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HINTS FROM HELOISE: Keep or toss the original packaging?

DEAR HELOISE: Should I hold on to the original sets of boxes for collectibles like crystal and figurines? — Laurel B., via email Laurel, you should only keep old boxes if they help you. Some items, like crystal or small statues, are worth more money if you still have the original box. Having the box is helpful if you want to sell them or give them as a gift later, but having too many empty boxes can fill your closet with clutter. You can try to do a little of both by keeping boxes for items that are very special or worth a lot of money. You can throw away boxes for things that ...

TO YOUR GOOD HEALTH: Restless legs can require variety of treatments

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am an active senior and have started to feel symptoms of restless legs syndrome (RLS). I’m wondering how and why this started. In the evenings, I use an athletic foam roller, drink water and take magnesium supplements. I’d like to hear how to remedy this so that I can get some much-needed sleep. —J.L. ANSWER: We don’t understand exactly why people get RLS. One common finding is low iron stores, so you should have this tested by your regular doctor. If your iron is low, it should be supplemented, but your doctor should also find out the cause of why it’s ...

Bridge by Steve Becker for June 2

Experience shows that when a partnership has 26 points or more in their combined hands, a game can usually be made. But mere possession of these points doesn’t mean the game is automatically awarded to the side that has them. There is first the question of how declarer plays his ...

Prune your hydrangeas at just the right time

Pruning hydrangeas starts with knowing what type you have. Danielle from Poland asks, “When should I prune my hydrangeas? I have two or three varieties and don’t know when they should be pruned.” Danielle, the short answer is that hydrangeas should be pruned according to when they ...

Joys of growing asparagus

I didn’t eat asparagus until I was married. Bill’s mom had wild stashes of asparagus stands that were very old. She watched and waited, and then, at the right time, she would pick the beautiful stems to eat. Asparagus is a member of the lily family planted for the amazing harvests of ...