“I want all the girls watching here, now, to know that a new day is on the horizon,” began Oprah Winfrey in her impassioned speech at the Golden Globes Jan. 7.

“All gave some. Some gave all.” You likely hear that phrase around Memorial Day every year, but do you know its origin? Or what Memorial Day is supposed to mean to the veterans who gave some, the survivors of those who gave all, and the Americans who enjoy continued freedom because of those …

It’s human nature to feel withdrawn and lonely when we’re going through tough times - whether emotional, physical or social. People can be shy about seeking help from others even when we know it may improve our daily lives. Feelings of confusion, shame, and pain can keep anyone from wanting …

One of America’s most heart-warming holiday stories tells of 8-year-old Virginia O’Hanlon of New York City who entrusts a newspaper editor with her very arduous query of note. The year was 1897 and Mr. Francis Pharcellus Church of the New York Sun penned the most-reprinted newspaper editoria…

People may come and go, touched by the community of Grand Rapids in so many different ways. More often than not, the time people experience here is marked in some way by our schools.

I’m about to make anyone reading this who is dreading the first day of school cringe. I’m sorry, but it’s getting to be time to start thinking about supplies for the new year, the new grade and, for some, the new school.

We have an alarming situation in Itasca County that no one wants to talk about. It’s not unique to this area but recently we’ve seen a frightening trend. The trouble: Suicide.

Two years ago, I received a letter from Margaret Kotaska of Grand Rapids with a great suggestion. Margaret had heard of a way to support our recovering soldiers during the holiday season. The idea: When doing your Christmas cards this year, take one card and send it to Walter Reed Army Medic…