Columns

By Frank Passic One of the most famous sermons ever preached in American history was entitled “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God,” powerfully delivered by the 18th century theologian, clergyman, and college president (Princeton), the Rev. Jonathan Edwards…

“One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.” -Henry MillerIf you didn’t make it to the American Legion on October 11, you missed a fantastic Burger Night fundraiser, thanks to Molly and T.J. from Mr.…

Recently I was with a group of friends having a few drinks and great conversation when things went south in a hurry. For just a few minutes, the conversation turned toward the discussion of ministers who had abused children. That…

By Scott SullivanEditorOctopus UpdateLetter writer Barbara King rightly takes me to task for making light of Detroit Red Wings fans flinging dead octopi on the hockey rink ice to celebrate playoff wins.Last week’s column recounts how the tradition started in…

By G.C. StoppelEighty years ago this month a new kitchen appliance revolutionized cooking thanks to a young engineer who had worked late into the night on projects for the military.Percy Spencer had dropped out of school when he was 12…

As Michigan stands at a crossroad on whether to adopt Ranked-Choice Voting (RCV) statewide, voters and policymakers ought to pause and ask: what problem is RCV truly solving — and at what cost? The case against this change is stronger…

By Frank Passic LOUISA BLODGETT McGEE These next two weeks I’ll be featuring a couple of Riverside Cemetery-related topics. This week’s topic concerns an early settler, Louisa (Blodgett) McGee (1823-1909). Louisa was one of the original students enrolled in the…

“For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed.” -Khalil GibranBeing retired and on a fixed budget, I’m always looking for ways to save a few bucks, and being a nice guy, I am…

While perusing the latest “Great Lakes Bay Catholic”, the magazine of the Catholic Diocese of Saginaw, I noticed that there are 24,466 registered families in the Diocese of Saginaw, along with 56 parishes. I remembered that a long time ago…

By Scott SullivanEditorOctopus EthicsPETA is on a roll. People for Ethical Treatment of Animals, having taken credit for closing the Ringling Brothers-Barnum & Bailey Circus, now wants Detroit Red Wings fans to stop throwing dead octopi onto the hockey arena…

I put on a DVD of George Clooney’s film “Good Night and Good Luck” the other evening. Although 20 years old, it is just as relevant, if not more so, today.It’’s the story of U.S. news reporter (radio, journalism and television), Edward…

I don’t care how bad your Trump Derangement Syndrome might be, you have to give the man credit for orchestrating a deal that released the 20 living Israeli hostages from the grips of Hamas on Monday.On Monday, the world witnessed…

I’ve noticed two major concerns of older people that I talk with. One is that as they get older, they feel less worthy and the second is that they feel more and more restless, and not at ease with God.…

By Scott SullivanEditorSalvationLeonard Michaels’ 1982 short-story collection “I Would Have Saved Them If I Could” explored how a writer/creator gives birth to characters, then watches almost helplessly as they develop and follow their own free wills towards whatever fates awaits…

By G.C. StoppelAbout the time Pat and I married, new neighbors moved next to our home, and in no time Pat and Sylvia became close friends.Pat had worked in the fur department at Marshall Field’s in Chicago. Sylvia was across the street…

Interaction with other people is critical to our mental health. The texting, phone calling crowd must put down their cellphones occasionally and actually visit friends and families. Unfortunately, this is not happening enough and so many problems are caused because…

“Courage is doing what you’re afraid to do. There is no courage unless you’re scared.” -Eddie RickenbacherThe month of October is the time when we can all enjoy the arrival and colors of Autumn. It’s probably the last opportunity we…

One of the reasons that sin is so appealing is that it can masquerade as virtue.  The most obvious of these is romantic and sexual love, aka lust.  I am not saying that romantic and sexual love is evil, yet…

By Scott SullivanEditorDead in the WaterOur Physics Made Simple series has been on hold due to popular demand. Not that physics is so complex it’s incomprehensible, just my writing. Are physicists geniuses or the rest of us so dumb we…

   Prior to the Presidential election of 1932, Will Rogers and Franklin Roosevelt were standing in front of a microphone at a public event.  Of the two, Rogers was the better known and held in higher esteem by most Americans. …