Here are some highlights.
After some weather and other delays, the opening ceremonies were held at 7 PM followed immediately by three calf scramble contest events.
The fair runs now through Saturday, August 2. More information at https://www.greenecountyfairgrounds.com/the-fair
Deer In Headlines II
By Gery Deer
(Editor’s note: This piece was originally published in print and online on Friday, July 11, the release date for Supeman.)
This week brings the latest film portrayal of one of pop culture’s most enduring icons: Superman. When the character first appeared in 1938, the world teetered on the edge of war. Hitler’s rise threatened Europe, and anxiety loomed large across America. In that uncertain moment, the country needed a hero—if not in real life, then at least in imagination.
Writers Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster delivered just that: a strange visitor from another planet, with powers and abilities far beyond those of mortal men. As the decades unfolded, it became clear that Superman’s true strength wasn’t found in feats of physical might. His greatest power was empathy—the ability to witness suffering and respond not with fury, but with compassion.
Even with unmatched power at his fingertips, Superman never acted to inflict fear or dominance. He led by example, embodying restraint, moral clarity, and unwavering courage—a reminder that heroism often begins not with force, but with heart.
Years ago, I wrote a “Deer In Headlines” column titled “Why the World Needs Superman.” The title was borrowed from a fictional article by Lois Lane in “Superman Returns.” In the film, Lane argues that Superman is not just relevant—but essential. Not because he’s perfect, but because of what he represents. Sometimes, hope isn’t found in the heroes themselves, but in the idea behind them—the symbols. I think we need those kinds of symbols again, maybe now more than ever.
From the disorienting echoes of artificial intelligence to the chaos of political extremism, the world feels more uncertain than it has in decades. We’re surrounded by noise, division, and anxiety. And while I know a comic book character can’t save us, the image of someone striving to do good—someone using their gifts to lift others—can still inspire. I believe that it’s not the cape that gives us courage. It’s the quiet decency of the person underneath.
If you’ve read previous editions of this column, you already know that my childhood wasn’t easy. I was born with a set of birth defects that made me feel like an outsider from the start. People saw me as “different,” weak, and sickly. That perception became a heavy burden. There were many things about myself I kept hidden—not out of shame, but from a fear of how others might treat me if they knew.
That sense of quiet isolation led me to feel a strong connection with the character of Superman—but more specifically, with his alter ego, Clark Kent. Like Clark, I grew up on a farm and carried burdens I couldn’t explain to my peers. He could blend in, unnoticed, among the crowds of Metropolis. I tried to do the same in my small corner of the world. Clark Kent was the mask that allowed Superman to experience life quietly, without ridicule. For me, it took a bit more than a pair of glasses. My disguise was silence, and I often looked to the stories of Superman for inspiration.
Becoming a writer helped exercise that isolation—the ability to give voice to what I once kept hidden. Through much of my work, I’ve been able to share parts of myself in the hope that my words might resonate with those of you carrying invisible burdens of your own. But Superman’s relevance goes well beyond the troubled emotions of a young boy.
Critics say he’s outdated, too perfect. But Superman’s enduring relevance lies not in his superpowers, but in his unselfish, unyielding commitment to do good. In a world rife with cynicism, Superman chose to blend in and understand us, to be one of us, to experience the best and worst of us. There’s humility in that—something we need more of today.
From comic panels to movie screens, Superman has become a global, unifying symbol of justice and truth. He is an immigrant – an alien – who came to our planet and our country to help us be better people. The continued stories of his heroics remind us that true strength lies in choosing compassion and service over vengeance and force. That said, I think America needs Superman now more than ever before. Up, up, and away.
BREAKING – The Jamestown Comet Exclusive – approximately 6:18 PM this afternoon Frontier Airlines flight 1048 returning from Fort Lauderdale landed at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, but was detained on the tarmac by authorities.
Passengers were removed to a bus which took them to the terminal while police and canine officers searched baggage and plane. No word at this time about the reason for the searches, but one passenger reported they thought someone mentioned the possibility of drugs being smuggled on the plane.
No other information was available at the time.
Event features Family activities, biplane rides, Car Cruise-in, and food trucks at Springfield Beckley Airport
SPRINGFIELD, Ohio — The eleventh annual Barnstorming Carnival will be held at Springfield Beckley Airport on July 12th and 13th . As always, admission is free.
This unique community event celebrates the planes and pilots that went all over the U.S. in the 1920s and 30s, selling rides and thrilling communities with daredevil stunts. Modern day barnstormers are as unique as their counterparts from 100 years ago, carrying on this tradition and bringing it to the community.
