opinion

:A new year is often a time for celebration, but it also presents us with a time to focus on positive changes in our lives. Although Jan. 1 is nothing more than a date on a calendar, there is nothing wrong with using the date as a distinct time to change something in our lives. As...

Christmas is here and we hope our readers take time to enjoy the season with family and friends. Christmas can mean different things to many people. Ways to celebrate the holiday include shopping, Santa Claus, gifts, parties, decorations -- the list goes on. The fact remains...

It is going to be a little different around our house this Christmas and, maybe it’s my age, but I am fine with that. This will be the first time since the kids were born that we won’t all be together on Christmas morning. But it is for a good reason. Katie and our new son-in-law...

It is the time of year when most of us stop and pause to count our blessings and I am no different. While I have cut way back on the secular part of Christmas, I still put up my traditional tree. It really is a reflection of my life with ornaments from friends and family members,...

The first couple of weeks of December gave everyone a crash -- no pun intended -- course on winter driving skills. Traffic crawled. Tempers flared. Crashes occurred. As we enter Christmas and New Year’s celebrations, it might be a good time to brush up on your winter driving skills. Let’s...

In the Christian circles I frequent, the phrase “Jesus in the flesh” is used to describe someone who exemplifies how Christ would act if he was still here in body. I met such a person when Sister Joannes Klas came to Hudson a couple of weeks ago to spend time with parishioners...

It is a difficult time of the year to think about civic duty, but that’s exactly what must happen if someone is thinking about running for a position on a local board in the spring election. Despite the hectic schedule that surrounds Christmas, now is the time to be exploring...

Considering how often I complain in this space, I am always happy when my turn for the column falls on this particular holiday if only to redeem myself a little. First and foremost I am grateful for my family. My husband and kids have not only put up with being part of this column...

It may be Thanksgiving this week, but do we stop to really consider how thankful we should be? Many people have been challenged in recent years -- it could be economics, job insecurity or personal issues in their lives. Don’t let life’s problems, however, dominate your thoughts....

Becoming bored with NFL football Sunday afternoon, I happened upon a television show on the National Geographic channel about the day or two leading up to the Kennedy assassination and the days immediately after the killing. Hard to believe, the assassination will be 50 years...

There is a bill (SB 349) in Madison that could impact the control held by local governments. Two Republican state lawmakers -- Sen. Tom Tiffany, Hazelhurst, and Rep. Joan Ballweg, Markesan -- have introduced a bill that would curtail local governments’ ability to set limits on nonmetallic...

It will be interesting to see what Hudson looks like 10 years from now. In particular, I’m wondering what will develop on the 141 acres now occupied by the Hudson Golf Club — and if the long-vacant, 130-acre St. Croix Meadows dog track property will finally be redeveloped. Then...

If you are reading this editorial — written by a free citizen in a free country — then thank a veteran. Monday we recognize the contributions of our nation’s military veterans — those who served in both war and peace, stateside and abroad. The local ceremony...

Dear Editor, It’s been one month since my daughter Ellie Berg lost her battle with heroin addiction, leaving a major void in our life that will never be filled again. Ellie was only 20 years old and had so much more life in front of her. I truly miss Ellie; I love her and will...

A reminder to motorists -- it is your responsibility to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks! We received a letter last week. The writer described how motorists were ignoring walkers and bikers in crosswalks near the Hudson Middle School. Not only are motorists ignoring the crosswalk...