David Barber

The satisfying thing about being over the hill is that all the struggles you experienced going up that hill, are behind you. Stumble going up the hill – and we’ve all done that – and you’ll likely sustain a scraped knee, or bruised elbow.

MANISTEE – The Manistee National Forest Festival once again served as a mighty microcosm of an All American dream – Independence! The Victorian Port City, long appreciated for its quaint Mayberrian size and lifestyle, grew 10 fold and more – if only temporarily – with flag-waving, anthem singing visitors who came from near and far. A young fella’ from Illinois won the Men’s Division of the Firecracker 5K Run on Saturday, while a young teenager from Minnesota won the Women’s Division.

Some 12 years ago I stood on the solemn soil of Arlington National Cemetery – four times, in three days. Timing being what it is – what with it being the anniversary of the birth of our nation – I wrote about it. We’re not just a good nation, we’re a great one, which means, of course, that while our accomplishments have been great, so too have been our sins.