features
Bridge to Wellness: Valentine hearts are a reminder to pay attention to your own heart
by Jennifer Matthews It’s February and you’re likely seeing hearts everywhere—hanging in windows, on t-shirts, on the cards we will send, and on the crafts our kids bring home. Cupid isn’t the only reason to be focusing on hearts in February. February is also National Healthy Heart Month. Heart disease is the leading cause of […]
Rural Perspectives: Horned larks fly low across the fields in our area
by Diane Constable The horned lark (Eremophila alpestris) is our only lark species. They are found throughout the continent and stay in our area year-round. They live in the farm fields and short grassy areas. Horned larks flock up in winter and are most likely to be seen flying low across the fields or walking […]
Outreach in Action: Serendipity and the goodness of community make special Outreach moments
by Jo Mayer and Paul Crandall Past installments of this column have cast a spotlight on some of the countless organizations and individuals who help make Outreach successful. But present in everything we do are also less tangible elements: faith, goodness, and serendipity. At Outreach, we are awed every week at how things we need […]
Reading Between the Lines
‘The Beatryce Prophecy’: A young person’s tale stimulates the imagination by Joan Tucker: “The Beatryce Prophecy,” written by Kate DiCamillo and published in 2022, is an imaginative tale in children’s literature that is sure to capture a young reader’s interest. The prelude sets the stage for this children’s epic: “It is written in the Chronicles […]
Matters of the Heart
Jim and Paula Pietila: A marriage that began in Hell is still going strong! by Mary Jo David (as shared by the Pietilas) Although they went to school in Pinckney, it took a high school dance in Stockbridge to bring Jim Pietila and Paula Wright together. Paula’s cousin, Donna Biehn, invited Paula to attend the […]
Real Estate News & Views
Buyers and Sellers: Now is the time to spring into action by Jackie Scheller Are we there yet? 2023 was a definite roller coaster ride in the real estate market. Both buyers and sellers encountered previously unseen scenarios. Lawrence Yun, chief economist for the National Association of Realtors indicated the following in his January 2024 […]
Positive Parenting: The art of asking questions
by Kelsey Rasmussen Children often learn the adage that we have two ears and one mouth, so we should listen twice as much as we speak. One of the first things I learned in teacher training is called wait time. It refers to the practice of giving your students time to process your question before […]
Matters of the Heart
Jean and Marty Bliss overcome adversity together in a strong, 55-year marriage by Judy Williams Life hasn’t always been easy for Jean and Marty Bliss of Stockbridge, but their strong love for each other helps them get through the difficult times. Their story started in 1968, when Jean Hardt and Marty Bliss met at work. […]
Matters of the Heart
Mike and Marge Turner: 52 years of swaying to the music together by Mary Jo David (as shared by the Turners) Michael (“Mike”) Turner and Margaret (“Marge”) Jeruzal met on a blind date in the summer of 1970. A member of the Michigan Camaro Club at the time, Mike agreed to join a friend—a fellow […]
Matters of the Heart
Kaye and Merlin Batdorff, of Fitchburg, married for more than 70 years by Clyde Whitaker Ed. Note: In early January, Clyde Whitaker had the pleasure of interviewing Merlin and Kaye Batdorff for SCN’s 2024 Matters of the Heart feature. Sadly, Merlin passed away a week after the interview. With permission from Kaye and their daughter […]