USA, Conservation, and Our Next Project

This is one time I really don’t know where to begin, but as you probably know, I usually figure it out, even if it means going all the way around the block just to walk back through my front door. Consider this fair warning: some of my thoughts today may feel like tagalongs from some of my previous rants.

We recently wrapped up our summer reading program at the TIMES, and I have to tell you, it was a resounding success. The participation was incredible, and the children, every single one of them, just warmed my heart. They came in smiling, eager, polite, and respectful. Parents and guardians, you deserve a gold star as well. Your encouragement and involvement showed, and it made all the difference.

So now, I’m racking this older-than-old brain of mine for the next project. I want something meaningful, something that teaches, inspires, and perhaps even lasts a lifetime. When I finally get my ducks in a row, I’ll make an announcement. But today, I want to bring you along on the brainstorming journey and, more importantly, ask for your input.

Two ideas keep circling in my head, and I’m curious what you, our readers and neighbors, think about them.

First, I think it’s imperative that our young people understand what a great country the United States of America truly is. Nothing irritates me more than hearing “’Merica” tossed around. We are not “’Merica.” We are the United States of America, and that name carries with it history, sacrifice, responsibility, and pride.

Our children should know what the Constitution is and why it matters. They should understand the Bill of Rights, not just as words written long ago, but as the freedoms and protections that shape their daily lives. They should respect our flag, not simply as a piece of fabric, but as the enduring symbol of unity, courage, and resilience. They should know that the freedoms they enjoy today did not come cheap. They were bought with the blood, sweat, and sacrifice of generations before us, and they must never be taken for granted.

Too often, patriotism is brushed aside as old-fashioned, or worse, politicized. But love of country and respect for its founding principles isn’t partisan, it’s personal. If we don’t teach the next generation to love and honor the USA, who will?

Second, another idea close to my heart is conservation, specifically, the conservation of our trees. In October, our county foresters and tree farmers put on a weeklong program for every fourth-grade class in Jackson County. They bring in items you and I use daily, things we’d never stop to think come from trees. Watching a child’s eyes widen in surprise when they learn how many products begin with wood is priceless. It’s more than just about paper or lumber; it’s about medicine, food, shelter, clean air, and a healthier planet.

We’re blessed in Jackson County with abundant forests, hardworking foresters, and people who care about the land. But if we don’t pass on an appreciation for conservation, we risk raising a generation disconnected from the very resources that sustain them. Teaching our children to respect and conserve trees isn’t just about science; it’s about stewardship, responsibility, and gratitude for the natural world God has given us.

Now, here’s where you come in. Both of these ideas, the patriotic education and the conservation program, are valuable. But what would you like to see us do next at the TIMES for our young people? Should we put together something that focuses on American history, the Constitution, and the flag? Or should we organize a project tied to conservation, with a special emphasis on trees and what they mean for our future? Or perhaps you have a different idea entirely, something I haven’t thought of that you believe would help our children grow into knowledgeable, respectful, and well-rounded citizens.

As the editor here, I’ve been called everything from “ranting Shelia” to “giving the best advice there is.” Truthfully, I’ll take both as compliments. But this time, I don’t want to do all the talking. I want to hear from you. After all, these children are not just mine or yours, they are ours. They are the next generation of Jackson County, of Florida, and of the United States of America. What we teach them now will ripple far into the future.

At the end of the day, my heart keeps circling back to the importance of patriotism. We live in the greatest nation on earth, and that didn’t happen by accident. It came through vision, grit, sacrifice, and a shared belief in freedom. If we don’t pass that knowledge and pride down to our children, we risk losing something too precious to ever get back. Teaching them to honor our flag, our Constitution, and our freedoms isn’t just history, it’s preparing them to be the kind of citizens who will carry America forward with strength and integrity.

As always, thank you for reading, for supporting our efforts, and most importantly, for caring about the future of our community. I look forward to hearing your thoughts and that’s all there is this week from Prissie.