For our July Fourth issue, we’re asking you: What is the most patriotic act you’ve done lately? Or, who is the most patriotic person you know? Submit an answer, and win tickets for a home game at Medford Rogues! 

Re.: Measure 14-151 Passes!

Yes, thanks while property owners are setting up GoFundMe pages to help pay their taxes as it is or lose their homes. $3K + is a lot to come up with especially for seniors and the disabled.

– Clarkie Clark

Editor’s response: Recognizing that it is a 13 cent assessment per $1000/property value over 5 years, can you do the math for us about how an average homeowner needs to come up with $3000+? Please correct my math if I’m wrong, but to amount to $3000+, that would be a $5 million home.

Re.: Unsolicited High School Drama Compliments

I just returned from the Ashland High School’s production of THE BOY FRIEND. I only went because of knowing one of the cast members.

I have been to many Broadway plays and musicals. Such as: VICTOR VICTORIA, with Julie Andrews, RENT, GREASE, of course I saw GYPSY five or six times; I was dating Faith Dane at that time. She was cast as Mazeppa the Trumpet girl. I went back stage with her and met Ethel Mermen and Jack Klugmen.

There were many others, but I just wanted you to know that I have enough stage experience to tell good from bad. Oh, almost forgot, I also teach drama.

When they began, I wasn’t expecting anything outstanding; however, I was in for a pleasant surprise. The music was wonderful, along with great timing and choreographed dancing. I was totally amazed and totally entertained.

For those who think the only real performances are with the Shakespeare Festival, I want to tell you, you have another think coming. I would not be afraid to stand this production by the Ashland High School up against any Broadway musical. I am sure, that anyone who was fortunate enough to see this production will agree with me.

– Sam Younghans

Hey Messenger:
I’ve been with my wife for eight years. We started dating when we were 18. We got married when we were 23, and now we’ve been married for three years. We really love each other, but we also don’t feel like we have perspective and have certain doubts about whether we are missing out on parts of life. We are very open about this, and we’ve talked about it, but we are both unsure about what we don’t know. We are generally happy, but how do we deal with the feeling that we may be missing out on parts of life?

-Anonymous

Hi Anonymous: In my professional opinion, it is a supreme waste of time to worry about what you DON’T know. If you don’t know, you don’t even know if there is something to know. Secondly, anything people do in their 20s, they can do single OR coupled. If you two are sitting at home wishing you were out doing other things, it isn’t because you are married. It is because you are being lazy, not taking initiative, or you genuinely like being at home but do not want to admit it. Have you considered the idea that you aren’t missing out on anything? Have you considered that maybe years lost without the one you love, would be worse than missing a bunch of parties and people you won’t remember anyway?  

Hey Messenger:
I am a yoga teacher and my students are constantly asking me what they should eat and they constantly ask what I myself eat. It is probably the most common question I get and it’s annoying. When I tell them I eat what I want (within reason), they act shocked and don’t believe me. If my granddaughter wants me to take her to the bakery, I am not going to be like, “ohh no, I can’t get enjoy anything with you, it all has sugar!” What should I tell them?
-Yogi R

Hi Yogi R: For some reason, people have a hard time with this. Apparently eating mostly fruits and vegetables with a little bread (and meat if you aren’t vegetarian) is somehow complicated. I totally understand why this would be so annoying for you. People want to make this simple topic into something esoteric, and I have no idea why, but it is arguably a growing problem. Experts warn of a new eating disorder that may enter the next DSM, called Orthorexia Nervosa. Dr. Karin Kratina (National Eating Disorder Association, 2015) defines this condition as a disorder that causes individuals to hyper-focus on food purity and quality in such a way that it leads to suffering from adverse health and wellness affects.  Possible signs: food obsessions taking over one’s life, making others feels badly over what they eat, self-esteem issues, and/or too much weight loss. Dr. Anne Lewis, a psychologist at the IU Health Charis Center for Eating Disorders believes that there are certain personality types that are more vulnerable. I think it is a great thing that you are telling your students you “eat what you want (within reason).” That is exactly what they need to hear and it is the responsible thing to do if any of your students are in danger of an unhealthy obsession.