I used to spend a great deal more time outdoors—particularly when I was much younger—until I graduated community college and left my home in the country. Lately, I tend to spend far more time in front of a computer, whether it be creating art, writing or programming. However, I remember a couple of events that I suspect were once-in-a-lifetime experiences. […]

Recent Marion Coun­ty Board of Commissioners meetings have been bitterly divisive at times, paralyzed with respect to meeting amicably on issues, and stalemated at almost every turn. Two weeks ago when Commissioner Kent Becker was absent, it seemed that Commissioner Randy Dallke set out to prove a point that he could make Chairwoman Dianne Novak ineffective by not seconding any […]

vHere’s one of my all-time favorite quotes: “There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments, and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance—that principle is contempt prior to investigation.” I particularly like this quote because it keeps me open-minded, honest and willing to see every person, situation and […]

It’s been a lot of fun finding out about some of the people in our community, and what kind of jobs they had before settling in to a career. When it comes to unique jobs, I think the “blue hamster” that Marty Fredrickson, Marion City’s street director and building inspector, talked about rates high on the list. Fredrickson said he […]

For those who may have missed my column last month, this article is a continuation in a two-part series on jobs—past and present. It also features some of our well-known Marion County per­sonalities. In the Dec. 6 article, Mar­ty Fred­rick­son, director of Marion City streets and also building inspector, said his boss genetically engineered a blue hamster. In this column, […]

The women with whom I work started playing Christmas music before Thanksgiving had even arrived. While I prefer to wait until at least after the turkey has been eaten, I know them all too well to believe that this would be a winnable battle. Apparently there is a mysterious something that drives them to the early expression of holiday spirit. […]

Some people have such interesting twists and turns on their journey through life, so for the next two columns, I plan to write about other people the Marion County community. And what better way to get to know our neighbors, friends and people we meet on the street than to ask a few fun questions. In this column and the […]

Halloween will be over by the time everyone reads this column, and for some, it will be another year before dressing in a disguise. But some people never take a mask off. Fanny Brice, an actress in the early 1900s, was quoted as saying: “Let the world know you as you are, not as you think you should be, because […]

When I had my first job in a newsroom many years ago, the editor asked me if I wanted to write a column. I thought it sounded like a fun idea, so I accepted. The next thing he asked me was what I wanted to name the column, and so I polled my children for ideas. After barely getting the […]

What happens when a biological father leaves his children? The reasons vary, but for purposes of this column, let’s say it’s because the parents divorce. And in time, the mother remarries and the children now have a stepfather. It’s that relationship between a stepfather and his stepdaughter that’s the focus of this column. Amber Jeske is an occupational therapist assistant […]