01/18/2024 Weirs Times by The Weirs Publishing Company

— THE WEIRS TIMES, Thursday, January 18, 2024 —

VOLUME 33, NO. 3

THE WEIRS, LAKE WINNIPESAUKEE, N.H., THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 2024

COMPLIMENTARY

Applications Open For Meredith Sculpture Walk

Pilots and Paws, Pilot Kevin Berger with rescued pup Hondo, other pilots Suek Kim, Klay Parkhurst and the volunteers and fosters assisted with the rescue flight from Georgia to New Hampshire.

A Challenging Year For Live And Let Live Farm

by Teresa Paradis

Owner, Live and Let Live Farm

The year 2023 has been a challenging year for Live and Let Live Farm (LLLF) Rescue & Sanctuary in Chichester, NH. Simply put, there are

far too many animals who have found themselves in dire situations with nowhere else to safely go. LLLF has been very busy rescuing goats, miniature horses, cats, bunnies, and many other Animals, from loving

homes in which people are struck down with disease, such as cancer (often succumbing to the insidious affliction), and pet owners becoming financially overwhelmed in this current loathsome post-covid economy, to a point where they

simply buckle—sometimes losing their jobs, sometimes their homes-- but far too often, losing their ability to care for their beloved pet. The emotional impact and trauma of dealing with these cases are fervidly See LLLF on 22

All are invited and encouraged to apply to participate in the 11th Annual award-winning Meredith Sculpture Walk. Apply from January 15 - March 31st and watch for acceptance notifications by April 30th. Meet the Ground Team to install sculptures mid-May to mid-June. Exhibit your sculpture through May 2025 with your option to resubmit your sculpture to the jury for an additional year. The Meredith Sculpture Walk is an annual, outdoor, year-round, juried exhibit located along Meredith’s charming and historic Main Street, in parks beside Lake Winnipesaukee, and in gardens throughout the Mill Falls Marketplace. The Meredith Sculpture Walk is a project of the nonprofit Greater Meredith Program. A volunteer committee planned the original exhibit and continues to coordinate, install, maintain, promote and advance the Sculpture Walk, the sculptures, and participating artists each year. Local and regional business sponsors and individual contributors fund the project.

D& REA

SHARE ONLINE FOR FR EE

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— THE WEIRS TIMES, Thursday, January 18, 2024 —

Truth Of Jan 6 To The Editor: The media endlessly repeats the accusations by Democrats and other anti-Trumpers, including Special Prosecutor Jack Smith, that President Trump led an “insurrection” on January 6th. So, why was Trump charged with arcane laws and other laws using “novel” (unique and unintended) legal theories rather than with “insurrection”? Because this “insurrection” smear, this big lie, gives Trump’s opponents everything they want. This endlessly repeated smear allows anti-Trumpers to kick Trump off the ballot, and poison the jury pools, for his other unjustified indictments, and voters who don’t investigate further. Many of the anti-Trump smears come from Nancy Pelosi’s totally partisan, anti-Trump, (Pelosi rejected the Republican assigned committee members) January 6 Committee “Investigation”. This committee didn’t really investigate how January 6 happened, they didn’t ask dozens of important questions like “why Pelosi refused Trump’s January 4th offer of 10,000 National Guard troops?”, and “why did Pelosi delay 90 minutes before approving the Capitol Police Chief’s J6 plea for National Guard help?”. This committee was created to create a huge smear to use against Republicans and Trump. If they charged Trump with “insurrection”, they would have to provide evidence. The truth of January 6th would be revealed. Trump could defend

himself, present evidence which has been hidden, demand the exculpatory evidence that was hidden or destroyed by Pelosi’s J6 Committee, and present hundreds of facts that Democrats don’t want exposed to the American public. Even a highly partisan (92% Biden voters) DC jury might not convict; Democrats can’t take that chance. Democrat policies are so harmful they can’t run on their record. Democrats only chance is to smear Trump and take away from the American people the Presidential Candidate they want to democratically elect in 2024. Don Ewing Meredith, NH.

Lawfare To The Editor: While censorship gallops throughout the media and our nation, the Demolitioncrats also use “Lawfare” to compromise and pollute our justice system. “ Lawfare” is defined as “ the weaponization of the justice system by malicious prosecutors and malevolent judges, both criminally and civilly”. Biden’s Attorney General, Merrick Garland, illegally hired Jack Smith from his asylum as Chief Prosecutor for the Special Court at the Hague in Europe because Smith perfected his “Lawfare” techniques there. Smith has assembled a team of demon persecutors and demonic judges across our nation to persecute the greatest President in my lifetime!

These demon persecutors have defiled the nation’s courtrooms with legal pleadings that would make Stalin and Mao proud. The sole goal of this judicial defilement is interference in the 2024 election to prevent voters from exercising their Constitutional right to re-elect President Trump! In addition to the D.C. January 6th Case, the Mar-a-Lago Case, the New York Criminal Case, the Georgia case, the New York Civil Case, the E. Jean Carroll Defamation Suite and the January 6th Civil Suits, lawsuits were filed in 30 states to remove President Trump from the 2024 ballot. Seventeen lawsuits still remain active as of December 31, 2023. See the NYT, “What to Know about the Efforts to Remove Trump from the 2024 Ballot” by Nicholas Bogel-Burroughs and Mitch Smith 12-30-23. This perversion of our justice system (or is it injustice) has stolen multi-millions of dollars from President Trump and his family. This corrupt, irrational conduct of Trump-haters raises the question--WHY? The answer is simple. The werewolves and vampires of the Federal Bureaucracy fear the loss of power! Doubt me, read “Government Gangsters” by Kash Patel, available at the Laconia Library. Only the re-election of President Trump in 2024 will save the USA for our grandchildren! Charles Bradley Laconia, NH.

Our Story

This newspaper was first published in 1883 by Mathew H. Calvert as Calvert’s Weirs Times and Tourists’ Gazette and continued until Mr. Calvert’s death in 1902. The new Weirs Times was reestablished in 1992 and strives to maintain the patriotic spirit of its predecessor as well as his devotion to the interests of Lake Winnipesaukee. Our newspaper’s masthead and the map of Lake Winnipesaukee in the center spread are elements in today’s paper which are taken from Calvert’s historic publication. Locally owned for 30 years, this publication is devoted to printing the stories of the people

and places that make New Hampshire the best place in the world to live. No, none of the daily grind news will be found in these pages, just the good stuff. Published year round on Thursdays, we distribute 24,000 copies of the Weirs Times every week to the Lakes Region/Concord/ Seacoast area and the mountains and have an estimated 60,000 people reading this newspaper. To find out how your business or service can benefit from advertising with us please call 603-366-8463.

— THE WEIRS TIMES, Thursday, January 18, 2024 —

Not So . . . o g A g N Lo

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Caucuses & Primaries & StuffAs They Were

by Robert Hanaford Smith, Sr. Contributing Writer

I wasn’t there to study books, but I was there to learn in the classroom of a brick-walled oneroom schoolhouse in my home town. I was the only child with a few men who were meeting as a political caucus. I think my Dad took me along to teach me about the workings of political parties and how elections work. I think about that caucus to-

My Dad ( Reporter Raymond C. Smith,Sr.) interviewing one-time Presidential Candidate LaFayette Patterson, a former Alabama Governor - from Laconia Citizen photo. day when I hear and read about Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire primaries. As I also remember that I left that small caucus, that lasted only for a short time those many years ago, without having a clear understanding of what

it was all about and I guess that now most voters of any age don’t have a full understanding of what the whole election process involves. My childhood caucus was apparently an assembly of Democrat party members

to select persons to be placed on the party’s town primary ballot at the September election, which in our small town would probably have been the same names as those appearing on the ballot of the general election in November. There are two different primary elections in New Hampshire. One, traditionally held in September, has to do with the election of State and town officers, including representatives to the Congress and Senate of the United States. The other primary election has to do with the choosing of each of the eligible political party’s candidates for the President and Vice-President of the United States. See SMITH on 26

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— THE WEIRS TIMES, Thursday, January 18, 2024 —

EVENTS & ACTIVITIES

The Dove Who Inspired Beyond Barbed Wire At Meredith Public Library For 2 Events On Thursday, January 25th at 6:30pm The Authors of “The Dove Who Inspired Beyond Barbed Wire” Kimberly J.B. Smith and Andrea Ackerly will be at the Meredith Public Library. Meet the authors, and have your book signed! Also join the authors on Friday January 19th at 3:30 p.m. (ages 12 to adult) in a therapeutic art activity - Story in a Story Affirmations. Participants will create their own affirmation from a running list of the book’s quotes and

Pemi Choral Welcomes New Singers For 50th Anniversary Concerts

embellish with color and collage. Free admission. All month: Illustrations from Andrea & Kimberly’s book are on display at the Meredith Public Library. Share the story with younger kids using the treasure hunt activity - finding the clues to the story in the illustrations.

At left is example of Story in a Story Affirmation, a therapeutic art activity will be offered to participants on Friday January 19 at 3:30. All are welcome!

