I was raised in a devout Roman Catholic family and have fond memories of the tactile “smells and bells” of the mass, the priest lifting the censer, rocking it back and forth, the pungent scent of incense, the jangle of bells. But there was one tactile experience I dreaded every year – the application of ashes on Ash Wednesday.

I think it is awesome that DOGE is looking into waste, fraud and abuse of our federal dollars. It is way past time that someone is doing this. Technically, it should have been the media looking into waste, fraud or abuse. If they had, that is the kind of work that should win Pulitzers, not writing fake stories about fake hoaxes. The IRS has always had the ability to look into our bank accounts and had no issue whatsoever asking for receipts. I think it is about time that there is someone looking into how our federal government is spending our hard-earned money we have to pay as “income tax.” As one newscaster said the other evening, “It is about time the government is having a cavity check.” With all the spending that has been going on, especially since COVID, there is no way it would be sustainable. And I’m sure our president is looking for every way possible to not have to raise our taxes – as much as it is probably needed. I really don’t think there is any way around it – but at least if we can save a few billion dollars here or there, we won’t have as much of a tax increase. Every time the federal government came up with a new program during COVID – I always said out loud to the TV, “Who is going to pay for that?” And every time we gave billions of dollars to Ukraine, I would say the same and add, “Who is making sure they are spending the money on what they said they would spend it on?”   

Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Amnesty Day will be held Saturday, March 8, 2025, from 8 a.m. to noon at the South Santa Rosa Service Center, 5841 Gulf Breeze Pkwy. in Gulf Breeze. This event allows residents to dispose of HHW at no charge without having to drive to the Central Landfill in Milton.

The overcast weather did not stop the rain of colorful beads, sweet treats, and toys for every boy and girl thrown at this year’s Mardi Gras Parade.

The 2025 Milton Mardi Gras Parade hosted by the Krewe of Airship Pirates brought smiles to adults and children alike on Feb. 15.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is reminding eligible private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in Florida of the March 17 deadline to apply for low interest federal disaster loans to offset economic losses caused by the severe storms, straight-line winds and tornadoes that occurred May 10, 2024. 

On the last day of January, Lighthouse Private Christian Academy closed on a new property in Milton to continue providing their students with new opportunities and a transformational, Christ-centered education.

It was the end of a workday and, as is our custom, my wife and I were “debriefing” one another. I initiated, “How was your day?” My wife’s workdays of late have been exceedingly busy but today was less so. “It was okay,” she answered, “I only had about 40 phone calls.” Yes, that is a less busy day for her. She reciprocated, “And how was your day?” As I answered, I began to do something that I have done for my entire life. Leaning on my right elbow, my head cradled in my right hand, the fingers of my right hand were tugging on the flesh under my right eye. Yeah, it’s weird, but I do it unconsciously.

On Saturday, Feb. 8, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., United Way of West Florida will be hosting a distribution for children’s coats at the Pensacola State College Century Campus in Building 1, 440 E. Hecker Road in Century. This event is open to Santa Rosa County residents.