Out and About Blog by Norm Stutesman

My office is small. If it were larger, I’d just fill it up with stuff. The late George Carlin once did a bit called, “Stuff”. I can truly relate to this, as can my wife. I think that all of us save, or collect, items that we probably will never use again. At one time, I had a nice set …

I’m afraid this past weekend didn’t start out very well. Once again, I must reflect on the passing of a friend. Lion Bruce Snook passed away this last Thursday after a short illness. I’ve known Bruce for a little over thirteen years, and I can’t think of a gentler, more soft-spoken, and trustworthy individual. He was a man of integrity …

Next Monday, September 2, is Labor Day. Some of you may travel up to the Mackinac Bridge for the annual bridge walk. Others, like me, will prefer to stay home and off the dangerous highways. Be assured that you don’t need to head north to walk a bridge. The Three Rivers Woman’s Club will host their Third Annual Historic Three …

I remember going to school with a boy who was diabetic. I really felt sorry for him, because he had to have insulin shots every day. Like most children, I dreaded the times in grade school when we had to be immunized. I’m pretty sure that back then they didn’t use disposable syringes, so it was to one’s advantage to …

Some words that have changed over the years. The word “drugs” used to be a good thing. It was a cure for many ailments. Today, if someone has drugs in their possession, it is considered a bad thing. To attend a “concert” sixty years ago, was a different experience than attending a concert today. I’m devoting most of the column …

I’m a Vietnam veteran, I get choked up when I say the Pledge of Allegiance, I vote regularly, I remove my hat when the colors pass by during a parade, and I really love America, despite its faults, and yet, there are times when I feel like I’m not a true American because I’m not a sports fanatic. My wife …

I’m a little slow when it comes to accepting change. I still go Scidmore Park on Saturdays and wonder why the Farmers’ Market isn’t open. Then I remember that the Farmers’ Market is now open on Tuesdays from 2 until 6 PM. Saturdays just aren’t the same, but I’m sure there’s a good reason for changing the day of the …

When there’s a lag in a conversation, we usually end up talking about the weather. We haven’t had to wait for a lag in any chats lately, because the weather has been the opening comment in most recent exchanges. When you turn on the Six O’Clock News, the first thing they talk about is either the heat index, or high …

This is the middle of July, so I feel that this is really the middle of summer. Actually, we still have plenty of days of hot weather ahead of us. The water temperature of Lake Michigan is still in the low sixties. I remember when Lake Michigan wasn’t really warm enough to swim in until sometime in August. I’m a …

I mentioned last week how difficult it is, at times, to get together with family. My siblings and I have been working since last February to set a date to celebrate my one sister’s eightieth birthday. Either she was out of town, I had other commitments, or the weather was not suitable for traveling. At first we were going to …