There are so many things to talk about this week, so we are going to do a little scattershooting.

First, there is a survey out there that is asking for your voice to be heard. This is a survey about the future of New Boston, but it is very important to note that you don’t have to live in New Boston to take this survey. In fact, if you ever even pass through New Boston, or work in New Boston, or come to the town for any purpose at all, you should take this survey.

For years now, I have tried to foster a sense of community here on the west end of the county. Yes, I know there are some very intense sports rivalries, and I love a good rivalry matchup, but when it comes to living together, working together and being a community, we are all one. You see that when there is a tragedy, or a great loss. I have seen New Boston folks wear orange and I have seen the days when Cardinals stood in the gap for Pirates. The hearts of the community know how to come together when it is needed.

With this survey, it is needed.

So, I ask that you get on social media and find the survey. It is called Forward New Boston, and you can find it on the Tribune Facebook page, and the New Boston Chamber Facebook page. It’s out there, and only takes a few minutes. Minutes well spent. Next, I want to say congratulations to all of the young ladies who have recently walked across a stage at one of our local pageants. We have seen pageants already in Redwater, Hooks, Simms and DeKalb, and New Boston will have theirs soon. Every young lady that has gathered the courage and put in the work to be in one of these pageants deserves a round of applause. And of course, their parents do as well. When you consider the times involved and the cost, parents get a standing ovation.

Next, we have several local elections on the horizon. There are mayoral seats up for grabs, city council spots, and the runoff between our State Rep. Gary VanDeaver and his challenger Chris Spencer. These elections are another chance for you to let your voice be heard.

I get really tired of hearing and reading all of the plethora of complaints about how our cities are run, and how our state is run. People can easily become “keyboard warriors” and get on social media and rant and rave about people and politics, but when it comes time to speak at a meeting or cast a vote, silence falls like the final prayer time at a Sunday morning service.

If you really want to see change, be a part of the change. Let your voice be heard at the ballot box, or claim your three minutes of free speech time at a city council meeting. This is the United States of America and we are blessed with certain rights like free speech. Use those rights to impact the change you want to see. Don’t just yackity yack all the time about the wrongs of the world, work to change them. Voter turnout around here is a good indication that people like to talk, but then they don’t go cast a vote. How about in these upcoming elections we see the biggest voter turnout ever.

Finally, it is Easter Week. I have always loved Easter. It has always been a chance for me to buy someone a new dress, watch the little ones run around filling up baskets with colored eggs, and plant myself on a church pew and hear some good preaching about how a man once allowed Himself to be nailed to a cross and die….for me. And you.

Years ago, many years ago, I saw a lady at church on Easter morning and she was wearing this beautiful light pink outfit, with matching pink shoes. I remember the morning as if it was yesterday. She was quite simply the most beautiful woman I had ever seen. It was as if the radiance of God Himself shone around her as she helped little children hunt for Easter eggs after church, and I know that I will never see a more beautiful sight than that for the rest of my life.

Of course, if you know me, you know that woman was my PJ. Not an Easter goes by that I do not remember that morning. It is my prayer that the light of Christ shines for you too this Easter morning and that an unforgettable memory fills your soul, as we all remember the sacrifice He made for us.