We don't write papers, we build scrapbooks
We don't write papers, we build scrapbooks
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My wife had a class reunion last weekend. She got to ride on her class float along with several of her classmates during the Homecoming Parade and later we all got a tour of the high school we both attended. It was quite interesting walking the halls of the old high school. Everything was so much larger back then. A lot has changed, but then again, it all seemed the same. That night her classmates and their spouses gathered for dinner and a time of reminiscing. The stories began to flow and...
OK, fair warning, you might not want to read this column because it deals with politics. I was taught at an early age that there are two things you should never argue about – religion and politics. Because what people believe in regard to their religion or political leanings is what they believe – you’re never going to change their mind. So, if you’re anything like me, as soon as someone starts going into a political conversation – I tend to tune them out. You’ve been warned. Personally,...
I am sure this is common with others as it is for me: as a kid, tween and teen I often became involved with things because someone in my family had done them previously. I joined 4-H because my mother had been a member and my grandma a local club leader. During my time in 4-H I showed dogs, rabbits, participated in childcare and development and did cooking projects. For those who are not familiar, “4-H is delivered by Cooperative Extension- a community of more than 100 public universities a...
With all this nice weather, my wife and I decided it was time to finish up the garden for the year. We picked the few remaining tomatoes, and the peppers, turnips, carrots, and green beans. We pulled all the plants out by the roots and loaded them in the truck for the burn pile. I got the ladder out, and climbed as high as it would take me and reached out as far out as I could possibly reach, and picked the last of the apples and dropped them one at a time to my wife, who was standing below to...
Speaking from experience, it is far better being the grandfather than being the father. Now, the biggest reason is obvious – you get to enjoy your grand kids, and as soon as they become crabby, or in massive need of a diaper change or some other maternal comforts, you can immediately pass them off to their parents. In addition, while they do tend to wipe you out whenever they come to visit – due to incredible energy levels that the Energizer Bunny can never hope to match – they will leave … eve...
Political corruption undermines and erodes public trust in government. There should be no place in our political landscape for those who would use their elected position for personal gain. On this, there should be full bipartisan agreement. This week, the highest profile political corruption trial of our time will take center stage in a federal courtroom in Chicago. Former Illinois Speaker of the House Michael Madigan will face 22 counts of racketeering conspiracy, attempted extortion, and wire...
As election day draws nigh yet again, one can’t help but notice that the emotion level in the political realm is reaching new heights. Every four years election tension rises to new levels. I have read that 80% of Americans consider themselves to be Christians. If that number is accurate, that should mean that most of us are in agreement with the Bible, God’s Word to man. In Daniel’s book of prophecy, it says that Daniel prayed to the God of heaven and said: “Praise be to the name of God for...
I don’t know about you, but one of the best investments my wife and I ever made at our house is the addition of a fire pit in the back yard. There is nothing like sitting around an open fire with friends, enjoying a beverage or two and solving the world’s problems on a bright summer night underneath the stars. With the weather beginning to turn, we are nearing the end of the summer fire pit night season. Now, when it comes to the fire pit, I realized that while some nights are a lot of fun, the...
During the month of August Illinois Farm Bureau Served its members by: - A state appellate court sided with Illinois Farm Bureau and landowner groups, reversing the certification or the Grain Belt Express Project, a statewide high-voltage direct current transmission line. - Seven county Farm Bureaus hosted field days supported by IFB’s Nutrient Stewardship Grant Program, highlighting Illinois farmers’ contributions to goals in the State’s Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy. - The 2024 Summe...
There’s a business I frequent on occasion that used to have a crash dummy sitting on the counter next to where you paid your bill. The dummy was wearing dark sunglasses, had a cigarette in his mouth, was wearing an orange t-shirt and a red MAGA hat. He didn’t say a word, but he spoke volumes. Sometimes, one can tell a lot about a company by checking out the paraphernalia around the business and reading the notes they have up on the wall. Another place I do business with, has Bible verses and ins...
Many years ago, when we found out the hard way that I was allergic to Morphine, I had my brush with death and was lying in an ICU bed in Freeport. Now, as a patient, I have always done what I was told – no matter how much it might hurt – so my ICU nurse, who. I knew personally and was a friend, used the joke for many years that she knew first-hand how “good in bed” I was. That nurse was LuAnn Jordan. For the longest time, my wife even teased that I like LuAnn more than I liked her, and used Lu...
Can you believe September is almost over? It is hard to believe, that is for sure. During the month of September, the Stephenson County Agriculture in the Classroom program will see roughly 1,200 students. Students have learned about apples, agriculture’s role in back to school and football. Students range from pre school to 5th grade. With the increase of students we are seeing on a monthly basis, we are trying something new. On Wednesday, October 2 we are inviting community members to help u...
At a recent series of town-hall-style events I hosted across the 45th Senate District, residents took advantage of the opportunity to voice their opinions on various topics. Events were held in Genoa (DeKalb County), Rockton (Winnebago County), Machesney Park (Winnebago County), Savanna (Carroll County), Freeport (Stephenson County), Elizabeth (Jo Daviess County), and Oregon (Ogle County). Local mayors, county board chairs, and other elected officials co-hosted these Community Connections...
