Like most people who were alive and old enough to remember, I remember exactly where I was and what I was doing when the news broke about the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. I was at home, with my grandchildren just arriving before school. I was getting ready for work and to take them to school when Kevin, my daughter Corrie’s husband, called to say there were fires at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. I recall saying, “How can that be? They’re nowhere near each other!” I couldn’t comprehend it until we learned it was planes and terrorist attacks. The answer to that question left me feeling stunned all day, and for several days afterward. The thought of all the lives lost in the attack haunted me constantly. I felt a deep sense of dread and sorrow for the families who had suffered such immense loss. Like many Americans, I wished I could help but didn’t know how, and I was needed at home. So, I prayed constantly…for those still trapped, for the dead and dying, for their families, and for our country.
Looking back on all that horror, and hearing people complain about airport security, I can’t help but wonder what they’re thinking. It was complacency that left our country vulnerable to those attacks, and it is complacency that could let it happen again. If we want to protect ourselves and our nation, we have to stay vigilant. When I hear people say we 
shouldn’t profile those we search, I think, “Wake up!” In most other countries, we’re treated differently than their citizens. I’m not racist, but I believe that anyone who appears to have an Arab background should understand that if they aren’t a terrorist, these measures are also for their protection. The rules have changed so much since that day, 25 years ago, when we realized we can’t afford to be overly trusting. We should all be more understanding of those working to keep us safe and stop making their jobs harder…they’re just doing their work like everyone else.
In a perfect world, none of this would be necessary. We wouldn’t have lost 2,819 lives in a single day to a planned terrorist attack. Sadly, we don’t live in that kind of world, and there are people who despise us. We owe it to those who died to do everything we can to ensure it never happens again. We owe it to their families to see to it that their loved ones didn’t die in vain or worse yet, that they have been forgotten. Today marks the 25th anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks. The memory of that day and those who lost their 
lives should remain as vivid in our hearts as it was years ago and will be years from now. For those who died on that horrible day, we must never forget!!
My youngest grandson, Josh Petersen is not a kid anymore. He is married and the father of four sons. It seems impossible that he could be grown up already. I remember the days of his childhood, when upon his arrival at my house on school days, the first thing he said was, “Treat Grandma!!” The grandkids came to my house before school, because their moms had to be to work at 8:00am, while I didn’t work until 9:00am. So, I took the kids to school before going on to work. These days, when I babysit the great grandsons, they sound a lot like their dad when they say, “Fruit snacks, GG!!” The treats have changed, but not the kids. They are just like their daddy, and it warms my heart to be able to recall that funny memory.
Josh is a hardworking man. He works for All Out Fire, servicing fire extinguishers, and 
making sales calls. It isn’t an easy job to be sure, but he is quite good at it, and his boss relies on him heavily. At one time Josh wanted to be a firefighter, but his knees couldn’t handle the work, unfortunately. I think he would have made a great firefighter. Nevertheless, Josh has persevered and is now working as close to that occupation as he can. He doesn’t let things get him down. He is always busy, but he does what is necessary to make life good for his family. Sometimes, being the parents of four boys can be exhausting. Nevertheless, they are good parents, and they love their kids dearly.
Josh is an excellent cook, and he loves making meals for his family. He spent a number of years working in the food service industry and learned a great many new recipes and loves cooking. Of course, this is a great thing for his family, as they get to experience lots of great food. Some of the foods he has cooked amaze me, because they are restaurant quality meals. He hasn’t worked in the food industry for a number of years now, but the skills he 
learned there are skills that will remain with him forever. I am very proud of his ability to care for his family. Today is Josh’s 28th birthday. Happy birthday Josh!! Have a great day!! We love you!!
The SS Morro Castle was an American ocean liner. On May 22, 1928, Congress passed the Merchant Marine Act, setting up a $250 million fund to help American shipping companies replace old ships with new ones. These loans could cover up to 75% of a ship’s cost and were to be repaid over twenty years at low interest rates. The New York and Cuba Mail Steam Ship Company, better known as the Ward Line, took advantage of this opportunity, having transported passengers, cargo, and mail between Cuba and the United States since the mid-19th century. The company brought in naval architects to design two passenger liners, naming them Morro Castle, after the famous fortress and lighthouse in Havana, and Oriente, after Cuba’s Oriente Province.
