Eating Local, Developing Local Food Supply Chains, Better Overall Health (Log Cabin Cooking)

Eating locally and cooking at home may be two of the simpler ways to improve your diet—and you don't necessarily need a television chef, a $500 blender, or 47 ingredients to do it.

Much of the American food supply is highly processed. While processing has its advantages, preparing more meals from fresh ingredients gives people greater control over what they are actually eating. It also means knowing where some of that food comes from, which is generally a good thing.

(Illustrative Only)
Working on Catching
my own fish
somtimes.

A stronger local food system could also improve food security. Farmers, fishermen, gardeners, food producers, and local artisans can supply communities through farmers markets, local grocery stores, and other outlets. COVID-19 provided a reminder that having multiple sources of food can be useful when larger supply chains run into problems. Having a significant portion of our food available locally could provide communities with another layer of protection.

Local agriculture can also create economic opportunities. Vacant land could potentially support hobby farms or small agricultural operations, allowing people to grow food without needing millions of dollars and a corporate boardroom to get started. Selling directly to local consumers can also help keep more money circulating within the community.

Cooking at home also becomes easier with experience. Once people learn basic techniques, they can prepare meals without relying heavily on recipes. A recent meal included cod served over salad, along with a homemade apple pie using apples simmered with butter, sugar, cinnamon, brown sugar, and lemon. Hungry? Homemade.

I have a fitness trainer license, and yoga instructor license, do a little coaching, so let me know if you need some help and send me a message to the right. 

Health Benefits of Eating Locally

• Buying locally can provide access to fresh foods while also supporting farmers and local food systems.
• Shorter supply chains may mean less handling and allow produce to be harvested closer to peak ripeness.
• Fresh fruits and vegetables provide important nutrients, antioxidants, and other compounds associated with a healthy diet.
• Farmers markets, community-supported agriculture, and gardening can provide opportunities for physical activity, social interaction, and learning.
• Buying seasonal products, visiting farmers markets, and growing some food at home are practical ways to increase local food consumption while supporting regional agriculture.

McCurdy, M. (2022, May 17). Health benefits of eating locally. University of New Hampshire Extension. https://extension.unh.edu/blog/2022/05/health-benefits-eating-locally

Philadelphia Fed Reserve President Anna Paulson Speaks at10th Annual FinTech Conference-Technology and the Economy

September 24th, 2026

WELLS, MI.-Philadelphia Federal Reserve President Anna Paulson recently spoke at the 10th Annual FinTech Conference at the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia, discussing economic conditions and emerging financial technologies.

Several recent economic reports are showing similar patterns. The U.S. economy continues to grow, although at a moderate pace, while significant investment in artificial intelligence is helping support economic activity. Inflation remains an important concern, while new financial technologies, including stablecoins, are creating additional areas for policymakers and businesses to watch.

The similarities among economic reports may also reflect the fact that researchers are working with many of the same economic indicators and data. However, researchers are increasingly looking at that information from new perspectives and combining knowledge from different fields.

This type of interdisciplinary research can be seen in areas such as neuroeconomics, which combines economics and neuroscience to better understand how people make decisions. At the same time, technological changes are creating new forms of financial exchange and changing how people and businesses interact with money.

As economics, technology, neuroscience, and finance continue to intersect, these emerging fields may provide new ways to understand both economic behavior and the changing financial system.

Philadelphia Fed Highlights Inflation, AI Investment and Fintech Innovation

• Philadelphia Fed President Anna Paulson said the U.S. economy remains resilient, with continued economic growth, consumer spending, and a relatively stable labor market despite tariffs and elevated energy prices.

• Business investment, particularly in artificial intelligence infrastructure and data centers, is contributing to economic growth and supporting activity across technology and manufacturing.

• Underlying inflation remains above the Federal Reserve’s 2% target, with tariffs, energy costs, and strong demand contributing to continued price pressures.

• Paulson supported a 25-basis-point increase in the federal funds rate and discussed the possibility of additional monetary policy adjustments as economic conditions develop.

• The Philadelphia Fed’s 10th Annual Fintech Conference is examining developments involving stablecoins, tokenized deposits, artificial intelligence, and other financial technologies, along with related regulatory and financial-stability issues.

Paulson, A. (2026, September 24). Opening remarks [Speech]. Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia. https://www.philadelphiafed.org/the-economy/monetary-policy/260924-10th-annual-fintech-conference-speech

Military and Veteran Higher Education Stats and Amvets Scholarship Opportunities

September 24th, 2026

ESCANABA, MI- Supporting veterans means recognizing both the sacrifices they have made and the skills they bring home from military service. Especially the sacrafices for things like freedom of religion, speech, and societal engagement. Education can be an important next step in turning those experiences into long-term career opportunities.

