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Why eat junk on a camping trip?

Few things feel better than a long hike in the woods, exhausting yourself as you soak in the fresh air and tranquility. Then, back to camp, where you chip away at those health benefits with packaged hot dogs slapped into a white-bread bun with a slice of plasticky processed cheese food. It ...

Some tips to become a better wine taster

In just a few weeks, Aug. 7-8, the state’s original wine festival, Vintage Ohio, www.VisitVintageOhio.com, will open at Lake Farmpark in Kirtland, near Cleveland. There are lots of new features in its 31st year, but the stars of this and all other wine events are always the wineries on Festival Field. Northeast Ohio truly has developed a vibrant wine culture as our communities have embraced our wine-producing families as their own. However, before heading to a tasting experience, just like studying for an exam in school, sometimes a review of information will make the final ...

Church services, another wedding and family time

I can’t believe it’s already time to pen another column. These weeks fly by much faster than I like. Today was Monday and of course laundry day around here. Daughters Verena, Loretta (and children) and Lovina (and 10-month-old Brooklyn) came over, and I made grilled cheese with homemade bread for whomever wanted something to eat. I went down to the basement to start the laundry, and the girls sat outside with the children. We filled the little kiddie pool for the children. They enjoyed it and were really relaxed afterward. Kylie fell asleep on Verena, and Byron looked like it ...

To Your Good Health: Mixed advice on surgery for cancer

DEAR DR. ROACH: My husband, who is 78 and about 100 pounds overweight, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in July 2022. In November 2025, he was diagnosed with stage I pancreatic cancer. He’s currently getting chemo treatments that started in early January of this year. He has two options — get surgery or get radiation treatments. His pancreatic surgeon seems to be discouraging the surgery, saying that he could end up in a nursing home for the rest of his life. We saw his Parkinson’s doctor yesterday, and he told us that he didn’t think the surgery would be a problem. ...

DEAR ANNIE: Don’t let the mean girl ruin a day at the gym

DEAR ANNIE: I love the gym. It has really helped me gain confidence and strength. I have been going to the same gym in our small town for roughly 10 years. I know all the people there and enjoy my time there — until lately. There is a woman who just started going to the gym who is toxic. She really hurt a dear friend of mine, whose child was in the same class as her child, by spreading vicious rumors that she was having an affair with a tennis instructor. This was not true. She is the typical mean girl from middle school who we all choose to forget — the girl who never grew ...

HINTS FROM HELOISE: Walk on washed clothes

DEAR HELOISE: People have written to you with tips on how to dry clothes that you have hand washed, but there’s one step that most people don’t seem to know about. After you wash clothes, wring them out as hard as you can, then roll them up in a towel. Most people might know about these steps, but the key next step is to then walk on the folded-up towel, flip it over, and walk on the other side as well. The body weight of walking on the towel really gets a great deal of moisture out of the clothing, and it dries much faster! Also, when trying to keep dish sponges clean, just put ...