Out and About Blog by Norm Stutesman

Parenting is probably the most challenging task a person can undertake. In most cases, learning how to parent is strictly on-the-job training. Oh, you can take classes on how to properly parent, or how to handle certain situations, but these classes and handbooks are most of the time written or conducted by individuals who have never been parents. It is …

I enjoy working crossword puzzles, especially puzzles found in this newspaper. There are some that I find challenging, and, luckily for me, there are some that are not that much of a challenge. I feel that by doing crossword puzzles, my mind gets some exercise. Like my father and my sister, I use a pen when working a puzzle. I …

I’m at the age when some of my friends are having body parts either removed or replaced. A hip replacement here, a knee replacement there, or a gall bladder removed eventually. Someone once said that you should do any desired traveling while you’re young enough to enjoy it, because later on, you’ll be too busy having things done to your …

Happy St. Patrick’s Day. In Chicago, they put something in the Chicago River that turns it a very noticeable shade of green. Here in Three Rivers, we have a hard enough time just keeping the rivers free of debris. Should you choose to celebrate this special day, please do so responsibly, because tomorrow is another work day, and since I’m …

I normally place these trivia items at the end of this column, but I’m sure everyone has had enough of the winter weather, so I thought I’d add these fun-facts at the beginning. Fear not, for I’ll add something at the bottom of the column. Some fascinating facts that you might enjoy knowing. I didn’t check SNOPES, so I won’t …

I was misinformed, or rather I didn’t fully check out my sources before I listed something that I thought was true. Several weeks ago, I mentioned that Susan Lucci was the daughter of comedian Phyllis Diller. Thanks to several readers, I learned that they were not related at all. At least I know that this column is indeed read by …

Most of the time when one goes “Out and About” to dine, your silverware is wrapped nicely in a napkin. We recently had the opportunity to attend a dinner event where the silverware was not wrapped in a napkin, but rather placed on the placemat. My wife and I noticed that the silverware was not arranged in the way that …

I consider myself to be a fun-loving person. I’ve been known to play a few practical jokes on friends from time to time, and I’ve had practical jokes played on me more times than I care to remember. We can all use a good laugh as long as no one gets hurt either physically or mentally. My oldest brother used …

Sorry for this late notice, but Valentine’s Day is this coming Saturday, February 14. It’s another one of those occasions when we let those we love know just how much they mean to us. We should do this every day, but especially on Valentine’s Day. The local merchants love Valentine’s Day. Eighteen billion dollars will be spent on gifts, and …

I’m one of the luckiest guys in town. I’m retired, am happily married to my best friend, and I keep busy volunteering. I love writing and am honing my writing skills by writing this column, plus a couple of other newsletters. For the past eight years, I’ve occupied a small office upstairs at LA’s Coffee Cafe. As a matter of …