Squam Lakes Science Center Program At Girl’s Night Out On Friday, Jan. 19 at 6pm., Gilford Community Church (GCC) will host Gals’ Night Out with a presentation from Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, featuring live owls and hawks. Men are also invited to the event, which includes dinner catered by Ellie Murphy. Tickets for Gals’ Night Out are $25 and may be purchased through Wednesday, Jan. 17 at the GCC administrative offices at 19 Potter Hill Rd. in Gilford. For those with questions, call (603) 524-6057. Future Gals’ Night Out events include Sheryl Faye, who will roleplay as Queen Elizabeth or Abigail Adams, on Friday, March 8, 2024, and The Powerchords, who will sing Broadway hits, on Friday, May 17, 2024. Located in Gilford, NH, GCC is an inclusive, open community with a broadly ecumenical spirit that welcomes people from all denominational and cultural backgrounds. Sunday service at GCC takes place at 10:00 a.m. at 19 Potter Hill Rd. in Gilford. To learn more about GCC, visit gilfordcommunitychurch.org.

The 100-voice Pemigewasset Choral Society (Pemi Choral) will begin rehearsals on Monday, January 22nd at the Silver Center in Plymouth, N. H. for its May concerts “Sweet Rivers.” The two special 50th Anniversary concerts will be performed on May 4th at the Colonial Theatre in Laconia, N.H., and May 5th at Silver Center in Plymouth, N.H. The Pemi Choral Society is very grateful to the Laconia Putnam Fund for its generous sponsorship of the 50th Anniversary Concert Series. The concerts will feature a commissioned work celebrating the chorus’s 50th anniversary, composed by internationally recognized composer Moira Smiley. Her commission is based upon the poem “Flying” by former Plymouth State University professor Jane Babin, who died from ALS in 2015. Other pieces in the spring concert include Shawn Kirshner’s “Sweet Rivers,” John Rutter’s “As the Bridegroom to His Chosen,” and Franz Schubert’s “Mass in G.” The chorus continues to grow in membership and in enthusiastic audiences. New singers are always welcome to try out this non-auditioned, community chorus at any of its first three rehearsals before committing to the semester. Registration will begin at 6:15 p.m. on Monday, January 22nd at Silver Center, Plymouth State University, Plymouth, N.H. The rehearsal itself begins at 7:00 p.m. Detailed information about the chorus and rehearsals can be found at pemichoral.org. For more information, please visit pemichoral.org, find us on Facebook and Instagram, or email us at pemichoralsociety@gmail.com.

Liz and Dan Faiella at Franklin Public Library (New Date And Time) On Saturday, February 10th at 7pm, The Franklin Opera House presents Liz and Dan Faiella at the Franklin Public Library, 310 Central Street. The couple bring to life the traditional music of their roots, with crisp vocals, mesmerizing fingerstyle guitar, lyrical fiddling, and exhilarating rhythmic drive. Their music calls to mind the convivial grange hall contradances of their youth in New Hampshire, while conveying a wistfulness for their ancestral Ireland. Liz and Dan have taken the main stage at premier folk venues throughout New England, including Club Passim, the Acadia Trad Festival, Maine Celtic Celebration, Little Sea Folk Festival, the Seacoast Irish Festival, and the Boston Celtic Music Festival. They are sought-after teachers, sharing their craft with students at camps, festivals, and community music schools. Their debut album, At Long Last (2018), explores heartache, wonder, and joy, expressed through the traditional music they love. General Admission Tickets are available at www.FOHNH.org, by calling (603)934-1901

— THE WEIRS TIMES, Thursday, January 18, 2024 —

F O O L NEW HAMPSHIRE A

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Tuesday’s The Big Day Unless you’ve been living under a rock here in New Hampshire, you know that this coming Tuesday, January 23rd, is a big deal. by Brendan Smith In fact, it’s Weirs Times Editor not just a big deal here in New Hampshire, but also around the country, since it is the day that a great American tradition takes center stage yet again. Of course, I am talking about National Pie Day. It’s a day when everyone is supposed to put aside their differences and bake their favorite pie. A day when all pie lovers should rejoice and revel in the many different types of pies that are out there. Well, that’s the way it used to be in this country, but things have changed. It used to be that everyone just went home and made their favorite pie, or not. After all this is America. But over the past few years it seems like people have become more divided over pies than ever before. Back in the good old days it used to be fairly simple. There was apple, pecan, blueberry and pumpkin pie. (Of course, there were others as well, but these were the most recognizable.) You pretty much were committed to one pie or the other and there wasn’t a lot of variation. You chose your favorite pie and that was your thing. You were proud of what pie you loved and even let others know, even if they didn’t like your pie but liked another one instead. You could agree to disagree and go on your way. (Of course, you could always discuss how ridiculous their pie choice was when you were home, well out of their earshot.)

But over the past decade, it has become much more complicated. People became more upset if you liked a different pie than them and then, eventually, even if they liked the same pie, you didn’t like their variation of whatever type of pie you both liked. For example, the Apple Pie lovers were pretty much in unison since the pie was pretty basic with maybe a few variations that other apple pie lovers could live with. (Many of us remember the great cinnamon debate in the Apple Pie community in the early 2000s, but that was short lived and never amounted to much more than a few short pieces on local TV news to fill up time.) Today, the Apple Pie base has been split apart by so many different factions who, though they all have a love for Apple Pie, are seriously divided when it comes to Macintosh, Empire or Golden Delicious - to name a few. Last year’s National Pie Day Rally at the NH State House, which started peacefully, soon turned into chaos when a small riot developed. What was amazing was that this wasn’t the typical pecan versus blueberry chaos, but actually was between the Apple Pie lovers themselves when the Honeycrisp contingent went off on the Fuji lovers. No longer was this simple folksy human-interest piece on the news, but was now the lead story. No longer was there a cohesiveness between all Apple Pie aficionados, but now there were micro groups split off from each other spewing their dislike for those who were once with them. Of course, the same went for all the other pie groups as well. The store-bought blueberry pie lovers were now at odds with the homegrown blueberry faction, and even the homegrown group divided itself into the pesticide and non-pesticide factions. I could go on, but you’ve seen

it yourself over the years. (No one really wants to be reminded again of the packaged custard pie filling mix vendetta against the made from scratch crowd. It was an ugly time in New Hampshire’s National Pie Day history that most of us would rather forget. The grounds of the State House in Concord still carry custard stains which some have refused to clean up as a reminder of the fateful day.) Leading up to National Pie Day we have all been subjected to the plethora of signs heralding different groups choice of pies. Just the other day I was making a left hand turn onto a major thoroughfare and almost didn’t see an approaching car as my vision was impaired by a “American Apple Pie or British Rhubarb Pie. Don’t Give Up Your Freedom Again.” The lead up to National Pie Day also means pie lovers taking over our roundabouts with their signs proclaiming their favorite pie and why it should be yours as well. Some innovative sign wavers have been carrying samples of their favorite pies to let driver’s sample. Though mostly delicious, it has caused some significant traffic tie ups. (I admit, the Boysenberry Pie at the Meredith Traffic Circle was pretty darn good.) Yes, National Pie Day has changed a lot over the years, and not always for the better. One can hardly mention his favorite pie in mixed company at the risk of losing friends. And some have become so obsessed about their favorite pies that they have found themselves focusing on nothing else. (I’m sure you’ve seen the social media posts.) Some say this may be the most important National Pie Day in our history. We’ll see. There’s also something else happening in New Hampshire that day that escapes me for the moment. Happy National Pie Day.

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— THE WEIRS TIMES, Thursday, January 18, 2024 —

A Nation Dr. King Would Not Recognize This year, 2024, marks the 60th anniversary of the signing into law of the landmark 1964 Civil Rights Act. Soon we observe the national day set aside to note and honor the leader of the movement that led to that act becoming law: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. We must ask how, after 60 years, with vast by Star Parker changes in the world, with developments in Syndicated Columnist technology unimaginable 60 years ago, that we remain obsessed with race. How is it that claims of racism, injustice and unfairness persist like nothing happened? Indeed, data suggest that Black Americans, on average, still lag behind economically. The Federal Reserve recently published its Survey of Consumer Finances showing that average Black family income is 43% that of white families. In 1989, it was 42%. Average Black household net worth now is 15.6% that of white households. In 1989, it was 17.8%. The deterioration of traditional religious values in the country has taken a toll on all American families. But proportionally more on Black families. Per the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, in 2022, 43% of Black children lived in a two-parent home -- down 26.5% from 1970. Among white children, 75.6% lived in a two-parent home, down 15.5% from 1970. America today is a far different country than the one where King led the Civil Rights Movement. The language that King used to lead and animate his movement was the language of the Bible. He spoke as a pastor. But in 1965, according to Gallup, 70% of Americans said religion is “very important” in their life. In 2023, 45% of Americans say religion is “very important” in their life. In the last speech of his life in 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee, King spoke about “injustice,” that “we are God’s children.” He spoke about not being afraid of death, that “I just want to do God’s will,” and then spoke those famous words that he’d been “to the mountain top” and that he’d seen “the promised land.” “I’m not worried about anything. I’m not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of See PARKER on 28

Biden’s Scare-The-HellOut-Of-You Campaign Joe Biden is facing an uphill reelection battle. He is desperate, and he should be. The world is an uglier and an uglier place under Biden. Nearly no one believes the country is moving in the right direction. by Ben Shapiro Americans are deeply Syndicated Columnist dissatisfied with the economy; America is experiencing an unprecedented illegal immigration crisis; and the world seems to be on fire, from the Middle East to Ukraine. Meanwhile, Biden himself is clearly ailing; as comedian Shane Gillis recently said, “My favorite thing about Biden is anytime Biden finishes a speech, he transforms into a Roomba.” This is clearly true. In fact, after Biden’s recent diatribe against Donald Trump at Valley Forge, Dr. Jill Biden -- the greatest physician in all the land -- charged up on the stage like a shepherd attempting to pen in a wandering sheep, corralling the president toward the back of the stage. So, what can Biden do? He can pull out all the scare tactics he knows. And that’s precisely what he’s doing, fully 10 months from the 2024 election. His campaign is predicated on two main issues: Trump, and also Trump. First, Biden argues, Donald Trump is apparently a threat to democracy. Biden stated at Valley Forge, “Donald Trump’s campaign is obsessed with the past, not the future. He’s willing to sacrifice our democracy, put himself in power.” He said this in the middle of a speech about the evils of Jan. 6 -- while labeling Trump an insurrectionist, which presumably would disqualify Trump from the ballot. Biden’s own Department of Justice has hit Trump with two separate federal criminal cases, one in Florida, the other in Washington, D.C.

