Sunrise, sunset -- News-Gazette

 "Sunrise, sunset, quickly fly the years"

is my latest published

Voices Guest Commentary

in the print & digital

Champaign-Urbana News-Gazette

www.news-gazette.com

Saturday October 10, 2026.

I welcome your comments.

Marvelous Maine -- Prime Life Times

 "Marvelous Maine"

is my latest published travel article

in the print edition page A-12 of

Prime Life Times

October, 2026.

I welcome your comments.

Different, yet the same!

 

Different, yet the same!

By Debra L. Karplus

Recently, on a roundtrip Amtrak trip to California, we splurged, enjoying the first class treatment for roomettes passengers.  Roomettes are compact, no bigger than the interior of my Honda Fit; we each bought our own, especially since neither of us opted to sleep in the upper bunk.

Taking the train cross-country is slow, taking a few days, considerably slower than flying, and though coach seats on Amtrak are a bargain, sleeper car accommodations on Amtrak are pricey, adding over $1500 for round-trip.

But that extra price includes meals, five or six going each direction.  It’s beyond my comprehension how a tiny kitchen on a train on the lower level of the dining car, with only two cooks can produce some amazing meals, ample portions, nutritious, and beautifully displayed including entrees such as Atlantic salmon, with side dishes like quinoa and edamame.  You won’t be disappointed with mealtime on the train!

Amtrak’s very efficient with the onboard dining experience.  Community dining is what you can expect on their long-distance trains.  Not being particularly social, and not looking for friendships with random train passengers, I was initially somewhat uncomfortable by the concept of community dining.  All Amtrak meal seating is at tables for four people; if you arrive as a single or couple you’re seated with strangers, to fill the seats.  If you’re a group larger than four, maybe a family with several kids, they split you up so you’re still at a table for four.

Admittedly, I’m somewhat shallow, my world is rather small.  Most of the people I interact with here at home are demographically just like me, similar age, race, education level not unlike mine, share my politics and have backgrounds more or less like mine.  That was never a choice, that’s just how life has played out. So the idea of being thrown together with strangers over breakfast, lunch, or dinner on a train was well out of my comfort zone.

For our first meal headed west, we were seated with a couple who were Amish.  Their appearance sets them apart from people like me garbed in Goodwill-style apparel.  It occurred to me that I’d never really interacted with an Amish person except when I’ve shopped at Beachy’s in Arthur or been at the Savoy Farmer’s Market on Wednesday or Saturday morning.

Though we never exchanged names, we weren’t at a loss for discussion topics.  These people were much taller than me, as are most people, and claimed the roomette was quite comfortable for two and claimed they slept well.  They were travelling with various family members, who just hadn’t crawled out of bed yet for the early breakfast.  They told us that they were coming from Pennsylvania; their grandson who was onboard was celebrating his birthday.  Near the end of the meal, a round of “Happy Birthday” came over the speaker for all passengers to hear while singing along.

We shared one meal with someone who had recently adopted a vegan diet; they were quite pleased with Amtrak’s vegan options at each meal.

Another dining companion was an EMT turned bus driver. 

We dined with a truck driver who loved his work and divulged details of driving a big rig.

We also dined with a veterinarian.

There was a couple of newlyweds, middle-aged, at one of the shared meals.

Especially interesting was the urban planner; he did most of the talking at that meal, which was informative.  He was with his stunning very young wife, I assumed.  During the meal we learned she was his daughter.  Glad I didn’t put my foot in my mouth on that!

One of the few meal pals who actually told us his name was Jim, a bookkeeper, also very engaging.

Coincidentally, there was one couple who was on both our westbound and eastbound journeys.  We chatted with them briefly in the Los Angeles Metropolitan lounge while waiting to board the Southwest Chief.  We learned from other passengers, he had fourth stage cancer and this was to be the last of their many long train trips.  I was disappointed to not have been seated with them for any of our twelve meals.

Divisive.  It’s a word that’s used way too often these days.  I looked it up to confirm that yes, it means “splits people into opposing groups.”  But community dining on the train is a fantastic way to appreciate how alike we all really are.  Community dining provides the opportunity to open our minds and our hearts to people unlike ourselves.

 

 

 

Who are your 5 people -- News-Gazette

 "Who are your five people?"

is my latest published (print & digital) article

in the

Chanpaign-Urbana News-Gazette

www.news-gazette.com

Voices Guest Commentary

Saturday September 12, 2026.

I welcome your comments.

Wheels of good fortune -- News-Gazette

 "Empowered by wheels of good fortune"

is my latest published article in the

print & digital

Champaign-Urbana News-Gazette

www.news-gazette.com

Saturday August 8, 2026

Voices Guest Commentary.

I welcome your comments.

