Latest News
Bug Bites Aren’t So Bad
You read that right, bug damage from perceived pests might not be as bad as we think. Texas A&M AgriLife Research science folks have figured out that when bugs munch on the leaves of fruit and vegetable plants, it's not all bad news. Turns out, this leaf-wounding...
Inflation can be ‘shocking’ in retirement
When you retire, you hope that you’ll be able to anticipate the events that could cause you financial challenges down the road. For one thing, most retirees are probably aware that, even if they remain healthy, their health care costs may rise, even if they’re covered...
Field Notes: Polka dot com
The author, John Marek, is a writer and CEO of the Anson Economic Development Partnership. A few years ago, quite by accident, I found myself at a festival in Troutman, N.C., featuring a "modern" polka band from the mysterious faraway land of Chardon, Ohio. To...
Introduction to Master Gardener Musings by Mary Poplin
I'm Mary Morley Poplin, the gardening enthusiast you might know from The Gathering Garden in our lovely town of Mount Gilead, and I'm also a proud member of the Montgomery County Master Gardeners. I am so excited to begin Master Gardener Musings here in our local...
Can you build an estate plan like a house?
If you’ve ever been involved in building a house — or even if you’ve just heard about it — you know that there’s a well-defined process to be followed. But here’s something to think about: Some of the same steps connected to constructing a home are the same as those...
Field Notes: I’m so sorry, Patches
The author, John Marek, is a writer and CEO of the Anson Economic Development Partnership. When I was a kid, my older sister Bonnie, who lived with her husband and kids of her own a few miles down the road, had a dog named Patches. Bonnie always called Patches a...
Should you be ‘selfish’ in retirement?
As a parent, you naturally want to help your children — but is it always a good idea to provide them with support when they’re adults? You may want to proceed carefully in this area — to protect everyone’s financial interests. This topic is on the minds of many...
Field Notes: Hazy thinking
The author, John Marek, is a writer and CEO of the Anson Economic Development Partnership. In the iconic 1970s movie "Brian's Song," rookie Chicago Bears running back Brian Piccolo is introduced in a scene where he is forced to stand up during a team meal and sing his...
Field Notes: A carefree holiday
My wedding anniversary is June 14, but I have always associated it more with the 4th of July. After a low-budget, two-day honeymoon in which we took the ferry to South Bass Island, stayed in a cheap hotel in Huron and went to see Rodney Dangerfield in "Back To...
Field Notes: A carefree holiday
The author, John Marek, is a writer and CEO of the Anson Economic Development Partnership. My wedding anniversary is June 14, but I have always associated it more with the 4th of July. After a low-budget, two-day honeymoon in which we took the ferry to South Bass...
Take steps to prepare for a long retirement
How long will you live? Of course, your longevity is somewhat unpredictable. But it may be a good idea to plan for a long life — and the financial issues that go along with it. It’s reasonable to think you’ve got a long way to go. In fact, 72% of retirees now think...
ETFs can spell opportunity
Mutual funds offer investors a chance to own shares in dozens of companies, as well as bonds, government securities and other investments. But you might be able to broaden your portfolio further by owning another type of fund — an exchange-traded fund (ETF). An ETF,...