I walk Collett Park and in spite of the fact I have done it for many months, I keep expecting to wake up one morning and feel really great. But, so far I haven’t. I have, however, met many nice people and some very good dogs. One day while walking I saw two young women who were busily painting a fire hydrant not too far from where I live. I told them I suppose I know why fire hydrants are yellow because red looks black at night.
Then, I asked why the caps on the tops of the hydrants are different colors. Some are blue, some are green, and others are red. One of the ladies explained that when a fire engine pulls up to a fire hydrant, the color of the cap — blue, green or red — will tell them the size of hose that will readily fit that particular hydrant. Well, I didn’t know that. But it goes to show that walking around the park can teach you things.
People are always asking me how my cats are doing. I am here to report they are doing very well. Orange Crush (O.C.), the first of our adopted felines, sticks pretty close to home, and even though when we took her in she was afraid of just about everything, that has improved now where she is beginning to spend the nights when it is cold on the back porch. Love, and a good supply of food, is beginning to break down her fear barriers. She’s a little sweetheart.
Magic, who looks like a small panther, likes to roam a bit and it drives my wife crazy when he isn’t home after a certain length of time, which puts her on cat-wrangling duty and she’s out to find him. (A block to the west of us is an abandoned area where a house was torn down and brush is overgrown. It’s a paradise for a young cat who likes to stalk about and see what is going on in the outdoor world.)
Mellow, another cat that came to us starving, eats like a little pig and now weighs approximately 10 pounds. He tends to stay a little closer to home, but loves the outdoors. He is the terror of every large bug that hops or flies, he runs squirrels up trees, and tries to catch birds. (He hasn’t been very successful at catching birds.)
Magic loves to cuddle up next to my wife on the sofa in the family room and Mellow has claimed a chair in the living room for his nap headquarters. At this writing, all is well with the Mott cats.
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I hope Jack Swart doesn’t take offense at this, but his new morning team on MIX-FM is working hard to get acquainted with Terre Haute. This is the third morning team since 2009 at MIX- FM. Kristen Flowers and Nick Steele are native Californians who worked together in Las Vegas. Kristen, I believe this correct, went to work in Houston. Nick went to work in Dayton, Ohio. After the neon lights of Las Vegas, it must have been culture shock for the two of them. They stayed in touch and agreed they would love to be a morning team. Hence, that is what brought them to Terre Haute and MIX-FM.
If you bump into these two people while they are learning about Terre Haute, say hello and wish them well. Radio being what it is, is not a position for the faint of heart. But we say to Kristen and Nick, good luck, we hope you like Terre Haute and we hope Terre Haute likes you.
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Even though the ISU Sycamores lost to Illinois State by a touchdown, Coach Trent Miles should be congratulated. He has performed a near miracle in a very short period of time. His current team has beaten almost all of its opponents, getting national attention and rankings, and is working toward even bigger and better things.
I like Trent Miles. I knew and liked his father as well, but you know I would have to like a man who has Frank Sinatra’s “Fly me to the moon” as his ring tone on his cell phone.
Trent, you get a sticky, wet, gold star all the way around on your report card.
Ronn Mott, a longtime radio personality in Terre Haute, writes commentaries for the Tribune-Star. His pieces are published online Tuesday and Thursday on Tribstar.com, and in the print and online editions on Saturday.
Opinion
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Ronn Mott
Discussion
RONN MOTT: This ’n' that
- Opinion
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The celebration season
Spring has been a bit elusive at times in 2013, which is its nature.
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RONN MOTT: Frustration
For those who know me well, they can say without contradiction I am not a patient man. But in this hustle and bustle world I’ve been a part of all my adult life, I’ve had to learn a little patience. On occasion, however, I find some experiences extremely frustrating.
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EDITORIAL: Noteworthy in the news: MVC tourney an event worth having
It’s been a long time since the Missouri Valley Conference chose Indiana State University to host its post-season baseball tournament, but Terre Haute had never been more prepared for an event such as this.
- READERS' FORUM: May 23, 2013
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EDITORIAL: Cleaning up voter rolls
It’s not a lot of money in the big scheme of things, but the $2 million designated in the recent session of the General Assembly will begin the messy but necessary process of cleaning up Indiana’s voter registration rolls.
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READERS' FORUM: May 22, 2013
Rich history all along the river
Great work by Duke employees
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RONN MOTT: Rabid Republicans
The so-called news people at Fox News can hardly sit still long enough to report on the latest gossip or untruth about our sitting President. They can hardly contain themselves.
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READERS’ FORUM: May 21, 2013
• Great response to annual golf outing
• Doing your part on climate change
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LIZ CIANCONE: Smell of fresh air gave way to dryers
Remember when clean clothes smelled like fresh air and sunshine rather than fabric softener and dryer sheets?
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READERS' FORUM: May 20, 2013
The dangers of a little knowledge
Students enjoyed Rose study trip
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Mark Bennett: High-profile mural connects historical dots from city to river
At 96 feet wide and 2 stories tall, the power, impact and value of the Wabash will be evident.
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EDITORIAL: Waging the ‘readiness’ campaign
Almost every Hoosier who starts college intends to finish. Unfortunately, those who arrive on campus unprepared in key academic areas are far less likely to fulfill that aspiration.
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READERS' FORUM: May 19, 2013
• Flawed reasoning on gun checks
• A hint of things yet to come?
• Are the ‘makers’ doing the ‘taking’?
