Out and About Blog by Norm Stutesman

As of this writing, the peak of fall colors has not appeared yet in St. Joseph County. I know a few folks who have traveled north to check out the fall colors and have returned with some fantastic photos and memories of what was available in the Traverse City area. Our time will come soon enough. Meanwhile, beginning Monday, October …

This past weekend, I had the honor of being one of the local veterans selected to take part on the Talons Out Honor Flight. This flight is made possible thanks to donors who wish to honor a veteran with an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C. To those donors I offer my sincere gratitude for their generosity. This flight is …

“The greatest accomplishment is not in never failing, but in rising again after you fall.” ~ Vince Lombardi Whether you want to admit it or not, we’re all creatures of habit. A few examples you might relate to: When you’re in the bathroom getting ready for the new day, do you brush your teeth the same way every time? When …

The St. Joe County Fair was not held last year due to Covid-19. It did happen this year with a few changes. Parking was FREE and the admission gates were changed a bit. With Covid still on everyone’s mind, most people took necessary cautions. I did see a lot of patrons wearing masks. It was a little difficult to maintain …

This is the time of the year when it’s not unusual to experience some foggy conditions. Coming into town from one of the many lakes in St. Joe County, it’s not unusual to come in contact with many low areas along the way. This is where you could easily run into fog. Fog shows up when water vapor, or water …

I wish all my Jewish friends a joyous Yom Kippur. It begins this evening at sundown. The 36th Annual Walk for Warmth will be held this Saturday, September 18, beginning at high noon. The walk takes place at the St. Joseph County Courthouse gazebo, located at 125 West Main Street, in downtown Centreville. This walk raises money for utility assistance …

Next Sunday is Grandparents Day. If you are fortunate to have grandparents, please make sure you spend some time with them. Join them in a lively conversation. You’ll be surprised how much you might learn. Twenty years ago this month, the United States was brutally attacked by the Taliban. All Americans came together for the first time in many years. …

“The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees opportunity in every difficulty.” ~ Sir Winston Churchill A brief word to the Automotive Engineers. Thanks for all the new advances you’ve made when it comes to designing the automobiles of today. The cars and trucks are much safer than they were twenty years ago. You see more SUVs than …

July and August are usually the hottest months of the year in Michigan. The sun might not always be shining, but the heat and humidity are still present. As far as the sun goes, the sun does not always have to be directly on you to get sunburned. Many folks are proud to be called sun-worshipers. This is great as …

In Michigan, we have the usual four seasons, with one exception. We have fall, winter, spring, and then there is “Road Construction”. I’ve often wondered why they do this construction during the summer months. The obvious answer is because this is when the weather is the best to get the job done. Another reason is because this is when most …