For the last few months, I have been reading stories in the OBSERVER about how area schools are dealing with student cell phone usage during the school day. When I was in school cell phones didn’t exist, so students were essentially incommunicado during the school day, allowing us to ...

When you are young, you probably don’t pay much attention to the “snowplow guy.” But, the older you get, the more important he gets. This past Thanksgiving weekend was a good example. We had been out of town, at one of our kids’ homes for the holiday. We drove back on Saturday in good ...

In a climate of massive national inflation, a locally declining property and business tax base from a declining population, the Fredonia school board’s advocacy of a 10% school tax increase is irresponsible and impudent. Why are capital expansion projects being pushed under these ...

The holiday season is upon us in Western New York. It is associated with joyful traditions, snow-dusted landscapes, festive lights in neighborhoods, the aroma of fresh baked cookies and gatherings around the fireplace. But life for many in the region this time of year is a wave of loneliness ...

“So this is Christmas, and what have you done?” What have you done to yourself, America? John Lennon is rolling over. He was a victim of a country that he loved dearly. This is the anniversary of his death, Dec. 8, 1980. It’s been 44 years, doesn’t seem possible. And still, folks ...

For quite a while during 1941 the leaders of the allied forces in Europe fighting against Nazi Germany had pleaded with the United States to join in the fight. America had sternly opposed committing troops to another war, even though we sent aid and supplies to the European effort. This was the ...