Columns

Well, the summer clothes are (mostly) all packed away and the winter clothes are in the closet and dresser drawers.Now it should warm up again.Or maybe it already has – just a couple weeks ago it was shorts weather and…

By Maggie ConklingClassic MeatloafLast week Monday I was treated to a walk-through of the newly renovated Farmhouse Deli. I am so proud of all the hard work, sweat and tears that entire group of wonderful workmates achieved!I asked if they…

By Scott SullivanEditorLet There Be a SignBlue Star Highway is busy with signs, crossroads and driveways darting off left and right. It buzzes during rush hours, in summers especially. Flashing lights, arrows and attractions vie for one’s attention.BS in sum…

I’ve met several new old friends at the Old Folks Hotel. It turns out that although we were strangers five months ago, we have a whole lot in common. Edna, Perry, the other Bill, and I have had a bunch…

War is never pretty, but I certainly cannot fault Israel for engaging with Hamas after that terrorist organization slaughtered 1300 Jews and 32 Americans in a surprise attack September 14.I make the following observations:Do not equate Palestinians with Hamas. Hamas…

Since the dawn of civilization humans have wondered what happens after our heart stops and we quit breathing.What’s on the other side? The ancient Jewish Sadducees believed death was the end, i.e. dead is dead. Most people worldwide hold out…

Like many, I’m addicted to television. If one of my favorite programs is not on, I’ll channel-surf to find something that might amuse me temporarily. My mother would be displeased, to say the least. I’ve never been much of a…

Every year the holiday rush seems to begin a bit earlier that before.The stores are already displaying Christmas items right beside the Halloween decorations and it’s only October 13th! Christmas gift ideas are in the commercials on television.It seemed pretty…

It’s catch up time for the odds and ends and bits and pieces that are of interest but not a whole story. Every now and then we need to tidy up some loose ends, and this is one of those…

By Maggie Conklin Rich Belgian WafflesA couple of weeks ago we invited our kids over for a weekend brunch, and after much discussion agreed that I’d make my rich from-scratch Belgian waffles with a side of bacon.My dear husband got…

By Scott SullivanEditorIssue Out“Stroll around the grounds until you feel at home” assumes you can.Say Apple News emails updates. Today, stories tell of “escalating tensions,” “failed crypto exchange” … explain “here’s what’s a stake,” “key culprit” and “consequences could be…

I’ve been boycotting the News here at the Old Folks Hotel. I figure we are one health crisis away from eternity so why stress us out and rush the whole process. Unfortunately, last week my daughter walked in with the…

I been on this train for several years, but I refuse to get off. My elected representatives particularly in the U.S. Senate, are generally too old, and need to retire. In fact, I believe we should have a maximum age,…

Telephones have perplexed me since I had to put my pointer finger into the rotary dial seven times instead of four as before. I had just learned to count to five; two more were a challenge.Since then it’s just gotten…

“And though our days of love are few, yet let them be divine.” – T.S. EliotIf you haven’t had the pleasure of listening to organist Charles Collins, please don’t let this opportunity pass you by. Charles Collins will present an…

In two months we will be in the throes of Christmas preparations. It does not seem possible, especially after these extremely agreeable, first few days of October. Even in the evening light, the brilliant colors are visible. Between sky events,…

Ever wonder who has the best gift to give? The Bible often mentions gifts. There is the widow who gave a few pennies to temple treasury and Jesus says that she gave more than rich people who gave a lot,…

Remember Elementary School when your return in September led off with a “How I Spent my Summer” assignment?I feel like I’m back in school again after a long hard summer away from home.I’m back after the worst (or possibly the…

By Maggie ConklinKeep it SimpleFor many years my mother Molly and I would spend one week each early October at a watercolor art workshop on Mackinac Island.Our teacher was a wonderful German woman who wrote a book about her harrowing…

By Scott SullivanEditor1Rivers ran wine last week in São Lorenco do Bairro, Portugal after two distillery tanks burst, unleashing a 600,000-gallon tide to dismay or delight, depending.The vintner swallowed his losses — enough to fill an Olympic pool — and…