I purchased a piece of Montgomery history a while ago, and it’s pretty cool.
It came by way of Charlene Washa, of Le Center, who was cleaning out a closet when she discovered a “slightly used and aged” Montgomery Messenger cigar box. She posted it online, and Kathy Peterson tagged me on it because it had to do with the Messenger.
Charlene said she didn’t know much about the box, but she received some information from Kathy Heyda, who has extensive history on the Richter family history.

I love to read. One of my favorite books is Mitch Albom's “The Five People You Meet in Heaven.” At this time of year, I often reflect on the past 12 months - its ups and downs, joys and sadnesses.
Remembering this book, I thought of the five people I'd like to spend Christmas with again. First and foremost would be my dad. It’s been 22 years ago on September 28 that he unexpectedly passed away.
Even after all of these years, I think about him.
Every. Single. Day.
I talk to him - sometimes out loud (no judging allowed).

In our democratic society last week, residents voted down a solution to solve the fire, ambulance and police departments’ building problems. With totals of 452 to 174, the $6.7 million decision was soundly defeated by Montgomery voters.
I attended almost all of the public meetings, council work sessions and regular meetings on the issue prior to the vote. I listened to the pitches from the architects, discussion from the council and complaints from the public.
To be clear, nobody has ever said the departments don’t deserve something better than what they have now.

On Tuesday morning, it was hard to focus. On one hand, I heard the slight moans of my new ninth grader, who was kind of depressed, but secretly excited, he had to return to school. On the other hand, I barely heard him over my cheers that he had to return to school.
The Tuesday after Labor Day is a glorious day, indeed.
Since the local students’ had an extended vacation from the construction in the district, I am so happy school is back in session.

Your plans for Memorial Day are made.
A picnic in the park. A vacation to the lake. A trip to the shopping mall.
Or maybe a visit to a military memorial or a parade.
These are all well-deserved breaks and rests. We work hard.
However, this Memorial Day, as in ALL Memorial Days, we need to force ourselves to pause and remember the fallen.
We need to remember those who fell in combat during America's conflicts. Desert Storm, Vietnam, Korea, Afgahnistan, Iraq. They are all important, and if a serviceman or woman died, we need to remember that.

Sometimes, you just need to laugh. 
I've been a mom for almost a decade now and have seen my kids do things I never knew were possible... like getting mastitis as a newborn, getting stuck in a chair, requiring "super" (fake) teeth because their baby teeth failed to grow in, having the backs of earrings grow INSIDE their earlobes... It's a never-ending list. 
I didn't know how little I knew until I became a mom.
And, honestly, after a rough day or two, I start to question myself.

A new series on Netflix serves a stern and shocking warning: we need to do more to save our planet and the inhabitants on it.
The series is narrated by the velvet voice naturalist, Sir David Attenborough, the most famous nature storyteller on television. The 92-year-old producer, narrator, and documentarian essentially invented the genre of television nature documentaries in his decades-long career at the BBC with programs like “Life on Earth”, “Blue Planet”, and “Planet Earth.”

New Year’s Day has come and gone. How many of you made a New Year’s resolution?
Did you make the perennial favorite to lose weight? (I should have.)
How about make better food choices? (I should have.)
Quit snacking on the fattening and unhealthy food, sugars and refined white flour-products? (I should.)
Did you resolve to eat more vegetables, fruits, whole grains and good foods? (I should.)

In my older years, I have started to feel cynical (dare I say bitter?), and my Christmas list for this old world looks more like a massive complaint rather than a heartfelt letter to you.
So, in search of the true Christmas spirit, I pulled up one of the most famous editorials ever written, "Is there a Santa Claus?"

Small Business Saturday on November 24 looked like it was well-received by a lot of people. I haven’t seen First Street that packed on a Saturday in a long time. Cars lined the street, causing some to spill over into the side streets for the morning and majority of the afternoon.
It was good to see.
Watching the news reports about the Black Friday frenzy, I couldn’t help but feel sorry. I felt sorry for shoppers in the larger cities. I’m sure they are normally nice people, but that day transforms them into Black Friday crazies.

This week is Homecoming Week for the Tri-City United School District.
As is common during this week of celebrations, it is also a time for schools to welcome back former students and members and celebrate an organization’s existence. It is a long-standing tradition in many high schools, colleges, and churches in the United States and Canada.

If you are a longtime resident of Montgomery and subscriber to the Montgomery Messenger, the name Marlene Kolars will be familiar to you. Marlene worked at the Montgomery Messenger for more than 15 years before passing away on October 1, 2007. 
 
Her columns were called “Easy Reading” and were very popular with our readers. She wrote about a variety of things from root canals to her beautiful peonies or television commercials. 
I didn’t know she could predict the future. 
 

I found my first arrowhead last summer.
Last week, I found my second.
And now, I have the bug— the desire—to know more about the fascinating old points that washed up on the shoreline of the lake my family has lived on for more than 60 years.
I came across both arrowheads by chance.
I enjoy taking walks along our beach in the evening, and one night last summer, I came across a perfectly formed arrowhead on top of the other rocks and sand, at the lake’s edge.
It took me by surprise. I remember thinking, “No… It can’t be…"

When your child invites the neighborhood over for brunch, you have two options.
You could refuse. Crush her plans and have her renege the already delivered invitations.
Or... Just go with it.
Last Saturday morning, my house was filled with friends and neighbors.
Having the brunch inside was not the plan, but the morning proved too cool to hold the event in the garage and / or on the driveway. So, we cleaned and set up tables and rearranged a few things to make room indoors.

I am faced with a dilemma. Do I help save the bees or be happy with a dandelion-free yard?
 
On January 11, 2017, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service placed the rusty patched bumble bee (Bombus affinis) on the list of endangered species. The listing became effective on March 21, 2017, making it the first listed bee from the continental United States. 
 

Parenthood conundrum
I’m hesitant to write this.
Parents are judged at every turn—every decision.
And, I’m a parent. I’m mom to two young ladies, Anna (8.5) and Ellen (6), who enjoy playing outside with the kids in our neighborhood and exploring.
They climb trees, fish, build forts in old woodpiles, campout in the backyard, and try to catch little critters.
They get dirty, sometimes injured, have touched poison ivy, and have wiped out on their bicycles.