Jamestown barnstormer and organizer Dewey Davenport has coordinated a fleet of unique aircraft for the two-day event from all parts of the country. More than 40 aircraft – including vintage biplanes, homebuilts and military trainers – are expected to be on display.
One of the featured aircraft this year is a 1930 D-25 New Standard open cockpit biplane . This type of aircraft in its day — and still by many — is considered the King of the barnstormers. The front cockpit is big enough to fit a family of four! It will be one of the unique biplanes at the event. Fifteen minute biplane rides will be offered at the event for an addition cost.
Kestrel Warbirds Rides from Dayton, Ohio will be at the event with their WWII AT-6 Texan. They will also offer unique flight experiences for an additional cost
The Barnstorming Carnival is also excited to announce that food trucks will be onsite both days of the show. A Car Cruise in on Sunday July 13th starts at 11 and goes until 4pm. All types of cars are welcomed. Other activities for families include paper rocket building workshops, paper plate foam gliders, model airplanes demonstrations, RC flight simulators, balloon-tying clown, Face painter, Buck the Magic Cowboy, and many other activities.
The event starts Saturday morning with a pancake breakfast hosted by the Hustead EMS department ( public is welcomed) and biplane rides at 8:00 am. For more information about the Barnstorming Carnival and biplane rides visit our website at www.barnstormingcarnival.com or call Dewey Davenport 937-877-0837 Brittany Jones 937-323-5804, Airport Manager Seth Timmerman 937-459-2193
MEDIA NOTICE: All media interested in coordinating biplane rides for stories can contact Dewey Davenport at (937)-877-0837.
Deer In Headlines II
By Gery Deer
Two hundred and forty-nine years ago, 56 delegates of the Second Continental Congress, after long sessions of debate, and at great risk to their own safety and freedom, made the decision to formally declare revolution against the English government. The official vote came on July 2, 1776, although the war began more than a year earlier. It was the birth of a new nation that would forever change the world.
Today, some view modern America as being at odds with its idealistic founding. But put aside your political divisiveness for the next couple of minutes and consider what it really means to be an American.
As Americans, I believe we’ve grown complacent and with little appreciation for the sacrifice and intent of the men who signed the Declaration of Independence. Ask the average American what America stands for and most might answer, “freedom.” Unfortunately, the freedoms and rights set up in the constitution have, since day one, been in constant jeopardy. And for some, they haven’t existed at all.
No, freedom wouldn’t be my answer to such an inquiry. If I were asked what our country is all about, my reply would be, “change.” In fact, I would go so far as to say, “beautifully flawed change.” Let me explain.
If you’re one of those who believes that the United States has always been star-spangled awesome (thank you Aaron Sorkin), I’m sorry to have to disappoint you. We’ve generally been anything but.
As a relative teenager in the family of the sovereign nations of the world, we are a mess. From the witch hunts of the 1600s, to one of the bloodiest civil wars in history, to the frightening Japanese internment camps of World War II, to a dozen other black marks on our report card, we have yet to fully live up to the ideals of our Founding Fathers. Moreover, we never will – it’s impossible.
Our republic is made up of and governed by people flawed, self—absorbed, arrogant, human beings. We have and will continue to screw up over and over again. Albethey terrible sometimes, all these foul ups are also necessary – provided we learn from our mistakes. Change invites… no, demands failure, and we’ve had our share. But without change, we become stagnant, with little or no advancement as a society or a nation.
Most people resist change, especially when neither the process nor results are to their benefit. But our constitution begins boldly with, “We the people,” not, “We, some of the people.” To be positively effective, to progress our nation to something better, change must benefit all, not just a select few. It should improve conditions for each and every citizen but also protect the visitors to our shores. Otherwise, change merely serves to divide our country rather than unite it.
With all our flaws, however, the country usually rights itself one way or another. The correction may be incomplete or imperfect, but we usually get back on track. Unfortunately, such adjustments sometimes result in pain for some, and prosperity for others, generally in staggering disproportion.
Neither a sense of being an American, nor a patriot, is about flags, slogans, or parades. To me, a good American is a good citizen, someone who acts from a sense of duty and compassion, rather than a need for power. Good Americans remember the intent of those who sacrificed much to give us the right to resist oppression and injustice, to be free to worship, or not, as we choose, and that the survival of our democracy is more important than any individual or political agenda.
The second paragraph of the Declaration of Independence reads, partly, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights…” “Men,” here refers to mankind and includes everyone – male, female, black, white, gay, straight, religious, or secular. Everyone.
