My father and grandfather were constantly on the lookout for business opportunities. Grandfather found many diverse opportunities. In his lifetime, he was an owner of dray lines, at least one cafe and hotel, three or more gasoline stations, a barber...

Happy Thanksgiving! Though we should be thankful for what we have been given year around, this is a special time of the year set for us to be giving thanks. Somewhere along the way, it wasn’t just enough to give thanks on this special day, it...

Presenting Biblical answers to tough questions Q:  If someone hasn’t heard what the Bible says about what it takes to be saved, how can that be their fault? Will they go to heaven anyway? A:  Before we can understand the answer to this question,...

It’s been another wild weekend of burning the candle at both ends. Friday morning, I left the house around nine to pick up my glasses from the eye doctor. After having my glasses fit, I hit the road headed to Sutton to have my back cracked by the...

Nov. 22, 1963 . . . the death of President John Kennedy. Seems we’ve had a bunch of funerals in Lawrence as of late. This past weekend and Monday two more women. Most folks alive today probably don’t remember 1963 as they were not born yet. I don...

Monday was one of those beautiful fall days in the country. These kinds of days are becoming rare so we best enjoy them while they last. The recent freeze has caused leaves to fall from most of the trees. But some leaves are being stubborn, and just...

Presenting Biblical answers to tough questions. Q: If the Bible is true then how come there are so many different perspectives on what it really teaches? How can I tell who’s right? A:  Let’s begin by stating there is only one completely right...

Deer Hunting . . . It’s that time of the year and I haven’t said anything about my experiences deer hunting for a few years. Just didn’t have much to talk about. You may remember I used to keep track of the number of deer I harvested and the nu...

Ocassionally we publish columns written by, award-winning, syndicated columnist, playwright, and author named Daris Howard. He sends us two columns a week with the hope our readers will enjoy them so much they will decide to order one of the books...

Thanksgiving! Thanks Living! Thanks Giving! So many ways! Another most special holiday, yet so rushed and squeezed by the approaching Black Friday and Monday! On forming thoughts, they wandered toward sarcasm. Pondering the issues for a day, it was...

What a spider web of interconnected events we do travel. In the newspaper business one story leads to another and another with unexpected connections along the way. While reading a daily newspaper story about the unfortunate incidents that happened...

This week is a special patriotic week for me as it is every year. November 10 is the birthday of the United States Marine Corps and this year it is their 246th birthday. As I’ve shared many times in Country Roads, my father went into the service...

Presenting Biblical answers to tough questions Q: Does the bible mention anything about transgender people? A: The most important verse to remember in regards to transgender people or anyone else is John 3:16. God has proven his love to the entire...

Have you been keeping track of the summer baseball programs like the one in Hastings that started just a few years back? They are called The Hastings Sodbusters. I know nothing of their organization and expectations, but there was a little note in...

Last Tuesday morning Jacob and I loaded the car and set off to pick up Robert. We were headed to Satanta, Kan., for the funeral of my ex-mother-in-law, Grammy Swift. Thankfully, Robbie was able to find a ride with the wife of one of his enlisted...

I’m responsible for monitoring a number of email accounts. At work I have one computer on my desk used exclusively for internet related tasks including monitoring email. During the work day, at least four email accounts are open, sometimes more. I...

Within the past few weeks my hometown area lost three women who were considered to be roll models for many my age as we were growing up. Those in the older generation sometimes don’t realize how much influence they can be for the younger...

Presenting Biblical answers to tough questions Q: Is it sinful to have doubts or questions about God? If so, how can I get rid of them? A:  It is not sinful to have doubts or questions about God. There are far too many examples in Scripture of...

OK folks . . . now I’ve seen enough to really make me wonder. If you watch any TV at all, you have seen the Presidential motorcades going around Washington, D.C. A short parade of big, black autos with men to protect the president. Thursday...

It’s the sign of the times. Some of the sayings and words we used years ago might get a blank look if used today. Here are a few of those back-in-time sayings and words that have given way to the modern times. The word “baloney” or...

Presenting Biblical answers to tough questions Q: Why does the Catholic Bible have more books than the NIV Bible? Why aren’t they the same? Which set of books is actually the complete word of God? A:  The process of identifying which writings...

Recently I saw a 1950s era Ford stationwagon fully restored to “as new” condition. As a part of the restoration, the stationwagon had white sidewall tires. When I was growing up in Superior, white sidewall tires were popular. These tires cost...

I mentioned earlier that I was reading a book about Harry Truman and I have now finished all 1,000 pages and greatly enjoyed the book. I learned a number of things I did not know about the man. In general, he was a much more of a liberal than what I...

It seems like everything I’ve tried to do this week has gone completely wrong. We had a water leak at the money pit, a valve to be exact. I wanted to replace it and couldn’t. Jacob tried, then George tried, and notta. We couldn’t get any...