It is, in other words, a tough case to make that Trump is the true threat to democracy, while Biden is democracy’s defender. Second, Biden argues, Donald Trump is a white supremacist. Biden stated at Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina -- the site of a white supremacist mass shooting in 2015 -- that Trump’s election denial represented a “second lost cause,” somehow comparable to the Southern Lost Cause narrative that portrayed the loss of the Civil War as the death of a grand and glorious way of life at the hands of perfidious Yankees. Yes, Biden suggested, Trump was akin to the Confederates. And he, Joe Biden, would stand in their way. Biden has made this case before. Against -- yes, really -- Mitt Romney. Back in 2012, Biden argued that Romney would put Black Americans “back in chains.” Suffice it to say that Biden has little credibility trying to breathe new life into that political corpse. Joe Biden requires Donald Trump. He needs him. But he’s still unlikely to beat him. That’s why Biden is steering so strongly to his left rather than toward the middle. At his speech in Charleston, pro-Hamas protesters began chanting for a ceasefire in Gaza, which would leave Hamas in power after the Oct. 7 massacre. Biden sheepishly replied, “I understand their passion, and I’ve been quietly working with the Israeli government to get them to reduce and significantly get out of Gaza.” Biden can’t leave any stone, no matter how radical, unturned. And that tactic will, in turn, drive away many moderate voters who are sick of the chaos the Biden era has ushered in. In short, Biden is re-running his 2020 campaign. There’s one big difference this time: This time, Joe Biden is the president. And we all know it.

— THE WEIRS TIMES, Thursday, January 18, 2024 —

Flooded With Good Intentions Sen. John Kennedy is upset because Sen. Rand Paul wants to limit federal flood insurance. But Paul is right. In my new video, Paul says, by John Stossel “(It) shouldn’t be Syndicated Columnist for rich people.” That should be obvious. Actually, federal flood insurance shouldn’t be for anyone. Government has no business offering it. That’s a job for ... the insurance business. Of course, when actual insurance businesses, with their own money

on the line, checked out what some people wanted them to insure, they said, “Heck no! If you build in a dangerous place, risk your own money!” Politically connected homeowners who own property on the edges of rivers and oceans didn’t like that. They whined to congressmen, crying, “We can’t get insurance! Do something!” Craven politicians obliged. Bureaucrats at the Federal Emergency Management Agency even claim they have to issue government insurance because, “There weren’t many affordable options for private flood insurance, especially for people living in high-risk places.”

But that’s the point! A valuable function of private insurance is to warn people away from high-risk places. But instead of heeding that warning, politicians said, “Don’t worry. Since private companies won’t insure you, we will.” Of course, the politicians claimed they’d price the insurance properly so they wouldn’t lose taxpayer money. “We must (do) everything we can to protect taxpayer dollars.” said Colorado Sen. Wayne Allard. But Paul points out, “Like most things in government, they continue to lose money.”

So far, the government lost $36 billion of your money. Yet they still insure people who can’t get private insurance. Kennedy thinks that’s fine. “The first role of government is to protect people and property,” he shouts from the Senate floor. “I thought this is what libertarians believe.” No, Senator, we believe government should protect our right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, and then leave us mostly alone. By insuring risky property, Paul points out, “You’re actually doing the opposite of what you would think government would want to do; See STOSSEL on 28

Taiwan’s Election Reaffirms Island’s Democracy As China Glares Taiwan held free presidential elections and communist China glared. Indeed Taiwan’s elections choose the path of continuity as voters reelected the rulby John J. Metzler ing Democratic Syndicated Columnist Progressive Party (DPP) for a third consecutive term to rule the self-governing island. The victory of William Lai, scored a win for democracy amid an almost carnival atmosphere of opposition parties contesting the political future for one of Asia’s freest states. The DPP won the elections but with a plurality of 40 percent of the vote;

the opposition and once mighty Nationalist Party KMT scored 33 percent and the upstart Taiwan People’s Party received 26 percent. Nonetheless the DPP lost its parliamentary majority to the KMT setting the stage for a divided government role over the next years. Turnout was whopping 72%. President-elect Lai reaffirmed his goal to have self-governing Taiwan, “walk side by side with democracies from around the world.” Lai stressed that he will strive to maintain peace and prosperity across the Taiwan Strait, and would seek exchanges and dialogue with China, “while upholding the Republic of China constitutional framework to work for the well-being of people on both sides of the Strait.”

But the story does not end here as it would for so many other mainstream democracies. DPP’s heritage is center-left and politically hardwired into a very different narrative of Taiwan’s history and heritage. The party remains decidedly Taiwanese and thus less Sino-centric and even hostile to the trappings of Chinese-ness which the formerly ruling KMT nurtured and cherished. While DPP has been deemed hostile the People’s Republic of China (and rightly so), the KMT favors the status quo of keeping Taiwan’s prosperity, the attachment to Chinese heritage, and not rocking the boat rhetorically with China. Despite the often virulent political rhetoric between both sides of the

Taiwan Strait, both countries remain major trading partners, thus underscoring the deep commercial links. Taiwan’s political fortunes were shaped by national division in the aftermath of China’s civil war which ended in 1949 with a communist victory on the Mainland. Thus in the wake of WWII, albeit all for different reasons, China, like Germany and Korea became divided nations. Since the division, China and Taiwan have been governed by two separate and antagonistic governments. The Taiwan success story is rooted in the Divided Dynamism formula of genuine Land reform, a free entrepreneurial economy and democratic political disc o u r s e . See METZLER on 21

— THE WEIRS TIMES, Thursday, January 18, 2024 —

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BIRDS For The

New England’s Wild Birds & Their Habitats

Getting To Know The Area by Chris Bosak Contributing Writer

My morning stroll at work one day last week was cut short because the field I usually walk through had completely disappeared. Well, it didn’t disappear, of course, but it was under several feet of water. There was no grass to be seen, only a huge pool of water reflecting the gloomy sky above. The adjacent river, which is really just a trickling creek most of the time, was now a raging, angry force that had spilled over its banks and flooded the land on either side. Heavy rains the previous night, combined with the few inches of snow that had been on the ground, turned a usually serene setting into a foreboding, aquatic landscape. What struck me most was how different everything looked. Flooding obviously can drastically change a landscape in a matter of moments, but it can be quite jarring when you are used to seeing something every day and suddenly it looks like a different world. The experience got me thinking about having a regular birdwatching spot and getting to know an area like the back of your hand. You get to know every tree, branch, stump, rock, and bend

A white-eyed vireo has a unique song that stands out among New England birds. in the trail so that you can immediately pick out when something looks different. That’s helpful when it comes to hawks or owls perched in trees. Even from a distance, you know something is different because that branch doesn’t always have that lump on it. You also get to know what birds to expect to see during the various seasons. When a new bird shows up, it sticks out like a sore thumb and you can zero in on identifying the newcomer. That

happened the other day when I was walking in “my” birdwatching area and a bird flew across the trail ahead of me and disappeared into the thick brush. By its shape, size, color and way it moved, I knew it was something worth putting effort into finding because I knew it wasn’t one of the regular birds that I see there in the winter. Turns out, it was a gray catbird. I see tons of catbirds there in the summer and early fall, but it stood out as different because it didn’t

match up with any of the regular winter birds. Seeing a catbird in New England during the winter is not unheard of, but it’s certainly not common. I had a similar experience on that same trail during the spring. This time, it was the bird’s song that gave it away as being something that typically is not found there. Just as you get to know the sights of a place, you also get to know the sounds. It’s probably a subconscious thing, See BOSAK on 20

— THE WEIRS TIMES, Thursday, January 18, 2024 —

Letters From God This series of Letters From God is an attempt to put the thoughts of God as revealed in the Scriptures.

