree Rings Tell the World’s Story

This week starts out with a straight line, “A dendrochronologist, marine archaeologist and climate paleontologist walk into a bar.” Not a joke because it really happened. In 2013 … more

By Terry Sullivan | 11/22/23

Out of the Past

Here is a compilation of stories appearing in the June 1923 issues of the Paris Beacon-News. Spelling and punctuation have not been changed except where necessary for better understanding. … more

By Callie Baber | 6/10/23

Out of the Past

Here is a compilation of stories appearing in the late August/early September 1924 issues of the Paris Beacon-News. The September 1923 volume is misplaced so Out of the Past is 99 years instead of a … more

By Callie Baber | 9/2/23

Making Halloween healthier

Halloween is just around the corner. This annual celebration has something for everyone – from spooky decorations to costumes, and of course, tasty treats. Sweet treats are plentiful this … more

By Eva Kirchner | 10/27/23

Science explains addiction

Drug use has been a topic of discussion for centuries. It has been linked to economic, social and political problems all over the world. Specifically, people who use drugs have faced a … more

By Jonathan Burns | 10/27/23

A tractor chase mystery

(EDITOR’S NOTE: This is a revisit to one of the Old Codger’s humorous columns to offset a case of writer’s block.) Grover was a prosperous small town back in the early 60s, … more

By Al Englebright | 5/2/23

May 4: A day to pray

There have been many discussions about the activity of prayer and its purpose lately. Prayer is basically the activity of talking to God, and one of the many subjects we find throughout … more

By Nate Alexander | 5/2/23

Out of the Past

Here is a compilation of stories appearing in the late April and early May 1923 issues of the Paris Beacon-News. Spelling and punctuation have not been changed except where necessary for better … more

By Callie Baber | 5/10/23

Help the world, plant a tree

April 28 was the annual Arbor Day celebration, which is always the last Friday in April and the week after Earth Day. When Europeans arrived in the New World the land was mostly covered in … more

By Terry Sullivan | 5/2/23

Old neighbors, old way

Back in the 1940s, it seemed a lot more people lived in the country. At least it seemed that way when I was a little boy. In the Pine Grove neighborhood where I grew up we didn’t go to … more

By Roger Stanley | 5/10/23

Meth addiction can be broken

For many people in rural America, methamphetamine addiction has become a way of life. It's an epidemic that has torn families apart and left a trail of destruction in its wake. If you're … more

By Jonathan Burns | 5/2/23