Columns

I was searching for words that would express an uplifting spirit this Christmas season. Too many of us, my self-included, consider the holiday season to be a distraction rather than a time to rejoice. Well my friend, Glenn Mollette happened…

“Don’t let yesterday take up too much of today.” ~ Will RogersHopefully this finds everyone doing what you can to stay warm and upright. With the recent snow storm, we are officially into the winter season. Flies and mosquitoes are…

Recently, the father of one of my friends passed away on his way to a doctor’s appointment. In our conversation it occurred to us that his father had a doctor’s appointment that none of us gets to postpone and an…

By Scott SullivanEditorKant Get EnoughI can’t “get” Kant. The German Immanuel Kant is considered one of the central figures of the Enlightenment. But I wish he’d enlighten me.In his 1781 “Critique of Pure Reason” Kant contends space and time are…

When I was younger five or six deacades ago, Christmas did not seem to come so early. We followed a stately procession of months, holidays and family celebrations.All came in an orderly fashion. Christmas did not begin right after Labor…

By Scott SullivanEditorCut-UpsJennifer Hayes, 30, of Clinton Township faces up to life in prison after a jury six days before Thanksgiving convicted her of stabbing her boyfriend 14 times.That might seem like overkill, except that her now-ex beau survived. Hayes…

The other day I ran into a longtime friend I haven’t seen for the better part of the year, even though we live less than a mile apart.We quickly caught up, exchanged news and realized we are both appalled by…

The debate over America’s border policies often gets tangled in national politics, angry cable-news segments, and social-media shouting. But beneath all that noise, the issue comes down to something our readers in Allegan, Clare, Van Buren, St. Joseph, Calhoun, Jackson…

“National pride is to countries what self-respect is to individuals: a necessary condition for self-improvement.” -Richard RortyChewing gun, while peeling onions, will keep you from crying.The Golden Rule has been around for many years and is interpreted in many languages,…

Ever been asked why someone might worship God? Why would anyone want to worship Jesus? St. Paul in his letter to the Colossians (Colossians 1:12-20) offers some reasons. Here goes. God created the universe, everything visible and invisible. His son…

By Scott SullivanEditor‘Tis the season when many Michiganians flee to Florida. Who can blame us? Ice and snow vs. sunshine and warmth? No brainer.One problem: Floridians live in Florida. Lately they’ve been restless. In this last month:

Even those closest to me don’ know that I am a time traveler and world adventurer. I don’t talk much about it because some of them would never understand.It began the Saturday afternoon Mike Mulligan and his steam shovel Mary…

Every year, the House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate release their official calendars, and every year the same disbelief follows: this is how many days our elected lawmakers plan to work?I saw the House of Representatives schedule for next…

“Life is short, and it is up to you to make it sweet.” -Sarah Louise DelaneyThe Animal Rescue Fund (ARF), would like to invite all pet owners to their Annual “Pet Pictures with Santa” fundraiser this coming Saturday, Nov. 22.…

Finally, after thirty years of teaching and twenty-five years in counseling, I am retiring. My family and I have been very blessed, beyond my wildest imagination. It is true that “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard what God has…

By Scott SullivanEditorBrain DustMoon Juice has released Brain Dust, “an enlightening blend of adaptogenic superherbs and supermushrooms that help combat the effects of stress to align you with the cosmic flow for great achievement.”I could use that. Between trying to…

Thanksgiving has a way of arriving right when we need it most. After another year filled with the usual mix of noise—politics, inflation, crises abroad, and the ever-present rush of everyday life—this holiday stands as a rare invitation to stop,…

Mother had a copy of a painting she kept in her Thanksgiving dinner file folder. Right after Halloween she took down our elementary school finger-painted masterpieces and used four magnets to hold the print on the refrigerator door. With it…

By Frank Passic             There has been realtor activity at several abandoned old businesses along Austin Avenue recently, in what used to be known as “Hunkytown” in the early 20th century. There were various merchants from Europe who operated businesses…

“Birds wing after a storm, why shouldn’t people feel as free to delight in whatever sunlight remains to them?” ~ Rose Fitzgerald KennedyThis week we celebrate Veterans Day. It’s the time to honor all veterans of our Armed Forces and…