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3 weeks ago | 
thebesttimes.com | Keith Anderson
There have been five popes in my life: Paul VI (1963-78), John Paul I (1978), John Paul II (1978-2005), Benedict XVI (2005-2013) and Francis (2013-2025). John Paul I may best be remembered for his short papacy, 33 days. Benedict’s lasting impression may be his decision to step down as pope voluntarily. He was the first pope since Celestine V voluntarily did so in 1294. It was a historic moment.
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1 month ago | 
hometownsource.com | Keith Anderson
I knew my world had changed when my mom woke me from my summer slumber, reminding me that a local farmer who had hired me and my siblings to pull weeds in his dewy soybean fields was minutes away. We were the cheaper alternative to chemicals in his fields, carefully yanking unwelcome invaders like button weeds, thistles and milkweed. If it wasn’t planted by the farmer, it didn’t belong. Sometimes I’d fall behind because my rows had more weeds than others.
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2 months ago | 
hometownsource.com | Keith Anderson
Political slogans are not a new concept. “Make America Great Again” is the result of a 2016 campaign that was able to identify a deep-seated feeling that many Americans believed was slipping away, a period in our nation’s history where America stood proud, would lead with strength and suggested U.S. citizens should be considered first before extending the wealth to the rest of the world. It managed to resonate with many people.
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2 months ago | 
hometownsource.com | Keith Anderson
Political slogans are not a new concept. “Make America Great Again” is the result of a 2016 campaign that was able to identify a deep-seated feeling that many Americans believed was slipping away, a period in our nation’s history where America stood proud, would lead with strength, and suggested U.S. citizens should be considered first before extending the wealth to the rest of the world. It managed to resonate with many people.
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2 months ago | 
hometownsource.com | Keith Anderson
There is an art to moving, whether it’s your first big move to college or a cross-state adventure where you fight a U-Haul to stay between the lines. Moving is as much a certainty as taxes and death. To be sure, most of us have too much “extra” stuff — the hidden items you don’t use every day, but that you might need once every five years.
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2 months ago | 
hometownsource.com | Keith Anderson
Political slogans are not a new concept. “Make America Great Again” is the result of a 2016 campaign that was able to identify a deep-seated feeling that many Americans believed was slipping away, a period in our nation’s history when America stood proud, would lead with strength and suggested U.S. citizens should be considered first before extending the wealth to the rest of the world. It managed to resonate with many people.
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2 months ago | 
hometownsource.com | Keith Anderson
There is an art to moving, whether it’s your first big move to college or a cross-state adventure where you fight a U-Haul to stay between the lines. Moving is as much a certainty as taxes and death. To be sure, most of us have too much “extra” stuff--the hidden items you don’t use every day, but that you might need once every five years.
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Jan 30, 2025 | 
hometownsource.com | Keith Anderson
Whenever I look down at my odometer and see the miles scrolling higher, I sense time is not on my side. Do I trade it in and maximize the value before it needs life support or run it into the ground, knowing that when it gasps a last breath, I’ll be left with no bargaining chip at the dealership, and face much higher car payments? Car ownership is right up there with owning a boat. You know what they say about boats?
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Jan 30, 2025 | 
hometownsource.com | Keith Anderson
Tim Penny looked like a substitute teacher as I shuffled into my 10th-grade social studies class in 1980. He was standing next to the slate blackboard that featured his name written neatly in chalk. His Levi’s jeans and button-down blue shirt gave him a casual, professional look. kAm(6 <?6H ?@E9:?8 23@FE E96 ah\J62C\@=5 DE2E6 D6?2E@C 7C@> @FC 5:DEC:4E[ 3FE E96C6 96 H2D[ :?EC@5F465 2D 2 =68:D=2E@C[ 2 3@?2 7:56 AC@5F4E @7 @FC 72C>:?8\C:49 2C62] xE H2D E96 7:CDE E:>6 :?
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Jan 23, 2025 | 
hometownsource.com | Keith Anderson
There is much in this world that is beyond our control, like natural disasters. In 2024, 27 major climate-related disasters battered our nation. In 2023, there were 28, the highest number ever recorded in a single year. The heartland has been hard hit. During the summer and fall, Illinois, Iowa and Missouri all sustained more than 100 tornadoes, part of six separate $1 billion disasters. Flooding in Minnesota and other portions of the Upper Midwest overwhelmed residents from June 16-23.
