In my youth, Springfield’s Roman Cultural Society held an essay contest every year in which grade school kids were invited to address the topic, “What Columbus Day Means To Me.” I never entered then – I hadn’t yet learned how to spell “imperialist exploitation” – so here is my essay, 50 years late.

The opening statement in the Burns-Novick TV documentary series is accurate. The U.S. was overconfident, its policy was based on a fateful misunderstanding of the Vietnam conflict and the U.S. found it easier to muddle on than to face the truth that it was unwinnable.

Today’s proliferation of industrial robots is an advanced generation of powerful, autonomous machines driven by artificial intelligence. The profiteers and techies propelling us into the deep unknown of a robot economy concede that the fast-evolving machines will be radically disruptive, not just in the workplace, but throughout society.

On July 27, I didn’t have the necessary change for tolls, but knew I could pay for them online. Law requires payment of tolls within seven days. After checking online for several days, I was finally able to pay my toll charges that were posted on Aug. 2.

Last fall, a firm called The Development Consortium (TDC) was engaged to launch the Sangamon County Project to examine economic development in the region.

“His travels for the Shriners took him all over Illinois. There was one restaurant lounge around Paris, Illinois, that hosted a lot of different meetings. Over the years, my dad became friends with the owner, who had a giant pink elephant out in front of his restaurant,” Kent explained.

“She prays with them and talks to them about their future. She gives them advice about their future. Sometimes when we visit a death row, prisoners will know they really don’t have a future. But she will stop and listen and answer their questions.

For years, we were warned against eating foods like eggs that are rich in cholesterol. Now, a large body of research is showing that dietary cholesterol does not have as much impact on blood cholesterol as was once thought.

On June 28, 2013, a lightning strike occurred outside Yarnell, Arizona. Unfortunately, conditions were perfect for the fire to spread rapidly, which it did, threatening the town nearby. Highways were shut down, citizens were evacuated, and extra men were brought in to help contain the disaster.

Our hearts go out to the family of guitarist Alex Borisov, who passed away unexpectedly last week. A kind soul and a soulful musician through the years, Alex has played with several bands, including Picture This, Paula and the Pontiacs, Cicero Slim & the World War III Blues Band and most recently, Harmony Deep.

Open Mic with Sam and Kourtney, Lady Carole and Her Knights.

An accomplished and successful Nashville songwriter, Jacob Lyda has had cuts by artists such as Blake Shelton (“Doin’ it to Country Songs,” 2016) and Uncle Si from “Duck Dynasty.” The Stevenson, Alabama, native came on strong with a solo career in the late 90s, spending quite a bit of time playing in Europe.

Food vendors on site. Rain or shine. $7 adults, $5 for ages 4-11, free to ages 3 and under. springfi eldparks.org. Thomas Rees Memorial Carillon, 1740 W. Fayette Ave., 546-3853..

Don’t miss Zoolie Ghoulie, an annual trick-or-treating event hosted by the Springfield Park District at Henson Robinson Zoo. The fun spans three days, from 4-8 p.m. Friday and 1-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. This special Halloween happening costs $4 per attendee and includes your zoo visit plus trick-or-treating and other festive activities.

The Boo Crew Haunted House ranks on many lists as one of the scariest haunted houses in Illinois. On Saturday, Oct. 21, from 3-6 p.m.