My late father had pretty traditional views when it came to politics. As one who survived the Great Depression, he thought Franklin D. Roosevelt was sent by a Protestant (probably Baptist) God to help poor, of whom we were among the poorest, people survive.

Imagine this: You’re a single mom, with two young children and no family in town and no real friends to lean on. You make it day by day, as long as nothing goes wrong. But your world tilts when you find out you need an extensive surgery requiring a week long stay in the hospital.

An elderly gentleman had been having serious hearing problems for a number of years. Finally, he went to an audiologist to see what could be done to help. Once he was fitted with a set of hearing aids, the man’s hearing improved 100%.

Have you ever asked yourself what the odds of you being you, are? The answer will bring you down some very geeky roads with large numbers, obviously. Using something tangible helps with wrapping our heads around some of the answers.

Jim Priest is CEO of Goodwill Industries of Central Oklahoma and can be reached at jpriest@okgoodwill.org. THE IMPORTANCE OF READING We are a family of readers.

Have you ever walked down the sidewalk, determined to be friendly and cheerful that particular day, and looked up to see someone coming toward you, but you couldn’t figure out whether to say “Good morning, sir” or Good morning, miss?”

It’s February Again February just kinda sneaks up on us and I know it seems like it will last forever. That may be part of the reason “they” chopped off a few days to reduce the time we have to wait on Spring.

The plight of the average American is about the same. We would have more if we had saved more.

Call for Information for Hughes County Residents, I am compiling a list of organizations and people that provide services to Hughes county. At some point I will put the list in the newspaper.

I had a great visit on Saturday with my longtime friend Gene Sims (HHS – 1952). His family owned the C.A. Sims Grocery on North Oak for many years. In fact, I used to take my empty coke bottles and sell them there for 2¢ each and buy penny candy.