GLASGOW — Dear Editor,

Obama and his liberal cohorts in the Congress are trying very hard to have federal government take over health care, student loans, energy and other freedoms in this country which diminishes our freedom of choice.

Now we have a city government who seems to want to do the same by creating a “health police” force by banning smoking in some public places, namely restaurants.

If people do not want to go to restaurants where smoking is allowed, they have the choice to go to others who do not allow smoking (of which there are many). Some people do not want to go places where alcoholic beverages are served, so they choose to go where they are not served.

I feel sympathy for our mayor on the loss of his father too soon, and millions of others who have faced the same sorrow. But, people smoke because they choose to smoke, and drink because they choose to drink along with owning a gun, speaking freely, and other such freedoms guaranteed by our constitution.

What’s next? Sending the police into restaurants and arresting all overweight people or telling them to stop eating and leave? After all, they may be encouraging other people there to eat too much.

Why not let the citizens express their desire by voting on this issue like we did alcohol?

If government is truly interested in our health, they might consider the fact that stress probably kills more people than any other factor. When we are stressed, a hormone (cortisol) is released into our blood stream which clogs arteries, strains our heart, weakens our immune system and has other life-threatening effects. Many people are stressed when they go see their doctor with an appointment, and find that several other people in the waiting area have an appointment at the same time and become stressed after a two- to four- hour wait. Maybe we should ban this practice as well.

Just maybe people are smart enough after all to see what our federal government is doing (and our city government is trying to do) to know they have a choice to eat elsewhere, change the channel, and want most intrusions in our personal life to stop. We are capable of making the right choices without governments doing it for us. Congress thinks we are too dumb to know what is best for us. Does our city council think the same?

Oh yes — I do smoke! Why? Even though I don’t like it, I smoke for the same reason others do — because I choose to! When I choose not to, then I will quit.

Tom Loveless

Glasgow

Thanks given for  support of GHS sports

The Glasgow High School Athletic Booster Club (GHSABC) would like to thank the players, parents, coaches, and local Scottie supporters who helped make the inaugural Meet the Scotties “Spring Fling” an outstanding success. In the past, Meet the Scotties was a once-a-year event each August to honor only our fall sports teams. This year GHSABC decided to have winter and spring events to show support for all of our Glasgow Scottie teams.

Meet the Scotties “Spring Fling” kicked off Monday evening at the GHS cafeteria with a BBQ shoulder plate dinner for GHS supporters. Amazingly for a first-time event, more than 375 Scottie fans and more than 100 student athletes attended the dinner that raised over $2,500 for GHSABC. After the meal, Scottie fans moved to the Glasgow Middle School gymnasium to meet the Glasgow Scottie spring sports players and coaches. The following teams were introduced to the Scottie faithful: baseball, boys’ track, boys’ tennis, GMS baseball, softball, girls’ track, and girls’ tennis and club sports of lacrosse and archery.

GHSABC members wish to extend our thanks to GHS Principal Kelly Bell, GHS Assistant Principal Mike Harris, Athletic Director Dennis Smith and GMS Principal Mike Vaught for their support. In addition, we would also like to thank all of the GIS employees and parents who volunteered their time and efforts in support of our student athletes. A very special thank you to the following businesses that made this event possible: Big Moose’s BBQ, Sav-A-Lot Foods, Sunbeam Thrift Shop, WCLU Radio, and Coca-Cola. 

GHSABC is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization that works to support all Glasgow High School athletic teams and players. We spend 100 percent of the funds we raise on our student athletes. Over the years GHSABC has helped with the purchase of uniforms, equipment, supplies and facilities for Glasgow High School athletics. If you would like information about how to get involved with GHSABC in support of Scottie sports, please contact the office at Glasgow High School.

Again, we want to extend a big thank you to the Scottie faithful and remind everyone to come out and cheer for our GHS athletes as they compete this spring.

Becky Kingery

President

Glasgow High School Athletic Booster Club

Thanks offered for support of Homemakers’ luncheon

Dear Editor,

The Barren County Extension Homemakers would like to thank the Glasgow Daily Times for printing the articles about the Barren County Extension Homemakers’ Bean Soup Luncheon, our annual fundraiser for “Ovarian Cancer Research Fund.”

Also to all those who made it a success by joining us for the bean soup luncheon.

Because of all your support, over $2,300 was raised for Ovarian Cancer Research Fund this year.

Thanks again.

Sally Copass,

Barren County Homemaker President

and Shirley Payne,

County Homemaker Health Chairman

Boys & Girls Club  celebrates week

Dear Editor,

It all started in 1860, when three women in Hartford, Conn., decided to take in “street urchins” — undernourished, dirty-faced young boys with little more than ragged clothes on their backs, the hard-luck, forgotten kids of the Industrial Revolution. They didn’t know it then, but these caring ladies were the planting seeds of what would become a true American success story. Their idea took root as Boys’ Clubs, which soon began to sprout throughout New England and eventually across the nation.

By 1906, 53 independent clubs were operating. The local leaders decided a national federation was needed to further the important mission of reaching out to children in need. They established the Federated Boys’ Clubs, which later became Boys’ Clubs of America.

Fast forward 150 years. Today, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, including Boys & Girls Club of Glasgow/Barren County, is a network of more than 4,000 locations around the nation and on U.S. military bases here and abroad. It is a remarkable tale that truly reflects the very story of America through the 21st century. Throughout 2010, we will tell that story — the lives changed and saved, the communities turned around, the kids who conquered overwhelming odds to succeed, the caring individuals and supporters who make it all possible.

As we celebrate March 21-27 as National Boys & Girls Club Week, we pause to thank the many caring people who make our mission a reality and help our youth be great:

The dedicated club professional staff, tutors and volunteers who devote every day of their lives to shaping our young people’s future.

The countless, generous individuals — club board volunteers and donors — who support our work through their selfless commitment of time, talent and treasure.

The caring corporations, foundations and government leaders who actively partner with us to reach under-served communities that need the benefits of a Boys & Girls Club.

And the families and parents who, every day, entrust to us America’s most precious gifts: our young people.

We can’t wait to begin our second century of shaping great futures, being the safe haven for nearly 4 million youth in some 4,000 clubs, and in doing so, changing lives and changing America.

Boys & Girls Club of Glasgow/ Barren County hopes you will be a part of something great and join us in celebrating National Boys & Girls Club Week, a week of hope and opportunity for the entire community.

Thank you for making it possible.

Kelly Lile-Jenkins

Director, Boys & Girls Club of Glasgow/Barren County