A poem for a frigid spring

May 11, 2020

My son, Kyle Kreider, wrote this poem after he came from Chicago to stay with me in early April, after self-quarantining for 14 days due to COVID-19. We thought it was appropriate to publish this locally now, given the arctic cold and supposed spring/loon season. The Mountain Calls The Mountain calls so I must go To the place of Nordic snow With Moon touched lakes that frost and freeze And a winter wind that creaks the knees. Orion peers from up on high As winter seems to never die. But hark and hope, for spring is coming Soon birds fly, often humming. Lend an ear to ...

Appreciation for corrections officers’ work

May 7, 2020

National Corrections Officers Week is May 3 through 9. It’s important, especially this year with what we’re facing with our health emergency, to honor the corrections officers who serve us in our jails and prisons. Marinette County is fortunate to have a good staff of both officers and support personnel who work around the clock every day of the year. The role of the modern-day corrections officer has evolved into a multifaceted position in public safety. We are well served here in Marinette County and our positive annual inspections reports are a testimonial largely due to the ...

Need to focus on positive actions

May 6, 2020

We need to stop the rampage of fear that has overtaken our nation and our world. I heard a minister say the other day that when 9/11 happened an attitude of fear came into our nation. This pandemic has served to increase and feed that fear. Fear begets more fear. Fear is a paralyzing emotion, a negative, destructive thing. We need to follow guidelines that make sense but not in fear. God created this nation and has blessed it all these years. We need to start to think on that, a positive thought process. Be thankful for his blessing and protections. We need to do what positive things ...

National Nurses Day Wednesday

May 5, 2020

Wednesday is National Nurses Day and I would like to offer my sincerest thanks to all the work that you, as public health nurses, do every single day to ensure the safety of our communities and state. You are the unseen heroes who ensure the health of individuals in the places we live, work and play. In these unprecedented times, the challenging work you do is more apparent than ever. Public health nurses are on the front lines to tirelessly provide service to both internal and external customers. Thank you for your commitment to public health and for protecting your communities on a ...

Questioning the governor’s moves not ‘hindering’

May 1, 2020

“Those who hinder versus those who help,” the title of Saturday’s Speak Out column, is itself a sad commentary on an unnecessary dichotomy. The point made in Speak Out was, essentially (no pun intended), if you’re not for the stay-at-home strategy as concocted by Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, you are against the health and safety of your friends, neighbors and community. The choice is either agree with the entirety of her decisions or be considered a reckless non-conformist at odds with health care workers, vulnerable at-risk people and even your own elderly family members. Why ...

Consider donating stimulus funds to others in need

April 27, 2020

Food and medicine: necessities of life. Like many others, this week I received a one-time stimulus payment from my fellow taxpayers. It’s nice. I might put part of it toward some needed home repairs. But had I not received it, I could still eat. I could still fill my prescriptions, and if I needed any other health care, Medicare would be there for me. In this life, blessings are not always distributed evenly, nor rained down upon equal circumstances. Many are out of work, have lost health coverage and have no money for medicines. If you are one of these, consider calling the Medical ...