about those days, “for the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to fit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.” (2 Timothy 4:3-4). My son Jesus, whom I sent to pay the penalty for your sins, described those days by saying, “then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. At that time may will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other.” (Matthew 24: 9-10). As you can see, I saw this attack on Christianity and even predicted it over 2,000 years ago. In a previous letter, I also described how a once godly nation would follow a pattern of decay from me and my will to the extent that they would hate, persecute and attack Christians still faithful to me and my will. I gave the following regression down the slippery slope of decay. “First we overlook evil. Then we don’t call evil. Then we call evil good. Then we legalize evil. Then we celebrate evil. Then we persecute those who still call it evil, until only evil is accepted and practiced. Then evil brings about wholesale death.” You have moved rapidly into the later stages of this slippery slope of spiritual decay. Evil is now considered “good” and is now persecuting what is and has been truly good and those

who live according to my will. Let me give just one example from many occurring at this time. James Carville, a spokesman who is a leading Democratize strategist and has contributed significantly to the election of Democratic Presidents, attacked a Christian man who is the “Speaker of the House of Representatives,” Mike Johnson. His verbal assault was against his politics because it was informed by his faith. He assailed him as being dangerous to the country because he represents Christian nationalism. He said, “Mike Johnson and what he believes, is one of the greatest threats we have to date to the United States. I promise you, I know these people.” He would go on and state that, “This is a bigger threat than Al Qaeda to this country.” Listen to what he is saying as a significant leader of the entire Democratic party in your country. He is saying that what Mike Johnson believes threatens the existence of your country. He and many of those who now hold political sway in your country, have forgotten that it was the beliefs of Mike Johnson, that were held by the vast majority of citizens of the United States for over 250 years. Those beliefs made you the greatest nation in the history of the world because they honored me and received my blessings as a result. People throughout the world envied your prosperity, democracy, freedom and potential for a life of blessing and success. They fled their countries and flocked to

Letters From God

QUESTION: Can You See That Christianity Is Under Attack In Our Country

Can I see it? Of course, I can! In fact, I predicted it as recent as a few letters ago but as far back at the beginning of the New Covenant Scriptures which I had written for my book, the Bible. In my book, I made it clear that there would come a time when the world will turn its back on me. When they did, they would not only reject me and my word but then they would turn hostile against me and those who know me and who continue to obey my word and will. Listen to some of what I had recorded over 2,000 years ago by prophets I asked to speak for me. First in a letter from the apostle Paul to a faithful servant and Pastor, Timothy, he wrote, “But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.” (2 Timothy 3:1-5). I also had Paul write

yours. Now, you are told by those, whose values are not mine and who promote and practice things which I hate and will judge when my patience ends, that you who believe the same things are the problem. In fact, Carville is calling Christians and conservatives who wish to stop the madness and turn you back to me and my blessings, “a bigger threat than Al Qaeda to this country.” Remember, those are the ones who called for the death of all Americans whom they described as “the great Satan.” Those are the ones who killed any and all in the 9/11 attack. Those are the ones who believed that in killing Americans, the “infidels,” it would assure them of eternal life. For anyone to attack Christianity and those who faithfully live godly lives, when the values of Christianity gave them the blessings they enjoy but now seek to destroy, they reveal the depth of decay in your country. Now these attacks are becoming mainstream. This path will not end well. I am patient and I give time to return to me. That time, however, is growing short. For those who have eyes to see, wake up and turn back before it is too late. I love you, God These letters are written by Rev. Dr. Sam Hollo of Alton, NH.

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Prioritize Your Mental Health In 2024 With These 9 Tips (StatePoint) As the new year begins, many people make resolutions regarding their physical health, but it’s just as important to focus on mental health in the year ahead, especially for older adults, according to experts. “As people age, they may experience stressors such as serious illness, losing close friends and family members, managing life on a fixed income, and coping with concerns about their own mortality. While seniors may show resilience to these dimensions of vitality, when they’re compounded, these losses and stressors can result in a myriad of behavioral health issues, including depression, anxiety, stress, and insomnia,” says Dr. Lindsay EvansMitchell, board certified adult psychiatrist and behavioral health medical director for Cigna Healthcare’s Medicare Advantage business. Dementia, which includes memory loss and language difficulties, is another issue often more pronounced with age, and in earlier stages, it can often mimic some symptoms of depression. Fortunately, Dr. Evans-Mitchell says making healthy choices can improve your quality of life, including your overall mental well-being, and potentially reduce your risk of both depression and dementia:

Practice Good Nutrition: There is evidence that plant-based diets are associated with better health, including better emotional health. That’s another reason to add more green, leafy vegetables to your diet. Exercise: Regular exercise can positively affect cognitive ability. If you have a Medicare Advantage (MA) plan offering access to a fitness program at no extra cost, then make

sure to take advantage of it. You can learn about Cigna Healthcare’s MA plans at cignamedicareinformation.com. Hydrate: Drink plenty of water. Dehydration can negatively affect cognitive performance. Even mild dehydration can drain energy and cause fatigue. Enjoy Some Sunshine: Sunlight provides needed vitamin D. Getting sunshine

may increase your serotonin and help you stave off depression caused by Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD. Also, according to the Alzheimer’s Association, exposure to vitamin D can lower dementia risk by as much as 40%. Of course, make sure to take proper precautions, such as wearing a hat, using sunscreen, and wearing eye protection that shields against UV light. Get Plenty Of Rest: Older adults need seven to nine hours of sleep each night, according to the National Institutes of Health. People who get six hours of sleep or less a night are at greater risk of developing dementia later, the organization says. Additionally, poor sleep could be a sign of See TIPS on 29

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DEAR DR. ROACH: I am 81 and had a thyroidectomy in 2017. My whole thyroid gland was removed. I also had a little bit of cancer. I have started to get hot flashes again. I had originally been on thyroid medicine before and after surgery. Then I was put on levothyroxine and decided to try NP Thyroid. I was doing better on NP Thyroid, then started getting the hot flashes again. At this point, for several reasons, I would rather stay on NP Thyroid for the time being. I was wondering if there is anything I can take for hot flashes? Years ago, in my 50s, I took estrogen, which helped, but this is a different time. I have spo-

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ANSWER: Hot flashes are common -- about 75% of women in North America will experience them around the time of menopause. It’s not uncommon for hot flashes to go away, then return, but I personally haven’t seen them recur after 30 or so years. I’d be concerned that there may be another cause for them, which brings me to your thyroid. Elevated levels of thyroid hormone can cause sensations very similar to hot flashes. One reason that I, along with most endocrinologists, recommend against products like NP Thyroid is because most of those products come from pigs. There are two thyroid hormones: thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). Humans have a different ratio of T3 and T4 than pigs do, with T4 getting converted into the active form, T3. T3 is then quickly broken down, so if it’s used, it needs to be dosed twice daily. As a result, if a person takes NP Thyroid, their thyroid levels are too high during one part of the day and too low during another. This isn’t good for anyone; the “high times” not only cause hot flashes, but also predispose people to atrial fibrillation. But it’s particularly a problem in a person with a history of thyroid cancer, where we want the thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH, the hormone in the pituitary gland that regulates the

activity of the thyroid gland) to be on the lower side. If the thyroid blood levels get low in the afternoon/evening when the T3 in NP Thyroid is gone, that can theoretically increase the risk of cancer recurrence as the TSH rises in response. So, in my opinion, you should be on levothyroxine, not NP Thyroid. (I do have a handful of patients who take levothyroxine and also take T3 twice daily. Some people are unable to convert T4 to T3 efficiently.) Estrogen is the most effective treatment for hot flashes, but it increases the risk of heart disease when used by women more than 10 years away from menopause. I don’t normally prescribe it to a woman in her 80s. However, there is a new medication called fezolinetant (Veozah), which is highly effective and reduced hot flashes by 93% in a trial. My only patient on it so far has reported 100% cessation of her hot flashes. There are other rare causes of hot flashes, including tumors that secrete substances, such as carcinoid tumors, and tumors that secrete adrenalin-like hormones (pheochromocytomas). DEAR DR. ROACH: Recently, I was rejected from donating plasma (not blood) because my iron that day was 57 mcmol/L, and the maximum allowable was 54 mcmol/L. I was rescheduled to get retested in a few days. The technician said to eat beans and similar foods to lower

my iron levels. I checked my own records and didn’t find any results that fell below the cutoff. My red blood cell count was 5.15; my white blood cell count was 6.0; my hemoglobin level was 16.1 g/dL; and my hematocrit level was 48.5%, all within the healthy range. Which test results could they be referring to, and how do I lower my iron? -- S.L. ANSWER: Blood banks typically screen donors for anemia, which is frequently caused by iron deficiency, but I’m confused as to why they are screening you with iron tests because that is typically not done. Moreover, they are telling you that your iron is too high, which is the opposite of the irondeficiency anemia that is usually looked for. I recommend that you see your own physician and get retested. If we take the blood bank at their word, and your iron level is too high, that raises the possibility of hereditary hemochromatosis (HH), which is caused by a defect of iron absorption. With this condition, your body absorbs as much iron as possible, even if it doesn’t need any. This causes iron overload, which damages the heart, liver, bone marrow, adrenal glands, skin and joints, just to name a few. Your doctor should test your iron and ironbinding capacity, as well as your ferritin level, which tends to correlate with the total amount of body iron stores.

— THE WEIRS TIMES, Thursday, January 18, 2024 —

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Understanding the basics of the clean energy tax credits By AmBrose KizzA KIZZA TAX & ACCOUNTING, LLC

If you are a homeowner and have been thinking about upgrading your home to be more energy efficient by installing energy efficient doors, windows, adding insulation, installing heat pumps, etc., this article will help you plan accordingly, depending on your goals and could potentially save you money on federal income taxes if a plan is well-executed. Most people will decide to make energy efficient upgrades to their homes for environmental reasons, to manage electricity consumption and save money on electricity, or both. Whatever the reasons, you may need to plan to achieve some tax savings for the work. Below, an explanation of the two kinds of energy tax credits is provided as well as some tax planning tips to help the reader benefit from making a desired upgrade. There are two kinds of energy tax credits that you can qualify for as a homeowner: The Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit or the Residential Clean

Energy Credit.

The Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit

The Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit is for existing main homes and applies to exterior doors and windows, insulation, heating, air conditioning and water heaters. You may qualify for up to $3,200 in tax credits. For each item, satisfying the energy efficiency requirements, the credit is 30% of the costs, including labor. The maximum credit you can claim each year is: $1,200 for energy property costs and certain energy efficient home improvements, with limits on doors ($250 per door and $500 total), windows ($600) and home energy audits ($150); $2,000 per year for qualified heat pumps, biomass stoves or biomass boilers. The credit has no lifetime dollar limit. You can claim the maximum annual credit every year that you make eligible improvements until 2033. The credit is nonrefundable, so you can’t get back more on the credit than you owe in taxes. You can’t apply

any excess credit to future tax years. Depending on what your current year tax liability is going to be in 2024, you may want to consider reducing the tax payments or withholdings by the estimated credit if the energy efficient property will be installed in 2024. To receive the full benefit of the credit, adjust the withholding for a W-2 employee or reduce the estimated payments for contractors and business owners filing a Schedule C. This credit will only reduce the tax liability and will not be refunded to the taxpayer. So, in this case, it is better to owe and utilize every cent of the credit and pay the balance. If you are due a refund, no benefit will be received, and you cannot carry forward any unused tax credits generated by the Energy Efficient Home Improvement. Therefore, the credit will never be claimed. For example, let’s say Joe Smith qualifies for up to $1,200 in credits because Joe made some energy improvements to his home. Let’s also assume that at the end of the year, Joe will owe an additional $1,000

Uphill skiing has been gaining in popularity for years and New Hampshire resorts offer routes for uphill skinning, splitboarding and snowshoeing. Here at Bretton Woods the uphill route often has a line of uphill skiers headed up the Range View slope. Uphill skiers attach skins to their bases to glide on snow up the mountain and they rip the skins off at the top and stuff them in their pack for a fast ski back down. People ski and snowboard uphill at ski resorts. While the vast majority of people enjoy riding the lifts to the summit, there are growing numbers that are enjoying getting up the mountain using their own power. It’s fun and it is great exercise to earn your turns. I know first hand that skiers and snowboarders are interested in uphill skiing because they

often stop and ask what I am doing. The sport is growing rapidly due to word of mouth and more ski shops are stocking uphill equipment for sale. How do you ski or snowboard uphill? Skins are attached to the base of the ski to stop the ski from sliding back. Think of petting a dog, one direction your hand slides easily but pet a dog against

its fur’s grain and your hand comes to a stop (and dogs don’t like it). That’s how ski skins work; they slide going forward and brake as the ski tries to slide back on the snow. Real animalDON’T skins such asOUT seal MISS ON CREDITS skin areTAX no longer used and have been replaced File in-person with a trusted tax expert. with synthetic skins. Snowboarders use splitboards. These are snowboards split YOUR TRUSTED TAXthat EXPERTS FOR LIFE down the middle ver-

tically tom make two halves and the snowboard bindings are spun around to make two awkward skis. I dare say awkward skis because they are meant for going uphill only. Skiing down with them split is quite tricky and not what they were designed to do. Most uphill skiers are using Alpine Touring (603) 524-5222 equipment. Either us702 Union Ave ing their downhill skis Laconia, NH 03246 See PATENAUDE on 25

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— THE WEIRS TIMES, Thursday, January 18, 2024 —

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“Win one for the Gipper,” were dying words uttered in 1920 by Notre Dame football legend George Gipp to his coach, Knute Rockne. Twenty years later actor Ronald Reagan played Gipp in Knute Rockne, All American before later becoming our 40th President. While Reagan did play some football at Eureka College, he wasn’t a grid star—as opposed to our 38th President, Gerald Ford, who helped Michigan win back-to-back national titles in 1932-33. Our 41st President, George H.W. Bush, wasn’t a football player, but he was a baseball star at Yale University who once met Babe Ruth. Our 42nd President wasn’t a gridster either, but Bill Clinton was a big Arkansas Razorback football fan. That’s something. With the “Firstin-the-Nation” N.H. Presidential Primary coming up on January 23, let’s look at these presidents—and others—in the context of our FITN. It seemed Reagan’s political career was over in early 1980. Despite Ford having wrested the 1976 N.H. Primary and GOP nomination from him, Reagan gave the presi-

Ronald Reagan famously played the Notre Dame football star George Gipp (The Gipper) in 1940’s Knute Rockne, All American. Reagan later became the 40th U.S. President. dency one last try in 1980 at age 69—which Democrats said was too old. (Irony alert.) Then George H.W. Bush trounced Reagan in the Iowa Caucuses. Reagan’s political obituary was published across the land. Then came New Hampshire’s FITN. A memorable Nashua debate made history. Reagan won N.H. in a landslide. Everything changed. Reagan would win two landslide presidential elections while turning our economy around and winning the Cold War. No wonder Reagan said, “God Bless New Hampshire.” It seemed George H.W. Bush was politi-

cally dead in 1988 after also being trounced in the Iowa Caucus, finishing behind Bob Dole and Pat Roberston. Bush came to N.H. and plaintively pleaded with Granite Staters for help. “If you come through for me, then when I get to Washington, you’ll hear me say ‘Thank You New Hampshire’ forever.” With Governor John Sununu’s crucial assistance, Bush won New Hampshire and then the presidency and kept his promise to forever thank New Hampshire. It seemed Bill Clinton was politically dead in 1992 when the first of his major

sex scandals broke, after he’d received 3% of the Iowa Caucus vote. Clinton came to New Hampshire to plead for help, like Reagan and Bush before him, telling a crowd in Dover that if Granite Staters gave him a chance, “I’ll be there for you until the last dog dies.” Clinton’s strong FITN finish allowed him to proclaim himself “The Comeback Kid” and he went on to easily win two presidential elections. And so it goes. New Hampshire shapes presidential races like no other state. Which brings us to 2024. A clear majority of horrified Americans dread the prospect of a Biden-Trump rematch. Can’t we do better? But it seems like we’re locked into that terrible scenario. Unless New Hampshire voters step up as See MOFFETT on 18 they have in the past to point things in a better direction. See MOFFETT on 18

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Order your autographed copy today for $13.99 plus $3 for shipping. (Please include any inscription you would like the author to personalize your copy with.) Make out checks or money orders for $16.99 to Brendan Smith and mail to: The Flatlander Chronicles, c/o The Weirs Times, PO Box 5458, Weirs, NH 03247. Order online at www.BrendanTSmith.com (Pickup autographed copies at the Weirs Times)

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— THE WEIRS TIMES, Thursday, January 18, 2024 — MOFFETT from 15 For Republicans that means voting for Clemson grad and former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley. I completely agree with Haley supporter Governor Chris Sununu that “We have a country to save.” I followed FITN developments intently for many months before finally becoming the first State Representative to endorse Haley at the end of October. I won’t repeat the powerful case for her here. Thoughtful voters have until Jan. 23rd to complete

their due diligence and hopefully figure it out. My endorsement cost me and resulted in threats, but that’s okay. I’ve been in harm’s way before. Trumpers tell me I’m “being watched” and that I’ll “pay a price.” I feel like Dr. Zhivago in that classic movie when a communist Russian commissar informed him that “Your attitude is noticed. Oh yes, it’s been noticed!” Welcome to TrumpWorld, 2024. On the Dem side, another classic mov-

ie comes to mind—the film featuring college fraternity pledges being paddled. Okay, it was Animal House. The pledges’ rite of passage required them to bend over to be swatted by fraternity leaders, whom we can liken to the Democrat “establishment.” I keep picturing Joe Biden wielding the paddle on bentover N.H. Dems who respond as the movie pledges did when spanked: “Thank you, Sir. May I have another one, Sir?” It’s pathetic to see

N.H. establishment Dems trying to get voters to write in Biden’s name on a ballot he disdained. The better that Minnesota Congressman Dean Phillips does on the Dem side, the better it is for the future of our FITN primary. We’ll soon see if New Hampshire can “win one for the Gipper” and save the country from a Biden-Trump redux. Not only does the future of our FITN require us to step up and redirect things, but more importantly, the future of our country demands it. History

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Mon Mon Mon Tue Tue Tue Tue Thu Thu Thu Thu Tue, Thu Tue, Thu Tue, Thu

01/29/2024 01/29/2024 01/29/2024 01/30/2024 01/30/2024 01/30/2024 01/16/2024 05/09/2024 03/14/2024 04/18/2024 04/04/2024 01/30/2024 03/05/2024 04/02/2024

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Check Out Our Other Great Offerings: HSE (GED or HiSET) Prep- Free Monday & Wednesday (Including materials, book fees or labs) nights 6:00-8:30-Star�ng January 22nd Check out our other great offerings: HSE (GED or HiSET) Prep- Free MondayFree & Wednesday nightslearning 6:00-8:30-Starting January 22nd Register and Pay Online at: adultedlaconia.weebly.com E.S.L.for those English Tuesday & E.S.L.- Free for those learning English Tuesday & Thursday nights 6:00-8:30-starting January 23rd Thursday nights 6:00-8:30-star�ng January 23rd Still have questions? Call Laconia Adult Education at 603-524-5712 Classes are in-person except when location is listed as remote. CHECK ONLINE FOR MORE DETAILED COURSE INFORMATION (Including materials, book fees or Labs)

shows that informed New Hampshire voters can step up to change our world. Just ask Presidents Ronald Reagan, George Bush, or Bill Clinton. Sports Quiz What former pro football franchise owner won the 2016 GOP FITN New Hampshire primary? (Answer follows). Born Today That is to say, sports standouts born on January 18 include Cardinal baseball great Curt Flood (1938) and NHL star Mark Messier (1962). Sports Quote “When I was in college, I just tried to maintain a C average to stay eligible for football. I sometimes wonder what I might have amounted to if I’d studied harder in school.” – Ronald Reagan, 40th U.S. President Sports Quiz Answer Donald Trump owned the USFL’s New Jersey Generals back in the eighties. State Representative Mike Moffett was a Sports Management Professor for Plymouth State University and NHTI-Concord. He coauthored the awardwinning “FAHIM SPEAKS: A WarriorActor’s Odyssey from Afghanistan to Hollywood and Back” which is available on Amazon.com. His e-mail address is mimoffett@ comcast.net.

