As the saying goes, there is no time like the present. It's tax time! And for many that means money in the bank.
Unfortunately, the money is often withdrawn as quick as it is deposited. What do you spend your tax return on?
First, please note that everyone isn't privy to receive a refund at all. So for those getting one this year consider your options before acquiring more debt or falling into the temptation to make emotional purchases.

A few weeks ago, we took a glimpse at the brighter side of things.
But before the week ended my family was faced with a heart-breaking decision.
It was the decision to remove my oldest sister from life support.
This experience afforded me the opportunity to see first hand how fast paced life really is.
In the midst of our stillness, unbeknownst to others, life continued in full operation.
While certainly our hearts bled from within, we were encouraged to see the sight.
And just as one life ended on Wednesday, we were blessed with a brand new life on Friday.

In my profession the words "Thank You" have become the source of every customer interaction and conversation.
Yes, it is commonly used as a simple act of courtesy, but for us it's more than that. There's no recession going on with us. Thankfully, we're busier than we've ever been since I've been manager at the bank.
I'm not boasting or taking credit, I am simply saying, thank you.

Not only is it a new year, we have literally embarked onto a new decade.
One in which no one has ever lived in before. That's exciting!
Regardless of our struggles, hardships, challenges and/or other less than perfect conditions;
we are all blessed to be living in this day.
Two thousand and nine has quickly become a distant memory; we now stand on the dawn of a new day.
So what will it be like for you? What are your expectations? And how will you see them through all year?

We are greatly disappointed with the article in the Dec. 12 issue of Hardeeville Today regarding the coaches behavior at a school basketball game.
More specifically, in referring to Hardeeville and Ridgeland, the unknown commentator stated "The two communities already have a long-standing feud although we can't figure out why. Incidents like this only perpetuate a senseless division in a county that needs to work together to propel it out of poverty and corridor of shame status."

We are greatly disappointed with the article in the Dec. 12 issue of Hardeeville Today regarding the coaches behavior at a school basketball game.
More specifically, in referring to Hardeeville and Ridgeland, the unknown commentator stated "The two communities already have a long-standing feud although we can't figure out why. Incidents like this only perpetuate a senseless division in a county that needs to work together to propel it out of poverty and corridor of shame status."

Admit it. You haven't finished your Christmas shopping yet. If you have, congratulations on being organized and a much better person than I am.
If you haven't, think about the importance of shopping in Jasper County instead of spending your money elsewhere.
Holiday revenue can make or break small businesses, and around here, we've already seen enough small businesses fail. We need to be doing everything we can to keep the places we have.

Over two nights last week, I felt like I was living a Dickens line in Jasper County.
Thursday night in Ridgeland was the best of times. Friday night in Hardeeville was the worst.
Once again, the Town of Ridgeland Christmas parade was great, with Santas, elves, angels and even the Grinch. Floats, trucks and people were decked out in Christmas lights and there was a huge crowd gathered to have fun.

Part of eating healthy is trying new foods. The first time I saw an artichoke was when I visited California with my Grandmother. In recent years, artichokes and many other fruits and vegetables have become a familiar food in our grocery stores and on local restaurant menus. Children today have many more opportunities to experience foods we never had available to us older folks. We all need to try new foods to expand our healthy eating opportunities.

Dear Editor,