Sharon Kennedy

I have plenty of time to ponder myriad issues of the day but have yet to understand the nature of man and his inherent ability to blame someone, anyone for tragedies. We were unprepared to face the forest fires in Ontario and our own country. We were angry that numerous outdoor activities and events were cancelled. We forgot that smoke was also drifting from Minnesota. Our anger was directed at Canada's Prime Minister Carney. Some saw the Ontario smoke as retaliation for tariffs our government had slapped on Canadian products. Could any rational being believe that our closest neighbor and former ally intentionally set out to choke us? Whether for tariffs, differing political opinions or merely out of spite, that line of thinking is not normal.

I have plenty of time to ponder myriad issues of the day but have yet to understand the nature of man and his inherent ability to blame someone, anyone for tragedies.

Some of us are slowing down. We're not as physically active as we once were. We have aches and pains that necessitate walking with a cane. Our short-term memory often fails us. We forget the names of people we've known for decades. We've hung up our car keys and sold our bowling balls, tennis rackets and golf clubs. But peel away the signs of our outward aging and you'll find that beneath the lines and wrinkles, the crow's feet and age spots and the forgetfulness is a strong and loving person. A man or woman who has lived through years of joy and torment, fought mental wars within our own minds or on actual battlefields. Age and infirmity have changed our outer appearance, but the spirit within us knows we still have much to offer.

Sharon Kennedy | Community Columnist He won by a hair. As readers know, two weeks ago Abdul El-Sayed won the Michigan primary by only a hair, but that one hair was enough for the win.

Abdul El-Sayed won the Michigan primary by only a hair. His name may be why.

Your input is crucial for the success of this project. The Soo Planning Commission will meet this Thursday, August 27 at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall for a final vote to rezone the former Lincoln School site to a Planned Unit Development. Please attend the meeting, express your opinions and learn about the rezoning request. Upscale inventory is needed in this town. New homeowners will contribute to the city's tax base currently being carried at the rate of 48% by local property owners. Perhaps that's the reason the general fund has so little money for road repairs and adequate snow removal equipment and workforce.

Upscale inventory is needed in this town. New homeowners will contribute to the city’s tax base.

My recliner is beside the only window in the living room of my apartment. I watched my curtains billow from an invisible gust of a cool breeze wafting through the window screen.

Sharon Kennedy | Community Columnist Imagine a young lad running through the fields of his father.

Perhaps you’ll see a shadow of yourself in Dieter Weise's work and remember a dream you watched vaporize.