A free grandstand with paid gate admission returns for a second year at the 70th annual Van Buren Youth Fair, which will get underway July 14-19, 2025, for its weeklong run.

In the “faith chapter” in the Bible, Hebrews 11, we discover an indirect mention of military leader, Joshua, of Jericho fame. That chapter of Hebrews recounts some successes accomplished through faith in God. Of Joshua’s success it says, “By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after the Israelites had marched around them for seven days.” (Hebrews 11:30)

Many have memories of Christmas past, remembrances of family traditions that marked the Christmas season. These memories often relate to the decorations we enjoyed, the colorful lights, the Christmas tree, or the special treats we enjoyed. Those memories define what we nostalgically identify as “Christmas at our house.” For me there are memories of tinseled Christmas trees decorated with chocolate soldiers hiding among the shiny, colorful glass balls. In later years there were homemade cookie...