Out and About Blog by Norm Stutesman

If you are a Snowbird and have just migrated back to Pure Michigan from the balmy south, may I say, “Welcome Home”. You missed a pretty nice winter, and according to some, you might have been better off to stay here, rather than risk the flooding and storms of some of the southern states. I received several phone calls from …

I admit that my church attendance has been less than satisfactory, according to my mother’s standards. Growing up, I attended Sunday school and church every Sunday, as did my entire family, but for quite some time, I have not made an honest attempt to be a regular church goer. This has bothered me enough that I decided to seek out …

I recently had the privilege to attend a presentation by Deb Davis from Paws with a Cause (PAWS), an organization located in Wayland, Michigan. This organization breeds, raises, custom-trains, and places service dogs with people with a variety of disabilities. These assistance dogs include: Service Dogs: Used by people with a physical disability, debilitating chronic illness or neurological disorder. Hearing …

The only time I saw my father cry was when I told him that my nephew, who was his first grandchild, had been killed in an auto accident. At that time, a “real” man didn’t openly shed tears. I am so grateful that times have changed, and that now it is not a sign of weakness for a man to …

I am getting very close to surrendering my driver’s license. On a recent trip to Ann Arbor, we had to use I-94. I hate this highway beyond words. The speed limit for cars is 70 miles per hour, yet if you drive the limit, you will find yourself being passed by cars doing at least 80 or 85. The speed …

People can attend college for as long as they wish, or for as long as their bankroll holds out and their grades remain acceptable. If they wish, they can work hard and receive many degrees and go on and succeed in any field they choose. However, I don’t know of anyone who has a degree in “Common Sense”. I doubt …

For those of us here in St. Joseph County, March came in like a lion and went out as a lion. So much for sayings of old. However, I’m sure there are a few farmers out there who feel that we didn’t get enough rain. Now I’m wondering what the April showers will be like. This month I start my …

Spring officially arrived a week ago yesterday, March 20. When it will feel like spring, remains to be seen. One day we are able to wear lighter clothing, then the next day we find ourselves scraping the frost off our car windows. I guess Mother Nature is having difficulty making up her mind, so we’ll just have to wait until …

I consider myself to be one of the luckiest guys around. I’m retired, so I have plenty of time to do what I want, or what needs to be done, and if I don’t get things done today, there’s always tomorrow. I volunteer with several groups and try my best to be a good citizen and a nice guy. Most …

Hopefully everyone remembered to set their clocks ahead one hour this past Sunday. Remember, spring ahead, fall back. I still haven’t heard a good reason for resetting our clocks twice a year. There has been talk of doing away with the time changing, but that would require an act of Congress and we all know they are way too busy …