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Thanks to increasingly busy weekday schedules that have families running in different directions for work, school and extracurricular activities, weekends are an ideal time to recharge. Too often, however, family members retire to their respective rooms, devices in hand.

The negative effects of isolation is something the vast majority of the world can now relate to. The COVID-19 pandemic forced people from all walks of life and from every corner of the globe to spend less time with friends, family members, neighbors, and other acquaintances. As the world cut back on in-person interactions to curb the spread of the virus, billions of people recognized just how difficult feelings of isolation can be.

At their March 24 meeting, the North Texas Municipal Water District (NTMWD) Board of Directors adopted the organization’s updated 2022-2027 Strategic Plan and approved numerous actions associated with ongoing water and wastewater projects. A recording of the meeting can be viewed at www.ntmwd.com/board-of-directors/ board-meetings/.

“God doesn’t only have one phone line,” says Avery, age 10. Apparently, Avery has never heard a busy signal when praying.

Playing a musical instrument benefits people of all ages, including children. Young children may take to music education more readily than adults, acquiring skills in record time. While many instruments are beneficial to kids, certain choices are best for children just starting out.

The COVID-19 pandemic had a profound impact on communities across the globe. No individual, household or industry was unaffected by the pandemic, and the ripple effects of the virus may be felt for years to come.

Crandall High School’s chapter of the Texas Association of Future Educators (TAFE) competed in the 38th annual Teach Tomorrow Summit on March 3-5 at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas. Seniors Kaitlyn Roberts and Madison Lene advanced to nationals while Seniors Karmyn Bass and Hailey Golden earned gold at the event, attended by more than 2,000 students.

While visiting with several hundred folks at our annual Outdoor Ren de Voux in Greenville the weekend of March 12th on 12 beautiful acres at the Top Rail Cowboy Church, I was impressed how total strangers became instant friends because of a common bond, the love of the outdoors. Spending time in the outdoors hunting, fishing or just ‘being out there’ has always been magical for me. And through my many years, I have sealed many friendships, one at a time, on hunting, fishing and camping trips.

I have a confession. It amounts to me turning into a Julia Child of sorts. Allow me to bring you this luscious dish. It’s fancy, right? Look at the silver domed lid, the decorative platter, the way I have the serving towel draped over my arm, just so. Note the care with which I place it in front of you. Easy now. Lean back slightly so I can remove the lid with the extreme flourish of a fine French waiter. See what I have made you? Oh, but wait, it’s for me. Notice the black feathers I didn’t quite pluck correctly. Oh, that stuff? I included options for dipping sauces – orange marmalade and a sort of horseradish. Here, let me sit in your chair so you can watch me. I’m eating crow and it is a dish best served warm. I did something I publicly said I would never do. In the not quite words of pop star and American Idol judge Katy Perry, I kissed a Kindle. And, I liked it. After years upon years of dismissing the phenomenon and refusing to acknowledge the greatness of digital print, I have become an e-reader extraordinaire.

The pure Gospel of Jesus Christ is different from what most people think. The real Gospel is not in our hands. Many people are trying to obey the Word of GOD by being good. If it were possible for humans to live good enough to enter Heaven, Jesus would not have needed to come to earth and die for the sins of the world. Jesus made it plain when He said, “Many are called but few are chosen.” He meant that the world is called, but all who try to live good and call that the way to Heaven are only fooling themselves. That is called religion which only makes a person look good to the world. The true Gospel is to accept Jesus as our personal Savior when we hear the Gospel preached. One thought about that is that if hundreds of people hear the Gospel preached and only a few respond and accept Jesus as their personal Savior, they are the “Chosen” ones.

Soil moisture levels continue to decline in most areas of the state after a months-long dry spell as warm-season crop plantings and preparations increase.

Many college grads are continuing their educations after earning bachelor’s degrees. Roughly 13.1 percent of American adults have an advanced degree, which is up from 8.6 percent in 2000, according to findings from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Eductional Attainment in the United States: 2018. As of 2016, 28.5 percent of Canadians had a bachelor’s degree or higher, says Statistics Canada. The National Student Clearinghouse Research Center says enrollment in graduate programs continues to grow. It rose 3.6 percent in fall 2020 from a year earlier, and 4.4 percent during the spring 2021 semester, perhaps spurred on by the global pandemic and schools’ more flexible course offerings that cater to remote students. Despite their growing popularity, advanced degrees do not always translate into higher salaries or improved job prospects. The research site Educationdata. org says about 9 percent of Americans have master’s degrees, but the degrees increased employability by less than 3 percent. Furthermore, the cost of a master’s degree nearly doubles the average debt held by people with bachelor’s degrees, according to the personal fi nance marketplace Credible. In addition, certain business owners may even pass up on applicants with advanced degrees because the students had been in school too long or tended to assume their degrees make them worth more, according to a report by Fox Business. That report indicates less than 10 percent of employers believe colleges do a good job of preparing students for the working world, and many employers value applicants who prioritize real-world experience over schooling. This is information students need to consider when thinking about pursuing advanced degrees.

Whether you’re celebrating a weekend meal with loved ones or simply looking for a way to bring your family to the table at the same time, seafood night can make dinnertime a special treat. Next time you plan to make fish the focus of your menu, it’s possible you’ll be enjoying the benefits of aquaculture, also known as seafood farming.