To the Editor: Hello John. You don’t know me, but I feel I know you a bit from following your columns in the Senior News for many months. I appreciate your honesty in describing your life and challenges with your wife, Janet. How difficult it must be to balance all the emotions after saying your last goodbye....

To the Editor: For years, I’ve been distressed about the anger and disrespect between the political Left and Right in our nation and in Humboldt County. I was a staunch Democrat most of my life, but in 2015-2016 something unexpected happened. I had volunteered with Betty Chinn for a couple of years and wanted...

To the Editor: I am absolutely compelled to write you. I was recently in Eureka’s hospital ICU and then transferred to the hospital in Fortuna. I felt like I was in hospitals in Beverly Hills! The people in both locations — from the cleaning staff, nutritionists, nurses and aides, doctors and administrators —...

I’m so proud of our seniors, so many of whom showed up in the streets in front of the courthouse and elsewhere to participate in No Kings protests in 2025. We weren’t alone, but many of us were gray-haired and carried wonderful signs protesting the current political trends and violations of the rule of law. I...

“The old world is dying and the New World struggles to be born. Now is the time of monsters.” — Antonio Gramsci (1891-1937), Italian communist imprisoned by Mussolini.

Too much global thinking without local knowledge, leadership and adjustment is failing us at home. It is way past time to expand our reliance on local community knowledge and action, particularly to improve local health care. One of the best examples of how local activism makes things happen is the 2024 reope...

To the Editor: As this New Year dawns, so also dawns that annual mental activity known as Making New Year’s Resolutions. For a number of years growing up, I would resolve to not get poison oak. It usually worked. Please allow me now to suggest a New Year’s Resolution for you to ponder and consider. It is call...

To the Editor: My husband and I very much appreciate John Heckel’s column [“Aging is an Art.” See “Love Me Enough,” October Senior News, page 10]. It is not easy to put oneself out there in print when dealing with the inevitably painful parts of life. We value his willingness (as well as Janet’s) to share the...

To John Heckel: I wanted to let you know how incredibly touched I’ve been by your columns about your caregiving journey with your wife, Janet. I’m moved practically beyond words at the love and strength you both share, and your commitment.

To the Editor: My fresh start and life-changing event started on the morning of April 25, 2024, although I didn’t realize it at the time. I became the victim of a violent crime when I was shot (twice) in the driveway of my home by someone completely unknown to me. I know how lucky I am to still be alive.