In this week’s column, Watershed Voice’s Charles Thomas writes, “[…] the benefits of asking better questions are immense. I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say that changing the questions you ask yourself in times of struggle can alter the trajectory of your life, and over the long term be life changing. Better questions can also lead you away from narrow-mindedly blaming yourself whenever something bad happens in your life.”
Category Archive: Opinion
Andrew George of Three Rivers gives his “strong endorsement for Tom Lowry as our next Mayor of Three Rivers,” citing “competence and experience” as important attributes to consider when voting on Tuesday, November 7.
Editor’s note: Watershed Voice does not endorse any candidates for public office, and any views or opinions expressed in this letter are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Watershed Voice staff or its board of directors.
Watershed Voice columnist Amy Davidhizar writes about the recent tragedy that befell the Three Rivers community, and where we go from here.
Editor’s Note: This column makes reference to suicide and other issues related to mental health. If you’re thinking about suicide, are worried about a friend or loved one, or would like emotional support, the Lifeline network is available 24/7 across the United States. Text or call 988 to chat with someone now.
“Life and Death is Hard.” is written by Rock Island, Illinois native Aubrey Barnes, also known as “Aubs.” Barnes performed at the 2022 & 2023 Watershed Voice Artist Showcase in Three Rivers at the Huss Project.
Watershed Voice columnist Steph Hightree writes about the significance of her kids’ 13th and 16th birthdays in this week’s #MomLife.
Watershed Voice columnist Charles Thomas writes, “When I was a kid, the Dallas Cowboys were called America’s football team because they were winners. But today, I think the Detroit Lions are America’s football team because even though they are perennial losers, they just keep getting back up, again and again and again. Through grit and determination, the last are now first, and the Lions are finally having their moment in the spotlight. As Prince once sang, ‘the ride up front is better once you been in the back.'”
Watershed Voice and #MomLife columnist Steph Hightree writes, “I’ve been driving a car for 22 years. Wow, that makes me feel super old. Anyhow, you would think that I would be a pro at teaching my daughter how to drive. Well, spoiler alert: I’m not.”
WSV columnist Zoe Thomas explains the many reasons why Barbie (2023) is important, including how it marks a long overdue cultural shift on how women are represented in media. “Not only are the women multi-dimensional, as has thankfully become more and more common in modern media, but they show femininity hand in hand with power, intelligence, and professionalism in a way that is almost never seen in film, let alone the real world.”
Like any good reporter, WSV staff writer and food columnist Beca Welty does thorough research for her stories, especially when the story is about ice cream. Beca recently headed to Sturgis’ brand new ice cream shop, The Parlor, to get the scoop.
Watershed Voice columnist and psychotherapist Charles Thomas writes, “There is ample scientific evidence that being in a healthy relationship is associated with less anxiety and stress, better general mental health, a lower risk for depression, and even longer life span.” But what constitutes a healthy relationship? Charles has answers.
Amy Davidhizar of Cass County responds to what she calls a “smear campaign directed at this Saturday’s Three Rivers Pride Festival” led by St. Joseph County Road Commissioner Jack Coleman and others.
The following letter was submitted to Watershed Voice for publication by Rev. Brenda Deily of The First Presbyterian Church Three Rivers/Centreville.
Watershed Voice Executive Editor & Publisher Alek Haak-Frost addresses the harmful and factually inaccurate messaging making its rounds on social media regarding Three Rivers Pride.
Watershed Voice columnist and psychotherapist Charles Thomas writes about how his favorite musician Prince dealt with the grief of losing his son, and how while grief may be inevitable, responding poorly to it is not.
Watershed’s resident taco aficionado Beca Welty writes, “There is just something magical about the impending summer heat and the way it compels me to track down the nearest taco truck in order to satiate my cantina cravings. On a picture-perfect Memorial Day weekend I was struck by this exact desire and vamos’d my way to Taqueria El Tejano.”
WSV columnist and limited licensed psychologist Charles Thomas writes, “While there weren’t many silver linings to the pandemic, one good thing that did happen as a result of it was that our culture developed a fresh appreciation of the importance of mental health care. But a large block of Americans has been left behind. This is in spite of the fact that they make up nearly 80% of all suicides, have fewer friendships and social connections than other groups, and are also more likely to binge drink and have substance use disorders than other groups.”
“Reclaimin’ Space: The Cost of Closing Eyes” is written by Rock Island, Illinois native Aubrey Barnes, also known as “Aubs.” Barnes performed at the 2022 Watershed Voice Artist Showcase in Three Rivers at the Huss Project, where he will return to perform in July.
In this edition of “Bites with Beca,” Watershed’s resident food critic writes, “In searching for the ideal restaurant to celebrate my father’s birthday this year I was on the hunt for ‘a place of perfect happiness’ and just so happened to find that exact definition in Kalamazoo’s Elysium (505 E. North St.).”