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Roxanne Converse-Whiting I get into trouble almost any time someone sees how many apps I have open on my phone. Typically, it is accompanied with the reminder that closing apps saves the battery.

BARB BIERMAN BATIE, LOCAL CORRESPONDENT As the pandemic descended upon us in 2020, a popular buzzword entered our vernacular. The word “pivot” took on a whole new meaning and for those of us in ag country, it certainly wasn’t referring to a center pivot irrigation system.

Dear Abby, A couple of women moved in across the hall from me. One is a middle-aged gym teacher and the other is a social worker in her mid-twenties.

One late summer day, fresh out of residency and seeing patients for the first time as a full-fledged family physician, I examined a young man who had a fever, fatigue, and a bad headache. Considering the time of year, influenza was low on the list of possibilities, and COVID-19 did not yet exist. After a physical exam and listening to his story, I ordered some tests, which resulted in a diagnosis of West Nile virus.

Lindsay Lohan might have made “mean girls” a well-used descriptor in 2004, but people have been experiencing meanness in junior high or high school for decades. When one feels the social pull to fit in with the crowd or to exclude someone who is not like them, she might refer to it iconicly as being in junior high again.

On July 20, 1969, as commander of the Apollo 11 Lunar Module, Neil Armstrong was the first person to set foot on the moon. His first words after stepping on the moon, “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind,” were televised to Earth and heard by millions.

Sometimes they could obtain pork, which made them feel quite special. When visitors came over, they would hang up their bacon to show off. It was a sign of wealth that a man could, "bring home the bacon." They would cut off a little to share with guests and would all sit around and chew the fat.

In Gothenburg, we are not unlike many other communities in the challenges we face Having been involved in economic development efforts in my community and many others, I know firsthand the issues faced by community leaders when it comes to business retention and expansion, housing, and – certainly not least of all – early childhood education.

Happiness is not having to set the alarm clock. Becoming an adult is the dumbest thing I’ve ever done.

Just once, I want the username and password prompt to say, “Close enough.” Studies show that if your parents didn’t have children, there’s a high probability you won’t either. Be decisive.