I was 13 in July of 1966, when Richard Speck committed the “Crime of the Century” – raping and murdering eight student nurses after breaking into their Chicago townhome. Although it was 59 years ago this month, I will never forget it. My family lived on a well-traveled, yet fairly isolated main road in rural

Very soon, the classic cars will reappear on the roads after a long winter. Our area has plenty of car shows and events lasting throughout the summer and into fall, weather permitting. I am not a big car enthusiast like so many people in Michigan, but I have owned my share of beautiful vehicles. My

In the U.S., New Jersey is the only state where motorists are prohibited by law from pumping their own gasoline. I need that kind of joy in my life! Last summer, I had a long-awaited medical appointment and on the way there, I stopped to get gas. I paid at the pump with my card

April 23 is Administrative Professionals Day On April 23, many companies will show appreciation for the dedication and competence of people who are likely their most valued employees: administrative professionals. Formerly known as National Secretaries Day since 1952, it was changed in 2000 to Administrative Professionals Day to acknowledge the expanding responsibilities and roles of

Does the thought of downsizing and possibly moving to a smaller, more manageable home someday scare you? Me, too. But if you decide to go for it, spring is a good time to get started. By getting started, I mean prepping your house. Many people, like me, have trouble looking past the overwhelming big picture.

During the final days of 2024, a good friend and I were chatting about our concerns regarding the upcoming year and its many unknowns. She very wisely stated, “There is nothing we can do except take care of ourselves, and always be kind and generous to those who need it.” I wholeheartedly agreed. Generosity means

We seem to be playing a new game in my family. My sons, who are in their early 30s, have been revealing some startling things to me lately, things they did when they were younger. They then smile and look at me defiantly when I ask, “What? How did I not know about that?” But

December is generally considered one of the best months to get a good deal on a vehicle, because dealerships are eager to move out their inventory and meet their sales goals for the year, which often leads to bigger discounts and incentives. So if you’re in the market, now could be a good time to

My cooking skills, I will freely admit, are not the greatest. But, I do try! I watch a lot of cooking shows. My favorite is Food Network’s “Chopped” because the contestants are challenged to create an appetizer, main dish (if they survive the first round) and a dessert, all from a basketful of random, and

When October rolls around, most people think about cooler weather, bonfires, the leaves changing colors, warm spiced drinks, pumpkins and all the trappings of Halloween. For me, this is the time of year when I like to curl up with a good, spooky book or movie. I love mysteries, suspense and yes, the paranormal. My

September is the month when most retail merchants begin the process of hiring seasonal employees to work through the upcoming holidays. Taking a seasonal job is a terrific way for stay-at-home parents, retirees, students and others to earn some much-needed extra cash. For many, it is a second job. Although the crippling pandemic is behind

If you’re a frequent road traveler, you know there is an all-too-common expression that is not exclusive to Michigan. That is, “Our state has two seasons: winter and construction.” Even that is not necessarily true. Some construction lasts well into late fall when snow is often already flying and, in many cases, piling up. Why?