This past week, on Veterans Day, my wife and I attended the Veterans Day program at 1 p.m. at the Fillmore Central Elementary School in Preston. We both had the honor of observing something special. As the Fillmore Central students from second grade through sixth grade gathered in the large gymnasium of the school, they were blessed with the presence of the color guard … [Read more...]
Thanks-Giving unto others
So I’ve got the Thanksgiving column again, eh? Well, I’ve already gone to the well one too many times on the “what I’m thankful for” gambit, so I’m afraid you’re not going to hear any stories about my beautiful, two-year-old daughter this time around. Okay, just one: her latest thing is to walk around the house, wobbling side to side and showing us how a penguin walks, all … [Read more...]
Letter about Preston Mural…
To the Editor, What a great article by Hannah Wingert, “Fillmore Central Kids Help Paint Preston Mural,” on the front page of the Nov. 7 Fillmore County Journal. Wingert reports about Preston’s mural project including the mural vision, the design process, materials used, and the three mural painting studios held for the public and students. The article describes an art … [Read more...]
President-elect Trump
Pollsters got it wrong, political professionals got it wrong. What a shock. The people have spoken. They made clear their disgust with Washington and the status quo and voted instead for uncertainty. Social media has changed the campaign landscape. Trump, the salesman, used digital communication to his benefit. Donald Trump will be the first American president with no … [Read more...]
Letter about Greg Davids…
To the Editor, Hello Greg. You might remember me as a kid, my parents are Garry and Becky Schmidt from Wykoff. They have been supporters of you for many years and have always been loyal to you. As have I since my first time voting, I am now 34. My wife and I voted for you again in this election, though this year I had my reservations. The tire plant is old news so I won’t … [Read more...]
It’s over… the election, that is
On election eve, while typical liberal national media TV anchors abhorred the proposterous notion that Donald Trump could win the road to the White House, the U.S. map was painted with a broad brush of the color red. Pundits and pollsters didn’t see this coming. All analytics indicated Hillary would be heir to the thrown. In Minnesota, of the 4,120 precincts throughout … [Read more...]
Journal Writing Project: I’m not afraid to talk about what everyone else finds too inappropriate
What if I told you that there is an epidemic spreading across our entire world? What if I said that one of the most public health issues our society is facing today is readily available in every home, but few people are educated on how bad it is? What if I told you that there is science and research proving that this problem is at the root of affecting human lives and … [Read more...]
Letter about Bryan Van Gorp’s “Imaginary friends”…
To the Editor, From my “echo chamber” I want to tell you about my “imaginary friend.” I’ve received Jesus as my Lord and Savior. I estimate that I have read about a third of the Bible so far, and have listened to a lot of good Bible teaching. You have read the Bible through three times and have rejected Jesus, though you agree with most of His teachings. Dear sinner friend, … [Read more...]
One Moment, Please… A credit card scam – that’s authorized!
Have you heard about the credit card scam that’s completely legal? In recent months, almost all consumers have been issued new credit and debit cards with a chip installed to prevent fraud. Well, quite frankly, this is just another scam introduced by merchant services companies to sell more new equipment to businesses to maintain compliance with a system that really isn’t … [Read more...]
Coming together among a growing divide
By Tim Penny I’m sure many of you are eager to see the end of what has been one of the most vicious, divisive political campaigns in many decades. While the end is nearly in sight, it may be wishful thinking that the intense partisanship and division of last 18 months will disappear in the wake of November 8. I frequently urge audiences, particularly audiences of younger … [Read more...]