SURPRISING STUFF
Gasoline prices once more react to the political conservative ability to raise prices and attempt to blame the democrats.
Prices shot up when the war in Ukraine war began, even though there was no sound reason for that huge increase. The President released oil from the national reserves to help but the oil producers and distributers barely took notice, holding the new high price line. What happened to skyrocket prices again, even higher? The leaking of the Roe versus Wade memo by one of the worst Supreme Court justices. Suddenly the price of gasoline is no longer based on supply and demand. It’s based upon politics, just as the five meat producers, all conservative-owned, are doing the same thing. The large national mass media organizations are not generally reporting on these inflation issues because of their own basis of ownership. Politics has eaten its way into every facet of our lives now, and, as the last five years have proven, there is little fact or truth to much of any of it.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month.
This special month is advertised in the media, at local events, in films, in education, and in outreach programs to millions of people affected both directly and indirectly by mental health issues. Many people in such need are looking for ways to support those in their life who are affected by a mental illness, while others are looking for relief from their own symptoms. This year’s theme is ‘back to the basics’ because, after two years of pandemic living, many people are feeling the stress, isolation, insecurity, and uncertainty from the coronavirus and how it’s been reacted to. This has taken a huge toll on many people’s well-being.
During the pandemic, the percentage of adults who reported symptoms of depression, anxiety, or suicidal thoughts increased dramatically. As a result of the pandemic, it has also become more difficult to get an appointment with a therapist, which can now be months, and that doesn’t work almost at all if someone needs help right away. When a person is dealing with a difficult life event, depression, or anxiety that person shouldn’t be forced to wait to receive proper care. In some cases, it might be too late by then. Thankfully, there are organizations that offer support online and connect people in trouble with someone who can provide immediate care if immediate care is called for.
One such organization is the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP). This wonderful group is an advocate for mental health and eliminating the loss of life due to suicide. Each year AFSP holds the ‘Out of the Darkness Walk,’ which is its biggest fundraiser of the year, to raise funds for research and programs for those struggling with mental health. The walk for Walworth County is typically held at the fairgrounds, but due to availability, AFSP has moved its Out of the Darkness walk to Lake Geneva. The walk will take place on Saturday, September 24, from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., on the various streets downtown, along with centering at the Brunk Pavilion in Flat Iron Park. Anyone interested in getting more information or joining the walk can visit www.afsp.org.
Business of the Week
La Michoacana Ice Cream Shop located along the brick street in downtown Delavan has amazing ice cream and sweet treats.
