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Perpetual Ponderings
While working for the Gaylord Herald Times in the 2000s, Kurt was asked to write a regular column for the newspaper. He chose the title, "Perpetual Ponderings," because once he gets a thought in his head, it difficult to make it go away until it is put down on paper. Featured here are a variety of his favorite columns over the years for various newspapers and some newer ones. Enjoy!


THE PEN IS MIGHTIER THAN THE BAZOOKA
By Kurt J. Kolka Special to the Voice The name Mort Walker may not mean much in the average household today, but his work has appeared in...
Kurt J. Kolka
Feb 24, 20184 min read
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WALKING INTO A SUNRISE
By Kurt J. Kolka (2015 - What I thought was to be my final column for the Gaylord Herald Times) As most of you know, I am a big fan of...
Kurt J. Kolka
Feb 24, 20184 min read
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THE ? STATES OF AMERICA
By Kurt J. Kolka (During Campaign 2016) How united are we in America? To judge by social media and the national media, we seem to have...
Kurt J. Kolka
Feb 24, 20183 min read
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REFLECTIONS IN THE RIVER OF LIFE
by Kurt J. Kolka (June 2016) It was 1:30 a.m. when we received the phone call. Dad had passed away, with Mom in a chair by his side. End...
Kurt J. Kolka
Feb 24, 20184 min read
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A LEARNING EXPERIENCE
In recent weeks, many of us have been celebrating the achievements made by young adults in our communities. Graduation. That includes my...
Kurt J. Kolka
Feb 24, 20183 min read
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IN SEARCH OF CONTENTMENT
By Kurt J. Kolka I've been doing a lot of thinking lately. This summer I saw my best friend from kindergarten (who now lives out East)...
Kurt J. Kolka
Feb 24, 20184 min read
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THE TAINTED HISTORIES OF KOLKE CREEK AND FRANZ KULKA
(Photo: What is believed to be the grave site of Franz Kulka) By Kurt J. Kolka When you research the history behind the name of a local...
Kurt J. Kolka
Feb 24, 20183 min read
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From death to life, an amazing change!
(Photo courtesy of MLive) By Kurt J. Kolka It has been 11 years now since the tragedy of the Whitney Cerak-Laura VanRyn medical mix-up...
Kurt J. Kolka
Feb 24, 20183 min read
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Collecting Memories
Courtesy photo John Davey as Captain Marvel in SHAZAM! (Originally Posted: Friday, October 2, 2015 9:12 am) By Kurt J. Kolka Are you a...
Kurt J. Kolka
Feb 24, 20185 min read
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HISTORY, IT'S A PEOPLE THING
By Kurt J. Kolka (Originally Posted: Friday, June 27, 2014) Like a lot of people, I thought history was boring. Back in elementary...
Kurt J. Kolka
Feb 24, 20184 min read
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FINDING HEROES IN TOUGH TIMES
Who's your hero? Is he or she real or fictitious? Alive or passed on? And why did he or she become a hero to you? Seems like we all grow...
Kurt J. Kolka
Feb 24, 20184 min read
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THOUGHTS OF SUMMERS PAST
By Kurt J. Kolka (Originally Posted: Friday, April 25, 2014) Typically, in late winter, I begin thinking a lot about summer. Well, this...
Kurt J. Kolka
Feb 24, 20184 min read
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LIFE WITH A DASH OF GINGER
(Originally Posted: Tuesday, May 21, 2013) Our family is going through a difficult time. A few weeks ago, we learned our dog, Ginger,...
Kurt J. Kolka
Feb 24, 20184 min read
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JUST A MAN OUT OF TIME
By Kurt J. Kolka (Originally Posted: Tuesday, January 6, 2015) The more time goes on and things change, the more I feel like a man out of...
Kurt J. Kolka
Feb 24, 20184 min read
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TODAY'S WINTER JOURNEYS BEGAN ONE SUMMER
By Kurt J. Kolka (Posted: Tuesday, January 22, 2013) I love the journeys of winter! I recently came back from a trip to Abbottabad,...
Kurt J. Kolka
Feb 24, 20183 min read
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