Out and About Blog by Norm Stutesman

Rudeness is alive and well. When venturing Out and About, I witness it on a daily basis. I’m not talking about someone interrupting me when I’m speaking with another person, or cutting in front of me in a checkout line, I’m referring to those individuals who ask questions of someone, when the answer is none of their business. They speak …

Just think, we have only 364 more days until our taxes are once again due. I can remember having a fear of anyone from the Internal Revenue Service. I’ve had to deal with them a couple of times and have always been happy with the results. They are basically very easy to deal with and are willing to work with …

“It’s not my job.” This phrase is heard too much lately. I worked with a person who constantly said this. He was lazy and did exactly what was in his job description. Unfortunately, he was promoted, which didn’t say much about my employer. How many times do you walk past a piece of litter and fail to reach down, pick …

Thirteen can be an unlucky number for some folks, but for me it’s quite lucky. I’ve been pecking away at this column for thirteen years this month. It doesn’t seem that long. With any luck at all, I’ll keep plugging away for several more years. I want to thank everyone for the kind comments that I’ve received. I’ll do my …

I think most of us find ourselves depressed at one time or another. Maybe it stems from financial problems, or the loss of a friend or family member. If we’re lucky, the depression is short-lived. I’d like to share some words of encouragement from Barry Palmer, a Past International President of Lions Clubs International, the world’s largest service organization. Lion …

The name of this column is “Out and About”. Its main purpose is to let you know what’s going on in and around the Three Rivers area. I also try to inject a bit of humor, so that by the time you’ve finished reading the column, you’ll feel more positive about what’s going on in this world and won’t feel …

Is it the law, or is it just simple consideration? What I’m talking about is taking your own food or drink into a public restaurant. I’m pretty sure that the local health department frowns on this practice. As a matter of fact, the owner of the restaurant is subject to a rather hefty fine if they are caught permitting this …

Last week I shared suggestions concerning what not to store in your basement. I’d like to now suggest how to store certain things in that area below ground-level. So please read on and share these suggestions: If your basement gets damp, it would be smart to invest in a few mold-proof containers to store anything that might attract moisture. These …

Like a good neighbor, my insurance company has given me a few suggestions about what not to store in my basement. I don’t have a basement, but for those who do, I’m passing these ideas on to you, and I don’t even sell insurance. Jot these down, then pass them on to your neighbors: If your basement is unfinished and …

When I returned from Vietnam in 1966, I weighed 130 pounds. Since that time, I’ve put on a few pounds. About ten years ago, a doctor at the University of Michigan Medical Center told me that I was obese. At that time I weighed about 247 pounds. Being diabetic, this is not good. The last several years I’ve tried my …