Construction of the Morro Castle began at the Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company in January 1929. The ship was christened in March 1930, and her sister ship, Oriente, followed in May. Both ships were 508 feet long, weighed 11,520 gross register tons, and featured turbo-electric transmission, with General Electric twin turbo generators powering propulsion motors on twin propeller shafts. Designed for luxury, each could carry 489 passengers in first and tourist class, along with 240 officers and crew. While cruiser sterns were becoming popular, the Morro Castle and Oriente showcased classic counter sterns. When it was first built, the Morro Castle came equipped with direction-finding gear and submarine signaling equipment. By 1934, submarine signaling had become outdated and was removed. That same year, the ship was upgraded with echo sounding equipment and a gyrocompass.
On the morning of September 8, 1934, the luxury passenger liner SS Morro Castle, en route from Havana, Cuba, to New York City, caught fire and burned, killing 137 of the 549 passengers and crew. The evening before the fire, Captain Robert Willmott died suddenly, reportedly from “acute indigestion,” and was replaced by Chief Officer William Warms. A strong northeasterly wind was developing under heavy cloud cover. At about 2:50am, a fire was detected in a storage locker within the First-Class Writing Room on B Deck. Within minutes, it burned through the ship’s main electrical cables, plunging the vessel into darkness. Flames spread rapidly through the ship’s lacquered wood and other flammable furnishings, aided by the wind. Another fire reportedly started almost simultaneously elsewhere. The crew’s response was widely criticized, “No general alarm was sounded, allegedly to avoid waking passengers. Acting Captain Warms did not inspect the fires and failed to coordinate effectively. Lifeboats were not loaded to capacity; some were stuck by paint. Decks were too hot to stand on, and smoke made breathing difficult. Passengers were forced to leap into ocean swells where swimming was impossible.”
By mid-morning, the ship was abandoned. Survivors reached the New Jersey shore aboard various vessels, with locals aiding in recovering the dead and reuniting families. The burning hull drifted to Asbury Park, where it stayed for weeks, attracting crowds and turning into a tourist draw. The fires smoldered for two days before the wreck was towed away and eventually scrapped. The cause remains a mystery, with theories ranging from overheated funnels and cabin design flaws to electrical problems. Over time, arson by a crew member became a common suspicion, though no proof ever surfaced. In 1936, three 
men were convicted, but the verdicts were later overturned. The disaster exposed major shortcomings in fire safety, crew training, and passenger ship emergency procedures, prompting reforms in maritime regulations. The Morro Castle’s wreck, visible from the Asbury Park boardwalk for months, became a haunting symbol in maritime history. I can hardly imaging going just to look, but people will.
Every year around this time, I start to feel mixed emotions about the weather…or rather, the changes in it. There’s a blend of sadness that summer is nearly over and excitement for the arrival of fall. While Fall’s hint of future cold snowy days is not exciting to me, the changing colors of the leaves is a pleasant sight. Still, the mornings are spent shivering around the house, only to need the air conditioning before the day ends.
I can’t quite put into words how I feel about the arrival of fall. The heat of the summer days slowly waning, and now the kids are back in school. The trail I walk on is suddenly void of kids on bicycles and kids waling their dogs. Even the summer runners staying in shape for track at school are on the trail less and less. There’s a buzz of excitement all the parents post first day of school photos of their kids, and most of my great grandkids head back to school and pre-school.
I always miss the long, warm days of summer—wearing shorts and sandals, never needing a coat. Life feels easier then, with no bundling up or digging out from snow. Still, there’s a certain anticipation that makes me look forward to fall, just a little. Even knowing it will soon give way to winter, I can’t help but welcome the season’s charm: leaves turning yellow with a few splashes of red, and the occasional foggy morning as cooler air settles over the warm ground.
I know it’s odd coming from a girl who truly hates winter, to say that she is looking forward to fall, but the older I get, the more I realize that I really like spring and fall, because the days are warmer, but not sweltering, and yet I love summer for it’s hot days that can be enjoyed with just a little help from an air conditioner, and winter…well yes, 
winter will come after fall, but it won’t last forever, and after it is over, we will once again move forward into a glorious spring, that is waiting…just a few short months away.
When I first met my husband, Bob Schulenberg’s aunt, Pearl Hein, I liked her right away. She felt like my own aunt even before we were married, and naturally, she became mine too. Pearl was warm, welcoming, and so easy to be around. I honestly can’t think of anyone who didn’t love her. Bob and I often visited Forsyth, Montana, where most of his grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins lived. Those who didn’t live there had roots in the area. We made a point to keep our girls, Corrie Petersen and Amy Royce, connected to that side of the family, and Pearl and Uncle Eddie were always a big part of those visits.
