Columns

In the ‘Where has the time gone?’ department, it was just the sixtieth anniversary of the release of the Beatles first album in Britain. It was swiftly followed by the Meet the Beatles album here. I own that album, all…

When a person gets a cold they have symptoms. Usually they have a fever, runny nose, congestion, fatigue, chills, and sleepiness. The common folk diagnosis is that they have a cold, and the symptoms point to it. One of the…

By Scott SullivanEditorGrand ValleyHalf a league, half a league, Half a league onward … into Grand Valley, where Ottawa Impact lies.“Siri says go straight,” said my daughter Flannery. I switched lanes from the Saugatuck exit to continue due west towards…

One could not escape all the clutter on the airwaves and internet concerning the debate between Biden and Trump this past week. The subject was pontificated on at length, everywhere. How badly did Biden, lose, everyone asked. Will he pull…

We have a special anniversary coming up here in Albion on July 4. It was 180 years ago that the first railroad train arrived in Albion. The State of Michigan financed the building of a strap-iron railroad across Southern Michigan…

The Annual Three Rivers Water Festival seems to get better every year. We didn’t get as involved as we normally do with the many activities this year, so next year we want to try and make more time for this…

Recently, I’ve been talking about morality with some people who are confused. They tell me that the advice they get depends on the educated opinion of the person they are seeking advice from. They complained that even ministers, clergy, offer…

This time of year the newspaper business is pretty hectic.Even though I do all of my work out of this “home office” now, some weeks it seems like I am just about glued to this computer chair.I find I have…

It’s no secret that I am fond of old things and have, through the years, gathered a rather unusual collection of bits and pieces of Marion memorabilia. For example, I have a galvanized piece from a windmill ‘tail’ with Morton’s…

By Scott SullivanEditorHeat WaveThe book “Ban This Book” has been banned by the Indian River County (Fla.) school board. Members voted 3-2 to ax Alan Gratz’s 2017 children’s tome after Jennifer Pippin, local Moms for Liberty chair, complained it was…

On late cold nights when I was growing up, I would listen to my father’s shortwave radio receiver.  I could not make sense of the amateurs sending Morse Code but delighted in finding an English-speaking commercial station. There were many, but the…

Nobody knows who, nobody knows why, but $17 million of our money (taxpayers) has been paid out to federal lawmakers accused of sexual (as well as other types of discrimination) misdeeds from 1997 to 2017.Personally, I think this is despicable.…

Yard work must be done, so I’m out pruning and clipping when my old pal Tikins calls. As we talk, I stroll up into the shade next to the garage door. Tikins begins telling me a funny story which  is…

The Mighty Mac opened for traffic in 1957. This meant you could drive directly from the lower peninsula of Michigan to the upper peninsula. You no longer had to wait hours to get on the ferry that transported everyone between…

I got one yelled eight year old Caleb. Indeed he did, another double of bluegill ended up in the livewell. For the second week in roll young Caleb was putting a hurt on the bluegills and showing us adults up.During…

Summer has settled right in and no one can dispute that it is just plain hot. The temperature has topped 90 for three days now and leaves hang in want of water. It is oddly quiet and there is next…

Officially, or unofficially, hot summer weather has arrived and our air conditioner – and the generator—are getting a real workout today (Tuesday). I’m looking at the calendar and the June, or Summer Solstice arrives Thursday. That is “officially” the end…

When I think of Father’s Day, I think about a number of things. My first thoughts are about my spouse, without whom I would not be a father, and the fantastic mother she is and always has been. I must…

By Scott SullivanEditorKrokodil RockI remember when rock was young. Me and Susie had no clue a Krokodil rock would find us.“Krokodil” I learned too late, is street name for Desomorphine, a synthetic opioid said to turn skin green and scaly…

“Maybe it’s in the closet,” Molly would say. “I’ll check.”We all knew what was coming: Fibber would shout to her, “Don’t touch that closet!” too late, and the sound effects man would pour his props into a metal container, much to the…