What is America all about? It’s about the beautifully flawed change that allows for improvement, provided we always learn from the past and act in consideration of the future. Remember, our children’s, children’s, children will judge our generation accordingly. Have a safe and happy Independence Day.
| By the Associated Press Staff of The Morning |
| Editor’s Note: Courtesy of the Associated Press. |
As journalists, we ask questions for a living. And we strive to make sure our work addresses the pressing ones on readers’ minds, especially in this time of dizzying political news. That’s why we regularly invite the audience of The Morning to send us their questions, and have our expert beat reporters respond.
Today, we’re addressing your queries about immigration, military spending, Social Security, Medicaid and whether now is a good time to build a house. (Got a question for us? Submit them here.)
With the raids on undocumented immigrants going on, targeting the people who work in the fields and the slaughterhouses, how have these actions affected the supply and prices in our grocery stores? — Anna Halbrook, Otis, Ore.
We asked Julie Creswell, who covers the food industry, to field this one:
We haven’t seen any obvious fallout from immigration raids on grocery prices yet. As of the end of May, prices were up about 2.2 percent compared with a year earlier. Eggs, coffee and meats — ground beef in particular — drove that increase.
But beef prices were climbing even before the raids, because of droughts and high interest rates (ranchers take out loans to run their operations). The nation’s cattle inventory is at its lowest level since the 1950s. Prices of fruits and vegetables have stayed about flat over the past year; tomatoes and lettuce are actually much cheaper right now.
Trump has pushed NATO countries to spend 5 percent of their economic output on the military. How much of its economic output does the U.S. spend on the military? — Diann Ebersole, Copperopolis, Calif.
From German Lopez, who has written several Morning newsletters on this very topic:
The U.S. spends about 3.5 percent of its gross domestic product on the military. That used to put America at the top of NATO’s ranks, but Poland now spends a larger portion, 4.1 percent.
Critics say this makes President Trump a hypocrite: If the U.S. isn’t spending 5 percent, why should other countries? But Trump says that the U.S. doesn’t need to spend as much now because it’s invested a lot more historically. Europe, the argument goes, has let its militaries and defense industries languish through disinvestment. (Some experts agree.) The president contends that those countries need to rebuild in a way that the U.S. doesn’t, and rebuilding has a big upfront cost.
Trump also has a transactional view of the world and alliances. He sees Europe’s renewed spending as payback after the U.S. bore the brunt of NATO’s duties and expenditures for decades.
I’ve heard a lot of talk that Social Security will be running out of money. I plan on retiring in the next two to three years. Should I retire sooner to collect my full benefit? — Elizabeth Y.
Here’s Tara Siegel Bernard, who recently interviewed retirees on this:
Social Security has long faced financing challenges, but the issue becomes more pressing each year. The trust fund that pays retiree benefits is projected to be depleted in 2033, or when today’s 59-year-olds turn 67. At that point, the program will have enough incoming revenue to pay only 77 percent of benefits — in other words, a 23 percent cut. But that happens if Congress does nothing to address the problem, like raising payroll taxes or trimming benefits.
The decision of when an individual should take Social Security is highly personal. There can be a huge payoff for healthy people who can afford to wait: Starting at 67 instead of 62, for example, can mean monthly checks that are 43 percent higher. And for each year you delay retirement past 67, your monthly payment rises 8 percent.
Ask yourself: Would collecting a reduced benefit for a couple of extra years be preferable to locking in a higher benefit for the rest of your life? A conversation with a financial planner is often a solid investment; these are high-stakes decisions.
Are there some specific examples of who will be affected by Medicaid cuts and requirements to work in the big policy bill passed last week? Will people with Parkinson’s who are in long-term care be cut off because they can’t work? — Amy, Glenview, Ill.
From Margot Sanger-Katz, who covers health care for The Upshot:
The bill’s work requirement is focused on a relatively specific group of Medicaid beneficiaries: childless adults without disabilities and parents of children older than 13. But it is certainly plausible that the bill’s policies could have spillover effects for other populations.
A person in long-term care with Parkinson’s would almost certainly still be covered. But someone with Parkinson’s who has not yet qualified for Social Security disability status may have to prove they are too sick to work. States will also have to build new enrollment systems to check who is eligible and who is compliant, and several current and former state officials are worried the magnitude of that effort could lead to errors and delays for everyone.
Is this a good time to build a house? — Janie Spataro, Ringgold, Ga.
Conor Dougherty, who covers the housing industry, offers this advice:
Can you afford to build it, and do you plan on living there for seven to 10 years? If the answer to both of those questions is yes, then it’s as good a time as any to build.
Housing is an unusual good in that it is both a consumable, like a car, and an investment, like a stock. Most of the worst home-buying decisions — overstretching on a mortgage, buying in an area you don’t really like — come from thinking of housing as an opportunity to make money instead of as a place to live. A house is only a good investment if you think of it as home.
The Jamestown Comet 