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What a show! The Oasis did indeed become the USO …  and what a night it was. As mortar and gunfire played through the sound system, the Color Guard representing each branch of the service walked to their places on the stage.

The audience arose as the stars and stripes entered and was carried slowly and alone to the stage, accompanied by Harry Chambers playing America the Beautiful on his keyboard. A rotating light of various colors had a glowing effect on the flag. Reverently everyone cited the Pledge of Allegiance. The stage then lit up with more than 600 lights.

Thanksgiving is next Thursday, a day when we all should be thankful for our life, blessings, and liberty in the U.S.A. We already know what the day will be like.

Turkeys will thaw in the morning, then warm in the oven to an afternoon high near 190 degrees. The kitchen will turn hot and humid, and if you bother the cook, be ready for a severe squall or cold shoulder.

Part 1 of “Market and Investment Evaluation Methods” reviewed stock market and business basics. Part 2 discussed fundamental analysis including economic, industry, and company analysis. It ended with a definition of “ratio analysis,” a tool security analysts use to measure the investment worth of a company.

This article will review ratio analysis in more detail. Ratios provide a quick way to measure a company’s financial condition. The rations are derived from information contained in a firm’s income statement and balance sheet.

For about a week I have had this nagging feeling that I was supposed to be doing something but I could not put my finger on it. It was the kind of feeling I have when I know the Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage wants me to do something and I cannot remember what she told me to do.

All I remember is her saying, “If you don’t do it you’ll be sorry.” Well, I’m sorry, and I still cannot remember it.

This went on for over a week and then it finally dawned on me. Hemingway was right. No matter how dark it might look the Sun Also Rises.

Water balloons, relays and a huge slip-’n-slide were just a few of the activities for the day. This past week, 47 children participated in the Harmony in the Streets program at the Sheriff’s Marion Oaks District office.

In a shared effort between the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches and community partners, low-income children get the opportunity to attend the one-week free summer camp. While staff from Florida Sheriff’s Youth Ranch put the daily camp activities together, the MCSO takes care of food and organizing the camp.

Hippocrites (460 B.C. to 370 B.C.) regarded by many as the father of modern medicine, said, “Let your food be your medicine, and your medicine be your food.”

A modern scientist, Dr. Barry Sears, makes a more powerful statement. He says, “Food may be the most powerful drug you will ever take.”

Remember: nutritional supplements are food. And Dr. Sears’ statement refers to all components of our food supply. (Dr. Sears should refer to food as medicine, not as a drug. Nevertheless, he makes his point.)

There are all kinds of studies done by people who have nothing more important in the world to do. It is amazing how they come up with these various topics and studies. There must be somebody, somewhere, being paid to come up with the most ridiculous studies they can think up.

Normally I do not pay much attention to these studies. I have more important things to do ee like living. However, one caught my attention right away. The title of the study was, “Women Live on Average Four Years Longer than Men.”

Summer is a fun season, but there are numerous pitfalls and potential hazards for your pet. This article is geared to make you aware of them so you and your pet can avoid summer mishaps.

Last month we went over the things you need to know about traveling with your pet, so now we’ll cover many of the everyday things you need to consider.

First, and foremost, is the heat. It’s best to keep your animal indoors in air conditioning, if possible, during the hottest part of the day. If that is not possible, you must provide plenty of shade and water.

We readers like our favorite authors to stick to what they do best – like John Grisham’s legal thrillers. But authors have a way of wanting to try something different. I picked up Jane Smiley’s attempt at satire in a book set in a Midwestern agrarian university fondly called Moo U.