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An old man in the rural part of St. Clair County successfully worked to keep wild turkeys plentiful on his place. For 15 years he did a heck of a job! His name was Dan Besser. He bought some incubators and raided several wild turkey nests each spring, hatching the eggs and raising the turkey…

There are certain principles in politics that are routinely followed because they are effective. All have been covered in this column, but that doesn’t mean some new dimension won’t jump out in an election year. Before getting into that, let’s review several old standards. First, identify the enemy. Second, instill fear and suspicion concerning the…

We celebrate Financial Literacy Month (FLM) every April to promote financial education and well-being in the United States. FLM also serves as a reminder that Social Security is a vital part of any financial plan. Our online tools are here to help you understand your potential Social Security benefits and how they fit into your…

I encourage old time turkey hunters to refrain from buying a turkey tag this spring and hunt them as I do…with a camera. I just don’t want to kill any more gobblers. I have killed them for 56 years, sometimes six or seven a year, and that is enough. I never want to go through…

After all the Easter excitement last Sunday – when church was over and company gone – I found myself falling asleep on the couch. You know those times: when the day is busy, a few late afternoon moments on the sofa just hit the spot. Here’s the problem. That nap satisfied my immediate fatigue, but…

Did you join us for Slam the Scam Day in March? If so, you know how important it is to raise awareness about government imposter scams. That’s why we want you to have all the information you need to protect yourself. Check out our top 5 scam awareness articles below: 1. We work with our…

As I do every morning, I spent a few moments in silence with a cup of coffee pondering what was, what is and what will be. However, this past Tuesday, on April 9, I spent a few extra moments to myself. It’s not because April 9 is National Unicorn Day or National Gin and Tonic…

“Don’t forget what happened to the man who suddenly got everything he wanted. … He lived happily ever after.” -Willy Wonka Nearly 15 years ago I found something that would not only have the most profound effect on my mental health, but put me on the path to living my life’s purpose. I am talking…

Apart from not smoking, it’s hard to find something that’s better for us than being physically active. From lowering the risk of heart disease and stroke to boosting mobility to adding healthy years to our lives, activity can have a positive impact on our health in many ways. And that doesn’t just include physical benefits;…

The decline in wild turkey numbers over the past ten years is due to many things. The main cause takes place next weekend, the youth season, what one hunter has referred to the weekend best used to teach youngsters to lie and break game laws. I spend more time outdoors during the winter than any…