October 3, 2026

Joseph R Biden Jr has just been sworn-in as our 46th President of the United States of America. Coverage on MSNBC continues to be updated at this time, with current banner on home page reading “Biden Sworn in as 46th President, Declares ‘Democracy has Prevailed.’” As covered variously across mainstream media, Twitter (and presumably other social feeds) has updated @POTUS to reflect change in administrations.

via Baptist Beacon (February 2, 2022)— "Treasures in the darkness," by Karen Blanchard, women's life group leader with Lakepointe Church in Shelby Township, Michigan: Having been in this pandemic for two years now, we face days that seem uncertain and difficult to navigate. Yet through all the darkness and confusion,…

– March 6, 2022
Holy Saturday— "Why is Holy Saturday so sacred? What happened on the day between the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ? ... Holy Saturday is the name assigned to the day between Good Friday and Easter Sunday. Many Christians acknowledge Holy Saturday, the seventh and final day of Holy Week,…

– April 16, 2022
Maundy Thursday— "On this Thursday before Good Friday, Christians of all colors and stripes celebrate three events on the last night our Lord spent with his apostles before the Crucifixion: the washing of the disciples’ feet, the suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane and the betrayal of Judas Iscariot. "The…

– April 14, 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
Independence Day— via Billy Graham (1970): "I find that there is a certain fear and expected cosmic judgment that hangs over our country at this hour, as the Devine timepiece ticks away. Thomas Jefferson felt this deeply when he said, 'I tremble for my country, when I reflect that God…

– July 4, 2022
via Lifeway Research (April 6, 2021)— "Americans' Views of Life's Meaning and Purpose Are Changing," by Aaron Earls: As Americans attempt to move past the life-altering effects of 2020, their perspective is shifting on some of the most significant questions facing humanity. [Compared] to a decade ago, U.S. adults today are…

– January 9, 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
re United States Supreme Court decision in Kennedy v Bremerton School District— On April 4, 2022, Compelling Truth revisited the question, "What is the separation of church and state?" Noting that this "is not foundation and is not found in the US Constitution," this assessment went on to assert that…

– June 27, 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

Ford Piquette Avenue Plant museum, in Letter-Car gallery

Findings from Dodge Brothers Club trip to Detroit this week, connecting with earliest founders-produced car(s): Part I

June 24, 2022

Persuit of historical firsts is frequently fraught with challenges. Challenges inherent in the efforts themselves, as well as challenges to the necessary parameters that invariably must be imposed upon even the most expert of efforts. [1] Case in point: The pilgrimage yesterday to see one of the earliest Dodge Brothers automobiles, currently housed in Detroit. Organized by and on behalf of Dodge Brothers Club members, this was as much if not more so a story about ....

Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra James Bond watch with Aston Martin DB5

“Bond, James Bond” will set the mood for Ann Arbor / Ypsilanti Chamber Year-Ender Gala tonight at The Kensington Hotel

December 5, 2019

According to The James Bond Dossier, we do not want to share dinner nor engage in any sort of conversation with James Bond. Rather, we want to be James Bond. [1] If so, tonight is surely a night for indulging that fantasy to the fullest. As highlighted on our own Calendar, the Ann Arbor / Ypsilanti Regional Chamber (“A2Y Chamber”) Year-Ender Gala will be held from 5:00pm to 8:00pm this evening at The Kensington Hotel. [2-4] ....

Assistant Superintendent Steve Laatsch on value of SHS Drama performances that go beyond Saline High School

February 17, 2020

As Newsies cast rehearsals focused in on closer, more detailed staging last week, we took this opportunity to take a step back for a look at the bigger picture. [1] In this case, Steve Laatch is more than our Saline Area Schools Assistant Superintendent of Instructional Services. He is also a personally invested patron of our high school theater program, making time to attend SHS Drama Club performances as they open. [2-4] Following are his answers ....

Internet Predicts Death of Brick-and-Mortar; Junga’s ACE Hardware Building New Store

May 8, 2018

Last August, Saline Journal ran a feature examining mainstream assertions that “American retail had reached a historic ‘tipping point.'” It cited challenges faced by shopping malls as evidence that the future of retail will be online. Almost exactly one year ago, Forbes ran a headline that began with this unequivocal sentance: “Retail is Dead.” [1,2] Fast forward to March 2018 and the same publication proclaimed that “physical retail is clearly not dead — adding, as if ....

“Act II” opened in near total darkness for real-life actors behind-the-scenes of upcoming SHS Drama Club musical ….

January 20, 2020

When last we saw cast members gathered to begin work on the upcoming Saline High School Drama Club musical Newsies, their numbers topped four dozen in a large, brightly lit choir room. Cast members’ energy may well have been felt across the hall, on into the library. [1-3] Three weeks and the passage of some holiday breaks later, the rehearsal room located not far away, tucked behind the Ellen A Ewing Center stage, set in ....