Journalism never is as simple as something you heard.

I cringe every time I hear the term “football widow.” As if the only people who find themselves on the sidelines while their other halves watch sporting events are women.

Got noseprints on your oven window?

When I returned to the Woodstock Square on Wednesday, I entered on East Jackson, driving west. Staring at me was the stern soldier atop the Civil War statue. That statue honors the thousands who died in that long, bitter war.

Only the most despicable among us willingly would leave behind a child.

If you plan to vote Republican in the Feb. 2 primary, you probably have some homework to do.

Frustration was rampant among McHenry County College students and many of their parents Thursday as computer server malfunctions, phone line freezes and lengthy lines made for a not-so-smooth start to the spring 2010 registration process.

Shhhh. What was that?

We know what happens when it is suggested that now is no time to panic.

As you drive toward Woodstock and pass Centegra on Route 14, you’ll see Lake Shore Business Park on the left. In the daytime you’ll see a large wind turbine dominating the horizon.

Excited about Illinois’ race for governor yet?

There are many facets to the breakneck pace of journalism today that we didn’t deal with years ago.

A deer in my headlights is enough to give me chills this time of year. Some of my scariest driving near-misses have been with deer.

Choosing words isn’t terribly difficult.

Few people in a crowd were more in evidence than Dixie O’Hara – knowledgeable, opinionated, enthusiastic and ready to contribute to conversation extensively.

In at least one way, my son is like Capt. James T. Kirk of “Star Trek” lore.

Do you ever wish you had a chance to do some volunteer work but find yourself too busy?

Watching someone you care about go through a traumatic experience can be excruciating. Standing on the sidelines while a loved one suffers brings feelings of helplessness.

You have to appreciate the person who, in planning a Halloween costume, totally loses his mind.

I’ve wrestled with the concept of video gaming for the past few weeks.

A Woodstock business is having a grand opening with a new owner and remodeled interior and exterior.

Even those who never boat on the Fox River or Chain O’ Lakes would be hard-pressed to deny their local economic impact.

A week after Chicago’s failed bid for the 2016 Olympics, I’ve engaged in few passionate debates in deference to living more than 50 miles from the site of the proposed games.

I learned the power of reading at an early age.