December 22, 2024

Five “Defining Travel Trends” have been identified by Amadeus Hospitality, according to a piece published by Exhibit City News on April 13, 2022.

“According to Amadeus’ Demand360 data, 2022 is showing a significant rise in group travel booking rates. As of March 17, the on-the-books group performance in the US for 2022 already exceeds final group performance for the prior two years, a 122% increase over 2020 and a 50% increase over 2021 ….

The five trends that will define group travel in 2022 are:

1. In 2019, 58 percent of event RFPs were for groups of 50 people or less, which increased to 63 percent in 2022. In addition, the average lead-in time for an RFP has shortened from 223 days in 2019 to 193 days in 2021 ….

National Day of Prayer— "How to Pray for America," via National Day of Prayer: Why pray for America? God is sovereign and nothing comes as a surprise to Him. Whether we face fluctuating economics, threats from abroad, unrest at home, or other troubling circumstances, our Heavenly Father is not caught…

– May 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 Southern Baptist Convention (February 26, 2019)— "Who's Your One?" Day 1: John 14:6, "Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life. 'No one comes to the Father except through me.' [English Standard Version] "An Online Bible Commentary You Can Understand" titled "Bible Ref"…

– July 17, 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
Ascension Day— via Christianity: "Ascension Day celebrates Christ's exaltation. While on earth, He was a servant. Now in heaven, He is the ruler and Lord of all. By entering heaven as the representative of mankind, He completed the work of our salvation and guarantees the eventual glorification of all who…

– May 26, 2022
via Got Questions (December 26, 2018)— "How is Satan god of this world (2 Corinthians 4:4)": "The phrase 'god of this world' (or 'god of this age') indicates that Satan is the major influence on the ideals, opinions, goals, hopes and views of the majority of people. His influence also…

– July 3, 2022
via Lifeway Research (September 1, 2021)— "Most Americans Know and Trust Their Neighbors," by Aaron Earls: Despite quarantines and social distancing keeping people in their homes during the pandemic, Americans still say they know their neighbors. Almost 7 in 10 U.S. adults (68%) say they trust the people who live in…

– January 17, 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
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

Saline Middle School "Criminal Justice Unit" mock trial

SMS students prosecute, defend, and judge criminal case in mock trials held in District 14A-4 Courthouse, Part 1

January 31, 2019

It was quite likely the Perry Mason television series that made first generations of parents “experts” on courtroom proceedings. Subsequent casts would have casual observers believe that The People’s Court reflects current reality. [1-3] Long before that — and more important in terms of accuracy — this was part of a robust civics curriculum in public schools. In fact, the National Education Association (NEA) has described it as a fundamental charge of this institution. [4,5] ....

2016 Michigan Avenue reconstruction project in downtown Saline

Could Just One Photograph Fully Capture Whole of a Months-Long Historical Event?

November 1, 2016

The question in this headline goes to the essence of photojournalism. [1,2] The photograph above was taken last summer during the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) Michigan Avenue (US 12) reconstruction project in downtown Saline. At this point mid-process, work was well underway on the east-bound lanes. West-bound traffic was still allowed on the north side where excavations had not yet started — albeit with restrictions. [3] If the whole of the building that serves here ....

If You Want To Understand The 1870 Saline Railroad Depot Operation, You Need To Understand Its Timekeepers

August 21, 2018

The railroad industry in the United States pre-dates the opening of our own Depot by some four decades. [1,2] One history describes the advent of “dozens of local railroad networks” — each covering no more than a few miles — having been put in place by 1835. But that was the point at which growth began to happen at an exponential pace, to a total of 9,000 miles of track lain by 1850. Utilizing the ....

SHS Drama Club “Shrek the Musical” plays Ellen A Ewing Center for the Performing Arts, ready to exceed expectations

March 1, 2019

Among the many adages in theater is one about final dress rehearsals: Set a goal to be good as possible, but short of so good that those in the production lose their edge for opening night. Based on everything we saw during its final full run-through last night, the Saline High School Drama Club is set to hit all the right notes with Shrek the Musical, beginning with its first show this evening. Tickets are ....

An Original James Bond Watch Was Displayed in Ann Arbor Last Month

December 3, 2011

Truly unique wristwatches, distinguished by the individual stories behind them, attract increasing collector attention. There’s a National Watch & Clock Museum dedicated to such things in Pennsylvania, housing the largest collection of timepieces outside of Switzerland. Three years ago, its special exhibit of watches worn by U.S. Presidents commanded some of the largest visitor numbers it had ever seen. [1,2] Outside of this world, it’s been more than four decades since the first moon landing. ....