It's been a few weeks since the tragic earthquake forever changed the lives and landscape of Haiti. Each day, more is revealed to us about the devastating effects and the enormous time-table required for life to return to "normal." Michigan people shed their tears, as did so many, and we gave, like so many did as well. It should feel good to give. It does.

Some Rules Kids Won't Learn in School

Text By Charles J. Sykes

Printed in San Diego Union Tribune
September 19, 1996

Unfortunately, there are some things that children should be learning in school, but don't. Not all of them have to do with academics. As a modest back-to-school offering, here are some basic rules that may not have found their way into the standard curriculum.

It seems that everyone has a complaint these days. I guess that's my complaint. People find everything to complain about: the weather; their kids, their jobs; the roads; politics--just to name a few. I quit reading people's status updates on Facebook because so many people feel the need to update their position in life with a gripe. It would appear that some people never catch a break, never feel good or generally just feel slighted--EVERYDAY AND ALL DAY LONG. You better believe that if there is an itch, someone is scratching it.

On March 29, 2009 I developed my "Top 10 Things to Do in Michigan This Year" in a blog. The list went as follows:

1. Go do something in the UP.
2. Visit the Detroit Institute of Arts.
3. Watch the sun set at Sleeping Bear Dunes.
4. Try 12 different independent microbrews.
5. Go mushrooming.
6. Purchase a vegetable share from a CSA.
7. Spend time on Mullet Lake with my family.
8. Go to an unusually themed festival.
9. Attend a county 4-H fair.
10. Share a meal with 50 people I have never met before.

The results:

My coach from little league always use to remind us to practice the fundamentals. He told us that the game was actually simple and that these principles are the same regardless of the level you achieve. Master the basics, master the game.

This month, we have had great experiences right in our back yard and as far north as Cheboygan.

In a slumping economy, Michigan's agricultural industry showed an almost 12 percent increase. “Agriculture is a force for economic stability in Michigan, with yearly economic impact estimated to be $71.3 billion, on the basis of data from 2007,” said Christopher Peterson, director, MSU Product Center and a study author. “This represents a $7.6 billion increase from the $63.7 billion impact projected in an analysis of 2006 data released last year.” Not too shabby considering these numbers represent 20% of the state's economy.

I want to welcome all of our old and new friends alike to our new website. I would like to take a moment of Thanksgiving before I go any further. Thank you to my wonderful and loving wife, Lynn, for her unending support. She is the wind in my sails and my font of encouragement. I want to thank the all of members of our Executive Planning Committee for their contributions, support, and talents, particularly Kevin Janeway for his friendship and mentorship. Thank you to my former employer for downsizing me and opening the door to my cage.