Under the spell of bells - News-Gazette

 "Under the spell of bells"

is my latest published article in the

print & digital

Champaign-Urbana News-Gazette

www.news-gazette.com

Saturday July 18, 2026

Voices Guest Commentary.

I welcome your comments.

Saving planet earth -- News-Gazette

 "What's the dirt on saving planet earth?"

is my latest published article

digital & print in the

Champaign-Urbana News-Gazette

www.news-gazette.com

Voices Guest Commentary

Saturday June 13, 2026.

I welcome your comments.

Robotastic! Summer of Screens by Sari Karplus, on sale MAY 28, 2026

 Long awaited 4th in the Robotastic series

Children's author Sari Karplus

presents

Robotastic! Summer of Screens

Available on amazon..com and other sources.

Enchanting book aimed for children ages 3-8

available in paper or hard cover May 28. 2026

City workers -- News-Gazette

 "Kudos to our city workers" 

is my latest published article in the

print & digital

Champaign-Urbana News-Gazette

www.news-gazette.com

Voices Guest Commentary

Saturday May 2, 2026.

I welcome your comments!

Food trucks -- News-Gazette

 "Awestruck by the food truck"

is my latest published

Voices Guest Commentary

in the print & digital

Saturday March 21, 2026

Champaign-Urbana News-Gazette

www.news-gazette.com.

I welcome your comments.

Tech makeover -- News-Gazette

 "The great tech makeover"

is my latest published article in the

Champaign-Urbana News-Gazette

www.news-gazette.com

Saturday February 21, 2026

in the print & digital

Voices Guest Commentary.

I welcome your comments.

Inviting Indianapolis -- Prime Life Times

 "Inviting Indianapolis"

is my latest published article in the 

February 2026 print edition, page A-13, of

Prime Life Times.

I welcome your comments.

A Frank discussion -- News-Gazette

 "A Frank discussion"

is my latest published article

in the digital and print issue

of the Voices Guest Commentary

Champaign-Urbana News-Gazette

www.news-gazette.com

Saturday January 17, 2026.

I welcome your comments.

Holiday letter

 

Another year gone by … another holiday letter

By Debra L. Karplus

It’s now signed, sealed, and delivered.  I’m referring to my latest holiday letter.  I emailed it to a couple dozen or so family members and out-of-town friends who presumably want to hear the family news and what I’ve been up to.  If not, then, they can hit their “delete” key. 

I want to believe that my recent “dear family and friends” letter, like my previous letters, is more about telling and less about bragging, but sometimes it’s difficult to sort that out.

Overall, I’d say it was a mostly good year.  I wrote about some of the visitors I had who arrived by car, train, Uber, bus, or plane.  My brother and wife came for a day and it was lovely.  My son came with one of his three sons, all the way from Utrecht, just outside Amsterdam. That was super special.

I wrote about not one but two visits from my Southern California daughter; one visit was with her husband and three children.  She’s a children’s author and came for a book tour here in Champaign-Urbana.  Their trip coincided with my birthday.  Wonderful visit.  Her other visit was solo to attend a weekend of events for her University High School 30 year reunion.  How blessed I am that family members were willing to travel off the beaten track to get to Champaign-Urbana and see me and some of the amazing sites and restaurants C-U has to offer.

Soon after my letter went out I received a few from recipients.  One told me about his new pacemaker that was just inserted because his doctors discovered that though he doesn’t have sleep apnea his heart sometimes just stops. He also has some form of “man cancer”.  Another friend quickly responded to my holiday letter with details of the bad leak in her house that required her and her husband to temporarily move out of their home while repairs were occurring and also that her sister-in-law, a non-smoker, has tongue cancer.  Frankly, I’d never heard of that.  Perhaps that’s why the dentist and periodontist check my tongue at each visit!

This got me wondering if my holiday letter possibly wasn’t honest enough because my relatively good year included some darkness.  A dear friend’s 70-something husband who I knew well, died of pancreatic cancer after a brave 2 year fight, during the summer.  And I frequently hear about other same-aged friends who have a variety of unpleasant illnesses.  When in one’s seventies, it’s tough watching the impact of the aging process on peers, many of whom take excellent care of themselves.

A close family member in her 40s was diagnosed with CML, chronic myeloid leukemia.  It’s rare and neither genetic nor lifestyle-related.  The medications which are essentially chemotherapy in a pill can cause icky side effects, such as nausea and skin issues.  Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has CML and is a national spokesperson for it.  He’s looking rather healthy and fit these days so that’s great inspiration for others with CML.  When managed, people with CML can live a long healthy life.  Much money is going toward research toward cures for diseases like CML.

Two relatives lost their seemingly secure jobs.  One is nearing retirement age, and though not ready to retire, found himself dumped from his long time job working in New York for a major broadcasting network; he’s opted to take a lower-paid job with their new management.  Another family member who has a new PhD, a new bride, and a home became a victim of government worker cutbacks and was furloughed. I’m not sure what his “Plan B” is. 

