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By Pat Sierk “And wonders of His love,” the final refrain of “Joy to the World,” reminds me of the children’s book “Wonder.” This best-selling 2012 novel by R.J. Palacio introduces an unforgettable character, ten-year-old Auggie, an ordinary boy who…
A baby blue, two story, wood frame home on 20th Street in Rock Island looks like a typical home from the outside. But take a step inside and see – up to four women and their children live there, with a house manager who helps take care of running the…
EV3 is ready to work. It moves about the table, commanded by programming figured out by kids in the Sudlow Intermediate School FIRST Lego League. Straight. Slight turn to the left to avoid an obstacle, then straight again to a turntable. A pause, the…
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This time of year, I find something special hitting bookshelves across town – holiday-themed children’s books. Filled with re-imagined familiar stories and bright illustrations, the time between Halloween and Christmas is a book-lover’s dream. Stacks…
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By Kristin Burns Growing up on a farm in Northwest Illinois, I always found myself embracing the simplistic beauty and abundance around me. Every season on the farm was beautiful in its own special way – the rolling fields of green in the summer to t…
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By Jennifer Bailey We learn, when we are small, that other people at the holiday table don’t see what we do. We learn that a flower bouquet blocks Auntie from seeing the salt. At some point we realize that our brain takes signals and renders what it…
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By Christine Lassers I am a proud mother of three wonderful children who at this time have a long list of things they want for Christmas. Our tree was up weeks before Thanksgiving – partly to give our youngest son, Teddy, a chance to “warm up” to it …
By Lee Marbach Life is fast and has the tendency to accelerate as we move through the years. Endless task lists, responsibilities and connections to maintain. Reflection is something that we struggle making time for, so I challenge you today to look…
By Scott Teasdale Walking. I see so many walking to get somewhere else. It is not for the journey, the faces are many yet indistinguishable, it is rather an act of moving to a place somewhere else. If all walking were, in fact, talking of Michelangel…
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By Kerri Rehn On a sunny day in June when I was 17 years old, I was home alone, singing and playing the piano (very loudly, no doubt). I had mastered several of the songs in my Disney songbook, and that day’s mission was to conquer Someone’s Waiting…
Seven years ago, when the Stewarts first moved to the Quad Cities, they sat down together as a family of four for Thanksgiving. It was a nice holiday. But Eric, Rikka, Aron, and Jordan decided they wouldn’t do that again. Every year that they don’t t…
Table Graces and Meals for Moms are creating community and well-wishes by taking meals to St. Paul members who are facing a variety of circumstances that warrant care and compassion. Food is nourishment for the body and soul, organizers of both effor…