We don't write papers, we build scrapbooks
We don't write papers, we build scrapbooks
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When we travel by car, I like to figure out ahead of time how many miles it is to our destination and how many hours it will take us to get there. In the olden days, I would get out my trusty road atlas, look at the index in back where it has a chart that tells you how many miles it is between any two certain cities and then map out the route we’d be taking. Then we’d pack our bags and hit the road. Nowadays, I just bring google maps up on my phone and it does the rest. But some things nev...
I miss television. I don’t know about you, but as for me, it was a lot easier finding time to watch television when I was younger than it is now. But before you think I’m going to go off on one of those self-pity “I work too much” rants, let me get right to the point. With my cousin Chuck living with us, and is addiction to MeTV – a channel that shows old tv shows from the 60s, and 70s like One Adam-12, Gunsmoke, M*A*S*H, and Star Trek, there have been a lot of days where I have had plenty of...
This past week I traveled north to the Career Fair at UW-Platteville to talk about the many opportunities with Farm Bureau, such as internships and full-time positions. I will forever be grateful for my time as an intern with the McHenry County Farm Bureau. It ultimately, lead me to my career with Illinois Farm Bureau and the Stephenson and Carroll County Farm Bureaus. If you know someone looking for an internship or full-time position, I encourage you to have them check out...
Who says God is dead? A few years ago, I’d say about 30 to be exact, there was a little white church out in the middle of nowhere in the country that was in trouble. Their pastor had just stepped down in the middle of controversy and they asked me if I’d be their new pastor. This was not an ideal situation, but I was much obliged to walk through the door God had opened for me. On my first Sunday behind the pulpit, we welcomed about 20 people to the worship service. Word soon got out that the...
OK, I’m sorry, but I need to take a deep breath before this one. I have been covering High School sports for over 30 years, and in all of that time I have seen every negative aspect you can imagine. Cocky athletes, major mistakes by referees, arrogant coaches who think it’s about them, administrators with no backbone, and organizational ignorance from the IHSA. But to this day, there is still only one thing that still burns my butt and makes me want to slap somebody … ignorant parents who think...
My household ushered in the beginning of fall this past weekend by “watching” football, or maybe I was half watching and the other half folding laundry, checking my phone and snacking. I did not grow up with a football watching family and only started watching when I got in college because I had some friends who were pretty big football fans. Then when I met my husband, it became a regular fall event. Over the years I’ve begun to pick up on what was happening on the field and gain a bette...
There is no mystery in day to day life quite as exhilarating as the ordinary mailbox. Every day the possibility of something new arrives when the mailman stops at the end of the driveway and drops off the mail. I always thought being a mail carrier would be the best job in the world. You get to see the people on your route every day and you are the one they always look forward to seeing. Growing up, we didn’t necessarily watch and wait for him, but we were excited when we saw the mailman. I r...
I had it all planned. My wife was leaving with my cousins’ wife for a shopping excursion at an art fair up in Wisconsin over the weekend, and my cousin was scheduled to work Saturday. So, while I knew I needed to cover and/or get results from both the Pearl City and Scales Mound volleyball tournaments – my Saturday night, for the first time in a long time, was going to be open. Now, my schedule typically sucks. So, I rarely have “me time” to go out and enjoy myself. As a special treat, when we f...
National Farm Safety and Health Week is September 17-23, 2023. The theme for the NFSHW 2023 is “No One Can Take Your Place”. National Farm Safety and Health Week is an annual event that aims to raise awareness about the importance of safety and health practices in the agriculture industry. The goal is to reduce the number of accidents, injuries and fatalities that occur in the agriculture sector. It is in everyone’s best interest to prioritize the health and safety of those who work to provi...
The Stephenson County Republican Central Committee (SCRCC) strongly opposes the 1% Home Rule Sales Tax increase currently being considered by the Freeport City Council. Andrew Chesney, Chairman of the SCRCC, said that the proposed increase “will propel the City of Freeport and its taxpayers to have the unique and sad distinction of having one of the highest Sales Tax Rates throughout the State of Illinois, putting Freeport at a competitive disadvantage. While Northwest Illinois is struggling with high inflation, high-interest rates, and the h...
When I was a kid on the farm, hitch pins were always in short supply. We didn’t travel on the road at all with our farm equipment back then, so we hadn’t heard of safety clips, much less any need to use them. We made do with what we had whether it be a long, one inch thick bolt, an occasional wrench, or even a screwdriver - we used whatever we could find. At one point in time, we used an engine valve. I’m not sure what engine it came out of or where we found it, but it was a piece of harde...
It’s True, I confess, I am a Sneaky Pete. Now, I realize that most – if not all of you – have no idea what it is I’m talking about, so let me explain. You see, while growing up in Northwest Indiana, my brother, sister and I were all prone to seeing treats prepared by my mother left unguarded. Whether it was the tin of fudge “hidden” above the bread box, or the cookie jar left full without a padlock in place, these screamed to a growing boy, “Come and get me!” So, naturally, we did. In my house g...
