Out and About Blog by Norm Stutesman

Out and About – Week of September 4th

Monday was Labor Day. Summer activities are pretty much in the history books and the children are back in school. The days will soon be getting cooler and next month the colors will start becoming evident. If you’ve never been to the Air Zoo in Kalamazoo, this would be the perfect time to go, because the kids are back in …

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Out and About – Week of August 28th

Next Monday is Labor Day. This is generally the last chance to participate in the usual summer activities. It’s a national holiday, so there will be no mail delivery and the banks will be closed, and most importantly, there will be no garbage pick-up that day. As a result, everyone’s trash will be picked up one day later than usual. …

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Out and About – Week of August 21st

A final reflection on our week of camping. There was a time when sleeping in a tent was real camping. Some still consider it the only way to go. Two days before we broke camp, a family settled in next to our site. I was amazed at how much they enjoyed setting up their site. They had a family-sized tent …

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Out and About – Week of August 14th

If you have school-age children, it’s time to start shopping for those school supplies. I’m referring to grade school supplies, like pencils, crayons, notebook paper and three-ring binders. They’re not cheap, so I suggest you check out the ever popular “dollar” stores, and it’s not too early to start shopping now to avoid the crowds. I remember my mom buying …

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Out and About – Week of August 7th

If you want quaintness, all you need to do is visit Shipshewana, Indiana, located about a half-hour southeast of Three Rivers on Indiana Highway 5. We spent a weekend there recently visiting with other Lion friends. It was sort of a reunion. We had all gathered there five years ago, when the Lions of Michigan held their State Convention at …

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Out and About – Week of July 31st

I’ve never considered myself a party animal. I’m not a “teetotaler”, but I do believe that you don’t have to drink to have an enjoyable time. The consumption of alcohol is glorified on television more and more these days. I remember one commercial that showed a lady picking up necessary groceries in preparation for an upcoming storm. The last thing …

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Out and About – Week of July 24th

We all have a fear of something. Whether it’s a fear of heights or a fear of clowns, we all have something we will do almost anything to avoid. I can handle speaking in front of one hundred people, as long as I’m speaking about something I am very familiar with, but don’t ask me to sing or dance in …

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Out and About – Week of July 17th

Being associated with Lions Clubs International for almost eighteen years, I’ve been to my share of conferences and conventions. I look at these events as opportunities to get together with fellow Lion friends and get caught up with everyone’s life experiences. I’m not a major fan of crowds; as a matter of fact, I really didn’t want to attend the …

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Out and About – Week of July 10th

Last August, my brother and I attended the “Thunder Over Michigan” air show at Willow Run Airport near Detroit. The air show was more than worth the price of the ticket. The main reason for going to the event was to take a ride in a B-17 aircraft. I mentioned this experience in a column about a month later, so …

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Out and About – Week of June 26th

Where are all the volunteers? Most fun events are made possible by using volunteers. The same can be said for assistance in a disaster. Without volunteers, a lot of things would never get done. A perfect example would be the recent Three Rivers Water Festival. Without the many volunteers, Water Festival would never have happened. Without volunteers, the local food …

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