Faith Perspective: In response to declining marriage rates

February 2, 2024

The US Census Bureau site indicates that the national marriage and divorce rates have declined from 2011 to 2021. Are people eschewing marriage in favor of living together? Marriage is established by God in the Old Testament and reaffirmed in the New Testament. Read Genesis 2:21-25 and Mark 10:6-9. Marriage is clearly monogamous and permanent until death. Marriage fosters companionship, procreation and redemption. Redemption includes husband and wife committing to God’s plan for their lives and raising children to understand the Bible, to seek God for themselves, to find salvation, ...

Hardee’s was recycled

January 17, 2024

To Allan Baker and his mischaracterization of events, Here are the facts regarding the demolition of the former Hardees building. The statement, “No part of the former Hardees building was saved to be recycled. It all went to the dump,” is wrong. The metal went into the recycle stream. The concrete blocks were recycled. The asphalt was sent to be recycled. The bricks were placed into the recycling system. Additionally, the stainless steel was reused/repurposed. The commercial doors were saved for others to reuse. The interior windows were salvaged. A rooftop unit was given away ...

Deconstruction versus landfilling

January 12, 2024

In his Jan. 9 letter in the Daily Mining Gazette, “Disappointed by demolition,” Allan Baker makes a good point: where possible, we should strive to repurpose rather than landfill materials from demolition projects. This basic approach is called “deconstruction,” which the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) describes on its “Solid Waste Programs” webpage: “When houses fall into foreclosure and cannot be saved or renovated, Land Banks often turn to demolition to help clean up eyesores and open up property to interested buyers. However, a new ...

Thank you to Portage Health Auxiliary

January 11, 2024

I just wanted to take time to give a big Thank You! to the Portage Health Auxiliary for a grant I was awarded. I work in the Adams Township School District as a social work intern. When my master’s degree is completed, I will be a full-time mental health provider for students in our district. The grant the Auxiliary provided went a long way in helping me fill my office with resources and fun items for students. I was able to purchase activities to use with students, as well as rewards and games to play together. My office is a warm, inviting place where students feel safe and ...

Help yourself

January 11, 2024

One of my favorite holiday parties in 2023 was the Little Brothers, Friends of the Elderly gathering at St. Ignatius Church on Christmas Day. My spirits were buoyed by the people, servers and guests, who chose to leave their homes in order to share a meal. We who have only lived here for 50 years are still learning from those who have been here longer. At a time when trust seems to be in short supply, new connections restore my faith in human beings by giving me the opportunity to practice my social skills, to listen, and to give encouragement. When my circle of caring expands, I ...

Disappointed by demolition

January 9, 2024

Here are my thoughts on the building tear down at 1202 Memorial Road in Houghton: No part of the former Hardee’s building was saved to be recycled. It all went to the dump. I saw glass structural pieces and cooking appliances as well as heating and cooling equipment. Maybe it was cheaper to let the wrecking ball do the job, but in this day and age, recycling is the right thing to do. How about contacting the city, which, because it enacted a tear down ordinance, could consider if a building, or part of it, might be recycled? Allan Baker Houghton