Cal City takes a hit as it loses Sears

I was straightening out and sorting some of the clutter and stuff that I, and I imagine some of you, live with. I scooped up a solitary plastic bag to put with the others I keep to either reuse as a garbage bag or to recycle at Strack’s. Strack’s has a barrel for collecting plastic bags. The…

Calumet City native ran in most recent Boston Marathon

The modern Boston Massacre is still in the news every day.

It's not easy being a kid at heart

I read Times’ columnist Vanessa Renderman last Sunday about being a kid at heart in a grown-up world. I am a multiple of her age, but it still struck a chord with me.

Saturday movie screening benefit for wrestler with cancer

For many folks this is the week of spring/Easter break. And if you are looking for — and even if you are not — a worthwhile activity to end your week, I have one for you.

Retired teacher sees election of pope through eyes of children

There are certainly a lot of religion-related news and holidays this time of year.

Primary election offers lesson in government, politics

Generally, primary elections are a preliminary step in electing those who will head various levels of government. But in some areas like Calumet City and the 2nd Congressional District, which includes most all of The Times' Illinois circulation area, the primary election IS the election.

Staff at Hammond hospital impressive

I was in the shop a little while ago for a couple of days. A little trouble with the wiring. You have to keep up with the maintenance, especially as the parts get older.

Two from Cal City invited to presidential inauguration

Two Cal Citians were invited guests at the inauguration of President Obama recently.

Basketball battles cancer

It’s mid-winter, though you couldn’t tell most days by the weather. And mid-winter for a lot of folks, including me, means basketball.

Massacre stirs memories for former teacher

It makes you stop and think. But when you have been in the business for more than four decades, it makes you think a little deeper.

The sounds of the season thril Cal City

Maybe this is a little “Scroog-ish," but I’m not a big fan of Christmas music, at least before what I consider to be Christmas time. And here I am at odds with a large segment of the culture which considers the Christmas season to begin sometime shortly after Labor Day and last until a few d…

A house turned upside down

I knew it was coming. My wife, Marie, was working a lot of overtime. A large expenditure must be looming.

Veterans and thankfulness

Two holidays. One just past and one coming up.

Vote early, vote on time ... but vote

I try to combine my errand-type car trips. It’s one of my little ways of trying to help save the planet. And I like to be, let’s say, economical.

Pullman heritage area is a work in progress

Liking the fall season, I wanted to go to the doings at the Buckley Homestead not far from Lowell and the harvest fest they have, a nice ride and a good chance to see the fall colors in a more rural setting. But it was rainy and my wife talked me out of that trip.

Past leaders had foresight to develop Forest Preserve District

I just came in from outside on this massively gorgeous fall day (Tuesday past). I probably have written about this before, but in a lot of ways, fall is my favorite season.

Good luck in retirement, Sister Alban

Sister Alban is a great lady, the embodiment of what it means to be a true Christian. She has been a Calumet City treasure for more than a quarter century. When the Calumet City Hall of Heroes is instituted, Sister Alban Hermes will be in the first class chosen.

Calumet City celebrates its German heritage

Sorry I’ve missed you for a while; had a little time off to visit Europe. A little advice? Go. Europe rocks.

Helping to get the school year rolling.

Last Saturday, a pleasant weather day, I had my windows open and prepared for some house work when the sounds of music blasted by those industrial size speakers greeted my ears. I was sort of prepared for, but not happy about, hearing an onslaught of vulgarity-riddled lyrics blasted througho…

The Olympics: Always a reason for hope

Although there are things I would change, especially in the TV coverage, the Olympics are cool.

Of sinkholes and firetrucks in Calumet City

Firetrucks get our attention. I guess they are supposed to. They are big, come in bright colors and even when not blasting horns and sirens, you can easily hear them.

St Victor's big bash is coming

It seemed like not that big of a challenge last October.

St. Victor's pastor, Rev. Dubi, feted for years of ministry

The folks who run the Dynasty banquet hall in Hammond said that you just don’t have too many occasions where their main banquet facility gets filled up and they start to worry about having too many people.

Things get rolling for summer in Calumet City

Summer officially arrived Wednesday and some of the activities around town speak to that.

Good luck graduates; good luck schools

The other week I was traveling east on Pulaski Road toward Burnham Avenue and encountered a bit of a traffic jam. Not uncommon during the day, but a little uncommon in the early evening.

