Michael Reuss

The Happy + Healthy Life | Hello Spring!

By AMY WAGENKNECHT It’s that time of year that gives us the warmth of sunshine on our skin, the sound of birds chirping and singing their songs, the sight of…

Tolerance | Mark’s Remarks

Have you noticed lately that the greatest sin in the world has become disagreeing with someone?  It’s been a gradual shift in the mentality of people for quite some time.…

House guests | Mark’s Remarks

I’ve heard two wise sayings about house guests.  My maternal grandmother often said: “To each his own.” My wife’s maternal grandmother often said: “House guests are like fish; after three…

Thrift Store Madness and Dressing Weird in the 80s | Mark’s Remarks

Do any of you remember the phase in the 1980s when all the cool kids were wearing oversized coats, vintage hats and all the old stuff? I think it started…

The Healthy + Happy Life | Tick, tock! What are you waiting for?

BY AMY WAGENKNECHT As a teacher, I would never ask my students to read a book before they knew how to sound out words. I would never ask them to…

Tricky Micki | Mark’s Remarks

My wife will get me after she reads this column, so I may have to move into one of your basements.  Please send specifics of your rental space to the…

The Demise of Community Institutions | Mark’s Remarks

In my hometown of Fairfield, Illinois, we always had the constant presence and importance of two community institutions: the local newspaper and local radio station. The Wayne County Press is…

A Long Life | Mark’s Remarks

Do you ever think about those people who lived in biblical times? If you do a little research, you can find that people lived to be over 900 years old…

Naysayers and Distributors of Mundane Advice | Mark’s Remarks

I’m telling you, there’s one in every crowd: someone who has to rain on your parade. Some folks don’t even know they are doing it. The older I get, the…

All You Need is a Little Vitamin P | The Happy + Healthy Life

By AMY WAGENKNECHT For the Republic-Times Every year we start off with great intentions. We write the resolutions: Lose weight. Save more money. Get organized. Quit smoking. Exercise.  Yet, according…