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Here are some things you should know.

The aroma reminded me of country cooking as Kathy and I made a batch of tomato juice this past week. Adding homemade tomato juice to chili and spaghetti makes them much more tasty.

This time of year reminds me of when my grandmother and mother would spend autumn days in the kitchen, canning everything from peaches to pickles. There is something special about a kitchen when the canning season begins. It brings people together.

There was a time not too long ago when every high school offered numerous courses in "home economics." Kids could identify with these hands-on classes, and girls and even boys took a keen interest in them. Food brings people together. Perhaps we need to make more tomato juice in our schools.

It happened again, and it will happen again and again. Yes, we need stronger gun laws, and the AK-15 rifles should be banned. There is no reason why citizens should possess them. Yet, we don’t use common sense, and kids get killed. Teachers and students run for cover, police risk their lives, and citizens everywhere fear for their safety, even in small-town USA.

There have been lots of studies done about the characteristics of school shooters. They have one thing in common: they don’t appreciate life. They don’t appreciate their own life, and they don’t appreciate the lives of others. So, what should we do?

Everyone who attends our schools needs to be valued. One would think parents should be the first in line to do this. That’s not always the case. If not them, then who?

Relatives, friends, neighbors, and anyone who is around young people should make a point of telling students that they have something to offer and that they have special talents that no one else has. Everyone is somebody.

As an educator, it’s important to me to let my students, regardless of their age, know that they are unique, and because of them, our planet Earth is a better place. We can show our kids we love them by banning assault weapons.

We have this beautiful Chestnut tree in our yard that produces more and more chestnuts yearly. The husk of a chestnut is ugly, but the inner nut looks like a beautifully handcrafted polished piece of walnut.

Each year, I try to beat the chipmunks and squirrels in harvesting the nuts, but invariably, they beat me to it. What I find are bits of husks scattered throughout our yard, I think, kind of in spite. They are telling me this is our tree, and the fruit of our tree is ours. If that’s their attitude, wait until next year.

You saw the movie "Field of Dreams." You remember the now often-used cliche, "If you build it, they will come."

ÍáÍáÂþ»­s want to increase their attendance. It’s a focus of attention every year, and it should be. If kids aren’t in their seats, teachers can’t teach, kids can’t learn.

Administrators nationwide try to identify the lucky charm that will bring kids to school every year. Unfortunately, focusing on attendance is not the issue. Graduation rate is the issue.

Whenever you wish to go somewhere, you first look at where you want to go and then decide how to get there. Our goal in Minnesota should be a 100% graduation rate for our students. Now, how do we get there?

We need to address the needs of students who are not graduating. If we wish to increase our attendance, we first have to start with having a goal of a 100% graduation rate for every school district and then create schools and programs that are significantly different than what we now have.

When we create programs that attract those students who are not in school, students will attend. Create them, and they will attend.

It’s September, and that means football, colored leaves, canning, sweatshirts, church dinners, and catching some fish before the snow flies. The Vikings look good. The BSU Beavers look good. The Bemidji Lumberjack football team looks good. Fans are happy. So, what is the epitome of a true football fan?

This guy is attending a Vikings game, and, of course, it is standing-room only. He sees a vacant seat in the front row on the 50-yard line. He asks the elderly lady next to the seat if it is taken. She says, "Oh, that belonged to my deceased husband." The guy says, "Well, shouldn’t you give the seat to a son or daughter or a grandchild?" The lady responds, "Oh, they’re all at the funeral."

If you finish every day with a bit of humor, it’s almost as good as canning a batch of tomato juice.

Riddle: Why did the tomato turn red? (Answer: It saw the salad dressing. If you are seeing a lot of red lately, that’s a good sign. It's tomato time.)

Don’t forget the Dropout Prevention Hotline for struggling students: (218) 444-STAY.

John R. Eggers of Bemidji is a former university professor and area principal. He also is a writer and public speaker.