I did have a visitor here for a few nights who was less than the ideal houseguest.  I’ll spare you the details and will save them for some future commentary about rudeness.

Thank goodness for the Eastern Illinois Foodbank.  I’m pleased to give them some money annually.  No one needs to give me any pat on the back.  I’m able to eat anything I want, but many, because of circumstances simply can’t.

There are many deniers of climate change, but look at all the crazy, scary weather disasters in the US and other places.

And the political divide in this country?  Well don’t even get me started because friends know I refuse to talk politics with ANYONE!

When it comes to holiday letters, I’m more of the Reader’s Digest kind of person.  I just want to write the positive, feel good stories.  Save the drama of the National Inquirer for some other writer!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adoption option??

 

Adoption options:

Solutions to the empty nest syndrome, or maybe not?

By Debra L. Karplus

Partially asleep on my sofa after an exhausting day, I’m half-watching Family Ties reruns on Antenna TV. Numerous commercials are on this and probably most channels that aren’t public television, products for eczema, incontinence, weight loss, chronic pain, ED, and more.  But an ad to adopt an elephant startles me into total alertness and my whacky imagination goes into overdrive.  Perhaps if I adopted an elephant, I could cure myself of the empty nest syndrome, no matter that my children are edging in at 50 years old.

Naming my adopted elephant Steinbeck, a non-gender- specific name after the acclaimed author, I have visions of stuffing Steinbeck into my Honda Fit. I’d proudly bring Steinbeck to story time at the library, register Steinbeck for kindergarten, attend parent-teacher night at school, arrange playdates with Steinbeck’s friends, provide treats for Steinbeck’s lemonade stand, applaud Steinbeck at a first violin recital and school theater productions, shop for prom attire, visit colleges with Steinbeck. I’d glow at Steinbeck’s graduation ceremony.  

I quickly pull myself back to full-consciousness.  I’ve seen this television commercial and similar ones, and truly wonder if adopting an elephant is a legitimate cause.  Much to my surprise, one can actually adopt an elephant!  There are various programs for adopting all sorts of unwieldy beasts, including lions, giraffes, orangutans, rhinos, whales, dolphins, and even bears.  I discovered a person can even adopt a penguin; that would be my choice as I adore these flightless birds.

These charities typically suggest a fixed amount yearly; the contributor receives an adoption certificate.  Some of the organizations encourage you to visit your adopted animal in their surroundings in Kenya.  I have no burning desire to visit Kenya, so that’s not a real draw for me!  Others might find that enticing, and perhaps there is even some tax deduction component to this, an interesting idea.

I can tell you I actually have already adopted!  The City of Champaign has, or at least had, an adopt a drain program.  I was one of the first in the city to adopt one, c. 2019, and mine proudly sits at the north end of my cul-de-sac here in Southwest Champaign.  I’ve not yet named my drain, nor can I claim it as a dependent on my income taxes. I keep my drain scrupulously clean and free of debris such as grass clippings, twigs, empty water bottles, and miscellaneous stuff that end up in city sewage drains all around town. In winter when the street ices up, I break up some of the chunks so water can drain quickly. I discovered that cities such as Naperville, Moline, and Seattle have similar adopt a drain programs.

One can participate in an adopt a highway program by donating money and/or time.  All 50 states have some sort of adopt a highway program, and though the requirements and expectations vary from state to state, essentially the adopter is expected to keep their stretch of the road presentable and free of litter. But don’t expect to be excused from a speeding ticket on “your highway”.  Ain’t gonna happen!

I looked up the definition of adoption and read that it’s the legal process where a couple or person assumes that role of parent to a child who is not biologically their own.  That’s quite a stretch from adopting an elephant, whale or penguin, a highway or even a city drain on your street corner, but I suppose the sentiment is there just the same. 

Adopting a cat or dog from the Humane Society or a rescue organization, seems more like what adoption is all about because you interface daily with these animals and these pets instantly become a beloved part of your family and aren’t  living on the other side of the planet.

Supporting charities that save endangered animals sounds like a very commendable effort. But I truly wonder how many sober people watching old sitcoms on a lesser-known TV channel are likely to pull out their credit card and make that financial commitment to support an animal in Africa.

If I find some extra pocket change, I might consider adopting an elephant or two, but at least for now I’d much rather support the Champaign-Urbana News-Gazette, my place of worship, Eastern Illinois Foodbank, WILL TV and radio, Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, Krannert Art Museum, and a few other causes that are near and dear to my heart so people who I know and care about benefit from my generosity.  But that’s just my opinion!

 

Five-Star Commentary

 

How do you write a 5-star Guest Commentary?

