Columns

by Jim Whitehouse Usually, my beloved wife Marsha and I go to a tree farm and cut a fresh Christmas tree in the hopes that the inside of our car and house will remain needle free. This year, we had…

If you haven’t already heard, as of this date, I still have not had my by-pass surgery. It seems that the people at Priority Health have not communicated with each other and as a result, have not approved my surgery.…

There is a story about St. Francis of Assisi that after his conversion God asked him to build his church. Of course, he said yes, and he gathered stones and began to build the walls. It was hard work! Then…

Christmas has to be the most hectic, wonderful time of the whole year.With the big day only five days away now, I’m finally, nearly, or almost ready…or something.Gifts have been wrapped, packed and mailed to the California and North Carolina…

By Scott SullivanEditorChristmas BirdsCivilized wildlife abounds in these parts, especially with Christmas coming. Hence a Tri-Community Wildlife Committee was born to save us from their/our excesses.The Australian outback saw a similar fate after World War I “soldier settlers” were incentivized…

People say times are tough, and if you sat down next to me while we were reading about all the horrible situations families had endured this past year, you could do nothing but agree.Our annual Christmas Wish Program was conducted…

I thought my father was a bubble or two off center because he was obsessed about never being late. He believed the only way to be on time was to arrive somewhere 10 minutes early. The bank opens at 9 a.m.,…

I was supposed to have Heart By-Pass surgery on December 4, but due to insurance complications, my surgery has been postponed until the issue can be resolved. Please enjoy the prepared columns for the rest of the year. I want…

It has been said that Catholics learn wrote prayers while non-Catholics learn the Bible. Let’s take a look at that and see if we don’t do both. The Rosary is a wonderful meditative prayer that is based on the Bible.…

OMG, there’s only eleven days left until Christmas!Guess I really have to get some projects finished, wrapping and decorating – and baking done pretty soon…Jack has the entry to our little place looking pretty festive with lights all around, plus…

By Scott SullivanEditorOutside the BoxYou don’t see orgone accumulators a lot these days. I blame science. They were all the rage in the 1950s when every luminary from William S. Burroughs to Orson Bean sat in coffin-shaped boxes designed to…

Lately, we have seen the phrase Deus vult — Latin for “God wills it” — in the news.It first used by Pope Urban II in 1095, when he launched the first Crusade. He wanted to convince kings and sub-jects to…

A 26-year-old former marine has had his life turned upside down after trying to subdue a stranger on a subway in New York City. Daniel Penny jumped in to stop the stranger who was threatening to kill other passengers. For…

by Jim Whitehouse “Which way?” I holler back to Dr. Routemeister as we approach an intersection on our bicycles. “Turn right!” he hollers from behind.   Two miles later, we are approaching another corner, and as usual this time he…

By Frank Passic For many years in the 1940s through 1960s, Albion’s Starr Commonwealth For Boys west of town annually issued their own “Christmas stamps” as a way of bringing attention to this esteemed organization’s needs during the holiday season.…

“America was built on courage, on imagination and an unbeatable determination to do the job at hand.” -Harry TrumanWelcome to the last month of 2024. This is the time to reflect back on a year that was great for some…

It’s done! It didn’t take hundreds of years as some cathedrals in Europe and certainly didn’t cost as much, but the renovation of St. Cecilia Church is finally finished. My first reaction was awe! We no longer participate in mass…

December is here again and we are wrapping up the first week of December already. That means that Christmas is now just 18 days away counting Christmas Eve.I have most of my shopping done, but the “making” is going pretty…

By Scott SullivanEditorFlorida ManThe onset of winter brings to mind Florida man, inspired by sunshine, moonshine and other substances to achieve feats such as: Down by Law Mi Casa es Su Casa All in the Family Creature Features Only the…

 When it started getting cold this year and snow was in the air, someone spotted me walking and wanted to know why my coat was unbuttoned. “Don’t you know it’s cold?” she asked. If I don’t happen to have on my…