— THE WEIRS TIMES, Thursday, January 18, 2024 —

The

Simple Feast

WEIRS TIMES’ BEER FINDER

Chicken & Hot Sausage Etouffee The

Simple Feast

The

Simple Feast

by Eric N Gibson Contributing Writer

The

Simple Feast

Mise en place is perhaps the first French term I learned in Cooking 101 over 30 years ago. While I may have forgotten the title of the class, the concept has stayed with me. Roughly translated, mise en place means everything in its place. The implication is, all is at the ready within arms reach to assist in a flawless execution of the task. While the course was not designed to train us in classic French Cuisine it was an introduction to the world of food preparation so that we, soon to be young managers, were not totally lost when thrown into the arena of food preparation. But what does this have to do with Chicken and Sausage Etouffee? Glad you asked. I received a text from a friend enjoying the winter in Florida. The text stated “Just happened to stumble upon a street festival. Arts and Crafts and Food! There must be 500 hundred vendors.” The picture with the text showed a street vendor with all sorts of delicious looking food in oversized double eared (two handled) woks. One was filled with meats of all description while the other was filled with

“Cajun Trinity” accompanied by a diced shallot and two tomatoes waiting for “a dip in the hot tub”. a rainbow of sauteed vegetables. Also in the photo was the menu board. Pulled Pork, Ribs, Brisket, Chicken Satay, Paella, Thai Basil Fish, Mango Shrimp, Gator Tail Bites, Conch Fritters, the list went on. But what caught my eye was Shrimp Etouffee. I will be the first to admit that when it comes to Cajun cooking my knowledge is limited. I have always been intrigued but shied away from most of this unique cuisine because of its notorious reputation for being hot and spicy. Sadly, one of my shortcomings, being born and bred of New England, is my penchant for the mundane border-

ing on a sweet palette rather than bold and sassy. The other issue I find with Cajun food is its penchant for being heavily laced with shrimp, fish, crawdads, or alligator, and frankly, none of these hit any high notes on my top ten list of consumables. Regardless, I was intrigued and wanted to learn more. I had heard of Etouffee and knew it usually had a combination of shrimp, or other seafood, and chicken, cooked in a mix of vegetables and a reduction. How it was different from Jambalaya I was not sure. Most of my cookbook library consists of the traditional old school

tomes and local community cookbooks, so off to the internet for a quick tutorial on this Cajun classic and while at it, the difference between Etouffee and Jambalaya. Traditional Jambalaya, uses the “Cajun Trinity” (onion, celery, and pepper), will use sausage as its primary meat with pork, chicken, and perhaps to a lesser extent seafood. However, in today’s convoluted (to put it politely) world of cooking, where people will cross paths of tradition with whatever contemporary trend they feel like tossing in the pan, the primary differences between etouffee and jambalaya, is their cooking method, etouffee is served over rice while jambalaya is served with rice as a ingredient in the preparation of the dish. Traditional Etouffee (pronounced long A, the number 2, Fay: A-2-Fay) is a Cajun composition typically of sauteed vegetables (the trinity) and meat, primarily seafood such as shrimp or other crustaceans (the shells of the cooked crustaceans lend both flavor and color when mixed with the reduction) that are seasoned with heat and spices, and employs a roux (of sorts). All of this is stewed in a liquid until thickened to a near sauce-like consistency. The sauce begins with a stock or broth (one can argue the differences but for the purposes of this article I will say stock) light in color of either seafood or chicken and with the addition of See FEAST on 24

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— THE WEIRS TIMES, Thursday, January 18, 2024 —

OUT on the TOWN Great Food, Libations & Good Times!

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— THE WEIRS TIMES, Thursday, January 18, 2024 —

OUT on the TOWN Great Food, Libations & Good Times!

METZLER from 7 While Taiwan is best known and praised for its free economy, over the past thirty years the big story has been its vibrant political democratization where the New Hampshire sized island of 23 million people remains one of modern Asia’s freest societies with a vibrant tech-savvy sector. For decades the Chinese communists have used the lure of “one Country,Two Systems” to try to seduce Taiwan into Beijing’s political embrace. Hong Kong once stood out as an example. But after China’s brutal crackdown on the once free territory, Taiwan’s not taking any deals. Since Taiwan’s widening political democratization in the late 1980’s, the free Chinese governed island serves as a beacon if not embarrassment to Mainland China’s rigid communist regime. Still any talk of Taiwan “independence” or “separatism” from China poses a lightning rod to Beijing. The PRC has never renounced the use of force to reunite Taiwan with the “Chinese Motherland” and communist ruler Xi Jinping regularly threatens the selfruled island. The key to avoiding a further crisis is keeping within the rhetorical rules of the game; The Republic of China on Taiwan is grudgingly accepted by Beijing as long as the island adheres to the mantra of its Chinese cultural con-

nection. Breaking that link, which is the wish of some DPP stalwarts, can easily trigger a chain of events which gives the communists the excuse to attack. Lai’s predecessor President Tsai Ing-wen, despite probably conflicting personal feelings, adopted a clear policy not to confront the Dragon. Nonetheless the PRC has regularly harassed and infringed on Taiwan’s sovereign airspace with waves of military aircraft. Lai said that he’s “determined to safeguard Taiwan from threats and intimidation from China.” Given the geopolitical stakes in the region and China’s increasing bellicosity, the United States and Japan monitored this election with intense concern over Beijing’s possible next moves. Just as a significant note; Taiwan’s elections were held with single day voting at the polls between 8AM and 4PM. There were no electronic nor absentee or mail-in ballots. Votes were hand counted and results delivered in hours. Beijing’s bullying may have backfired; but for how long? John J. Metzler is a United Nations correspondent covering diplomatic and defense issues. He is the author of Divided Dynamism The Diplomacy of Separated Nations; Germany, Korea, China.

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— THE WEIRS TIMES, Thursday, January 18, 2024 —

LLLF from 1 crushing for all of us here on “the farm.” It is every bit as demoralizing and unsettling as the cases of harsh physical abuse. Yet we slog on, soldiering, as it’s all we know how to do. However, LLLF eagerly and definitively reaches out to help with those cases of abandoned, neglected or abused animals with little hope of survival without immediate rescue. The number of orphaned kittens and abandoned pregnant cats has skyrocketed in recent months, with no reason to think it will end anytime soon. And

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Rescued donkeys now known as Moe, Larry and Curly arrive to Live and Let Live Farm Rescue in protective custody (PC) for the town of Northwood as part of a cruelty case presently in the court system here in New Hampshire.

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Jumanji 50 pound African Sulcata Tortoise arriving to Live and Let Live Farm Rescue with a smile, who’s owner could no longer care for him. LLLF closed out 2023 with an urgent rescue transport, collaborating with rescue partner Pilots N Paws, welcoming doggy pups Hondo, Sadie, Chloe, Tilly and Lola upon touchdown in Concord, N.H. on a flight from Georgia. This quintet of happy pups was immediately wagging their way into the rescuers’ hearts while heading back to LLLF Rescue & Sanctuary from the airport, just in time for Christmas-- during what was for us, a very busy holiday weekend. Pilots Kevin Berger, Suek Kim, and Klay Parkhurst of Pilots N Paws, a non-profit volunteer transportation organization, flew them up from Georgia on Friday, while other volunteers walked them, keeping the pups busy between legs of flights. “Saving these precious pups and getting them here safely to LLLF fills the heart and soul, bringing grate-

ful tears to the eyes,” for all involved. For these wagging tails and cheerful personalities, their days of unthinkable pain, neglect and abuse are now behind them, certain to be displaced by days of joy and a feeling of belonging as they work toward their forever adoptive/family homes. As they work their way through the system of quarantine, vetting, and necessary vaccine updates, we find immense satisfaction and joy in the privilege of having played a role in the transformation of their lives. Indeed, it is what we live for in the rescue world.. A wonderful Christmas surprise! On Christmas morning after breakfast with the family, we arrived back to the rescue to find Mama Nina, a 2 year old Rescue X lab had given birth to seven healthy and beautiful puppies, turning the See LLLF on 23

— THE WEIRS TIMES, Thursday, January 18, 2024 — needed surgery for her injured eye. All things considered, what a wonderful way to close out a very difficult year. Live and Let Live Farm Rescue & Sanctuary is forever thankful for so many caring humans with giving hearts and caring hands, including those of rescuers, volunteers, fosters, and supporters for making the rescue of so many of these animals, these cherished treasures, during their greatest time of need, possible. May peace

and blessings find you all in the coming year, 2024. PLEASE CONSIDER contacting Live and Let Live if you’re considering adopting a loving family companion. Financial contributions are desperately needed and greatly appreciated, as the costs to operate such a facility are staggering. Contributions are fully tax deductible, and 100% allocated to the care and healing of these animals. Contact Teresa by email, at: tehorse@aol.

com, or send donations to: Live and Let Live Farm Rescue, 20 ParadiseLane, Chichester NH 03258. Donations can also be made with credit or debit cards, at: www.liveandletlivefarm.org. Live and Let Live Farm Rescue calendars can be bought through the website. Sundays 230 guided tours have been canceled through the winter months, with plans to be starting them up again in April 2024.