By Debra L. Karplus

Maintaining indoor humidity at the recommended 40 to 60% is challenging during Central Illinois winters.  I wouldn’t care what my 4.6-star hygrometer displayed, typically 33 – 35%, but getting little static electric shocks though not dangerous, are annoying and a smidge uncomfortable.  Normal people would purchase a bedroom humidifier (4.1-star) for about $40, but I’m a bit of a contrarian.

So I searched online for a queen-sized cotton blanket, recommended blanket fabric for less static, and discovered the Bedsure 100% Cotton Queen , breathable & soft, white, 90x90 inches, 4.4 stars (out of 11,634 reviews total), for $44.99. I always read customer reviews that give 1-star (not higher), and disregard those that involve, “dented box” or “arrived late”.  “The Blanket That Followed Me Into The Grave” by Richard S, October 20, 2024, grabbed my attention.  If I knew Richard, I’d encourage him to write News-Gazette Commentaries because he appears to be a darn good wordsmith.  The gist of his very long, engaging review is that this blanket caused the demise of his relationship with now ex-partner Mary.

I got off my comfy 4.5-star Sleepova Office Chair Cushion, steeped a hot cup of soothing  4.6-star Celestial Seasonings Roasteroma Herbal Tea, and Facetimed my daughter on my handy 4.7-star IPad, to share a few laughs about the review. Once we stopped chuckling over the cotton blanket review, Sari referred me to a customer review of the 4.4-star Hutzler 571 Banana slicer.  I had no clue that a specialized kitchen gadget was a required tool for banana slicing, since I’d always found an ordinary kitchen knife adequate, or just eating the banana whole, bite by bite; but not everyone’s like me!  A compelling 1-star review was written by curmudgeon entitled “Sliced!” (February 3, 2013).  According to the author of this well-crafted review, a series of bad events evolved in his 23-year marriage to Marsha because of this particular slicer.

Searching the Internet, I learned that customer reviews emerged c.1999 when online shopping started to become trendy.  Before that, 1995 was when Angie Hicks founded Angie’s List (now Angi) in Columbus, Ohio.  And in 2004, we first heard of Yelp, another generally reliable source for customer input on a wide range of local services.

I’m a happy Christie Clinic patient, and whatever specialty doc you are looking for, you can read their profile and examine the Patient Satisfaction Score, which rates patient satisfaction related to specifics, such as communication and lab work ordered, on a scale of 1 to 5.  I would say all my Christie providers are worthy of 5-stars.  Thanks for keeping me healthy, Christie Clinic.

A few months ago, I totally freaked out when I learned that my local dentist of nearly 30 years was retiring.  It had to have happened sooner or later, but I still wasn’t at all prepared for such bad news, (though I need to congratulate him on his upcoming retirement).  I’ve had only 4 dentists in my entire 72-plus years, so finding a new one who met my specific needs was not a task to be taken lightly.  So I did what felt was the right way to approach this, asked for recommendations from my same-age friends with good teeth, narrowed my choices to 4 dental clinics, and carefully scrutinized the patient testimonials and proceeded from there.

These days, you can, and are encouraged to review most any product or service you receive.  I live in an essentially low-maintenance townhome, yes still I’ve purchased big and little items, and routinely when the job is complete I receive an email soliciting input on my experience.  I’m a member of numerous local fitness centers thanks to my Medicare Supplement Plan; periodically I get an e-mail, as do most of their member, I am certain, to rate various aspects of the gym’s features. 

I’m somewhat baffled when I read an excellent review, yet the customer only gives 3 of 5 stars.  What’s up with that?

There was a stretch of time when my now 12 year old grandson found our FaceTime chats sometimes disappointing.  So we established a rating system, and I’m delighted to share that to the best of my knowledge, our chats now are typically 5-star.  Hoorah for us!

How did we function before this 5-star system that seems to prevail in virtually all industries? I guess word-of-mouth was our source for finding acceptable products and services.

I pride myself in trying to be non-judgemental, but these days we all must learn to function in this 5-star world.

Winter warmth -- News-Gazette

"The burning issue of winter warmth"

is my latest published article in the 

print & digital

Champaign-Urbana News-Gazette

news-gazette.com

Guest Commentary Voices

Saturday November 29, 2025.

I welcome your comments. 

Memorable good buys -- News-Gazette

 "Some memorable good buys"

is my latest pubished article in the

online & print edition of the

Champaign-Urbana News-Gazette

www.news-gazette.com

Saturday October 25, 2025,

Voices Guest Commentary.

I welcome your comments

Vincennes & vicinity -- Prime Life Times

 "Vincennes and Vicinity Vacation"

is my latest published article in

Prime Life Times

October 2025, print edition, page A-4.

I welcome your comments.

Gym junkie -- News-Gazette

 "Confessions of a gym junkie"

is my latest published article

in the print & digital

Champaign-Urbana News-Gazette

www.news-gazette.com

Saturday September 13, 2025

Voices Guest Commentary.

I welcome your comments!