Mark Tullis

Summer Nights | Mark’s Remarks

These days, when I think about sitting outside at night, I think about getting bitten by mosquitos. That really takes away from a lot of my fun.   Sometimes I…

strawberry ruhbarb FEAT

Taste Buds | Church fundraiser serves up more than food

In the sparkling new fellowship hall, the Zoar United Church of Christ congregation served a summer smorgasbord at their annual barbeque and fundraiser on Aug. 3. A bustling church kitchen…

bill ott

Exceptions ARE the rule | Ott Observations

Recently, I was reading the results of the 2024 World Happiness Report.  This is a well-regarded annual study of happiness by country. It is based on statistical and survey analysis…

Summer of 1978 | Mark’s Remark

Friday was my birthday.   I got my driver’s license 41 years ago. I’m headed toward sexagenarianism, and as exciting as that sounds, I find it alarming. Not necessarily in…

Essential cinema | Mark’s Remarks

Last week, I wrote about reading and how summer seems to lend itself to new discoveries and topics. This week, how about some popcorn and some movie talk? I’ll wait…

bill ott

Total incompetence | Ott Observations

So much has already been written and said about the 2020 presidential election that I hesitate to add more. I look at the issue a little differently, though. Donald Trump’s…

Summer reading and girly books | Mark’s Remarks

Sometimes books can be dangerous.  I have a few friends who recommend and loan books to me, and one of my friends is always spot on about the books I…

The outage | Mark’s Remarks

Where were you? Many of us can remember who we were with, what we were wearing and even what words were said if we were around for important, shocking, or…

bill ott

Nuanced conversation and complex thinking

College student pro-Palestinian protests have dominated the news cycle of late.   University administrators have been struggling to find the right balance between respecting freedom of speech, protecting students from…

OK | Mark’s Remarks

Several years ago, I was pumping gas and I heard a noise over the usual gas station noise. Finally, I realized it was a voice. “Mr. T.! Mr. T.!” I…