A HEARTFUL CHRISTMAS SURPRISE: Mama Nina With her 7 Precious pups. Mama Nina was rescued off the streets of Texas, emaciated, pregnant, full of parasites with her eye missing, She surprised us with these 7 beautiful pups Christmas morning. We left for Christmas breakfast and came back to 7 beautiful and healthy Christmas babies LLLF from 22 holiday into an unexpected but heartwarming celebration of life. She had been rescued from the streets of Texas where she was found emaciated and plagued by parasites, pregnant and enduring the trauma of having one eye gouged and missing. Mama Nina gave us no signs of being in labor or ready to give birth. We left for Christmas breakfast and came back to find 7 new wee ones getting ready to nurse or already nursing on mama. This precious family will now go into a foster home for eight weeks, at which time the precious wee ones will get their first vaccines and see the veterinarian in preparation to find their new forever adopted families/ homes. Mama Nina will also move forward in finding her forever family/home as well, after having more needed Veterinarian care or

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— THE WEIRS TIMES, Thursday, January 18, 2024 —

CHICKEN & SAUSAGE ETOUFFEE Yield:8 Servings Time: About 1 Hour

INGREDIENTS

Chicken and Hot Sausage Etouffee over Rice. FEAST from 19 tomato products such as paste, brown butter, and fond darkens to an earthy red tone. Once done it is typically served over rice. After reading up on etouffee I decided to go my own way, deviating from tradition as to the ingredients, I steered clear of the seafood. Also, I decided to reduce the salt, heat, and spices to a degree given my audience (the hot sauce would be on the table). I opted to use a combination of spices rather than a commercially available Cajun or Creole seasoning that is high in salt, dextrose, and other stuff that I cannot pronounce. The result: a delicious Chicken and Hot Sausage Etouffee in about an hour or so. First, let’s talk about

chicken. Chicken thighs are great for many applications because they are typically inexpensive, tender, flavorful, and fall apart; they are perfect for etouffee. So into a kettle went 6 thighs with about a gallon of water, some salt, pepper, parsley, garlic powder and onion powder. After about 40 minutes in the sauna they were at an internal temperature of over 165 degrees and ready to be rescued and set aside. Removing two cups of stock, I poured this into a pot as my cooking liquid for the white rice that was to accompany this dish. Meanwhile, I had set the oven to 400 degrees and tossed five Hot Italian Sausages into a lightly oiled (olive oil) pan. Into the oven they went and I set the timer for 40 minutes.

1 Cup White Rice 4 Cups Chicken Stock (divided) 2 Tbsp. Butter ½ Lg Green Bell Pepper (diced) ½ Lg Red Bell Pepper (diced) ½ Lg Yellow Onion (diced) 1 Lg Shallot (diced) 3 stalks Celery (diced) 2 Tbsp Flour 2 Med. Tomatoes (diced) 4-6 Chicken Thighs (cooked and pulled) 4-5 Hot Italian Sausage (can use mild)

1 Tbsp Worcestershire Sauce 3 Dashes Hot Sauce 1 Tbsp Cajun or Creole Seasoning or Combine the following to make about a Tbsp. TT Salt TT Garlic Powder TT Ground Black Pepper TT Ground White Pepper TT Onion Powder TT Paprika TT Cayenne Pepper TT Dry Oregano

— PREPARATION— ETOUFFEE - Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. When preheated, place the Italian Sausage links on a lightly oiled baking pan and cook in the oven for 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and flip each sausage, and place back in the oven for 10 minutes. Remove and check for temperature. Should be above 165 degrees. Set aside before cutting into rounds. - Cook thighs by boiling in one gallon of water and seasonings of your choice if you are making stock. (Garlic Powder, Salt, Pepper, Parsley, and Sage) - Into a large skillet over medium heat melt two tablespoons of butter and let it brown. Add to this the celery and bell peppers. Using a wooden spoon saute the veggies for five minutes before adding the onion and shallot. Continue to saute the vegetables until the onion turns glossy. Add the Cajun seasoning and blend with the veggies and melted butter. - Add the flour and continue to blend with the veggies to coat. - Add the chicken stock, Worcestershire Sauce, and the hot sauce. Continue to cook over medium heat, stirring to lift the fond from the skillet and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat and stir occasionally to ensure nothing sticks to the bottom. When the liquid is reduced, create a thick sauce (use your judgment), remove from heat and serve immediately over rice. RICE In a covered pot combine one cup of rice and two cups of stock. Cover and bring to a boil. Once the rice is boiling, reduce the heat and simmer on low until the rice is cooked through. - Fluff with a fork and serve. While the proteins were cooking I set my sights on vegetables. I decided on both red and green bell pepper, a half of a large yellow onion and a shallot, some diced celery, and two diced tomatoes that looked like they wanted in on this dish. A quick tip on tomatoes, you can get away with leaving skins on diced tomatoes if you eat them raw; salads, tacos, and the like. But, if you are going to cook diced tomatoes take an extra few minutes to remove the skins. Removing the skins will elevate any dish that stews, bakes,

or otherwise cooks the tomato because there are no unsightly annoying rolled up tomato skins to ruminate on like a cow in the field while trying to enjoy your meal. To do this, bring a saucepan of water to a simmer, just enough water to submerge the tomato, and carefully plop your tomatoes in. Let them frolick about in this hot tub for a few minutes, it doesn’t take long. Then remove the tomatoes from the water (Be careful, they will be hot!) and with little effort, usually just a smudge of your finger against the skin,

the skin will slide right off and leave the tomato intact and ready to dice. Then slice! Dice! And presto! Skinless diced tomatoes. Once the sausage was fully cooked and out of the oven, I sliced each link into rounds and the chicken thigh meat was pulled from the bones, I measured out two cups of broth for the etuoffee. With everything ready it was time to execute the dish. A large pot or cast iron skillet is best for this dish and served from the skillet adds eye appeal. Whether you enjoy a traditional Cajun kick or

an entree on the lighter side of the heat meter, this Chicken and Sausage Etouffee, balances heat from the spicy sausage and judicious use of seasonings while employing a blond reduction that lands a delicious hearty flavor filled dish on the table. Readily adaptable to using leftover proteins, with some prior planning and mise en place this dish comes together with ease and is truly a simple feast. Enjoy!

— THE WEIRS TIMES, Thursday, January 18, 2024 —

Happy uphill skiers at Pats Peak. On Monday nights Concord’s S&W Sports has organized a group uphill ski called Tours & Pours--two laps up the mountain followed by a gathering in the Sled Pub. Limited to 20 registrants. It’s a great way for beginners to feel comfortable skiing uphill on their new gear and fun for all abilities. PATENAUDE from 13 equipped with bindings that allow the ski boot heel to lift up or specialized Alpine Touring equipment which is lightweight and has special bindings that the heels can be released when going up and then locked down for the descent. The boots areA lightweight too. Telemark equipment is still popular because it is lightweight and allows the heel to lift. Ten years ago I knew only a couple people like me that had telemark equipment and skins to access the backcountry and occasionally skin up our favorite ski area’s trails, often before or after the lifts closed and especially in the spring after the resorts had closed for the season. I confess, back then many of us practiced “it is better to ask for forgiveness than to ask for permission” before we went up the resort’s slopes. No one seemed to mind there were so few of us then going uphill. Today every resort has an Uphill Policy and every resort’s policy seems to be different.

Most charge money for an uphill travel pass and the prices vary a lot. Most have a designated skinning route. Few allow it anytime: some only when they are open and others only when they are closed and still a couple that don’t allow it period. They all have their reasons–safety, crowds and protecting the flow of the downhill skiers and riders. If you’re interested in trying uphill, call around to your local ski shops and ask if they have rentals but most don’t. The good news is that many are now selling uphill gear. The White Mountain Ski Company (formerly known as Ski the Whites) in Jackson and Village Ski and Sport in Lincoln have been renting and selling uphill equipment for years. The Dartmouth Skiway has added Uphill rental gear this season. I was skinning up Bretton Woods’ Range View Trail and I was passed by another skier and I asked if she could slow up a second so I could take her photo. She said sure and we chatted a minute and

she encouraged me to check out Uphill New England. Her equipment was lightweight and I asked her if she raced. (Yes they have uphill and then back downhill races– ski mountaineering racing, aka Skimo.) She said she raced and I asked her how many laps she had done so far. “Five” she answered as she took off up the hill. Checkout UphillNewEngland.org. Learning to ski uphill at a resort is nice for all the same reasons that it is nice to go skiing or snowboarding at a resort–excellent snowmaking, snowgrooming, plowed parking lots and nice warm lodges with food services and bathrooms. Learning at a ski resort is less stressful and a safe place to learn the skills needed before venturing off into the backcountry. Plus, you’re likely to meet others that like going uphill too. For more experienced backcountry skiers we sure do appreciate being able to skin up and ski down when the snow is thin in the woods. Have Fun.

