Out and About Blog by Norm Stutesman

Welcome to July. This Thursday is the Fourth. A day when we celebrate our independence. A time to gather with family and friends and enjoy cooking out on the grill, possibly watch a parade or two, and enjoy the many firework displays available throughout the county. If you are planning to handle your own fireworks, please do so with caution, …

Webster’s New World Dictionary and Thesaurus defines “Hospice” two ways: A shelter for travelers. A homelike facility for the care of terminally ill patients. When I think of Hospice, I think of it as described in the second definition. It’s a place you go, sort of like a reception station for Heaven. Part of this is true. If you’re in …

Water Festival 2019 is now in the books. It’s always a fun time, and it draws people from all over southwestern Michigan. Every year it seems to get better and better. It’s fun from the start of the parade on Thursday at 7 PM, until the final firework hits the sky later Saturday evening. I had the honor of being …

There are several very nice civic organizations in the Three Rivers area and they all do what they can when it comes to giving back to the community, while providing a place to socialize with friends. Being a member is usually a prerequisite for enjoying the amenities, yet at least two of them offer things that are open to the …

This Thursday, June 6, marks the 75th Anniversary of the Invasion of Normandy. As President Roosevelt once said, “It will be a day that will live in infamy.” There are three dates in history that I try to never forget. December 7, 1941, June 6, 1944, and September 11, 2001 are dates that I’ll always remember, because events happened on …

Now that we’re experiencing some great outdoor weather, more and more folks are out riding their bicycles. It’s great exercise and quite an economical way to get Out and About. Here are a few simple suggestions and rules that will make your riding safer: Wear a helmet to protect yourself in case you take a tumble. Ride in the street …

Armed Forces day has passed for this year and Memorial Day is next Monday, May 27. There are three days every year dedicated to members of the Armed Forces. It can be confusing as to what each of these days represents. Let me clear some of these doubts. For lack of a better term, we’ll call it “Military Holidays 101”. …

Here’s some more information about future road construction planned for the Three Rivers area: 2019 construction includes re-configuring the US-131/M-60 interchange to a standard signalized intersection, reconstructing the US-131/Hoffman Road intersection, and any temporary paving necessary for planned 2020 construction. Looking ahead to 2020, we can look forward to the construction of a boulevard from Broadway Street to Hoffman Road. …

There are many people who lack common sense. I’ve mentioned this several times. A friend sent me this obituary that was apparently printed in the London Times. Whether it was or wasn’t is not important, but what it says does make a lot of sense. Perhaps we can all learn something from it, and if it pertains to some of …

The Brandenburg Concert, a local group from Three Rivers, will offer a FREE concert next Sunday, May 5, at the First Presbyterian Church, located on North Main Street, just south of Lafayette Park, in Three Rivers. Beginning at 3 PM, the concert, entitled “Requiem and Songs of the Spirit”, will feature Faure’s complete Requiem, plus an assortment of other songs …