Music is the universal language. Although the styles of music and dance vary widely from one culture and generation to the next, we all understand the language of music and can intuitively sense whether the music is happy or sad, or whether it is conveying any of a whole host of possible emotions. In fact sometimes music seems better able than words to convey what we are really feeling. Words are feeble symbols and mere abstractions, whereas music often seems to more directly express our true thoughts and feelings. How fitting that many of the Psalms tells us to praise God with music and dancing: “Let them praise his name with dancing, making melody to him with timbrel and lyre!” (Psalm 149:3) There are times when we just cannot contain ourselves, and the cosmic music that is all around us sings through us. At those times, we almost feel as if we have to sing or dance, and it is right and fitting to do so.

The United Methodist Church (UMC) tri-parish of Elba, Palmer, and Wolbach took on a new pastor following the departure of pastor- and- associate-pastor pair Mike and Cheryl Anderson at the end of June: Cesar Duran. In an interview in late July, Duran said that he was still unpacking, and that the logistics of serving three parishes as sole pastor was still being figured out, but added that things were, ultimately, “ perfect.

The cross-state rivalry between the Dannebrog-Cairo- Boelus (DCB) and Malcolm Seniors has produced Class C’s last four state champions. Following DCB’s back-to-back trophies in 2019 and 2021, Malcolm took home the crown in 2022 and, on the field in Rushville last Wednesday, earned their second straight championship when the Lancaster County team topped DCB 6-2.

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St. Paul Public Schools (SPPS) will welcome a new band and choir teacher in the 2023–2024 academic year, Danielle Spencer.

Asphalt work continued upon the streets of Wolbach early this week. Work had began on Kingwood Street in Wolbach, between its intersections with Center Avenue to the north and Highway 22 to the south, last Wednesday.

A continuance of autumn-like weather for early August and rainfall has bolstered the immediate crop outlook…The cool and wet conditions have been a boon to legume crops, with alfalfa acres, which are approaching third cuttings, in excellent condition.