October 24, 2026

re Independent source, “More Americans have died from COVID-19 so far this year than from the virus in all of 2020, according to updated data from Johns Hopkins University. As of Wednesday, there have been 353,000 COVID deaths since Jan. 1, 2021. There were 352,000 COVID-19 deaths reported in 2020 ….”

Read full report by Paul Sacca titled “More Americans died of COVID this year than all of 2020,” free on Blaze Media.

via Baptist Beacon (May 2, 2022)— "Be the Church in the marketplace" by Coye L Bouyer, founding pastor of Kingdom Life Church, in Lansing, Michigan: This is a classic story of what God can and will do when lay people begin to take seriously the Lord’s call on their life to…

– May 15, 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 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
via Baptist Beacon (April 1, 2022)— "Called: Living the life God created you to live," by Karen Blanchard, women's life group leader with Lakepointe Church in Shelby Township, Michigan: The words “called” and “purpose” are buzzwords in our culture today. People are constantly searching to find their calling and purpose…

– May 1, 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
via Baptist Beacon (February 2, 2022)— "Words without wisdom," by Coye L Bouyer, founding pastor of Kingdom Life Church, in Lansing, Michigan: A life-giving tongue creates a positive environment, and even brings joy to a community. However, too often many of us choose conversation that is callous and criticizes as opposed…

– February 27, 2022
Memorial Day— via Billy Graham (1953): "'When American people and the people of the world begin seeking the righteousness of God first and the kingdom of God first, then we are going to see an end to strife and war and problems and suffering.' In this 1953 Hour of Decision…

– May 30, 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
National Day of Prayer for Law Enforcement Officers— via National Police Association (June 23, 2021), by Stephen Owsinski, retired law enforcement officer with experience in Field Training Officer (FTO) unit and the Community Traffic Safety Team (CTST): "Like anyone else, our nation’s cops harbor every desire to return home each day…

– June 17, 2022

A2Y Chamber Virtual Early Edition - "Shop Local"

Experts outlined advice for retailer survival through next six months of COVID-19, during A2Y Chamber “Virtual Early Edition”

October 28, 2020

Outdoor dining was never anticipated to serve as ultimate path to survival for restaraunts as the world adapts to ongoing science and social impacts of COVID-19. Recent onset of frequent rain coupled with dropping temperatures suggest a more inhospitable environment than when this pandemic first hit Michigan back in March. [1-4] Mainstreet retailers are in much the same boat. [5] And thus came the Ann Arbor / Ypsilanti Chamber “Early Edition” breakfast this morning. Succinctly ....

After decades of giving freely throughout Saline community, Oakwood Church now needs help to buy a building

January 22, 2019

Have you ever stopped think about what constitutes a “church”? Ten years ago, Focus on the Family devoted 1,200 words to an attempt at adding clarity to the question if not outright answering it. From a global theological perspective, there’s a lot to be considered. [1] Closer to home and heart on the ground here in Saline, the following excerpt is likely to feel closest to home. When most people hear the word church they ....

Oral History Workshop set stage for making more intimate connections with both past and present, subjects near and far

January 28, 2020

A static image remained set on projection screen as participants gathered for this broad overview of the subject at hand, followed by rather structured how-to application last Saturday. It was a cartoon giving impression of a scenic roadway pull-off, overlooking mountains and trees. Two adults and a child stood next to a station wagon, as if to underscore cliché, two of them facing a sign headlined: “Historic Marker.” Several more lines of text, indiscernible, appeared ....

Local Marionettes Are Alive And Well In Ypsilanti, Currently Performing Original TV Star Trek Material Through December 16

December 10, 2018

This past Saturday, Dreamland Theater in Ypsilanti Michigan hosted its second live performance of A Star Trek Mad Lib Puppet Show on stage in downtown Ypsilanti. From pre-show to behind-the-scenes debrief, the thoroughly delightful. [1,2] First off, this is very much a presentation fundamentally true to the golden age of marionettes with its ties to Saline Michigan through the legacy of the late Meredith Bixby. The scale, rigging, and attention to detail have all meticulously ....

Mill Pond Mechanical Loch Ness Monster At Saline Celtic Festival Is A Blend Of Engineering And Fantasy

July 13, 2018

As the story goes (or, “once upon a time,” if you prefer): Jim Peters and Kevin Murphy were sitting in the beer tent at a Saline Celtic Festival …. [1] Looking out onto Mill Pond, seeing that water as mere backdrop to festivities throughout the park, it seemed to them that something more was needed. Saline needed its own Loch Ness Monster. And it needed to dwell in Mill Pond, surfacing from parts unknown for this ....