Opinion
There are three phases of summer. Unfortunately, we’re hitting the homestretch — phase three. Whether you are a parent or grandparent, those carefree days and nights we have grown to love the past few months will soon be traded for the hustle and bustle of kids returning to class and all the related school activities…
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Daily Dirt for Aug. 8, 2021By Steve Eighinger, Muddy River News Minister of Culture Today’s three thoughts are highlighted by items close to my heart — food and baseball. Sit back, pick up that Classic Coke with crushed ice and enjoy Vol. 31 of the Daily Dirt: 1. What’s the most popular food in America,…
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Daily Dirt for Aug. 7, 2021 Under no circumstance, should pumpkin pie be a top 10 choice Warning: You main gain five pounds just reading today’s Daily Dirt. But, really, is that a bad thing? Welcome to Vol. 30: 1. The recipe.com website has ranked what its editors feel are the top 25 kinds of…
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The Great American Outdoors Act, the most significant conservation and recreation legislation passed in decades, was signed one year ago into law. Already, we’re starting to see the benefits for Missouri’s public lands. When thinking back to last summer, it’s perhaps surprising that amid an election year and the fiercest partisan tensions of a generation, lawmakers from both aisles…
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Daily Dirt for Aug. 6, 2021: Oh, what might have been …We all have had dreams. And at one time I had mine, too. Find out what my dream once was in today’s Daily Dirt. This, my friends, is Vol. 29: 1. I once played the accordion, even getting to perform with legendary Myron Floren…
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Daily Dirt for Aug. 5, 2021 Before you get to the part of today’s Daily Dirt that deals with Terry Forster, just let me say I agree with him 100 percent. Welcome to Vol. 28 of the daily dose: 1. Let’s continue yesterday’s thoughts on James Bond. I mentioned two actors — Burt Reynolds and…
Read Full Article By Steve EighingerMuddy River News Minister of Culture Hey, it’s lunch time again. We’re back to break bread — in a virtual sense, of course — with some more well-known local and national figures. Here’s our cast of the latest choices for a late-summer sitdown at some of our favorite establishments: Eric Ervin, local Country…
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When discussions first began about paying people $10,000 to come live in Quincy as part of former Mayor Kyle Moore’s 45 by 30 plan (which is now going to be lucky if it ends up 40 by 30), aldermen soundly shouted it down. With Mayor Mike Troup in City Hall and Moore now running the…
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Daily Dirt for Aug. 4, 2021 Burt Reynolds? Hugh Jackman? Really? A lot of deep thoughts in Vol. 27 of the Daily Dirt: 1. Best thoughts about summer? Here are three of mine: A. “Summertime is always the best of what might be.” — Charles Bowden. (But only if you don’t have to mow your…
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The desire to blame folks for things is a very powerful urge. Typically blame comes when folks are frustrated or scared or when they have an agenda. Then they feel the urge to stretch blame to highly illogical places. COVID has been so all-encompassing for people. After a year and a half, any sane person…
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Daily Dirt for Aug. 3, 2021: Nothing better to grill than those big boy hot dogs It’s the first week of August, and those summer days are rapidly dwindling. V-neck sweaters will be here before we know it. While we’re waiting, enjoy Vol. 26 of your guilty pleasure, the Daily Dirt: 1. My own flesh…
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Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s re-election announcement July 19 made it clear state finances would be central to his campaign, with boasts about balancing the state budget and making full pension payments for each year of his term. The problem is, neither claim is true. Illinois continues to grapple with large structural budget deficits and a growing…
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By Steve Eighinger, Muddy River News Minister of Culture For many, the 1980s represented the widest collection of pop music styles to ever cross over and form one massive genre. Never before, and not since, have so many eclectic ventures worked their way into mainstream listening. Maybe that’s why the 1980s were voted the No.…
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Daily Dirt for Aug. 2, 2021 by Steve Eighinger After all of these years, the Lads from Liverpool remain No. 1 in the colonies. No skipping ahead, read the following in order in Vol. 25 of the Daily Dirt. OK, this kind of surprised me. For those who have not looked ahead, any idea what the…
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Daily Dirt for Aug. 1, 2021 A moment of silence, please, for Cousin Itt while you peruse Vol. 24 of the Daily Dirt. 1. Since I was a child, I have been one of Baskin-Robbins’ most loyal ice cream customers. My all-time favorite flavors have been pralines-n-cream and jamocha almond fudge. While I have never ventured…
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By STEVE EIGHINGER Daily Dirt for July 31, 2021Go ahead, make my day. I’m in a Clint Eastwood kind of mood. I hope you enjoy Vol. 23 of the Daily Dirt. 1. One of my favorite movie stars, filmmakers and overall personalities is Clint Eastwood. From his early days on “Rawhide” to his spaghetti western…
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Daily Dirt for July 30, 2021 by Steve Eighinger Another day, another three thoughts. This, folks, is Vol. 22 of the Daily Dirt: 1. The older I get, the more fascinated I become with birds. A few years ago, I began spending more and more time on our pack porch area watching cardinals, blue jays and whatever…
Read Full Article by Steve Eighinger Fellow baby boomers, think back to your formative years and how much fun it was growing up without cell phones and only two or three channels available on that primitive — and cumbersome — black-and-white TV set in your living room. We actually went outside and played, rather than staring at a…
Read Full Article We’re getting closer to fall and the return of those garage sales and our favorite TV programs by Steve Eighinger Daily Dirt for July 29, 2021If you haven’t noticed, summer is rapidly leaving us in its rear-view mirror. That said, here are three items to look forward to as fall rapidly approaches. Welcome to the…
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The Quincy Salvation Army was on hand to assist with the displacement of the 300 people living at the Welcome Inn before the City of Quincy condemned the property on Tuesday. The Salvation Army has done great work in Hannibal and Quincy for decades. We ring bells and fill red buckets to help those needing…
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Daily Dirt for July 28, 2021 by Steve Eighinger Gimme the board games and tabletop fun, keep your computers When it comes to board games, that’s exactly what I want — not any modern-day computer gizmo things. I like to roll dice and move my game pieces by hand. With that in mind, welcome to…
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By WILL HENDRICKSONFor the Missouri Independent Missouri has become the latest battleground in the war against COVID-19. Not only are we battling the Delta virus and its uncontrolled spread, we are also battling the clock — or should I say calendar? The summer is quickly passing and before too long we will be back in…
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by Steve Eighinger Everyone loves a good summer movie, including the Daily Dirt. See why in Vol. 19: 1. Has there ever been a better overall summer film than 1978’s “National Lampoon’s Animal House?” I’m normally not one to watch a movie over and over, but this is one of them. This movie, at least for…
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By Steve Eighinger Ahh…few things are better than a boffo box office summertime movieOne of my favorite obsessions has always been going to the movies, and with the theaters beginning to re-open I’m sure I’m not the only one who is again looking forward to enjoying some stale popcorn, watered-down cola — and films on…
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by Steve Eighinger So, the Tokyo Olympics are underway. I haven’t yet caught Olympic fever, but here are a few reflections on the first few days of competition in Vol. 18 of the Daily Dirt: 1. I’ve had some early takeaways from what constitutes the 32nd modern Olympiad: A. Five of the newest events are 3×3…
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