Out and About Blog by Norm Stutesman

For as long as I can remember, there has always been a shortage of available blood at local blood banks. An appeal for blood donors is usually publicized during a local or national emergency. We have blood drives here in the Three Rivers area on a regular basis to ensure that a shortage of blood is never an issue. This …

We are now half way through the first month of 2018. I’ve been lucky so far and have written “2018” on all the checks I’ve written. Usually it takes me a whole month to get used to writing the correct year when dating something. Perhaps I’ve taken my own advice and slowed down a little when doing certain things. When …

A week or so ago, Mother Nature bared her teeth on some of those states way south of the Mason-Dixon Line. Tallahassee, Florida, even experienced some snow. I doubt if they even have snow shovels available in that part of the country. As a result, there were a lot of drivers who were more than puzzled as to how to …

A very Happy New Year to all! This is the time when most of us say, or at least think to ourselves, that we are going to do things better, starting today. Whether it’s losing a few pounds by eating more sensibly, or sticking to a budget better than we have in the past. These thoughts will stay with us …

Every year at this time, I usually come up with some lame comment like, “I’m taking the rest of the year off, so my next column will not appear until next year.” I try to be funny by saying something that I feel might come across as clever. Sometimes I succeed, and other times I feel stupid for even trying …

This week’s “Myth Buster”: Computers are more reliable, and they last longer when they’re left on all the time. FALSE. The theory was that thermal cycling, from powering computers up and down, stressed and broke the components. The fact is that thermal problems are usually from heat buildup and/or poor ventilation. In any case, it’s always better to shut the …

I’d like to start off this week’s column with the “Myth Buster”. When I switch an appliance off, it might still be using electricity. TRUE. Many electronic appliances, such as TVs, DVD players, and microwave ovens, draw a significant amount of “standby power”. In the average home, 75% of the electricity used to power home electronics is consumed while they …

On November 18, we traveled to Owosso, Michigan, where we boarded the Polar Express. The Polar Express is a train that runs from Owosso to Ashley several times during the Christmas holiday season. Reservations were made last March, due to the popularity of this family experience. Our scheduled departure time was 5 PM. We were told that we could pick …

Whether we admit it or not, we all have a certain phrase that sets us apart from others. Those few words we say without being aware of it. Some teenagers use the word “Like” more than they might admit. “Like, that really happened”, or “Like, I saw her talking to him and like I didn’t think she was that bold.” …

Thanksgiving is this week. This means several things. There will be no mail delivery or garbage pick up. If your garbage is picked up on Thursday or Friday, it will be a day later this week. If you want to start your holiday shopping early, I’d advise you to do so before Thanksgiving Day. If you are one of those …