Back in the day, Pearl worked at the IGA grocery store, and honestly, the place might have fallen apart without her. She was a steady presence there for years, but now she’s retired and finally has time to do the things she wants. It hasn’t been quite what she expected, though, after losing her husband, Eddie, and then, just three months later, her son, Larry. Still, she’s slowly starting to feel more like herself again. These days, she enjoys visiting her daughter, Kim Arani, and son-in-law, Michael Arani, in Texas. A change of scenery can do wonders for the spirit, and spending time with her daughter is a nice bonus.
Pearl has always had a big heart for people. She makes an effort to stay connected with those closest to her, whether by phone or text, and it’s always appreciated. Life keeps us all busy, so even a simple message from her can be a bright spot in the day. Pearl still has family in the Forsyth area and enjoys spending time with them whenever she can. She and her sister, Rosalie Steinbach, have always been close, supporting each other while caring for their parents…a role their parents were surely grateful for. Caregiving is no easy task, 
and Pearl understands that better than most. She’s a truly loving and caring person, which is why I felt so drawn to her. She always puts others before herself, making sure everyone has what they need. That’s who she is…always others above self. That’s Pearl!! Today is Pearl’s 77th birthday. Happy birthday Pearl!! Have a great day!! We love you!!
My first son-in-law, Kevin Petersen came into our lives when my daughter, Corrie Petersen was just a girl of 14 years. Corrie told me of the “boy” she liked and wanted to be her first date. Her 15th birthday was coming and she wanted me to meet him so she could accept his invitation. Upon meeting this “boy” and noting his beard, it occurred to me that this was no boy, but a young man. My shock in meeting him must have been visible, but I hope I composed myself in an acceptable manner. That is my hope…because hindsight is 20/20 as they say. Little did I know that this was to not only be Corrie’s choice for a first date, but he would be her choice for a lifelong mate. While this fact surprised me, I must say that I couldn’t have been more pleased. Now, after three years of dating, and 33 years of marriage, I can’t imagine either of them with anyone else. They are perfect for each other.
Kevin is a kindhearted man, who has been there for his parents when they needed him the most. He has often set aside some of the things he might have done in a day, to assist his 
parents in the things they needed. Not everyone is willing to do such things, but not everyone has the heart of a caregiver. I don’t say that to be unkind, but simply because not everyone is suited to the task, and it is a very big task. Those who endeavor to care for aging loved ones are to be commended, because they are a great blessing to those for whom they give needed care. This work isn’t always easy for Kevin, because his has health issues of his own, and they make the work he lovingly does very difficult sometimes. Still, he perseveres, and that makes me very proud of him.
Kevin and Corrie are grandparents to a granddaughter and six grandsons, and they are very proud of each and every one of them. They are also fur parents to two dogs and a cat. They do love to “spoil” their fur babies…spending hours with one or more of them in residence on their laps. Any reading or studying they do is often interrupted by one or more of the pets sitting on the book or computer, demanding a little bit more of their time. Kevin also works of his cars and has restored several. He does excellent work, even to 
painting his cars. The cars are restored to their former beauty, and he has even entered them in car shows. Kevin’s artistic abilities are very impressive, and I am very proud of all he does. Today is Kevin’s birthday. Happy birthday Kevin!! Have a great day!! We love you!!
Mogollon, also known as the Mogollon Historic District, is actually a former mining town in the Mogollon Mountains of Catron County, New Mexico. Located east of Glenwood and Alma, it was established in the 1880s at the base of Silver Creek Canyon to serve the gold and silver mines in the nearby mountains. The “Little Fannie” mine became the town’s biggest employer, and in the 1890s its population of miners ranged from 3,000 to 6,000. Thanks to its remote location, Mogollon earned a reputation as one of the wildest mining towns in the West.
In the 1870s, Sergeant James C Cooney of Fort Bayard discovered a rich vein of gold in the Gila Mountains near what would become Mogollon. In 1889, miner John Eberle built the first cabin there after mines were established along Silver Creek, which runs through the town. A jail and post office opened in 1890, followed by the first school in 1892. During this boom, Mogollon absorbed the population of nearby Cooney and spurred growth in towns like Glenwood, Gila, and Cliff, thanks to their locations along the trail to the town. Between 1872 and 1873, the stagecoach from Mogollon to Silver City was robbed 23 times by the same outlaw, who was eventually caught by Wells Fargo agents.
