The 94th annual Apple Blossom Festival is underway! Luncheons, dances, tennis tournaments and more are back on track after COVID canceled many of last year’s events. Organizers are gearing up for what looks to be an exciting ten days. Although the apple orchards in our area have shrunk considerably, we…
Most all of us enjoy listening to some type of music. Whether it’s gospel, country, classical, jazz, or rap, the various combinations of notes, rhythm, and melody tickle our ears and soothe our souls. With the arrival of spring I get to enjoy one of my favorite genres: birdsongs! Without…
With the arrival of warmer days and longer evenings, the delicious smells of grilling have begun to waft over the valley. I welcome these aromatic reminders of spring and rejoice in the palate-pleasing fare they foreshadow. Bring on the steaks! Other than vegans and vegetarians, few there are who don’t…
This weekend, Christians all over the world remember and celebrate the greatest events in all of history: the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. These pivotal events demand that we deal with them in some way. While few dispute that Jesus was crucified or buried, many have endeavored to disprove…
One of the most popular cooking oils today comes from olives. Unlike lard that was widely used years ago, olive oil has many health benefits including antioxidants and monounsaturated fats even protecting against heart disease. Besides being easy to use, it also tastes good! Although American cooks have recently discovered…
All of us have seen cement mixers traveling up and down the road. Most of us have had them deliver concrete to our homes for some construction project or porch extension. As they make their ways from the cement plants to their destinations, their circular drums constantly churn the mixtures…
Almost a year ago our nation went into lock down mode along with much of the rest of the world. In-person meetings were suspended, social events canceled, and we all learned to Zoom. As we near the anniversary of that harrowing time, it’s such a blessing to see our nation…
One of the first Bible stories many children learn is that of Noah’s Ark. The intertwining of God’s grace, many animals, and a colorful rainbow make it an interesting lesson for all. Although Moses recorded it as factual history and although Jesus Himself referred to it, many skeptics have since…
Praise God that COVID numbers have dropped significantly in our area! Although they are still above new case reports from last summer, they are greatly reduced from what we saw in December and January. The reasons for this decline are still undetermined, but speculation includes everything from the rollout of…
Most parts of the US have had more winter this year than in the last several. Many areas of the country have been slammed with snow, ice, and subfreezing temperatures for the last month or so and it’s played havoc with holding Sunday Worship locally. Even my daughter in Texas…