We found lots to see and do in D.C.

Written by Bob Woelk Tuesday, 10 April 2012 14:02

My wife Kathy and I spent the better part of spring break in our nation’s capitol. Our daughter has been living there this spring as she finishes a practicum in social work. She will graduate at the end of April from Eastern Mennonite University in Virginia.

Anna has only lived in D.C. since the first of the year, but she is already a competent tour guide. Between her knowledge of the metro (train) system and the use of her GPS, we got around the city quite nicely.

Our plane landed at Ronald Reagan National, the smaller of the two Washington-area airports. As usual, my wife had scouted out a little side trip before we checked into our hotel. Gravelly Point Park was packed with all makes and models of humans when we arrived. In fact...

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HHS ‘Race’ marks return as director

Written by Bob Woelk Tuesday, 13 March 2012 14:15

I had never considered directing the Hillsboro High School spring drama as long as Terry Bebermeyer was in charge of the annual production.

Yes, I had been in charge of a few plays, nearly all comedies. But, they were at the eighth-grade level. More on that in a moment. Mostly, Mr. B is good at directing. He has had a long string of successes, and he always seems to bring out the best in the student actors.

Word came down the line, however, that the master was going to step aside, at least for this year. There didn’t seem to be an immediate clamor to take the reins. I looked around at the talent pool among the students and liked what I saw.

In addition, I thought I might have the perfect play for the group. I stopped by the...

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Writer has sudden case of the puns

Written by Bob Woelk Tuesday, 07 February 2012 17:32

I woke up one morning feeling “punny.” These things were just popping out of my head. Please allow me to share. And to apologize.

The meteorologist stormed out of the studio when his forecast was questioned.

The artist went back to school to brush up on his skills.

His enemy was quickly approaching. The nervous young warrior picked up the bow and arrow and began to quiver.

He tried to remain patient, but the doctor was eventually forced to close his clinic.

As the earthquake began, the soda jerk began to shake.

He arrived at the bar and drank in the scene.

The 37th try was just too much. It was all the movie director could take.

The novelist felt penned in by his deadline.

The carpenter needed to keep a level head.

In a...

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Sound bites don’t do issues justice

Written by Bob Woelk Tuesday, 10 January 2012 14:06

Here it comes, ready or not. It’s an election year, and that means 11 full months of non-stop political posturing. In fact, thanks to the good folks in Iowa and New Hampshire, the horses are already out of the gate. The water is coming over the dam. The mud is being slung. God bless America.

I look at all the money, and not coincidentally, all the manure being spread around, and I can’t help but feel like the actor James Garner as the lead character in “Support Your Local Sheriff” when he uttered that immortal line to the eldest Danby boy, “When you talk like that, it just makes me feel tired all over.”

And, I am apparently not the only one. The approval rating of Congress is at an all-time low, well under double digits...

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