Becca splitboard skinning up the Crescent Ridge Glade in Randolph, NH. Granite Backcountry Alliance is dedicated to creating backcountry terrain and maintaining ski glades in New Hampshire. Visit their website to learn about the organization and “Graniteland” places to go into the backcountry. GraniteBackCountryAlliance.org Ask abou t Rebates & Incenti ves!

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26 SMITH from 3 Let us look back to the New Hampshire Primary and Election Laws of the year 1937 which are not entirely

— THE WEIRS TIMES, Thursday, January 18, 2024 — nomination of all candidates to be voted for at the November election. There was and is one exception to those who would be selected

Amos Blandin, unopposed in Primaries, defeated by Francis Murphy for NH Governor in 1936. the same as those of 2024. The laws of 1937 did specify that a primary would be held biennially on the Tuesday after the second Monday in September for the

at the September primary though, that being presidential electors who are chosen in a March or earlier primary election. The present controversy in New Hampshire

involves who decides when the primary to chose state presidential electors should be held. Is it the State of New Hampshire or the Democratic National Committee? New Hampshire seems to have a thirst to be first in whatever and whenever it can possibly manage to do so, but the Democratic National Committee chairs want to manage the date of our State’s primary. The 1937 primary laws for the September election indicated that candidates could be nominated by petition or by caucus. Petitions for public office were submitted to the supervisors of the checklist to be certified and a certain number of signatures was required for a person to qualify which in 1937 was those of a thousand legal voters for governor and United States Senator, 500 for a representative to Congress, 250 for most county and city offices, and 50 for officers of a town or city ward.

William N. Rogers, NH Congressman, who was the only Democratic candidate in the 1936 Primary for Senator. He lost in the General Election in Nov. to Styles Bridges who had defeated George Moses and William Callahan in the Primary election. Under certain conditions nominations for offices could be made by caucuses or conventions. No political party could put nominations on an primary ballot unless their party had received at least three percent of the vote for governor in the most recent contest for that office in the State.

A dozen laws governing the Conduct of Caucuses had been added to the Primary Election laws in 1905, including that caucuses had to be called by notices placed in five conspicuous places in the town with one of those places being the Post Office and another in some

newspaper if the town had any. I suppose that primary election laws haven’t changed much from 1937, and I guess that not many people who are not directly involved in election procedures knew then or know now all the laws pertaining to primary elections. As previously stated, presidential primaries are separate from State and local primaries. These primaries are conducted by the individual states in cooperation with the national committees of the political parties involved, though in this year of 2024 the National Democratic Committee and the State of New Hampshire as well as the New Hampshire Democratic Committee are at odds concerning the primary date. The national committee has even recently called the New Hampshire presidential primary of 2024, on the Democratic side, “ meaningless.” I haven’t taken the time to compare all of the primary election laws of 1937 and 2024, but there have been some changes concerning who is allowed to vote. In 1937 every inhabitant of a certain town who was 21 years old or older who was a native or naturalized citizen of the United See SMITH on 27

— THE WEIRS TIMES, Thursday, January 18, 2024 — the legitimacy of New Hampshire’s primary which appears to be in accordance with federal and state laws. On the other hand, one might ask what would happen if another state passed a law declaring that

Styles Bridges who won the 1936 U.S. Senate Primary and General Election. SMITH from 26 States, and who was not a pauper or who, at their request, had been excused from paying taxes, could vote. Today 18 year olds can vote. To be considered a pauper a person had to have received assistance from the town within 90 days of the election. Soldiers and sailors who served in any war were entitled to vote even if they had received assistance from a town or county. Aliens who were not naturalized could not vote. In 1937 the Supervisors of the Checklist were required to post the complete list of eligible voters in their town at two or more of the most public places in town fourteen days before elections. It appears to me that nowadays they are required to post the list of voters at the town clerk’s office or the town hall and make it available to any citizen of the town on request.

Concerning presidential primaries the New Hampshire laws concerning elections stated “On the second Tuesday in March each year when a president of the United States is to be elected, a primary

shall be held for the election of delegates at large, alternate delegates at large, delegates and alternate delegates to the national conventions of the various political parties to be held to nominate party candidates for president and vice-president of the United States.” Such primary elections in towns were to be held in conjunction with the annual town meetings, and to be conducted by the regular election officers. In this year of 2024 the laws indicate that

the presidential primary elections are still to be held in March unless the Secretary of State sets a different date in keeping with current state law that requires the Granite State to hold its primary election before any other state. New Hampshire has had the first presidential primary in the nation during each election cycle since 1920. In a time when Democrats are suggesting that Republicans pose a threat to democracy, one might wonder why they would question

their presidential primary must be the first in the nation. Robert Hanaford Smith welcomes your comments at danahillsmiths@yahoo.com

— THE WEIRS TIMES, Thursday, January 18, 2024 —

PARKER from 6 the coming of the Lord.” Can anyone imagine a leader of a major political or social movement today speaking this way? Over these 60 years since the Civil Rights Act became law, courts took the Bible and prayer out of public schools, legalized abortion and changed our legal understanding of what defines marriage. The godless socialism of DEI -- diversity, equity, inclusion -- has replaced good and evil as our perspective on social justice. As we have purged religion and replaced it with politics, we have lost the core of a religious world view. There is good and evil, and the Creator gave free choice and personal responsibility to choose to each individual. Without this, the free-

dom we allegedly care so much about has little meaning. Government has become our new religion. In 1964, federal spending took 17.3% of our GDP. Today it takes 24.4%. In 1964, gross federal debt equaled 46.2% of our GDP. Today it equals 119.8%. It is an unfortunate quirk of history that the Civil Rights Movement, led by a Black Christian pastor, reached its peak at the moment when Americans decided to start banishing the Bible from our culture. A movement informed by good and evil and personal responsibility has been replaced by politics, interest groups and victimhood. The community most hurt by the purge of personal responsibility that defines individual freedom is the one that started out the weakest

and the greatest victim of our moral failures. Without a new birth of faith, we for sure will not have a new birth of freedom in America. The whole nation and our future are in danger. And the weakest, those whom the socialists claim to care the most about, will suffer the most. Star Parker is president of the Center for Urban Renewal and Education and host of the weekly television show “Cure America with Star Parker.” Her recent book, “What Is the CURE for America?” is available now. To find out more about Star Parker and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www. creators.com.

STOSSEL from 7 you’re promoting bad behavior.” Exactly. Years ago, Federal Flood Insurance encouraged my bad behavior. I wanted to build a house on a beach. When I asked my father to help with the mortgage, he said, “No! Are you crazy? It’s on the edge of an ocean!” Dad was right. It was a dumb place to build. But I built anyway, because Federal flood insurance, idiotically, guaranteed that I wouldn’t lose money. I enjoyed my house for ten years, but then, as predicted, it washed away. It was an upsetting loss, but thanks to Uncle Sam, I didn’t lose a penny. I’m grateful. But it’s wrong that you were

forced to pay for my beach house. Paul is right to say that people with second homes “should not get insurance through the government.” Actually, no one should get flood insurance through the government, but Paul fears that his irresponsible colleagues won’t approve killing the handout altogether. Instead, he just proposes limiting the handout to primary residences. It would be a start. But even this slight reform is too much for Kennedy, who says, “If you earn enough to buy a second home, we shouldn’t discourage that. No, we shouldn’t. But we shouldn’t subsidize it with taxpayer money! Doesn’t he get the difference?

Federal flood insurance is like buying drunk drivers new cars. Adding to the idiocy, there is no limit on how many times the government will give away your money. “One home in Virginia,” says Paul, “they’ve rebuilt the house 41 times!” I took your money once. I apologize for taking it, but when my government offers me a handout, I feel stupid not taking it. Let’s get rid of federal flood insurance and all subsidies that encourage people to do foolish things. Every Tuesday at JohnStossel.com, Stossel posts a new video about the battle between government and freedom.

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— THE WEIRS TIMES, Thursday, January 18, 2024 — TIPS from 11 depression and should be discussed with your doctor. Stay Away From Harmful Substances: Dealing with behavioral health issues in unhealthy ways, such as abusing prescription or illicit drugs or alcohol, will only worsen the

situation. According to the National Institutes for Health, research shows heavy alcohol use can increase the risk of both dementia and depression. Pick Up A Hobby: Hobbies like gardening, cooking and solving puzzles can help improve your memory

and your physical and mental health. Be Social: Isolation can lead to depression, which only worsened for many during the COVID-19 pandemic. Reach out to friends and family in person, via video chat, or over the telephone.

Find Help If You Need It: Keep your regular medical appointments, and don’t hesitate to seek additional help from your network, if you need it. This may take the form of a financial advisor, a clergy member, or a mental health professional. Medicare generally covers the cost

of behavioral health services, including depression and addiction treatment, as well as talk therapy. Virtual services are often available to those living in rural areas. And if you’re experiencing a crisis that includes suicidal thoughts, call 988 immediately.

“For some older adults, seeking help can be difficult,” says Dr. Evans-Mitchell. “But getting help is a sign of strength, not weakness. There’s no benefit to suffering in silence when help to improve your life is within reach.”

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— THE WEIRS TIMES, Thursday, January 18, 2024 —

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— THE WEIRS TIMES, Thursday, January 18, 2024 —

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Now that Jane understands where to put the “x” she’s ready PHOTO #998 to cast her vote in the Ladies are seen here playing the game of Corn. primary.- William Henson, The Hole was added to the Salem, NH.

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— THE WEIRS TIMES, Thursday, January 18, 2024 —

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