In 1909, Mogollon had a population of around 2,000. That year, the town boasted five saloons, two restaurants, four general stores, two hotels, and several brothels spread across two red-light districts. It was also home to a photographer, the Midway Theatre, an ice maker, and a bakery. The Silver City and Mogollon Stage Line ran daily, transporting passengers, freight, and gold and silver bullion over the 80-mile trip between the towns in nearly 15 hours. By 1915, Mogollon had a monthly payroll of $75,000 and a population of 1,500, complete with electricity, water, and telephone service. The local school educated around 300 students.
From its early days, Mogollon faced a string of devastating fires and floods. The first major fire in 1894 destroyed most of the wooden buildings, with more fires striking in 1904, 1910, 1915, and 1942. Each time, residents quickly rebuilt, increasingly using stone and adobe. Floods also tore through Silver Creek in 1894, 1896, 1899, and 1914, sweeping away mine tailings, debris, bridges, homes, and even lives.
More than 20 mines sprang up in the Mogollon area, and by 1914 the district had produced around $1.5 million in gold and silver…about 40% of New Mexico’s precious metals that year. Over their lifetime, the Mogollon Mountains yielded more than 18 million ounces of silver, making up a quarter of the state’s total production. Nearly $20 million worth of gold, silver, and copper was extracted, with silver making up about two-thirds of the total. Many saw Silver City mainly as a railhead for Mogollon’s eight-team freight wagons loaded with gold and silver ore.
As the ore grade declined, so did profits, and by 1930 the population had dropped to around 200. By 1940, mining activity had slowed significantly. The Fanny Mill was the only local facility processing ore in Mogollon, so when the Fanny mines closed in 1942, the others that had sent their ore there also shut down. There was a brief, modest resurgence during World War II, as idle mines across the country began producing minerals and precious metals to support the wartime manufacturing boom. Mining has been inactive ever since. In 1973, the Italian Western “My Name is Nobody,” starring Henry Fonda and Terence Hill, was filmed in Mogollon. As part of the movie set, a saloon and general store were built in the town.
Advancements in refining technology have sparked attempts to restart mining operations. In the 1980s, Challenge Mining Company tested ore concentrations, but the project never progressed. By 2023, Canadian mineral exploration firm Summa Silver had acquired 7,730 acres of claims in the Mogollon mining district. Tests revealed high-grade ore, and the company hopes to start mining based on future results. Today, the town is home to several private residences and a few small businesses, including the Silver Creek Inn, which occupies the historic Mogollon House, built by Frank Lauderbaugh in 1885. In 1987, the entire Mogollon community was listed on the National Register of Historic Places as the 
Fannie Hill Mill and Company Town Historic District, recognized for its industrial significance and architectural significance from 1875 to 1949.
Marshal Ferdinand Foch is often credited with the phrase “twenty-year armistice,” reflecting his view that the Treaty of Versailles was not a true peace agreement, but a temporary pause likely to last only twenty years before sparking another war. A French officer who became Supreme Allied Commander in March 1918, Foch led the Allies to their final hard-won victory over the Central Powers in World War I. After four years of devastating conflict, the need for peace was deeply felt across Europe’s exhausted major powers. While the defeated Germans resisted the treaty’s harsh terms, Foch believed they were far too lenient. When the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, he reportedly said, “This is not peace. It is an armistice for twenty years,” convinced it would fail to prevent future hostilities.
Ferdinand Foch was born on October 2, 1851, in Tarbes, a town in the Hautes-Pyrénées region of southwestern France, into a humble, devout, middle-class Catholic family. His surname reflected his father’s roots, a civil servant from Valentine, a village in Haute-Garonne. From an early age, he enjoyed studying and working, had a strong fascination with military history and strategy, and eagerly read military literature.
Foch’s warning turned out to be spot-on, predicting the start of World War II just over twenty years later, on September 1, 1939, when Germany invaded Poland. He believed the Treaty of Versailles failed to fully dismantle Germany’s military or address deep-rooted tensions in Europe. Many see the years between the wars as a “twenty-year armistice,” with unresolved issues from World War I quietly brewing until they erupted again. This perspective suggests the interwar period wasn’t true peace, just a short break before the next big conflict. Foch’s doubts about the treaty highlighted the need for stricter measures to ensure lasting peace—a warning that proved all too accurate when war broke out almost exactly two decades later. His foresight underscores how hard it is to create enduring peace without addressing the root causes of conflict. 
Foch died on March 20, 1929 and was laid to rest in Les Invalides, alongside Napoleon and other distinguished French soldiers and officers. Initially, he was buried in the crypt of the Saint-Louis Church, known as the Caveau des Gouverneurs. In 1937, his remains were transferred to an impressive tomb designed by Paul Landowski, inspired by the 15th-century tomb of Philippe Pot, located in the northeastern chapel (Chapelle Saint-Ambroise) of the Dome Church.
