-Isms: Views on life in rural America

Should I or shouldn’t I?

That is this week’s question.

Should I dole out money to enter newspaper contests? Or, instead, should I reinvest those entry fees in my employees and business?

It’s a conundrum, for sure.

It’s not that I don’t like entering contests. In the past, I have submitted pieces to the Nebraska Press Association’s and Nebraska Press Women’s annual contests. Back when creative writing filled my teaching days, several pieces of poetry were entered - and won - contests. Even a one-act play I penned was recognized regionally.

I feel extremely fortunate to have been named among som...