Goodbye, Lou

Published in the Tecumseh Herald, January 16, 2025 He called himself my "Italian Papa," and just before the new year, he died. Dr. Louis C. Vaccaro, known to most simply as "Lou," was 94 years old. He had a long and storied career in higher education, where he had a profound impact on the lives … Continue reading Goodbye, Lou →

Beethoven’s 9th: a joyous message for the ages

May 7 marked 200 years since Ludwig von Beethoven's Symphony No. 9, the "Choral Symphony," premiered in Vienna. Even if you know nothing about Beethoven, you likely are familiar with this work--its fourth and final movement contains the "Ode to Joy," a tune that permeates our culture even today. Beethoven was born in 1770 in … Continue reading Beethoven’s 9th: a joyous message for the ages →

Games people play

"Oh the games people play, now." The Joe South hit from 1969 makes a fitting soundtrace for the games people will be playing next weekend as part of the Bicentennial Celebration. Earlier this year, a committee led by Mary Tommelein and Kathy Smith--retired educators and expert organizers--worked with other volunteers to develop the "History- and … Continue reading Games people play →

Gas theft returns

Some of us today can travel back 50 years and remember when siphoning gas was a somewhat common occurrence. Fueled by the 1973 oil crisis, the OPEC oil embargo, and the subsequent jump in gas prices caught a lot of folks unawares. There were endlessly long lines at gas stations, even in Tecumseh, and fuel … Continue reading Gas theft returns →

Yesterday is a Kodachrome Memory

Back in 1973, Paul Simon wrote a catchy tune he called "Kodachrome." The refrain went something like this, "Kodachrome. They give us those nice bright colors, they give us the greens of summers, makes you think all the world's a sunny day." I was a freshman in high school that September, walking the halls of … Continue reading Yesterday is a Kodachrome Memory →

Never put off until tomorrow what can be done two days from now

For most of my life, I've been a procrastinator. As far back as second grade, I remember my mom yelling at me because the school bus was almost at 604 Cairns Street and I was still in my room in my jammies. It was a regular battle for her every school day--little Renee nearly missing … Continue reading Never put off until tomorrow what can be done two days from now →

Typewriters: Writing as a physical experience

Squibs Fifty years ago, the start of my sophomore year at Tecumseh High School, I walked into Typing I, which was taught by Mr. Frank Graham. The typing class was recommended by my high school guidance counselor, Mrs. Mary Fall, after I failed Miss Kathy Kelso's Algebra I class my freshman year. Mrs. Fall thought … Continue reading Typewriters: Writing as a physical experience →

Cheese: Currency and Legacy

Cheese. Is there anyone who doesn't love a melty grilled cheese sandwich, preferably with a bowl of creamy tomato soup? In the U.S. and Europe, cheese is a diet staple. There are hundreds of cheeses in dozens of countries and in many European locales, cheese is much more than a casual filler between two slices … Continue reading Cheese: Currency and Legacy →

Sister love

A couple of weeks ago, I interviewed Deb Weuthrich, former Herald staffer. In March, she published a book about her daughter, Michele, who died at the age of 11 from Spinal Muscular Atrophy. The book, "Dance While the Music Still Plays," is a moving and spiritual account of Michele's life and death and her impact … Continue reading Sister love →

Living in the present moment

As I write this column, I'm mourning the loss of a friend and grieving with those who loved him. He was a generous person who loved life and his family, especially his wife. Like others who have touched my life, however briefly, his death reminds me how often we go through life not really embracing … Continue reading Living in the present moment →