Today's letters: Readers comment on DeSantis, thrift stores and hospice care
Ego trip
Gov. Ron DeSantis-Trump, like his father’s image, ex-President Donald, believes he's never wrong, is narcissistic and thinks his poop doesn't stink! He truly believes, with his constant travels, he will be the next president in waiting, but hopefully not the governor next year. He started out his term as a decent sort of politician, but changed drastically once he started getting Trump's attention. That’s when his ego took over his common sense. Go, Charlie Crist!
Howard Kletter, Ocala
Thrift store savings
Recently the Star-Banner published my letter on saving money in inflationary times.
Well, I forgot two things — yard sales and thrift shops. I have saved at both.
Recently my microwave went totally out, and although I had never bought one at a thrift store before, I thought to give it a try since I would not have to struggle with a box from a store. So I called a local thrift store and they had one for $30! They held it for me. When I got there, it was an LG brand and like new, larger than the previous one and digital — it even has a button for hot water. There were some like it on the Internet for more than $400. I love it!
There must be other bargains to be had at the thrift stores, and what is extra nice is the proceeds all go to help the community. Don't forget to make donations, too — they need them and tax donation receipts are available.
Happy savings!
Renee Christopher-McPheeters, Lecanto
Hospice and Palliative Care Month
November is National Hospice and Palliative Care Month, set aside to recognize this incredible form of care delivery, and to honor those who deliver that care. Hospice believes people should be able to live each day as fully as possible with dignity, choices and abiding by the patient’s wishes, especially at the end of life. Hospice is access to a compassionate team, relief from physical suffering, and therapy for the heart and spirit. It focuses on caring, not curing.
Palliative care is similar but can be provided alongside treatment that seeks to cure the illness. It is specialized care for people living with a chronic, advanced or serious illness that is focused on providing patient-centered care and relief from symptoms and stress.
When my late wife, Susie, was facing Alzheimer’s Disease, a terminal illness, hospice came alongside us and delivered care to relieve suffering and to provide emotional and spiritual comfort as well as answers to our family. The degenerative disease journey is incredibly difficult, and the hospice team helped us all through the experience. Hospice continues in the form of bereavement support for survivors. I honestly don’t know what we would have done without the care of hospice.
Hospice supporters in Florida have a simple, affordable way to raise funds and awareness for this remarkable service, which is a Florida Hospice specialty license plate.
The plate is available through the Tax Collector’s Office or County Tag Agency. The $25 fee for a specialty plate will fund hospice education programs, access to end-of-life care for Florida’s veterans and a new model of care for very ill children. It will fund statewide education and outreach for hospice volunteers, patients, families and health care professionals, and it funds programs specific to gender, ethnic, religious and minority groups. Learn more at supportfloridahospice.com.
Scott Plakon, Florida House Representative, District 29
Write to us
Send a letter to the editor (up to 250 words) to osbletters@starbanner.com. Letters must include the writer's full name and city of residence. Guest columns of up to 750 words are also accepted on a limited basis. More information on submitting letters and columns can be found at bit.ly/starbanneropinion.
This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Nov. 28 letters: Readers comment on DeSantis, thrift stores, hospice
