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HISTORICAL NOTEBOOK
By Frank Passic HARNESS RACETRACK ONCE LOCATED HERE Have you ever wondered why there is a “jog” in the road on North Street headed east at the intersection of North and Clinton Streets? The reason is that there once was…
Out and About: Bees, persistence, and air movement
“A ship in harbor is safe, but that’s not what ships are built for.” -John A. SheddSome bees can fly as fast as 15 miles per hour, depending on their species and wing shape. Weather and wind can also speed…
May I Walk with You? RETIREMENT?
What is retirement going to look like? Some say that it is going to be great. Just think, you can sleep in and stay up late. You can do whatever you want, eat whatever you and whenever. No worries! Watch…
Blue Star
By Scott SullivanEditorBuggyI’m moving to Japan, where they keep bugs as pets. Not just fleas as a corollaries to dogs and cats — real insects.“Japanese people,” reports Yuri Kageyama for the Associated Press, “appreciate the glitter of fireflies let loose…
Life as Performance Art
The name “Ned Ludd” was quietly whispered from person to person throughout the central part of England beginning in the early 1800s. People would say, “We’re going to meet up with Ned Ludd tonight at the Dew Droppe Inn.” …
Mike’s Musings: Erika Kirk’s Greatest Act of Courage-Forgiving the Unforgivable
When tragedy strikes, our instincts often turn toward anger, resentment, and the pursuit of vengeance. That is human nature. Yet, every so often, someone rises above those instincts and shows us a higher way — a path of grace that…
Out and About: Saving money, roads, and Iceland
“A house is made of walls and beams; a home is built with love and dreams.” -John A. Shedd As promised, here are some ways to save money on your home utilities:
May I Walk with You? Blessed
Recently, I had the opportunity to loan my daughter my pretty blue truck, because hers would not start. I got the call at 6:30 am. I had just got dressed, and my instant reaction was not positive. I was soon…
Residents shaken as fire ignites in Gateway apartments Later determined just a kitchen fire
By Christopher Johnson This past Sunday at roughly 5 PM, emergency crews rushed to the Gateway Village high-rise after reports of a fire. According to residents, the incident began in a third-floor apartment when a kitchen burner was left on…
Blue Star
By Scott SullivanEditorWild ThingA girl raised by apes has been found in northern India. The press there likens her to Mowgli, the wild boy in Rudyard Kipling’s novel “The Jungle Book,” which has been spun off into films, comic books…
Life as Performance
On several occasions, Pat told me that one thing she loved about her father was the first thing he would say in the morning. “Great Day! Wonderful Day! Great Day! That could not have been easy for him because…
Mike’s Musings: A Father’s Painful Choice Shows True Honor
Many of us are grieving the assassination of TPUSA founder, 31-year-old Charlie Kirk. Its unimaginable to me that in this day and age, a person debating students at an outdoor rally in Utah would be murdered.The assassin has been named…
“Out and About”: Appliances, car washes, and physicals
“Ah!! There is nothing like staying home for real comfort.” -Jane AustenLast week I offered suggestions on how to save money when shopping for groceries. I hope you found at least one of the suggestions helpful.We recently purchased a new…
May I Walk with You? SEEING THE INVISIBLE
As a child I memorized the definition of a sacrament, my memory tells me, “A sacrament is an outward sign, instituted by Christ, to give grace.” I learned that there are seven sacraments: Baptism, Penance (Reconciliation), Eucharist, Confirmation, Marriage, Holy…
The Assassination of Charlie Kirk and Civil Discourse
By Otsego City Manager Aaron Mitchell We at the City of Otsego condemn the assassination of Charlie Kirk yesterday with the strongest of emotions. It was a sad day for so many reasons. It makes many uneasy about the future…
Blue Star
By Scott SullivanEditorCall of the WildGreat news from Lansing, where the same state government that gave us the Flint water crisis has banned using chocolate as bait for bears.We can poison poor people but pack M&M’s in a picnic basket…
Life as Performance Art
As the story goes, a grandfather was trying to help his young grandson with some history homework for school. The boy was frustrated and asked gramps if he had to study it when he was in school. When the…
Mike’s Musings: How to decrease buggy accidents in our communities
It happens over and over, an Amish buggy is hit by a car or truck and severe injuries happen to thos in the buggy. Just last week the scene was Clare County, which by the way has had a half…
Out and About: End of summer, saving money, and strange but true facts
Welcome to September! Labor Day 2025 is now in the history books, which means it is time for the gentlemen out there to put away the white shoes and white shorts for the summer. You’ll be seeing fewer Illinois and…
May I Walk with You? Satisfaction
Remember the song, “I can’t get no satisfaction. I can’t get no satisfaction. I tried and I tried, and I tried.“ It is sad, but not uncommon that in our world of abundance that many people have everything they want…
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