Marriage: a dying institution?

I'm piggybacking on a blog from on of our sister publications, The News-Herald. A blog from their staff writer, Jim Kasuba, asks the question, "Are we likely to be attending many 40th and 50th wedding anniversaries in the future or is that a thing of the past?"

Speaking as a never-been-married, 27-year-old female, yes; it is most definitely a thing of the past.

I know, sounds rather brash of me to make such a quick decision, right? But consider this: most of my generation is flailing at even making it on their own. A New York Times magazine article last year even essentially stated that we are "slackers" when really, most of the time, we can't afford the cost of living, even while gainfully employed. We are the new depression-era generation as far as I'm concerned.

With inflation rates rising, college loans looming and the general state of the economy, most of us 20-somethings, and indeed 30-somethings, have a lot more important things to worry about than "true love." No health insurance, poor job prospects and in debt up to our eyeballs due to college ... the anxiety can really keep you up at night. Being lonely can really take a backseat to these issues.

Sorry, Shakespeare and other classic romance storytellers, but fate and whoever may soulmate might be will have to wait until I have my life in order.

It's very sweet to think that past generations would marry before they had their career going or before they had their own home, but honestly, who can afford taking a chance anymore? I've seen a few others around my age marry, only to see them marry into debt, lose their livelihood or divorce in five years.

Yes, I'm a pessimist, but really, isn't it a more realistic, logical approach to wait for marriage or, better yet, not marry at all?

And for the record, I hate that NYT magazine article. It has more unfair generalizations than I can count.

Be careful out there

Early today, on the way into work, I watched a car not 15 feet in front of me wipe out on I-94. This was after the freeway had been plowed and salted.

The driver was probably going about 60 miles per hour in the fast lane, where there were only slight bits of sludge here and there. Thankfully, there was no guard rail to stop him from spinning out and landing into the middle of the median separating west and east.

I know we all think our cars are wonderful in the snow, and we might have the best tires and the best of intentions and driving skills, but please, be careful out there.

Chelsea Milling Co. now has a 21st century tour

When I recently toured the new facilities of the Chelsea Milling Company, not only was I surprised, but I also was briefly reminded of how far we've come in terms of technology and business.

The company, known for its Jiffy Mix brand, has been in operation for four generations of the Holmes family, but in the past year, they've made a host of improvements.

Aside from adding six new gigantic silos and a brand new research and development building, the company also completely revamped its public tour.

My photographer and I began our tour with a informative, entertaining five-minute video in a small theater room, built to seat more than 30 tourists.

Considering my unfamiliarity with the company, I was still rather impressed with its slick video presentation, which included a computer-generated cartoon Jiffy Mix box named Corny. Without giving away all the details, the video gives a complete synopsis of how Jiffy Mix is made, starting from the very beginning at local farmlands.

However, my photographer was blown away.

Having grown up in Chelsea, he said he had taken the tour countless times before the updates. He said before the renovation in late 2010, the tour began with a slideshow presentation (literally), where a tour guide would ramble off facts and tidbits about the company's production process. The phrase "out of date" probably didn't cover it.

As we toured the factory and research and development building, President and CEO Howdy Holmes told us he knew his company needed "more science" to keep up with competitors and stay viable.

Holmes and the employees of Chelsea Milling have accomplished that and more. The new tour is entertaining and educational for both children and adults. Perhaps what's most impressive is that a company with such strong family roots and history is willing to adapt and change with the technology of today.

If you haven't made it out to see the new tour, I would highly recommend seeing it the first chance you get.