Columns

By Frank Passic ALBION’S FIRST DECORATION DAY Decoration Day, as it was originally called, was once a major event in our community to decorate the graves of Union Soldiers that had served in the Civil War. The local Post No.…

On Saturday, May 10, I missed the bottom step coming out of my sister’s house and kissed the concrete driveway. The laundry basket didn’t break my fall, because I had thrown it out of the way. This quick action saved…

As I have been reading about holiness and what it means to live a truly Christian life one fact keep popping up. Even though we are created good by God and strive to live holy lives, we re-main sinners. Even…

By Scott SullivanEditorJournalism Redeemed“The mind is a terrible thing to lose,” said Dan Quayle as vice president. Preach it!Page B1 of last week’s Commercial Record said the Jim Cooper Quintet’s “Mallets in Wonderland” jazz concert would be Saturday, March 25,…

One of my favorite short stories is “The Verger” by Somerset Maugham. Hero Albert Foreman has held his parish post for decades before a new clergyman replaces the old and learns he’s illiterate.He doesn’t need to know how to read…

I shake my head at some of the shenanigans pulled by leaders we place in public office. Very few of them understand that the money that pays their salaries and funds the programs that run the government come out of…

Fifty-seven years ago, when I was a senior in high school and taking a government class, a new graduate from college teacher asked the class what each person’s goal was. As the various students shared their hopes and dreams for…

By Scott SullivanEditorThe New MessiahsLarry Klayman, Esq., emailed my spam folder three times Saturday claiming he needs $22.6K in the next 10 days to save America.Under “Join Larry Klayman’s Holy War Against Rogue Judges!” he invites: “Dear Patriot, America is…

I caught the warning in a rural newspaper that now we are moving into planting season, watch out for slow-moving farm vehicles as they go from field to field or barn to field.Good point to keep in mind now through…

For some reason, the Trump administration, i.e. Attorney General Pam Bondi is slow walking the release of the Epstein files. If I remember correctly, it was a campaign promise to release them asap, and it’s now been 130 days, and…

“Your success and happiness lies in you.” -Helen KellerWelcome to the month of May. The April showers definitely did bring May flowers. If you have left the house and ventured out to the countryside, you can surely see the colors…

As a psychologist, I am always aware of the aspects of feelings, thoughts and actions, and the way these three interact with each other. They have a lot of influence on each other. With this basic idea, it is easy…

By Scott SullivanEditorProcrasti-NationI haven’t read “Why You Procrastinate” but expect to learn many things when I do.Why delay? To start, there’s the story’s subtitle “It Has Nothing to Do With Self-Control.” I hate non-news, like what wasn’t in the Mueller…

   Growing up, each year our family went to the “Great Minnesota Get Together,” better known as the State Fair.  We toured the buildings, looked at the agriculture displays and livestock, and usually ate lunch at the Hamline United Methodist…

Some people call me absent-minded, others call me addle-headed. Me, I just blame it on being left-handed.Last week, I left my briefcase in a rental car. Its contents were my valuable laptop, scads of paperwork and files and some cash.Let…

By now everyone has heard that Pope Francis has died, the funeral is over, and the world’s Cardinals are meeting in secret to elect a new successor to Peter, the first Pope. It never ceases to amaze me that for…

By Scott SullivanEditorGoing ApeBritish scientists say new footage of west African chimps sharing fermented breadfruit suggests booze may link them and man to a common ancestor.“For humans,” said Anna Bowland, a University of Exeter ecologist and lead author of a…

Many of you have read my rants concerning higher education. I believe the cost is outrageous and it certainly far outweighs the benefit most students receive.One of the reasons costs have risen extensively over the past decade is that universities…

If there is anything good to be said about doing mindless work such as blowing leaves out of the ground cover, it is that I allow my brain to wander off and play. When it comes back and we reengage,…

By Frank Passic THE BEGINNINGS OF RIVERSIDE CEMETERY             The land upon which Riverside Cemetery in Albion is located was once part of an original 80-acre plot located in Albion Township. The first two owners of the property were women,…