Michael Reuss

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…

Agendas | Mark’s Remarks

Small towns are interesting places. People come together in various fashions, whether it be in neighborhoods or at functions.   Most of the time, around here, sporting events are the…