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Local Columns

Magic Mike 6XL: Smoked to Perfection

I guess you could say I believe in omens. I'm not going to see a bluebird fly overhead and then move to Belchertown, Massachusetts, but sometimes there are signs. And particularly what I love is when the universe reassures those moments of precognition, no matter how insane or stupid they might ...

Just Jonathan: Back in town

Coming home for the holidays, the best feeling of all. After an arduous and long semester away, the tests were done and classes concluded. My Tama-Toledo home was waiting for me. Arriving home on a Sunday night, I was welcomed in by my dog Bailey. My beautiful yellow lab jumped and barked and ...

Just Jonathan: Binging

By no means would I call myself a “TV guy”. Never big on watching anything, I’d rather be outside…usually. Usually a run or some time with my dog would suffice, yet this winter those things haven’t satisfied me. Gloomy weather and growing “old” has me parked in front of my ...

Magic Mike 6XL: Superstitious Minds

Like I've said before, my family is superstitious, but if you have as much bad luck as we do, you get that way. The number thirteen is taboo, no one ever walks under a ladder, and black cats are the root of all evil. If I could sum this all up in one quick anecdote It would be one about my ...

New Year Resolutions!

As everyone knows, it's that time of the year to make our annual resolutions for the new year--2025--Lose weight, exercise more; go to church; read more, watch TV less; and so on and so forth. And usually before the end of January, most if not all our resolutions have been long forgotten and ...

Magic Mike 6XL: The Christmas List

My family doesn't really have traditions, but we do have habits, addictions, and superstitions. The main addiction I know I have when it comes to those special days of the year is movies. I love movies. And when something comes up like a holiday I have a list of films to watch. Now, you are ...

Just Jonathan: 2024, A Year of Ups

Woah, this is the last 2024 edition of the News Chronicle! With '25 on the mind, I want to take the opportunity to look back and reflect on Just Jonathan’s terrific ‘24. To start the year I was happy but by no means did I have my proverbial “poop in a group”. I was complacent and ...

Just Jonathan: My community Christmas list

We’ve made it ladies and gentlemen, Christmas is next week! A year of buildup and anticipation, culminating with lights, family, Mariah Carey, food, and everything else festive you can think of. With this being the last paper published before the big day on Wednesday, I wanted to use this ...

Magic Mike 6XL: Sincerely, Santa

The holiday season is when memories and tradition reign supreme, from that odd ornament ya made in kindergarten to when you eat Christmas dinner. And every family has their own rules of engagement. My Ma laid down a rule decades ago that stands today as one of the pillar elements of ...

From our family to yours; Merry Christmas!

The older I get, (gulp), the more I realize the value of gifts that do not cost anything. Take for example, the gift of time. Can we ever spend enough time with those we love and care about greatly? Spending time really doesn't cost anything but its' value is immeasurable. And did you ...