June 7, 2025

Another sad reminder that railroad tracks can be deadly, should always be treated as active.

Morning headline by John Agar read: “Pedestrian struck, killed by train in Kalamazoo.” This regarded an incident that “happened around 11:00 pm” last night. “A 19-year-old died late Tuesday, May 11, after being struck by a train, police said.”

via Southern Baptist Convention (February 26, 2019)— "Who's Your One?" Day 10: Romans 10:1-3, "Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved. For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For, being ignorant of…

– July 24, 2022
via Samaritan's Purse— "Samaritan's Purse is operating multiple medical facilities in various parts of Ukraine and providing food and non-food relief items through church partners in both Ukraine and Moldova": Samaritan's Purse continues to provide medical relief to displaced Ukrainians, serving them at our Emergency Field Hospital on the outskirts…

– March 13, 2022
via Center for Faith and Culture (January 10, 2022)— "How Christians Can Prepare for the US Supreme Court's Monumental Abortion Ruling," by Jessica Prol Smith, fifteen-year public policy write-in Cumberland, Maryland: "Know your audience and seek to win hearts, not just minds .... Christians believe that every image-bearer — born…

– June 26, 2022
via Samaritan's Purse (March 23, 2022)— "Ukraine Updates: Ukraine Updates: Fifth Airlift Departs with Ukraine Relief; Medical Care at Four Locations; Food and Other Distributions Underway": A fifth Samaritan’s Purse airlift departed today carrying more than 19 tons of relief, including medical supplies for area hospitals as we work to…

– March 27, 2022
via Jesus Calling (2004), by Sarah Young— "I am with you, watching over you constantly ...." Matthew 1:23 "Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us" [King James Version] Psalm 34:5…

– May 29, 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
Juneteenth— via Center for Faith & Culture (June 14, 2021) by Sherelle Ducksworth, sociology instructor at Louisburg College in Louisburg North Carolina: "We celebrate Juneteenth because of what this holiday reveals to us about the inherent dignity and humanity of Black people. Juneteenth reminds us that freedom is essential to…

– June 19, 2022
Resurrection Sunday— In anticipation of this day, Reverend Brett Younger of Plymouth Church in Brooklyn New York recently wrote, "... people in the United States will wish Easter felt like it did three years ago. They will put on new shoes and wonder if .... On Easter Sunday, people in…

– April 17, 2022
via Baptist Beacon (February 2, 2022)— "The difference in knowing and loving," by Mike Durbin, State Evangelism Director for the Baptist State Convention of Michigan, re Famed jeweler Harry Winston: A customer entered Winston’s store in New York City to buy a special diamond. One of his salesmen, his most knowledgeable…

– February 13, 2022

Rebecca Groeb directing actors on set of "Newsies: The Musical"

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 ....

Michigan governor has given green light for August 2020 Mackinac Policy Conference following COVID-19 outbreak

March 25, 2020

In many ways, the convention industry may serve as a microsm for assessing the economic health of our nation and the State of Michigan with the advent of COVID-19 here. [1-6] In the greater Detroit area, one significant casualty has been WCX 2020 World Congress Experience scheduled for the latter half of next month. Organizers of the annual mid-May Motor City Comic Con are “hoping that things will normalize before then,” allowing them “to proceed ....

Last weekend, our local BSA Scouts Troop 439 headed out for its first weekend campout; today we debriefed participants

February 18, 2019

Today marked the start of week 3 for the newly Chartered BSA Scouts Troop 439, recently introduced here to Saline Journal readers. Recall that they were to head out last Friday night for historic Camp Teetonkah in Jackson Michigan, returning on Sunday after spending two nights there in a cabin. [1-4] They’re back in Washtenaw County now. Subject matter related to camps and camping is not far behind First Aid among subject matter covered in ....

It only seems like pre-production on “Newsies: The Musical” started two days after the fall Saline High School drama closed

November 27, 2019

SHS Drama Club held its “audition workshop” yesterday for students interested in appearing on stage as part of Newsies: The Musical, set to debut at the Ellen A Ewing Performing Arts Center on February 28, 2020. [1-5] If that feels like a bit of a whirlwind on the heals of closing matinee for its fall play 12 Angry Jurors, those who were a part of the audience are undoubtedly not alone in the sentiment. Traces ....

It Wasn’t the Internet That Drove Plans for a New Hardware Store in Saline

May 9, 2018

Stephen Junga will someday be the “Junga” of Junga’s ACE Hardware here. If you’re a local merchant struggling to imagine long-term future success in an increasingly web-based world, this insight may be the key to assuring your own path forward. In Part 1 of this two-part series, it became clear that even those who write for the Internet on the future of the Internet aren’t so sure of its once argued inevitable take over of ....