December Fog

Old US-27 south of Clare

Usually December means cold blustery days. It's still somewhat cool today, but the temp is well above normal. When warm meets cold we get fog and it's really foggy out there. Many people would say dreary but I say ... as long as you've can find one thing to be happy about, no matter how large or small, it's a good day. Now get out there and find something good about your day! :)

Downtown Clare, MI • December 30, 2010

Old US-27 south of Clare, MI • December 30, 2010

Walking dog in the fog • December 30, 2010

Merry Christmas lights!

Mid Michigan Medical Center - Clare

I love Christmas lights! One of my favorite things to do during the Christmas season is drive around and look at lights and decorations. In fact, as far as I'm concerned, you can leave them up all year round! Then again, maybe just all winter. They brighten up a time of year that can be drab and dreary. Many people don't like the snow and cold and I'm one of them. Yes, I love the four seasons, but I'd be happier if I could spend all winter inside nice and warm!

Clare, MI Lightpost

Luckily my drive home from work includes lots of cool lights and at this time of year, getting out of work at 5 or 6 it's already dark out and there's still lots of time to look at lights before going to bed.

I hope you enjoy Christmas lights as much as I do. Take some time this winter to drive around and check out the lights around your hometown. In case you don't get a chance to make it ... here are a few pictures for you to enjoy.

Doherty Hotel in Clare, MI

Cops & Doughnuts front window • Clare, MI

Looking back at history

I recently decided to go back to school and get my Associates Degree in Entrepreneurship at MMCC. Yes, I already have an Associates Degree but it is older than the hills. Somehow, I never had to take a humanities class – until now.

Before I go any further let me say that I think everyone should be required to take at least a couple of these and yes, I do have another one I need to take. Why? I think knowing something about another culture or another time is part of what makes us interesting and well-rounded individuals.


I wasn't really interested in the "usual" humanities classes, but one history class really caught my eye – "Exploration of the Mafia" taught by J. Bond. I had no idea who the instructor was, but growing up I heard lots of mafia stories about The Purple Gang. One local story was of them coming to Leebove's house in Clare to "cool off" when things were "hot" in Detroit. Another story is  about how Livingston
shot Leebove. Leebove was an associate (not a made member) of The Purple Gang, Livingston and Leebove had some business differences and Livingston thought Leebove was going to have The Purple Gang kill him. A case of kill or be killed. Livingston got off by pleading "temporary insanity." My father, about 13 or 14 at the time, was working across the street from the Doherty Hotel when it happened. He was an usher at the theatre and saw Leebove's body wheeled across the street. Of course it was covered with a sheet.


I once asked my mother who was born in Detroit in the mid 1920's how they got their name. She had heard that during the Cleaner and Dyers War in Detroit they would throw purple dye in a company's machines if they didn't pay them for "protection." During class we were broken into crews for a presentation. Our crew chose The Purple Gang and we found that there were at least 9 different legends as to how they got their name (including my mom's story.)


During the course of taking this class the Morning Sun did a story on "unusual" college classes and this class was one of those featured. For anyone who thinks this is an "easy" class, let me assure you it isn't. There was a lot of reading, studying, class participation, writing and even a group research/presentation project.


Recently a friend told me she decided against taking this class. I was very sorry to hear that she had changed her mind. Her reason was that she found something she thought would be more "useful." The only thing I have to say about what she said is that I found this class to be extremely useful.


Jeremy Bond, the instructor, has designed this class in such a way that it makes you come up with your own decision as to what really happened. While many people think history is learning facts about past events, there will always be questions left unanswered. Was there a conspiracy to shoot JFK? Was organized crime behind it? Did the mafia pay Lee Harvey Oswald to kill him? What really happened to Jimmy Hoffa? Where is his body burried? Was he a good president of the Teamsters? Some questions we'll never really know the answers to. But it sure is fun to figure out all the options.


Hats off to you JB – you are a great instructor. Thanks for all the good times. I wish you and future crews the very best in the future.