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

A day in the life of … With the advent of the Internet and the smartphone and everything in between, I enjoy going online and watching farmers at work in different parts of our country. These farmer...

I need to begin by giving some kudos to the Lena-Winslow senior class. Apparently, they took my column about senior pranks to heart and pulled off a good one - listing the nice truck owned by...

In the 21st century it is hard to imagine a civilized country openly invading a neighboring democratic country with no provocation. We are seeing it happen with Russia invading Ukraine on numerous...

Recently I officiated at a funeral for a child who died suddenly. I’m sharing part of the message from that service in today’s column. This is a difficult day. We all want to help, but none of us...

My apologies to all area principals, but now that graduation is upon us and most seniors are out of school - I can do what seems to be turning into almost an annual column. The topic, if you...

Traditional wisdom comes from the old adage: “Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.” In the technology-saturated world we live in today, that wisdom may be...

A lot of stuff has been coming in recently in regard to Summer Camps, and that got me thinking about when I was a kid and going to YMCA camp. Every year my parents sent my brother, sister and I off...

Thank You I would like to thank everyone for the support they have shown me since my accident. Saturday February 5, I was sledding with a Scout Troop. When I hit my head on a tree putting me...

When my wife and I were first married we bought a small, 13 inch portable television. To get reception we’d adjust a set of rabbit ears on the back, twisting and turning them to pick up the...

It was like something out of a dream … There I was, in an Apache attack helicopter, flying over a vast wooded area. Sitting next to me, with one hand on my thigh, was none other than Michelle...

Like clockwork as the weather begins to warm so does my desire to travel and experience new things. I love exploring new places whether it be a city, state park or even a new local business. I am fort...

Following are notes from my “diary” that I sent out to the people praying for me before, during, and after surgery to repair a hernia: I’m healing well, thanks for your prayers and concern. The...

Very few things can immediately instill a cold shiver down the spine, but in my household, the words “Stevens project” instantly creates that sense of impending doom. “Stevens Projects” got...

Illinois Democrats passed a new state budget on April 9 full of election-year gimmicks and self-congratulations. With the federal spigot set to stop flowing, Illinois has to get serious about getting...

I’m sitting here tonight on the eve of going under the knife tomorrow. For the past few weeks I’ve been dealing with some lower abdominal pain. I found out this week I have what is called an...

Ever feel like you’re a burden to your team? Normally, my evenings are spent covering a sporting event throughout the region. But that all changes in the Spring when Softball and Baseball tend to en...

For the Christian living in the world today, things seem a little bleak. There is moral rot and decay all around us. The morality and teaching of the Bible is ridiculed and mocked in our culture and t...

Whenever people talk to me about other local newspapers in the region, a criticism I keep hearing is how, “It’s so thin, there’s nothing in it.” Well, by now, that same sentiment is probably...

For the last several weeks the fighting between Russia and Ukraine is front and center on the world’s stage. (Step aside Covid). But the struggle we all share is - how can we help? We are so...

A long time ago, back when I was writing this column for a different publication, I did a piece on “Woman Speak” which somehow made it to the point where it came back at me several years later...

Lately I’ve been reporting on the story of a ministry in Romania that has been taking in Ukrainian refugees as they flee their war torn country. The work of this mission has been on-going. The...

What you are reading right now is both my greatest treasure, as well as the biggest bane of my existence. “I love your column!” If I had a dollar for every person who said that … well … I...

Public trust in Illinois state government is at an all-time low following the recent indictment of former House Speaker Mike Madigan on 22 counts of federal racketeering charges that detail how he...