Military service can provide valuable experience in leadership, discipline, teamwork, responsibility, and working toward a common objective. For individuals who may not have had many educational or economic advantages growing up, those skills can become an important foundation for future success.

The report below indicates about 62% of student veterans and servicemembers are first-generation college students. The article also notes that business is the most common field of study among veterans, and that student veterans have demonstrated strong academic performance in several studies.

Education support matters, too. Programs such as the GI Bill help veterans and servicemembers pay for tuition and other educational expenses. Community organizations and veterans' organizations can also play a role by connecting students with scholarships and other resources.

For veterans considering college or additional training, it may be worthwhile to explore scholarship opportunities through organizations such as AMVETS, along with federal and institutional education benefits. Investing in veterans' education can help translate military experience into new opportunities for individuals, families, and communities.

If you are a college student you may want to check out Amvets Scholarships. Likewise, supporting your local Amvets Post #123-Escanaba does help foster greater veteran engagement. If you would like to make a donation reach out. Escanaba Amvets Webpage and Esky Amvets Facebook

Military and Veteran Higher Education: Key Statistics and Trends

• About 62% of student veterans and servicemembers are first-generation college students, compared with 43% of non-military-affiliated students.
• Business is the most common field of study among veterans, accounting for about 27%, followed by STEM at 14.4% and health-related fields at 10.4%.
• Education benefits remain an important resource. In fiscal year 2021, about 610,009 students used the Post-9/11 GI Bill, while military students also received other forms of tuition assistance.
• Veterans are generally older college students; 57% of veteran students were age 30 or older, compared with 21% of non-veteran students in the cited data.
• The article highlights both educational and economic outcomes. Ten years after earning bachelor's degrees, veteran graduates in the cited study reported average gross income of $79,371, compared with $76,293 for nonveteran graduates.

Prestianni, T. (2024, November 29). 71 military and veteran higher education statistics for 2026. National University. https://www.nu.edu/blog/military-and-veteran-higher-education-statistics/

Unemployent Claims Fell a Little Week Ending September 19th, 2026: Labor Market Shows Continued Stability (Employees are More than an Asset)

September 24th, 2026

ESCANABA MI.-The U.S. labor market showed signs of continued stability in the week ending September 19, as initial unemployment claims declined slightly.

Michigan also recorded fewer claims in the previous week, while California saw a modest increase in the latest reporting period. However, California had reported roughly 4,800 fewer claims the week before, underscoring the importance of looking beyond week-to-week fluctuations when assessing labor-market conditions.

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These ladies
know they couldn't
have had such a nice
life if they didn't
take care of their
employees and understand
their suppliers, vendors,
and others involved
in their business. 

An advantage of 
a small town. 

Small business
understand how they
contribute and
are connected to
their communities.

Their employees
are more
than an asset.

Unemployment remains an important measure of how effectively an economy is using its available workforce. Employment provides more than income—it can offer people purpose, meaningful engagement, and opportunities to develop skills, particularly when workers find jobs that match their interests and abilities.

The benefits extend beyond individual workers. Employment strengthens communities by giving people opportunities to contribute their skills and talents. Employers, in turn, have a responsibility to make productive use of those abilities in ways that benefit workers, businesses, and the broader community (They are part of our society as well and have responsibilities to that society that helped them get wealthy. They couldn't have done it alone. Corporate philanthropy could be more and focused on developing whole communities.).

A healthy labor market ultimately requires a balance between individual development and organizational productivity. The goal is not simply to fill positions, but to create opportunities for people to contribute, grow, and participate meaningfully in society.

U.S. Unemployment Claims Remain Low, With Michigan and California Showing Changes

• Seasonally adjusted initial unemployment claims fell to 197,000 for the week ending September 19, down 1,000 from the revised 198,000 the previous week. The four-week average declined to 202,250.
• Michigan recorded 3,809 unadjusted initial claims for the week ending September 19, up 176 from the prior week. Insured unemployment totaled 40,831, compared with 40,271 the previous week.
• For the week ending September 12, Michigan had 2,169 fewer initial claims than the previous week. The state reported that the decline reflected fewer manufacturing layoffs.
• California recorded 35,101 unadjusted initial claims for the week ending September 19, an increase of 2,522 from the prior week. Insured unemployment rose to 313,226 from 302,050.
• For the week ending September 12, California had 4,809 fewer initial claims than the previous week, while its insured unemployment rate was 1.7%. Nationally, the latest claims data remain near historically low levels.

