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Season of Giving campaign begins

Lifestyles

Staff report YOUNGSTOWN — Catholic Charities, Diocese of Youngstown, has begun the commencement of its annual Season of Giving Campaign, which began Nov. 1. The 60-day campaign benefits those in need throughout the Diocese of Youngstown. Monetary gifts made to Catholic Charities during the Season of Giving will keep families stably housed, put food on tables, allow utility services to remain connected, and above all, will express the love of God and compassion for others. All donations will be passed through to the local Catholic Charities agencies serving our six counties ...

Apparently, they’re supposed to leave

Lifestyles

OK, sorry, you all, because this one is going to be all about the struggles of parenting teenagers who are getting dangerously close to leaving the nest, and I already know there are going to be a few different reactions to this one. Some of you are going to say, “No kids, can’t relate,” while others have been there, done that and are probably wondering why I am making such a big deal about something every parent eventually goes through. Then there are those of you who are right here with me, feeling this just as much, if not more, and probably trying not to think too hard about ...

Soon-to-be dad feels unprepared

Lifestyles

Q: My dad was never part of my life. Now I’m married and my wife is expecting our first child. I feel completely unprepared and anxious. What does it take to be a good father? Jim: I can relate. That was me. That IS me. Being a dad is tough regardless of the circumstances. But the job seems especially daunting for guys like us whose fathers were physically or emotionally absent. We understand — perhaps in ways other men can’t — just how important it is for boys to have a healthy male role model in their lives. Thankfully, God graciously put some wise and solid men in my path ...

Lifestyles

From the staff of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County “We Are All Guilty Here” by Karin Slaughter The first book in Karin Slaughter’s new North Falls thriller series introduces police officer Emmy Clifton, who is tasked with investigating the disappearance of two teenage girls in her sleepy hometown of North Falls. Emmy’s best friend’s daughter asked her for help, and thinking it was normal teenage drama, a busy Emmy brushed her off. Now she and her friend are missing, and the whole town is about to come apart at the seams, exposing secrets and dark ...

Figuring fractions equals four-fifths more aggravation

Lifestyles

Fractions troubled about three-fifths of us in school. I don’t know why. We were using fractions before we even began school. “My, how big you’ve grown. How old are you now?” The child beamed and held up his fingers. “I’m four. And a half.” But now when someone says to me, “My, how big you’ve grown. How old are you now?” first, I whap them halfway upside the head, then reply, “I’m in my 60s.” We have gone from tacking every fraction onto our age to rounding off that number to a general, roundabout, sorta-kinda nonspecific range: “In my 60s.” Unless ...