August 3, 2026

Reading a number of articles now on the subject of tree farmers seeing an increased demand in fresh-cuts for Christmas this year. Photo essay in The Detroit News yesterday. On Black Friday, Gillian Flaccus reported it for Click On Detroit under the headline “Many turn to real Christmas trees as bright spot amid virus.”

Mother's Day— via Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (September 16, 1953): "Sermons – Billy Graham on the Need for Godly Mothers," 13:27-minute audio recording, free online. 'If we had more Christian mothers, we would have less delinquency, less immorality, less ungodliness and fewer broken homes.' Listen to Billy Graham’s Mother’s Day…

– May 9, 2022
via Lifeway Research (February 22, 2022)— "Most Open to Spiritual Conversations, Few Christians Speaking," by Aaron Earls: Americans are curious about the religious devotion of others and are willing to discuss the topic, but most say they rarely have conversations about faith with their Christian friends .... Half of Americans (51%)…

– March 20, 2022
via Lifeway Research (February 15, 2022)— "Most Pastors See Racial Diversity in the Church as a Goal but Not Reality," by Marissa Postell: Most Protestant pastors say every church should strive to achieve racial diversity, but few are achieving it .... There are also differences between what African American pastors are…

– February 20, 2022
via Lifeway Research (April 5, 2021)— "Americans Most Want to Avoid Fear and Anxiety, Gain Freedom and Safety," by Aaron Earls: After what was a scary year for many, more Americans say they want to avoid fear. According to a study from Lifeway Research, when asked which feeling they seek to…

– January 2, 2022
via Samaritan's Purse (March 28, 2022)— "Franklin Graham Meets with Samaritan's Purse Team in Ukraine": Work continues as fighting rages in eastern Europe. Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan’s Purse, traveled to Ukraine this past weekend to meet with our teams who have been at work there since the early stages…

– April 3, 2022
via Baptist Beacon (June 1, 2022)— "A small church serves as a large witness in the wake of Taylor tornado," by Mike Durbin, State Evangelism Director for the Baptist State Convention of Michigan: An EF3 tornado ripped through Gaylord tragically taking the lives of two people and injuring more than…

– June 5, 2022
re United States Supreme Court decision in Carson v Makin— Lifeway Christian Resources referenced Article 12 of the Southern Baptist Faith and Message, which "deals specifically and uniquely with the topic of education. ... our confessional statement affirms, Christianity is the faith of enlightenment and intelligence. As we shall see, one…

– June 21, 2022
via TED Conferences (February 1998) "Billy Graham: Technology, faith and human shortcomings": In Monterey California, The Reverend Billy Graham delivered a talk of just over twenty-six minutes to a Technology, Entertainment, and Design (TED) conference before a screen that projected a title of no more than, matter-of-factly, his first and…

– July 10, 2022
via Baptist Beacon (April 1, 2022)— "Fusion Camp for 2nd-6th graders," by Rachel LaBelle, Resurrection Church, Lincoln Park Michigan: ... At camp, we get a short window to replace the busyness of their daily lives and invite them to a safe place where they can focus on Christ. Some would…

– April 24, 2022

Saline Railroad Depot out-buildings and windmill in fresh snow

Conspicuously Elevated Camera Positioning Can “Make” Certain Photographs

February 24, 2017

That familiar yellow storage barn behind the Saline Railroad Depot is another often photographed local icon. Easily visible across East Bennett Street from Henne Field, it’s often used to serve as a symbol of Saline. At the same time, it can be a challenging subject in composition. Although certainly free of obstructions for its south face, because of the site layout, most camera positions end up producing a Keystone Effect, which is particularly unflattering for ....

Former President Barack Obama headlines Democrat rally in Detroit Michigan

Former President Barack Obama Appears In Detroit To Headline Rally On Behalf of Michigan Democrat Candidates

October 27, 2018

When President Barack Obama stepped to the podium last night at Cass Technical High School, only a minute or two passed before he mentioned the name of former Saline Mayor Gretchen Driskell as a candidate to back. [1,2,3] Regardless of your party affiliation or how you’re planning to vote on November 6, two things stand out here. First, Michigan is that important in the 2018 mid-term election. For members of the party out of power, ....

Book review: “Unfreedom of the Press” sets stage for necessary discussion of integrity in journalism, “objective” media

August 14, 2019

This scholarly examination of journalism in history and function is currently in its twelfth week on the 2019 New York Times Best Seller List. [1-4] Its title is a play on Amendment I to the United States Constitution, prohibiting any law by our Congress that would abridge freedom of the press. In titling his book Unfreedom of the Press, author Mark R Levin has not only cast a take on modern media in opposition to ....

With Executive Order 2020-183, Governor Whitmer has allowed cinemas opportunity to again prove their community value

September 28, 2020

Who remembers experiencing the introduction of “sensurround” audio technology when the 1974 motion picture Earthquake premiered in cinemas? [1-4] As news broke this past Friday that movie theaters throughout Michigan at long last would be permitted to re-open on October 9, 2020, it must have felt like a lot like that to those who believe there is only one true way to fully appreciate the artists’ visions for their films. On the big screen. In all ....

There’s an Exact Science in Craft Beer and a University Degree to Study It

April 13, 2018

When you think of a true craft brewer, what are the first images that come to mind? Old world tradition? Fiercely independent? Artist for the palate? [1] At least two professors in the Eastern Michigan University (EMU) Department of Chemistry would probably agree with all of the above. They’re more interested in what’s on tap at Salt Springs Brewery than beer that’s been bottled for mass distribution. But that focus doesn’t follow a course that’s ....