U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. (2026, September 24). Unemployment insurance weekly claims—September 19, 2026. https://www.dol.gov/ui/data.pdf

Elks Legacy Awards-Helping Provide College Scholarships (The Value of Social Clubs)

September 24th, 2026

ESCANABA MI.-Social clubs can play an important role in strengthening communities. They provide opportunities to socialize, build relationships, and work together on charitable and community projects. Escanaba has many active clubs where people can connect with others and get involved (San Diego has a lot of social clubs as well but they are a different type. Elks is in a lot of places and there is one in San Diego but I have it on my list to visit.) 

One example is the Elks Legacy Award, which provides college scholarships to eligible children and grandchildren of Elks members. With the rising cost of higher education, scholarships like these can make a meaningful difference and help students pursue their educational goals. You can read more about the eligibility requirements and application process by clicking the link.

Summary Elks Legacy Awards:

The Elks Legacy Awards provide college scholarships to eligible high school seniors who are children or grandchildren of Elks members. For 2027, applications opened September 1, 2026, and are due February 1, 2027; Michigan has five designated awards, with additional scholarships available nationally

Elks Legacy Program

Federal Reserve Governor Michael S. Barr Discusses Housing Affordability (Local Communities Count)

Septbeber 24th, 2026

ESCANABA MI-Federal Reserve Governor Michael S. Barr’s recent speech on housing affordability raises an important issue for communities and hometowns: where wealth, opportunity, and decision-making are concentrated can have a significant effect on local economic development.

For communities to remain strong, local businesses, downtowns, and residents need opportunities to participate in economic growth. When wealth and investment become increasingly concentrated, smaller communities can lose businesses, housing opportunities, and some of their ability to shape their own economic future.

Housing affordability is an important part of that equation. Programs that help communities reinvest locally, expand housing options, support small businesses, and encourage private investment can strengthen the economic foundation of a hometown.

These efforts are not a complete solution. They are, however, part of a broader conversation about how communities can create opportunity and ensure that economic development benefits more than just a small portion of the population.

A strong downtown, a healthy small-business sector, and affordable housing can give residents a greater opportunity to participate in—and benefit from—the economic life of their community.

Housing Affordability Faces Long-Term Challenges

• Federal Reserve Governor Michael S. Barr said housing affordability has deteriorated significantly, with high home prices, mortgage rates, rents, insurance costs, and property taxes putting pressure on households.

• The Atlanta Fed’s housing affordability index fell to 68 in July 2026, its lowest level in 21 years. Barr noted that real home prices have risen much faster than household incomes since 2000.

• Barr identified limited housing supply as a major contributor to high prices, with estimates of the national housing shortfall ranging from about 2 million to 5.5 million units.

• Construction productivity has grown slowly, while shortages of skilled workers, higher material costs, regulations, and the long recovery from the 2007–2009 housing downturn have constrained new housing production.

• Barr highlighted public-private partnerships, the Community Reinvestment Act, the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, modular construction, financial innovation, and local efforts to reduce regulatory barriers as potential tools for expanding affordable housing.

Barr, M. S. (2026, September 23). A long-term view on the costs of shelter [Speech]. Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. https://www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/speech/barr20260923a.htm

OECD September 2026: US Economy Doing Fairly Well (Digital GDP, Economic Platforms, Apple Pies and Maple Syrup)

(Illustrative Only)
They wonder
if global expansion
means they can
export their maple 
syrup and apple
pies globally.
The first thought
that comes to mind
is getting more
of their products
listed online
and connect to 
a distribution company.
They think 
about 
Economic Platforms
and 
Digital GP

September 23rd, 2026

ESCANABA, MI.-The OECD Economic Outlook offers some encouraging signs. Global economic growth is projected at about 2.9% in 2026 and 3% in 2027, while U.S. growth is expected to reach about 2.2%.

Inflation remains a concern, but continued investment in artificial intelligence and other technologies appears to be supporting economic activity. As businesses update technology and invest in productivity, these changes may continue to influence growth and create new opportunities across the economy.

Also this article seemed interesting Irwin, N. (2026, September 23). OECD: U.S. economy to grow faster than its allies. Axios.https://www.axios.com/2026/09/23/oecd-us-economy-to-grow-faster-than-its-allies

OECD Economic Outlook: Global Growth Continues

• Global growth is projected at 2.9% in 2026 and 3.0% in 2027.

• U.S. growth is expected to reach 2.2% in 2026 and 2.1% in 2027.

• Inflation remains a concern but is expected to ease in 2027.

• Energy prices, tariffs, trade restrictions, and geopolitical tensions remain key risks.

• AI investment is supporting economic activity while higher interest rates create challenges.

OECD. (2026). OECD economic outlook, interim report September 2026: Weathering successive shocks. OECD Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1787/f751d02b-en⁠

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