Of softball, fundraisers and more in Calumet City

It seems the weather this week has gotten back to the balmy temperatures we had for a good part of March. Yes, spring is in the air and summer around the corner. And now that I’m back at school regularly, I can tell by the restlessness of the kids, and, more honestly, of the teachers.

Right to assembly exercised at airport 'blessing'

Two weeks back I did a little exercising of my First Amendment rights and engaged in a little nostalgia.

Cal City in the news with driving honor, recyling drive

Well, spring has sprung. I guess you can tell because it's not as warm as it was at the end of winter. Yes, things get turned around sometimes.

Election this year struck a personal chord

Well, as it turns out, maybe not such a big deal, and certainly no big surprises.

TF North, South gardens of learning

Ah, spring is in the air and a young man's thoughts turn to ... I've forgotten. I'll have to find a young man and ask.

The stations of the cross — a new cast

Something felt different as I walked down Freeland Avenue with my six- foot-long spear Sunday.

Facebook finds a friend to explore Cal City roots

I was dragged into the computer age at just about the last minute, kicking and screaming as I went.

When there's trouble on the block

It had been years since I last went to a Neighborhood Watch meeting.

Oh the climate outside is changing

Well, I've done it again. It's the middle of January — in the Northern Hemisphere that's winter — I have been outside, and my attire is shorts. Well, they're mid-calf, pseudo-capri, "what-the-heck-are-you-wearing?" kind of shorts.

Hot moves something to cheer about at T.F. North

And just what are the most common cheers in high school competitions these days anyway? First and 10; do it again? Air-ball? Deee-Fence?

Our Lady of Guadalupe brings quite a celebration at St. Vic's

One of the images indelibly burned into my mind is a young mother in the Plaza of Our Lady of Guadalupe Cathedral in Mexico City. She was carrying an infant, I assumed her child, as she navigated on her knees across the bricks of the expansive space and great distance leading to the entrance…

Singing for the season

Well, 'tis the season: Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Online Tuesday, Website Wednesday, etc.

Tough times, but still many reasons to be thankful

I was reading an old column of mine (I do have more time now that I've retired, and no cracks about my choice of reading material). It was a column about Thanksgiving. The gist of it was that even though there are tough times for a lot of folks, we still have much to be thankful for.

St. Victor parish in Cal City picking new pastor

Guess the only thing that doesn't change is the rule that says all things change.

Down we go -- the big hole (?)

Ever get on a waiting list for an event? Ever been on one for over two years? Such was the case with me. And what was this event I so long awaited? A trip to the bottom of a great big hole.

Of mushrooms and wooden shoes

Things weren't breaking right for me last Friday. I watched some thankfully small hail bounce off my car as a cool day became cooler, more damp, and went from windy to gusty. Generally, just plain nasty.

St. Victor alumnus tells a story

It's the fall TV season, or so I hear. I didn't really know that things like that have true "seasons." Does the TV unit begin to run cooler at this time of year? Change color?

Will skies ever be as blue as 9/11?

I was walking home Sunday from St. Victor Church in Calumet City. Remember Sunday? It was a gorgeous late-summer day if ever there was one — much like the day exactly 10 years ago.

Substitute teaching gig suits retiree just fine

Well, almost everywhere, except Chicago, school has started once again. And I wasn't sure they would do this, but they went ahead and started without me.

Farewell and thanks to 2 longtime Cal City residents

Calumet City is a little less today. Two recent passings have made us so.

What a time to retire

Talk about irony; a scary irony.

41 and done ... a long run

Well, my own paper spilled the beans. Yes, the blurb at the end of my column that says "...instructor at Bishop Noll," is no longer accurate.

Say thanks to vets for country's freedoms

235 years old. A lot of candles. But it's not really that old if you're a tree ... or a country.

Should Cal City step up to the table?

Well, the question may come back again. The ladies and men of the General Assembly - the legislative branch of our state government - have passed a bill expanding gambling in Illinois. It is not law yet because Gov. Quinn has not signed it, actually it hasn't gotten to his desk yet. Eventual…

Strange goings-on at the park

A sweet young high school senior tenderly holds the hand of her dying date at the prom amid flames and mayhem. And where does this almost otherworldly scene happen? Right at center court of the Calumet Memorial Park District field house - on the very court where I have messed up more that a …