Impressions by David Maxwell

“When asked if my cup is half-full or  half-empty my only response is that  I am thankful I have a cup.”  – Sam Lefkowitz On Thursday millions of Americans will sit down for a Thanksgiving meal. It is a day to “give thanks” for all that we have. So on this uniquely American holiday, rooted…

As of last Friday’s downtown Holiday Open House the holiday season has unofficially arrived in Seminole County. As we begin the stressful time of shopping for that perfect gift, let’s make a serious effort to start and finish our holiday shopping right here at home. Dollars spent out of town are gone forever, while dollars…

Veterans Day falls on November 11 every year.  One single day out of every year is designated on our calendars to honor the men and women who have served our country and defended our freedoms.  Yesterday, today and tomorrow, the acknowledgement of the service and sacrifice of our Veterans is an activity that needs more…

We are now less than a week away from the November 8th General Election. Have you voted?  In this election we will select the representatives who will work to lead our region, state and nation into the immediate future, and it is imperative that each and every registered voter in Seminole County take the time…

Halloween traditions, where did they originate?  The many customs we have today in relation to Halloween have their origins in the religious practices of the Romans and the Druids, therefore dating back many centuries. On October 31, a special feast was held to honor their gods. The custom of trick-or-treating and the use of “jack-o’-lanterns”…

The following words were the first ones I wrote for publication after Hurricane Michael changed our world forever on October 10, 2018. As I read them again this week – now four years and ten days after that horrific day – I felt their message was one we all needed to hear again. We are…

After months of planning meetings and countless hours of volunteer efforts, this Saturday, October 15, marks the arrival of Seminole County’s annual Harvest Festival in downtown Donalsonville. For almost four decades community leaders and volunteers have been planning, promoting, and presenting a festival of fun, food, and entertainment for the community and its neighbors. It’s…

The last day to register to vote, or to change your address for voter registration purposes for the General Election to be held on Tuesday, November 8, is Monday, October 11. Your vote is your voice – it’s a right, a privilege, and every eligible citizen’s responsibility to participate in this democratic process. – make…

“Real Newspapers, Real News” is one of the themes of this year’s National Newspaper Week (Oct. 2 – 8) Indeed, there’s always been lots of “real”  at newspapers. Real stories, real journalism, real work, real deadlines, real honesty, real facts, real changes and, now, real threats.  This is the 82nd annual National Newspaper Week, a…

Today, September 22, is the first day of Fall – a beautiful season, and my personal favorite. Filled with color, and eventually cool, crisp days, Fall provides an excuse to indulge in great seasonal foods, and the beginning of the season serves as an annual kick off point for all of those great Fall season…