Village Voices - We don't write papers, we build scrapbooks

C.S. Lewis once stated, “There is no neutral ground in the universe; every square inch, every split second, is claimed by God and counter-claimed by Satan.” Most Christians are not shocked at the...

I was recently reminded of a joke I used to use during my stand-up comedy days in New York City. I used to do a newscast routine, and the top story was usually: 'The Surgeon General discovered today...

Despite criticism from Republican lawmakers, good government groups, and community organizations, Democrat legislative leaders rushed to pass new, adjusted legislative maps in a one-day special sessio...

Just saw on the news where the world champion tongue-twister was arrested. I hope they give the guy a tough sentence. My wife and I took a drive to Dixon, Illinois last week. If you like corn and...

I realize that I usually tend to look at some rather “unorthodox” topics in this column, but my Mother had always asked that I stop with the bathroom humor and prove to everyone that the...

Recently I was reading a story about a man in his 20’s who asked one of his elder mentors: “What would you say to your 30-year-old self if you could talk to him?” The first thing that popped int...

OK ladies, I’m going to let you in on a little secret. Actually, it’s not so little, but while every male in the world will agree with me – women to this day think we are “silly” or joking w...

Here we are back in full swing again. Fall sports are back on and the summer heat did not miss a beat. While Dan does a great job with the fall sports edition, I have a few observations of my own....

Let us get one thing straight – I am not gay. Growing up as a theater kid who played basketball, I heard all of the comments, and members of my basketball team never did know what to make of seeing...

He knew everything, but that’s all he knew. I kind of left you hanging on the house we were working on in anticipation of members of our family moving in. I’m happy to say, they are all moved in....

There is a Gremlin in our house. Ever since the girls left for college, it hasn’t been hard placing blame when lights in the house are left on, or doors left open, or certain food items you wee...

Gov. JB Pritzker continued his go-it-alone approach to governing the state this week by announcing new mask and vaccination mandates — changes to Illinois’ COVID-19 mitigation plan that were made...

As the leader of the free world, I marvel that he was elected. I firmly believe that many who voted for him, simply hated "The Orange Man", Donald Trump, so much that somehow, Joe was elected. I have...

The great thing about living in a small town is that when you don't know what you're doing, someone else does. The other night as I lay in bed, I woke up because I was thirsty. I laid there for a...

No man who is married and has daughters can ever have too big of an ego … they simply won’t allow it. When they were little, I can still remember the girls and my wife talking about how they...

Governor Pritzker announced new COVID mitigations this week, due in part to the spread of the “Delta variant”. New mitigations will include masking in schools. Without a doubt, the COVID-19 virus...

Every time we go to church we pass by a herd of red and black angus cattle grazing contentedly in their pasture. These cows are in tip top shape. Their shining red and black coats glisten in the sun....

So have you been watching the Olympics? I have truly enjoyed watching when I could, but have also been frustrated by the coverage schedule. Specifically, I wish the medias wouldn’t spoil the outcome...

Illinois school districts have regained some local control over COVID-19 protocols within their districts. In other news, three administrators at the Choate Mental Health and Developmental Center in...

We have 35 million laws to enforce the Ten Commandments. In my younger years, boating was always a major part of my summer life. I had an uncle who had a boat and he took my family to the lake a few...

OK, for the record – vacation was great – and a much needed diversion. But with that being said, it’s time to get back into the swing of things – and at this time of year, that means Fall...

I LOVE a good County Fair! Nothing screams Summer in the Heartland more than this nostalgic American pastime. Northwest Illinois values will again be on full display through the tractor pulls, the...

I'm writing a book about reverse psychology. Don't buy it. As you may or may not be aware, our son recently graduated from Veterinary School and took a job in Stockton, Illinois as a Veterinarian....