Columns

May I Walk with You? ACTION ITEMS

May I Walk with You? ACTION ITEMS

Editorial StaffJan 10, 20253 min read

Those of us who are Christian have an obligation to share the Christian way of living with others. Easier said than done, or is it? Let me make some suggestions. The first is to faithfully live the Christian faith yourself.…

Pat’s Bits and Pieces: The colors of January

Pat’s Bits and Pieces: The colors of January

Editorial StaffJan 10, 20254 min read

The new year is here and already the middle of January is only a few days away – next Wednesday actually.We’ve had some bone chilling cold, a little snow and wind to greet it, along with the local TV weatherman’s…

Blue Star

Blue Star

Editorial StaffJan 8, 20253 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorMovingIt was time to downsize. Add keepsakes from my 69 years, my parents, their parents, my wife and daughter … It is daunting deciding what stays, what goes.Each photo and handwritten note was a talisman. I dwelt on…

Mike’s Musings: Congress should not ban TikTok

Mike’s Musings: Congress should not ban TikTok

Editorial StaffJan 8, 20253 min read

There has been a new push in Congress to out right ban or heavily regulate TikTok. I’m neither a user nor am I fan of social media in general. However, to ban or heavily regulate the most popular social media…

Life as Performance Art

Life as Performance Art

Editorial StaffJan 8, 20255 min read

What was once known as suicide has been renamed by some “Assisted dying.” Both terms make me uncomfortable.Western culture has long abhorred suicide. The ancient Romans considered it a serious offense against the person, their family and the empire. If…

Looking Out: Snowdays

Editorial StaffJan 3, 20253 min read

by Jim Whitehouse My 4 grandchildren live in southern Florida. The first time my oldest, Ruby, visited us in Michigan in the winter, soon after she had learned to talk, she climbed out of the car in the driveway, felt…

“Out and About” Clever comments, children’s phrases, and romance

“Out and About” Clever comments, children’s phrases, and romance

Editorial StaffJan 3, 20252 min read

This column is special. It is my last column of the year and hopefully, the last column filled with funny but true comments. If everything works out the way I want it to, I should be able to get Out…

Mike’s Musings: Dose of DOGE needed to curb government spending

Mike’s Musings: Dose of DOGE needed to curb government spending

Editorial StaffJan 3, 20253 min read

Maybe DOGE has a good thing going. DOGE, the acronym for Trump’s new Department of Government Efficiency headed by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, has been charged with eliminating waste and inefficiency at the federal government level.I have been a…

Pat’s Bits and Pieces: All about January

Pat’s Bits and Pieces: All about January

Editorial StaffJan 3, 20254 min read

After Mother Nature briefly flirted with Spring temperatures last weekend, with temperatures in the 50s for a couple of days and in the 40s at the start of the week, the snow is now all gone and the thermometer is…

Blue Star

Blue Star

Editorial StaffDec 31, 20243 min read

By Scott SullivanEditorMaking WayFor Christmas my head exploded. An abscess between my left eye and brain threatened both and hurt like hell till they gave me morphine. Then I could even endure Ohio State winning in football as much as…

Mike’s Musings: Dose of DOGE needed to curb government spending

Mike’s Musings: Dose of DOGE needed to curb government spending

Editorial StaffDec 31, 20243 min read

Maybe DOGE has a good thing going. DOGE, the acronym for Trump’s new Department of Government Efficiency headed by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, has been charged with eliminating waste and inefficiency at the federal government level.I have been a…

Life as Performance Art

Life as Performance Art

Editorial StaffDec 31, 20245 min read

‘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…

Looking Out: Wrapping up

Editorial StaffDec 27, 20243 min read

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,”…

“Out and About” Children’s truths, aid programs, and what teachers make

“Out and About” Children’s truths, aid programs, and what teachers make

Editorial StaffDec 27, 20243 min read

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…

Pat’s Bits and Pieces: Resolutions for 2025

Pat’s Bits and Pieces: Resolutions for 2025

Editorial StaffDec 27, 20243 min read

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…

May I Walk with You? Making the Sale

May I Walk with You? Making the Sale

Editorial StaffDec 27, 20242 min read

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…

Blue Star

Blue Star

Editorial StaffDec 24, 20244 min read

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…

Mike’s Musings: Those that gave deserve praise and accolades

Mike’s Musings: Those that gave deserve praise and accolades

Editorial StaffDec 24, 20243 min read

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…

Life as Performance Art

Life as Performance Art

Editorial StaffDec 24, 20245 min read

‘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…

Looking Out: A Living Tree

Editorial StaffDec 20, 20243 min read

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…