Columns

by Jim Whitehouse “Everyone is good at something,” says Lyle Pratt as we finish lunch at the cafe. “Except me—I’m good at everything.” “Right,” I say. “Except for all the stuff you mess up.” “Mm-hmm,” says Lyle. “Name one.” “Wallpapering,”…

This is week three of miscellaneous stuff from my files of “stuff”. There should be only one more week of this drivel. Hopefully, I will be back on my feet by the first of the year. I thank you for…

It’s time for my annual list of resolutions for the coming year.I am really good at making lists and resolutions.I make lists for just about everything. It used to be because I like doing it. These days it’s because I…

I’m frustrated! Many times, I have heard pastors talking about how great the Christian life is, the importance of living a moral life, the importance of giving and committing one’s life to Jesus and the Church. They and others share…

By Scott SullivanEditorBurnt by Unlearnt“We learn from history that we don’t learn from history,” German philosopher Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel wrote in 1837. Less than a century later Adolf Hitler was führer there.We learned the same nothing here last year…

Don’t tell me people are inherently stingy and rude. Because what I witnessed this holiday season was just the opposite. As many of you know we had our Christmas Wish Fund in December, like we have done for many years…

‘Twas a week before Christmas and all the preparations were done. Well, almost.The Nativity creche Pat received as a child is in place on the fireplace mantle. It is always the first decoration to go up and the last to…

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…