Out and About – Week of December 15th

There’s nothing that adds to the spirit of this season like music. The First United Methodist Church of Three Rivers, 215 North Main Street, has just the thing, when it comes to music. We’re Glad You Came is the name of the cantata to be performed next Sunday, December 21, beginning at 7 PM. This would be a wonderful way to begin Christmas Week.
The season for hot dogs is still a few months away. This doesn’t mean that I’m not going to partake of a hot dog until April or May; it only means that grilling hot dogs on the patio grill probably won’t be happening anytime soon. It’s been said that once you know what goes into the making of a hot dog, you’ll never want to eat another one. Here are some of the ingredients you might find in your average American hot dog: Carcasses from old or trim cattle and swine, cheeks, jowls, heart, tongues, lips, eyelids, gums, intestines, ears, nostrils, tails, snouts, tendons, windpipe, liver, kidney, salt, fat, bone, blood, and, of course, preservatives. I’ll have two, thank you. If you’d like more information, please go to: rawforbeauty.com.
I’ve been an Associate Member of the St. Joe County Marine Corps League Detachment 1401 for almost a year now. I’m an Associate Member because I was never in the Corps. I served in the U.S. Army and National Guard, and served a year in Vietnam, and I’m proud to be a part of this fine group of men and women.
I’ve been asked several times, “What does the Marine Corps League do, and what happens with the monies that are taken in from the sale of roses and candy?” This question was brought up at this month’s meeting on December 9. The purpose of the Marine Corps League is to assist those Marines and other veterans in any way they can, whether it’s monetarily or helping them get from one place to another. The money received through donations goes toward the “Wounded Warriors Orgnaization”, the area Veterans Hospitals, and also toward scholarships that are given out annually.
The Marine Corps League also helps in gathering toys for the annual “Toys for Tots” crusade. These toys are distributed from several points in St. Joe County, including the Sturgis Armory and the Three Rivers Lions Club.
The League meets the second Tuesday of every month at the Village Offices in Mendon. If you’d like more information, or are interested in becoming a member, you may contact Earl Allison at 269-625-0776 or Bill Stevens at 269-496-3695. You don’t need to be a Marine to belong. All you need is the desire to serve others.
Christmas is a week from Thursday. This means that the stores will be very busy for the next week or so. Please remember, when you are Out and About, to dress for the weather and take along a little extra patience. Hold on tight to your patience, because it’s very easy to lose it when you are in a crowd of shoppers.
This is also the time of the year when you’ll want to remember those people who serve you throughout the year. I’m talking about your postal service personnel and public utility employees. Hopefully, this is not too early to remind everyone, but if your trash is picked up on Thursday or Friday, it will be handled a day later next week.
I’ll end this week’s column with several aphorisms:
The nicest thing about the future is that it always starts tomorrow.
Money will buy a fine dog, but only kindness will make him wag his tail.
If you don’t have a sense of humor, you probably don’t have any sense at all.
See you Out and About!

Submitted by Norm Stutesman