Bridge by Steve Becker
The signal is probably the single most valuable weapon available to the defense, but, like any other weapon, there is a proper time and place for its use. Take this case where a signal proved useless, partly because of a good play by declarer and partly because one defender could not obey the ...
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. ...