Category Archives: Columns

Three stories from my dad

May 10, 2021Columns, Family, Memoriessusanmanzke

I’ve shared some of my dad’s stories here. Using my column, I shared these in the past.

I hope you enjoy hearing some of my family history today.

The skeleton in this story wears a smile and I love telling how my sweet grandmother ended up in jail on her wedding day.

This photo is how I remember Grandma Brush. At the end of her life, she lived in a small home built for her next to ours. There she raised geese and one particular mean gander we called Garfield.

Projects added up

May 5, 2021Columns, Odds and ends, Susansusanmanzke

One project led to another and then more. It was hard to stop the room update once I got started.

This 1990 column has me going full force on the living room.

I’m not so enthusiastic about fixing and painting these days. I can live with what I have, well, mostly.

But I did jump in with both feet into doing these recordings and blogging. Guess I haven’t changed that much in all these years. I just pointed myself in a different direction.

A change of hair

May 3, 2021Columns, Family, Susansusanmanzke

I was ready for a different hairstyle. It was 1987 and everyone was sporting great perms and big hair. A friend said she could do the same for me.

This column recounts my family’s reaction to the change.

I guess big hair wasn’t for me.

Thanks Rob for calling me Bozo the Clown.

In the spotlight, part 2

May 2, 2021Columns, Susansusanmanzke

This column continues with my stint as a community theater actor. It was a first for me. I pushed myself to do this out-of-character activity.

Again, from spring 1986, I stepped out on stage.

In the years of Seymour Community Theater, I had more parts that took me on stage. Every time I had butterflies in my tummy. Still, I went forward.

Taking on things that scare us is a good thing. They make us grow.

I hope today this encourages others to take steps that will challenge them.

A new star

May 1, 2021Columns, fun, speaking, Susansusanmanzke

Even though I’m an introvert, I have pushed myself to take steps in front of an audience.

This column from 1986 tells of my first attempt at acting. I was afraid, but even so, I went in front of that audience and became the nosy old lady from across the hall–it was a fun part.

Many of my friends worked on this play. Seeing them succeed in other productions made me want to give it a try, too.

A minor character was the best way to start. For me, it helped me come out of my shell.

Susan Manzke

Writer, Speaker, All-Around Good Person