As many of you may know, fall is my favorite season of all. A few of my favorite activities of fall are possible because of agriculture. First, I love visiting apple orchards and indulging in delicious apple flavored treats. A close second is visiting pumpkin patches in search of the perfect pumpkin. In honor of our first few days of fall I have included some apple and pumpkin facts below: - Apples are grown in every state. But only 36 states including Illinois grow apples to sell in large amoun...
It is no secret there is an ethics problem in Illinois politics. We have had four Governors spend time in federal prison, we have had several federal court verdicts prove self-serving politicians exist in our statehouse, and we have current ongoing investigations and cases into former lawmakers-including sitting lawmakers testifying so. For some reason, it is a tough pill to swallow for Democratic leaders in charge. They refuse to admit there is a problem. Indictments, wiretaps, and verdicts hav...
Dan, I am very confused on why Freeport needs to raise their taxes for road work. My father-in-law lives in Freeport. He’s 89 and lives alone. His water bill was $80 every month. Mine is $30-$40 for a family of 4. $20 of his was for water and sewer. Garbage was maybe $15. The rest was add-ons. I don’t remember the exact figure, but at least $20 was for roads and they had been charging that for years. Every time my father-in-law talks about it, he gets mad because they “never fix the roads.” He’s not far off on that. I think what upset me...
School is back in session for the most part. Which makes me think of my own school days in the public school. I was smart enough to skip a grade right off the bat - kindergarten. At six years old I was plunked down into first grade, but it didn’t settle well with me. I missed the carefree days of being home and hanging out with mom and dad on the farm. There was some adjustment required but I muddled through and eventually came to accept the fact that this was my new normal. I was a bit d...
I’ve told you about my dog, Bucky. He’s incredibly smart, but is definitely my wife’s dog. I can be gone for ten days, but when I finally come home, he will lift his head off of his bed, see who it is, then with a look that says, “Oh, it’s just you,” he promptly returns to his ever-important slumber. But my wife can be gone for ten minutes, and when she comes back in the door, you’d think it was the second coming of Christ as he bounces and dances all excited and happy that “Mommy’s Home!” Now,...
Illinois’ annual celebration of agriculture just ended with the closing of the Illinois State Fair on August 20th. We had some livestock participants and winners in various categories from the 45th District, and I want to thank all the FFA, 4-H, and other livestock exhibitors who took the time to raise, groom, feed, and prepare their animals for the show. I am sure it was a great experience. Our area was on the receiving end of another distinct honor this year, as the State Fair’s coveted “Bu...
As I sit at my keyboard pounding out the words going into this column, we are in the middle of a heat wave. It’s hot outside. But here in my basement office, it’s cool. Almost too cool. But as you read this, the heat wave has passed and it’s actually very nice outside. I have the thermostat in our house connected to my smartphone via an app. I can adjust the temperature from anywhere in the world that has wi-fi, which is pretty much everywhere. When my wife and I get away for a couple days, we a...
“We be po,” I cried to my wife. “Would you stop it, we are not poor. We’re just cash strapped a little until Friday.” In the grand scheme of things, a perfect storm of financial needs came up all within the last few weeks. Of course, we had property taxes coming in the near future which we always set extra money aside for in August because they are so much fun to pay. But then, added on top of that, was the final payment for our Greek Island cruise – which was worth it, but not inexpensive. Then...
Today was the absolute worst day ever And don't try to convince me that There's something good in every day Because when you take a closer look, The world is a pretty evil place, Even if Some goodness does shine through once in a while Satisfaction and happiness don't last And it's not true that It's all in the mind and heart Because True happiness can be obtained Only if one's surroundings are good It's not true that good exists I'm sure you can agree with me, that The reality Creates My...
“Alloh, dees ees Melbin of Internal Webenue Serbis. Da reason for dees woicemail message is we have received a complaint against you for tax ebasion, and are issuing a warrant for your arrest. We not do it right now. Eef you hab question or need information to stop dees action please call me ...” Now, I ask you – if that broken English message was waiting for you on your voicemail … how many people would believe it? I had heard about tax scams before, and have gotten other calls and emails...
Dan Stevens, I just have a few concerns and questions. These people in charge of County Board strike me no different than the bunch when Blum was in charge. Oh, what about the airport hanger rental deal? Hi Marge! They are gone. What about Sol DeTente and his bunch? They were the ??? Bunch, I have forgot. I offer no quick fix or any solution. But, here’s the question, several years ago the Nursing Center had a large surplus of money. They even offered to move some of that money to help out the county. I believe I am correct on that. I am v...
We have a kill-deer that built a nest right on the edge of our driveway, about a foot in from where the gravel meets the grass. Everytime I mowed the yard, the mama would squawk and squawk and try to lead me away by playing the broken wing trick. I looked and looked for her nest, hoping that I wouldn’t mow over it and ruin it and break the chain of life in nature. Then one day, when I was looking out the window I saw her sitting on the nest and took note of its location. When I went out there s...
Here’s a small test. Right now, could you quote the six most dangerous words when put together in a sentence? Now, I’m sure some people will immediately think of the obvious: “We Are Going To Declare War” But, they would be wrong. You see, “we” don’t really have any control when it comes to a declaration of war. Congress handles that, and we all know how much sway the everyday man has with Congress. So, even though – yes – that could lead to an outbreak of war and the destruction of the world as...