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On July 23, 2026, my youngest grandniece made her entrance into the world in Denver, Colorado. Her parents, Lacey and Chris Killinger wanted to honor Lacey’s mom, Alena Stevens, who had passed away on April 23, 2025, but Lacey knew that while her mom liked her name, it was a name that was almost always mispronounced, so instead of spelling it Alena, they named their sweet baby girl Alayna Grace Killinger. The name is absolutely perfect for this sweet little princess of a girl. Lacey’s aunts, her mom’s sisters, Cheryl Masterson, Caryn Schulenberg, Caryl Reed, and Allyn Hadlock could not be more pleased with the name. This sweet “namesake with a twist” is such a beautiful way to honor our precious sister.
Alayna is like her grandmother in a couple of ways that are quite obvious. Alayna inherited her hair color from her grandmother, although her daddy might have had something to do with that too. Chris’ hair is definitely darker than Alena’s was. Alayna’s hair is dark and she has quite a bit of it. It is quite beautiful, and if it grows in as thick as dark hair often does, it will be lovely. Another surprise was the fact that Alayna’s nails look perfectly manicured. Just like her grandmother and her mommy she simply couldn’t go out without manicured nails…even if it is just to a hospital nursery. Her hands and nails looked just beautiful when she was born. I know that my sister is so pleased with the beautiful little hands of her granddaughter. 
Alayna is such a sweet baby girl. She hardly ever makes a fuss and absolutely loves to cuddle. There is nothing quite so sweet as a beautiful baby girl that just cuddles right up to you and goes to sleep. Her siblings, Brooklyn and Jaxon are so excited to meet her, and I know she will cuddle right up to them too. Her grandpa, Mike Stevens, Aunt Michelle and Uncle Matt, as well as Uncle Garrett and Aunt Kayla and their kids, are also excited to get to know her. Alayna knows that she is so very loved, and that goes a long way toward how comfortable a baby is. It isn’t really surprising that Alayna is such a peaceful baby, because her mom and dad are also very calm people. The reality is that very often, calm parents produce a calm baby.
Alayna has such a sweet smile, and she loves to cuddle with her parents. She is a good sleeper too, and of course, her favorite sleeping position is in her mother’s arms. Alayna enjoys bathtime, as does her mom. Alayna just relaxes and grins at the warmth and the grooming. She does have lots of hair, and her mom is a cosmetologist, so having her hair brushed and styled is going to be a big part of her future. That makes me jealous, because I love having my hair brushed, as do most of the people in our family. There is just something about having someone run a brush or their fingers through your hair. It is so 
relaxing…and Alayna loves it. Babies need that loving touch. Alayna is such a sweet baby girl, and I can’t wait to get to know her and watch her grow. Welcome to the world Alayna Grace!! We love you so much!!
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My niece, Lindsay Moore has had a busy year. Lindsay has been a Christian all her life, and her walk with the Lord grows stronger every day. A while back she started a podcast called “A New Way To Live” and it has been very successful. She still does her podcast on a weekly basis and the Lord is seeing to it that it reaches more and more people all the time. Her teachings are very anointed, and she loves being a voice for what the Lord wants to say. A while back, Lindsay studied for and became a licensed minister in the Four Square Church. She and her family have attended Harvest Church since they moved to Laramie, and they feel very much at home there.
She is a Girl Scout Leader for her daughter, Mackenzie’s troop and they recently went to Colorado Springs for an overnight trip to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. They got to tour the zoo in the evening and spent the night on site. The girls had a great time, and all the other 
mothers went along so it was a fun experience. Lindsay and Mackenzie are very close…best friends all the way, so this trip was almost like a friends’ trip. The Girl Scouts get to do so many more fun things than when I was a girl. For us, a sleepover at the Girl Scout House was about as good as it got. To spend the night in a museum would have been epic for sure, I think that was probably cool, even for the parents.
Shannon (Lindsay’s husband), Lindsay and Mackenzie went to San Antonio, Texas for spring break and had a really great time. They also went down to Galveston/Corpus Christi area. The whole Hadlock family, which is Lindsay’s family, went to the Big Horns and then over to Cooke City for a week of camping and 4 wheeling. It was a really great time. 
Lindsay loves going out of cell phone range so she can enjoy camping with her family without phones or other devices that can steal time and attention from each other. This trip was the perfect place for that! She loves her family and she is very blessed! Today is Lindsay’s birthday. Happy birthday Lindsay!! Have a great day!! We love you!!