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DEAR ANNIE: How to handle in-laws who hurl subtle insults

DEAR ANNIE: I have been married for 12 years to a good man whom I love very much, but I dread nearly every holiday, birthday dinner and casual Sunday visit with his family. On the surface, my in-laws are charming, polished and the sort of people everyone else describes as “so nice.” But behind that polished exterior is a steady drip of cutting remarks aimed almost entirely at me. My mother-in-law has a talent for delivering insults with a smile. She will look at a meal I brought and say, “Well, that’s certainly ... rustic,” or ask whether I am “still doing that little job ...

HINTS FROM HELOISE: Use tablet to read your newspaper

DEAR HELOISE: This is in response to the several recent complaints about the obsolescence of printed newspapers. I have been a lifelong daily newspaper reader. But after retiring, and with the increased costs and delivery problems, I finally said, “Enough!” I tried reading it online on my phone and computer, but the small size and inconvenience wasn’t worth it. So, for less than the cost of a six-month subscription, I purchased an inexpensive, large (17-inch) tablet. I am now able to access my local daily paper for free through our library. I even get online access to a national ...

TO YOUR GOOD HEALTH: Drinking tea reduces risk of acquiring kidney stones

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am 57 years old and love Pepsi, Coke, and unsweetened iced tea for the caffeine, which greatly improves my mood and gives me more energy. Unfortunately, I am borderline diabetic and get horrible kidney stones. I need a caffeine replacement source. Are there any natural supplements or foods that might help me? The difference of being with and without caffeine is very noticeable for me. — M.D. ANSWER: I’m guessing you have calcium oxalate stones (the most common type) and that you have been warned because tea has oxalate in it. However, there are two competing ...

100 marathons in 100 days

Larry Grogin refuses to allow Parkinson’s disease to have the last word in his life. That’s why he has taken on a cross-country trek — much of it on foot — to not only raise awareness for neurological diseases and funds to fight them, but hope for those who live with such diseases ...

Health education program removes barriers

Guided by local needs and strengthened by dedicated community partnerships, Mercy Health continues to advance health and well‑being across the communities it serves. In the Mahoning Valley, the Community Health Education (CHE) program demonstrates how Mercy Health leverages comprehensive, data‑driven assessments — combined with direct input from community members and local stakeholders — to prioritize resources and deliver meaningful, measurable impact. CHE programming is specifically designed to reach community members at risk of food insecurity and those who may have ...