March 1, 2025

Ron Pattinson, beer historian and author

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 What Christians Want to Know (May 27, 2019)— "Should Christians Protest Or Demonstrate?" by Jack Wellman, Christian author, prison minister, and pastor of Heritage Evangelical Free Church, in Udall, Kansas: ... especially when they see injustice? ... The Bible admonishes us to 'Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights…

– June 12, 2022
via Lifeway Research (December 28, 2021)— "New Year's Resolutions Focus on Health, God and Money," by Aaron Earls: After a season in which avoiding sickness was on most everyone’s mind, many Americans say their New Year’s resolutions address their health .... As people contemplate their 2022 resolutions, more than 2 in…

– January 23, 2022
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
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 (January 4, 2022)— "What is the god of self?" "A god is what we run to when we need validation, help, or encouragement because we believe it has the power to give us what we need. Self is a compelling god because it arises from our deepest…

– August 7, 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
via America: The Jesuit Review (May 20, 2022)— "On May 20, Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone said in a public statement that Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, a life-long Catholic, will be barred from Communion in her home diocese of San Francisco. Gloria Purvis, the host of America Media’s 'The Gloria…

– May 22, 2022
re United States Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v Jackson Women's Health Organization— On May 3, 2022, Heather Riggleman addressed the question "What Does the Bible Say about Abortion?" on Christianity website. "Every year, over three million women ... in the US will face an unplanned pregnancy and of those pregnancies,…

– June 24, 2022

Hoover Universal, Saline Die Casting Division, circa 1982

Public comment at April 1, 2019 Saline City Council Meeting renewed focus on 232 Monroe Street remediation

April 3, 2019

Per routine, the final agenda item for the seventy-eight minute Saline City Council meeting this past Monday was an invitation to hear citizen comments. One resident, after stepping to the microphone, introducing himself and stating that he has “lived here just about a year,” closed with focus on the former Hoover Universal Die Casting Division site off Monroe Street. [1] I know that the history of the site on Monroe Street that’s under control of ....

United States flag flying over First United Methodist Church of Saline Michigan

Today Is “Flag Day” In The United States, And It Is An Anniversary As Well As A Vital Touchstone for All Americans

June 14, 2018

To those who wonder if “Flag Day” is an official recognition, the answer is an unambiguous yes. [1] June 14 is the date in 1777 when the Continental Congress passed its resolution that established the official flag of the United States of America. If that strikes you as a bit late in our history, it was. At the outset of the American Revolution, colonists “fought mainly under unit or regimental flags.” This is also a good ....

How to Decide When a Digital Photograph Should be Presented in Black and White

September 18, 2017

With the growing sophistication of Instagram and iPhone filters, photographers of all skill levels are chosing to post more of their images in black and white (B&W) on social media. Add to that the upcoming sixth annual Saline Scarecrow Contest scheduled to run next month and you have a past entry that nicely supports this discussion. Here, it’s The Tin Woodman from The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L Frank Baum and WW Denslow, 1899. ....

After Shopping Locally For Gifts, Take Note Of Shipping Deadlines For Delivery Before Christmas At Best Prices

December 6, 2018

We all know the value of making purchases from stores right here at home — especially when it comes to selecting the perfect gifts for the holidays. It often means coming up with something truly unique and memorable, quite apart from so much of what’s too readily available to everyone else with little more than the click of a mouse and disclosure of credit card details to some far away merchant. [1,2] To the recipient, ....

Signs of the times: Should Pittsfield Township spend up to $27,000 to stake out identity with another “Gateway Sign”?

April 10, 2019

Item 11.1 on the Supervisor portion of March 27, 2019 Pittsfield Township Trustee meeting agenda read: “Approve the design and purchase of a Gateway Sign from Signs By Crannie, Dexter Block, and Teal Bird Designs, LLC, respectively, for a total cost not to exceed $27,000.00.” [1] On the surface, the word “sign” seems simple enough — especially when it comes to supporting motorists’ interest in navigating travel from here to there. More particularly, they serve ....