Recent Newsletters
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,...
Field Notes: The golden age of outdoor television
The author, John Marek, is a writer and CEO of the Anson Economic Development Partnership. Although my father enjoyed a good walk in the woods and was not opposed to wetting a line, he wasn't a committed outdoorsman. Things like hiking, camping and shooting seemed...
Women retirees may need to adjust financial course
We all hope to retire comfortably. But once we reach retirement, we may need to adjust our expectations and behaviors somewhat in response to financial issues — and that’s especially true for women. So, if you’re a woman, what can you do to live a financially secure...