If you agree with the need in society today for more human face-to-face interaction, join us on May 30 and turn off all media for 24 hours. Go next door and meet your neighbor (maybe for the first time), learn about them, get to know them, maybe even learn to love them.

During my recent stay at Heartland of Hillsboro, I realized that I had never been treated more nicely. Everyone there went above and beyond the call of duty to tend to my needs and to make me feel welcome and comfortable.

I want to thank the Highland County Sheriff's Office for providing me with the names of the local beekeepers – Jim Higgins and Geroge Tony Hermes. On May 12, I had a swarm of bees congregate on my front porch. Mr. Hermes gathered up these bees and removed them without being stung! Amazing!

The "Jobs Budget?" All I've seen in response to this budget are layoffs, the end of overtime and scale wages, giveaways to campaign contributors and harassment of teachers, police and firefighters.

In these times of doubt and difficulty, it can be comforting to know there is help available. Samaritan Outreach's mission is to give people strength and provide them with some of the tools they need until they can get back on their feet.

The purpose of this letter is to extend a personal invitation to the Annual Special Olympics for our Highland County children and adults with developmental disabilities. It's hard to fully explain, but when you let them play sports … their whole world changes. They leave a world filled with misunderstanding, fear, routine and frustration to enter a new world of self-worth, friendship, accomplishment and delight.

President Obama appeared alone, walked to a simple podium without the strut often used by his predecessor and made his announcement of an actual mission accomplished without a giant banner, an aircraft carrier as a stage, a warrior costume or a cheering crowd.

Hillsboro citizens’ choice for Mayor next November – Mr. Levo or Mr. Hastings – is very probably one of the most important Mayor choices in Hillsboro’s long history. That choice should be the choice of most of Hillsboro’s 4,700 registered voters, not most of 10% of the voters as was the disappointing turnout for this week’s primary election. But that can happen only if most of those 4,700 people go to the polls and vote.

I’m impressed by the qualities that all these men bring to the table. Mr. Daniels has experience on City Council and as a businessman. Mr. Mikkelsen is a person who has lived in our city for 10 years and exhibits a sincere vision for Hillsboro as well as a business background. Mr. Hastings has an eclectic background in many areas and I liked his attitude about “thinking outside the box.” This is a TOUGH CHOICE!

As I perused the April 16 Highland County Press and saw the huge Johnny Paycheck write-up and picture on the front page but had to search for Mike Ballentine's article hidden on Page 8, a thought crossed my mind: Jesus must be so pleased!

Perhaps it's time for the American people to learn from actual history and to demand a return to a framework that created happy days, instead of continuing to buy a fairy tale version in which wealth lavished on the very rich will somehow magically trickle down to everyone. Perhaps it's time for the majority of Americans to speak out against the disenfranchisement of the less privileged instead of nodding their heads and letting it go unchallenged.

Thanks for your recent coverage of Greenfield's Johnny Paycheck. I had never seen photos of him such as you used. He was a  handsome young man. When I met him in the late 1970s, he looked as if he was in his 80s. I suppose it was due to the life he led.

It’s because if you send another Hillsboro "In-Crowder” to the mayor’s office, the relationship between the city and county residents and the quality of life in Hillsboro and Highland County is doomed to get even worse. Please go vote in the mayoral primary May 3. The more voters, the better our chances.

To the editor:

My staff at the Hillsboro City Schools Early Childhood Center and I would like to extend a heartfelt thank-you to the many volunteers who donated their time to work at the annual kindergarten registration held April 6. Approximately 152 students were registered that day.