Commentary

Dear Editor, What happened to the Winnfield Fair? I remember coming up in school and even years afterwards when the fair/carnival was the biggest attraction this town would have during the year. Now it’s gone to the dogs. I live one street away and I remember the time when I could not leave my home and expect not to come back and park in my own front yard. Cars would be lined up all along the street in front of my house on both sides. But that was before the city put the fence up and started charging people twice. Pay to come through the fence and again to ride on the carnival rides. Let’s face it, the carnival was the big attraction anyway. People could not wait to see what new ride the carnival would bring that year.

This has been a week full of meaningful engagement, reflection, and momentum for Northwestern.

From strengthening our external partnerships to celebrating the accomplishments of our faculty and students, I am encouraged by the ways in which our mission continues to take root and flourish across every area of the university

NSU & Fort Polk: Building the Future Together On Monday I met with Fort Polk officials to continue building military-academic partnerships. Our conversations focused on Fort Polk’s drone operations, our role operations, and NSU’s Advanced Remote and Geospatial Operations (ARGO) program. Opportunities for joint training, credentialing, and expanded use of ARGO resources are on the horizon. This collaboration highlights our role in serving Service Members while advancing innovation and workforce development in Central Louisiana.

“The Light Still Shines in Darkness” When you’re in total darkness, there’s only one thing that you want: Light.

Yes, I’ve stood in the thick darkness of Carlsbad Cavern and other caves and when they turn out the lights, you can’t even see your hand in front of your face. And, fear immediately begins to rise up within you: hoping they’ll soon turn the lights back on.

I’m not claustrophobic, but I’ll tell you one thing: it probably wouldn’t take long to become one if I was shut up deep inside of a cave—for you’re afraid to move. There are too many things to run into and too many holes to fall into.

So, let’s just say you’ll not find me spelunking anytime in the near future—unless I’m with a trusted guide and we have plenty of batteries for our flashlights!

Believe it or not, the same is true spiritually. From birth we’re “blinded by the god of this world” and live in spiritual darkness (II Corinthians 4:4).

Cream of Anything Soup Mix

When it comes to cooking from scratch, one of the biggest game changers is having a pantry stocked with basic homemade staples. And if you’ve ever reached for a can of cream of mushroom or cream of chicken soup to pour into a casserole or soup recipe, you know how handy they can be. But what if you could make your own version—one that’s healthier, cheaper, and just as easy to use?

Enter the homemade Cream of Anything Soup Mix.

This dry mix is a must-have for anyone living a simpler, scratch-based lifestyle. It takes just a few minutes to mix up a batch and stores beautifully in a jar or sealed container. The best part? It’s completely adaptable. Whether your recipe calls for cream of chicken, celery, or mushroom, you can add the appropriate seasoning when it’s time to cook, and you’ve got the same creamy texture without the mystery ingredients or the metal can.

A MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT JAMES T. GENOVESE The fall semester is officially underway, and I am encouraged by the excitement, energy, and spirit of Demon pride that has been evident across campus this week. From welcoming new and returning students to celebrating the tremendous support of our alumni and friends, Northwestern is beginning the year on a strong and positive note.

Until we know the answer, it’s the question that’ll always bother us: “Where was God?”

Yes, I’m sure that’s the question many folks down in the Texas hill country were asking ( and are still asking) after the sudden flooding of the Guadalupe River early on the morning of July 4. At the time of this writing, some 132 have died and 160+ are still missing.

It was a “once in 100 years” historic flood the authorities said.

But, that didn’t make it any less painful—particularly for those who lost loved ones or those whose loved ones’ bodies are still missing ( and may never be found).

And, that’s why the question “Where was God?” is both a painfully important question to ask and try to answer. Why is that? Because it’s rooted in the trial of our Faith and the struggle of our soul.

If there’s a God—and there is—we definitely need to know the answer.

Yes, if there’s truly one true-and-living God, Who’s truly omniscient, omnipotent and omnipresent—Who’s Perfect, Holy and Just and MUST punish sin ( and there is)— then the column’s question is of paramount, eternal importance.

So, if God is the One we find in the Bible. . .not other religions’ holy books or beliefs. . . then there’s no doubt that He HATES sin. . .and if a person doesn’t come to Him the way He prescribes. . .it follows that that person’s sin is already under His Condemnation and Wrath. . . which means he/she are also under that because of their sin (John 3:18-21; Hebrews 9:27).

To all Americans, this stands for the colonists’ “Declaration of Independence” from Great Britain in 1776.

And, believe it or not, three other nations also celebrate that day: because of their connection to the United States in one way or the other ( Denmark, Norway and Ireland). The Philippines also celebrated on that day from 1946-61, when they moved the date to June 12 to celebrate their independence from Spain.

In all of these countries there’ll be parades, bands playing and fireworks: to celebrate freedom ( in one way or another). The Jews also have other times of celebration: when they remember how they were set free from oppression (e.g.,

Feasts of Purim, Yom Kippur, Passover, Hannukah).

And, then other religions have special times of celebration: Islam (Ramadan). . . Baha’i (Naw-Ruz). . . Hinduism, Jainism, Sikism and Buddhism (Diwali or “Festival of Lights”), etc.

Trump is Correct to Assist Israel in the Elimination of Iran’s Nuclear Threat

Presidential historians traditionally look for signal and defining moments in a presidential administration as a method by which to rank and place that president in history. President Trump has just had one.

What happened? In a secret operation that can only be described as outstanding, President Trump ordered Operation Midnight Hammer in which the U.S. Central Command conducted precision strikes in the middle of the night against three Iranian nuclear facilities in Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan, in order to destroy or severely degrade Iran’s nuclear program. Transporting these enormous “bunker buster” bombs that were dropped was a large B-2 bomber strike package.

By all accounts, the result has been that the U.S. has, indeed, either completely obliterated or severely degraded the Iranian nuclear program.

A Spoonful of Summer: Peach Cobbler Jam There’s something about peaches that captures the heart of summer— juicy, golden, and just sweet enough to make you smile. And when you stir in warm spices and a splash of vanilla, you end up with more than jam—you get a spoonful of comfort that tastes like Grandma’s cobbler on a hot afternoon. This Peach Cobbler Jam is a perfect way to preserve the season’s bounty, and it makes a lovely gift... if you can part with it!

Peach Cobbler Jam Recipe Ingredients: 5 cups diced ripe peaches 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice 4 cups sugar, divided 1 scant teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1/2 teaspoon unsalted butter, optional 1 (1.75-ounce) pouch liquid fruit pectin 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract In a large deep pot, combine the peaches with the lemon juice and 2 cups of the sugar; cover and let stand for 1 hour.