• The ‘Obamination’ is finally revealed
• Pondering effects of Obamacare
• Fantasizing on the ‘Apocalypse’
• Another view of Hinduism
• Great experience for HCMS students
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FLASHPOINT: A legislative session of missed opportunities
Given the nature of politicians, grand claims of accomplishments and overblown rhetoric about “historic” efforts are to be expected at the close of any legislative session.
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RONN MOTT: Mushrooms = Hoosier happiness
Someone wrote or said a few years ago a statement that would define the word “Hoosier.” According to this urban legend, a Hoosier is somebody dribbling a basketball around the Indy 500 while eating a fried, morel mushroom. It did not define me, at the time.
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EDITORIAL: Insult to an independent press
Distrust of government secrecy has been elevated to an exceptional level with the disclosure the Justice Department covertly examined two months of Associated Press phone records to determine who leaked details to the AP about a foiled terrorist plot.
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READERS' FORUM: May 17, 2013
Hinduism doesn’t deserve ridicule — Shefali Purohit, Terre Haute
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RONN MOTT: Israel’s Air Force
Recently the Israeli Air Force bombed and rocketed a convoy leaving Syria going to Lebanon with rockets that were going to be used to attack Israel. It did not get there. It was destroyed.
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EDITORIAL: Noteworthy in the news: Dashing finish for the Sycamores
It’s always thrilling to see Indiana State University’s athletic teams do well in high-level competition, and two specific teams rose to impressive heights last weekend in the Missouri Valley Conference outdoor track and field championships.
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Readers' Forum: May 16, 2013
Moving Deming folks sounds ‘nuts’
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Readers' Forum: May 15, 2013
Participants rise to the challenge: I would like to write a letter congratulating all the Wabash Valley Roadrunners that competed in the One America Indianapolis Mini Marathon.
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RONN MOTT: Media merry-go-round
Round and round it goes, where it stops nobody knows. That isn’t a unique phrase to this writer or to this era in time. But, when it comes to the musical chairs of broadcasting, it certainly applies.
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LIZ CIANCONE: Courts see a different appearance than cops
Have you ever noticed the transformation between the arrest of an accused lawbreaker and the first appearance in court?
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READERS' FORUM: May 14, 2013
ISTEP failure exposes flaws
Community hasn’t changed its spirit
Egregious threat to nation’s defense
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READERS' FORUM: May 13, 2013
• Women’s group criticizes Bucshon
• Let’s hope this doesn’t come true
• Many get thanks for fest success
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MARK BENNETT: Life at face value: Mom’s simple advice still presents a valuable daily challenge
Most moms don’t base their advice on scientific research.
(Unless, of course, your mother is a scientific researcher. If so, carry a No. 2 pencil and take good notes.) -
EDITORIAL: Better monitoring needed to prevent local environmental messes
The nasty, hazardous messes lurking in the community raise a bottom-line, red-flag question. Could these environmental problems have been monitored and, thus, prevented?
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GUEST COLUMN: Nursing more than medicine and bandages
Being a nurse … Like most nurses, I chose this profession because I had a strong desire to help others and no other career would allow me the opportunity to touch lives the way I have been able to through nursing.
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READERS' FORUM: May 12, 2013
Vigo Youth Football, entering 45th year, seeks new support
Media ignoring important case on abortions
Proud to be old-fashioned
Guns in school? What’s next?
Promoting hate not a ‘brave’ act
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FLASHPOINT: Again in 2013 General Assembly, middle class generally ignored
Last year, the people of Indiana entrusted the Republican Party with some of their most precious possessions.
- More Opinion Headlines
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The celebration season
Raw Video: Washington State Bridge Collapse
Officials: Truck Hit Bridge Before Collapse
Sheriff: No Sign Killing of 2 Kids Was Planned
Bridge Collapse Survivor: 'Rough Day'
Boy Scouts Approve Plan to Accept Gay Boys
First Person: Mom Discusses Famous Tornado Photo
Raw: Jurors Deadlock on Jodi Arias Penalty
Raw: Utah Teen Arrested in Death of His Brothers
Boy Scouts Decision "First Step" Say Activists
Obama Defends Drone Strikes, With Limits
Jersey Shore Open for Business
Closer Look at Okla. School Where Children Died
Raw: Scuffles in London After Hacking Death
Two Suspects in Murder Known to London Police
Britain Attack Believed Linked to Radical Islam
Johnson: Don't Blame Islam or UK Policy
Today in History May 24
Boy Scouts Mom Supports Gay Inclusiveness
SeaWorld: Penguins Are Coolest Thing in Florida
Obama Renews Call to Close Gitmo
AK-47-wielding thug may be the most bumbling crook ever
Oklahoma Survivors, Heroes Survey Damage
Trout's cycle a boost for Angels
Raw: New Video of Deadly Oklahoma Tornado
Kim Kardashian Flaunts Pregnant Bikini Body in Greece
NBA star pledges $1M to help tornado recovery
Shakira's Shocking Talent
Morgan Freeman falls asleep on air
GRAPHIC: Blood-Soaked Machete Killer Caught on Tape
Elin Nordegren Furious With Lindsey Vonn For Parading Kids in Public
Camera Captures Climber As He Loses Grip And Falls
Helen Mirren Meets with Dying Boy in Queen Elizabeth's Place
Crowd Chants '¡Si, Se Puede!' After Passage of Immigration Bill
DWTS Crowns a Winner
Police Ram House to End Hostage Standoff
Demi Moore a Rocks Bikini at Harry Morton's Family House
Anthony Weiner: I'm running for New York City mayor
Kate Middleton's Dress Flies Up
VIRAL: Baby makes epic soccer goal
The Hangover Baby All Grown Up
