CANDLES AND MIRRORS: The heartbeat of our communities

“Step right up! Read all about it!” Do you remember the newspaper boys in the movies as they called out the latest breaking news? Headlines flashed on the screen.

Stray Thoughts: Returning to our roots

If you were able to ask a tree what it understands, it would probably tell you most of it in just a few short sentences. It would no doubt have something to say about the soil in which it is anchored, how it holds its roots and provides moisture.

CANDLES AND MIRRORS:

The night is not quite silent. There is a soft gentle sound like tiny bells whispering a happy song meant only for the heart to hear. A shiny golden angel shimmers red to blue to green as she turns, reflecting the lights that are nestled around her.

Little Pasture on the Prairie

Much of the midwest and west was blanketed in snow for Christmas this year, but my daughter spent the afternoon of Christmas Eve sunbathing on the porch in shorts and a t-shirt because Western South Dakota apparently didn’t get the memo about a white Christmas.

Save and preserve through movement

“Lack of activity destroys the good condition of every human being while movement and methodical physical exercise saves and preserves it.” Plato said that some 2300 years ago. It is not news to anyone that moving the body is the best way to stay healthy.

True Holiday Spirit

Among other things, the holidays are a time of giving and receiving gifts. The question most often asked of people is, “what did you get?” Much less frequently asked is, “what did you give?” Invariably, the inquiries concern material gifts.

The most famous editorial ever written

In September of 1897, a letter arrived in the newsroom of The Sun, one of New York’s great newspapers of the time. The author was a child whose “little friends” had been questioning something quite close to her heart: Santa Claus.Virginia O’Hanlon’s letter landed on the desk of Francis P.

Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus

Dear Editor,I am 8 years old. Some of my little friends say that there is no Santa Claus. Papa says “If you see it in the Sun, it is so.” Please tell me the truth, is there a Santa Claus? – Virginia O’Hanlon Virginia,Your little friends are wrong.

Stray Thoughts: Abundance

I remember the excitement long ago when school was called off around Christmas.Two feet of fresh snow rarely happens now but back then, life came to an abrupt halt.

Country School in Heaven

DeAnn (Wolkow) KruempelThere’s country school in heaven! It just started last week.The bell atop the celestial schoolhouse rings clear, its happy melody echoing through the clouds as it summons the children to class. The teacher greets every student with a smile.