Columns

A long time ago, I was in a convenience story buying a soft drink and candy bar, when I noticed a guy stuffing several items inside his coat. He then proceeded to walk out paying for nothing. I froze and…

For several years I had a five-church parish, roughly the size of Rhode Island, in northern Alberta, Canada.  This time of the year sunrise came about eleven in the morning; dusk a little after two in the afternoon.  On Sundays, by the…

By Maggie ConklinBeans, Beans ♪When you think of beans, you likely think of the common commercially-raised dried ones like black beans, pintos, great northern, navy and kidney beans.You might also think of fresh ones such as green string beans and…

By Scott SullivanEditorFire UpThe U.S. 131/M-60 cloverleaf a quarter-mile south of the Super 8 in 6 a.m. rain boasted arrows, signs and lane markers, all reflectorized.Wipers flapping and smearing water semicircles made glass before me math spaghetti. No glows were…

    A good friend once said that contentment was an act of radical defiance.  That was interesting, and she went on to explain, “No one wants to be content.  It’s like settling, like saying something is good enough or almost good.  Worse, they’ve got…

My progressive friends may “go bananas” over this thought, but I believe the U.S. should contemplate withdrawing from the United Nations.Yes, it is “radical” but what does this once very useful organization do for the U.S? I would argue it…

Now that Thanksgiving is in the history books for this year, it’s time to get started on the Christmas shopping. Most of the time our shopping adventures go smoothly, but every so often, we hit a speed-bump and need to…

It’s an interesting era in our schools. It can be easy to believe the sky is falling depending on where you get your news. But there are beacons of great things happening in our schools all the time. And our…

While reading “This Is My Body” by Bishop Robert Baron I was dismayed to discover that 69% of Catholics do not believe in the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. How sad! I take that to mean that…

I can’t believe it but I am actually writing this column a whole day before it needs to be sent in to the editor.This is so unusual that it will probably mess up my whole week and of course it…

Christmas is approaching quickly and this week’s snow seems to have made folks realize how little time we have. So in December, we’ll share some Marion Christmas memories and stroll along a very different Main Street than what we know…

By Maggie ConklinHeart and LiverAs you may know by now, I like to hunt. Much of the enjoyment I get from doing this is simply spending time in the forests, and much of it is the satisfaction I get from…

By Scott SullivanEditorWay ThereOne of my first tests as Michigan Runner editor was write about the 25 top state running stores. So far I’d set foot in three. Publisher Art McCafferty wanted six top-25 features, one each bimonthly, to fete…

    Don, whose last name I have forgotten, had been a career, a Drill Instructor on Paris Island, and finally hung up his hat after thirty years. Too young to sit around at home or drink too much at the VFW…

I wrote this article a few years ago, but every so often I like to resubmit it. As I keep adding a year onto my life (94 and staring down 95), I like to think I have also added some…

All I want for Christmas is the return of free speech to America and the rest of the world. Free speech, long a credo of Democracy, has been hijacked by those that can’t stand others having a differing opinion. Thus,…

The Holiday Season will soon be upon us. It seems that every year merchants are getting ready for the holiday shopping season earlier and earlier. Thanksgiving is this week, and Black Friday begins the day after Thanksgiving, however I’ve seen…

This week marks the 60th anniversary of the assassination of the 35th President of the United States, John F, Kennedy, in Dallas, Texas. If you remember this, it is likely a vivid memory. We do not have to stop and…

Thanksgiving was Thursday (yesterday), although I am writing this column early due to the holiday.It will be a quiet one for us, as Jack is currently fighting Covid, poor guy. He isn’t feeling too good. So far, I have escaped…

Sometimes when I go to Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament (Eucharist), I take the time to recall in this special presence of Jesus the many wonderful and holy blessings I have been given. The Jewish people have a special prayer…