If you discover you have an estranged English lineage, and they immediately and enthusiastically provide an all-expense paid, first-class trip across the pond to a mysterious family wedding involving people you’ve never met, proceed with caution.

Our Father, which art in heaven

Hallowed by your name,

Thy kingdom come,

Thy will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us our daily bread,

and forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those that trespass against us.

Lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil,

for thine is the kingdom,the power and the glory forever.

Amen.

— Matthew 6:9-13

I have to admit that I was a little surprised when our Spirit Lake schools did something unprecedented in the state. The school board unanimously approved arming 10 non-teaching staff in the school system. While it is possible that I am the most "armed" individual in Dickinson County, I was skeptical that this was a good idea. It was put forth however with such well thought through planning, as I became better informed, I was won over.

Listening to Rev. Greg Laurie recently, he said — and I’m paraphrasing — “There’s joy when some people enter the room and there’s joy when some people go.”

Some people enter a room and bring light and some bring darkness.

It caused me to pause and ask myself as I was driving back to my office from teaching my class at Iowa Lakes Community College in Estherville, which one am I?

On Sept. 6 I will be resuming my duties as RSVP coordinator for Clay County. This will be as a temporary position until a permanent coordinator is hired. I will be in my office at Iowa Lakes Community College on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m.

RSVP recruits volunteers age 55-plus for various jobs for nonprofit organizations. Volunteers may chose to work one hour a week to one hour a month. Every hour is appreciated.

Our city and area owe our gratitude to Dave Cagle, owner of the Spencer Bowl and Jan Nissen, manager. Dave has spent a lot of money and time renewing the bowling alley: cleaning, painting and completely repairing the mechanical and electronic equipment and providing TVs for those who want to follow other sports while bowling. Everything works as it should! That wasn't true before Dave bought the ally.

Several unanswered questions require a pause to hazardous CO2 pipeline permits.

In his recent column, Seth Boyes is correct in his assessment that a recent California vote should give Iowa pause on permits for hazardous CO2 pipelines. The regulation bans the sale of gasoline-powered vehicles by 2035. This past week, 17 additional states indicated they may enact similar rules.

I hate Labor Day,” said Doc, sucking down yet another cup of coffee at the Mule Barn Coffee Shop.

“Ain’t here yet,” said Dud, reaching for the jelly packets. “Soon though, I guess.”

“Few days,” Steve said. “Doc, what do you have against Labor Day?”

Doc sighed. “I always have to work. I thought someone invented Labor Day so no one would have to work. Labor Day’s about my busiest day of the year!”

When we decide to go fishing, regardless of time of year, there are several factors that we need to take into consideration. Will the fish be shallow or deep? Will they want a slow moving bait or a fast moving bait? Which way is the wind from, and should we fish an area that the wind is blowing into? But it seems like the one question that is most on the minds of many anglers is color: Does color matter to the fish?

As we hit Labor Day weekend, I almost get beside myself with excitement and anticipation. Here I am 74 years old, and I still have those same feelings I’ve had since I was a kid. I wonder if that is why at times my wife says to me, “Steve, quit acting like a kid.” Well, darn it, I still consider myself one!

After a busy summer of vacations, barbecues and garden care, it is fun to turn our attention to planting. Fall is a great time to plant perennials and many garden centers are busy refreshing their supply of perennial plants. Consider including one or more of these winners when making your perennial plant selections this fall.

The Clay County Fair is quickly approaching, and our office couldn’t be more excited. Our staff is busy preparing to offer a large variety of programming opportunities for people of all ages.

“Beast” does for the safari industry what “Jaws” did for the coastal beach industry.

A vengeful lion (expertly crafted using CGI technology) exacts its rage of an innocent family and a biologist after a group of illegal poachers wipe out the large cat’s pride but doesn’t quite get the job done. The beast exacts it’s retribution on the human population it encounters.

Baseball has long been regarded as America’s favorite pastime. While some may find that arguable, given the ascendance of football and other sports, baseball remains an icon of the past — and hopefully the future.

Take a mental inventory of the people you personally know. Of those people you could probably categorize a large percentage, maybe even 80% to 90%, to be “good” or fairly-good” people. That group of people would include your close family and friends; you love these people and enjoy spending significant amounts of your time with them.