People are an interesting lot. We live in a time where surveys are taken for just about everything. Most of the time when you buy something online, immediately after you send your order in, a survey arrives in your inbox asking a bunch of questions about your experience in making the purchase. Sometimes there are surveys on top of surveys. I remember reading about the marketing strategy for a certain laundry detergent. The company put together an impressive set of commercials in an effort to con...
What’s In A Name? A Rose, by any other name, would still smell just as sweet. OK, my apologies for going back into teacher mode during the unit on Shakespeare, but the reason for the quote popping into my head was because I was sitting at my desk late last night, spacing off, when it suddenly occurred to me just how many “names” I’ve got. I mean, my name is Dan Stevens, but when at the eye doctor this past week, they repeatedly called me “Daniel” – which I guess is in an attempt to not offend...
FYI - Humpty Dumpty was pushed. My wife and I had the opportunity to spend last weekend in Nashville, Tennessee with our daughter. We made arrangements to stay at an Airbnb. Before we booked, we read the comments section on their website and it was full of nothing but great comments and five-star ratings. Nonetheless, we were a bit skeptical. When we got there, everything was exactly as advertised. Our suite was an upstairs bungalow complete with snacks, water, juice, antiques, and homey-ness....
Every once in a while, we will be going through our normal routine when suddenly something comes up that sparks a memory in our hearts. For me, it just happened this past week when a girl I used to date back when I was living in New York City popped back into my head. Her name was Joan Labisi, and she was the best friend of the girl who did the books for the Wall Street head-hunting firm I was working for back in 1986 when I first moved to New York City after graduating college. Now, to be...
As the State Senator representing the 45th District in Northwest Illinois, it is important to me to seek input from my constituents on a regular basis. Several weeks ago I mailed a fall survey to households across the 45th Senate District. The survey was mailed without regard to political affiliation. Republicans, Democrats, Independents, and others received it to ensure accurate results. While the results cannot be considered “scientific,” they do provide an excellent representation of how tho...
Now that Labor Day is past, summer is over. The fields are turning ripe unto harvest and many of the farmers have their corn silage chopped, bunked, bagged, and/or in the silo. School is underway again and time is marching on. On the calendar, the measure of a year is from January 1 to December 31. But in reality, a year is lived out from September to September. This is the time of year when we begin to panic a little because winter is just around the corner and we have so much we haven’t got do...
My daughters came up with a term whenever people would whine or complain, or come across acting like a wimp. “You big Nancy!” Living in a house full of girls, I’ve never had to call my manhood into question. I mean, yes, that was me putting on bracelets and a tiara when I played Pretty, Pretty, Princess during their Kindergarten years. And yes, I would pretend to be a flaming homosexual whenever I did one of my “Maurice” routines when I fixed them breakfast and sent them off to school. (Every Fr...
I’ve been a pastor now for about 31 years and we’ve had a lot of unique experiences along the way - mostly at weddings but a few have happened at other events too. For instance, there was one time when a couple were visiting family in Missouri and the husband passed away unexpectedly. His wishes were to be cremated, so his wife had him cremated in Missouri and she brought his ashes back to Illinois. But when she arrived in Illinois, the funeral home called and said they had given her the wro...
“Starting at defensive tackle for Lena-Winslow … Ian Cool” Hearing opposing PA announcers butcher a kid’s name – it was Ian “Keuhl” pronounced “Keel” – still makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up in anger. Why does it tick me off and get under my skin? Well, you see for four years I was the Public Address Announcer at DePauw University. And the first lesson I learned from our Athletic Director was – “Don’t butcher the names!” It was part of my job to meet with someone – anyone – fro...
In a remarkable turn of events last week, Republicans and Democrats were aligned on supporting police and using fences and walls to keep people outside of spaces where they’re not supposed to be. No, pigs weren’t flying, and the underworld had not frozen over. Last week, the Democratic National Convention (DNC) was hosted in Chicago. When it came to protecting the Democratic elite, no expense or protective measure was spared. The Democratic bigwigs and the locations where they were meeting and...
A joke I heard this week: The wedding day was fast approaching. Everything was ready, and nothing could dampen the bride's excitement, not even her parents' nasty divorce. Her mother finally found the perfect dress to wear and would be the best-dressed mother of the bride - ever! A week later, the bride-to-be was horrified to learn her new young stepmother had purchased the same dress. She asked her to exchange it, but she refused, "Absolutely not! I'm going to wear this dress. I'll look like a...
Fall Sports is dominating Dan’s time, so we let him off the hook and are printing an old column of his – we hope you enjoy. “Stevens, you need to do a story on the Blackhawk/Warren football co-op, they’re pretty good.” “I already did. In fact, I’ve done several.” The conversation is not unique, and happens often – but not between me and some reader who doesn’t subscribe to the paper. No, that typical conversation happens on a regular basis between me and my business partner – Terry Whalen! “Do...
