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Bridge by Steve Becker

There is obviously a big difference between a bidding sequence that goes 1 [S]-1 NT-3 [S], and one that goes 1 [S]-1 NT-4 [S]. The one-trump response indicates six to 10 points. Therefore, if opener rebids three spades, he is asking responder to continue bidding if he is in the upper half of the range for his notrump bid, and to pass if he is not. Expressed pointwise, responder is being urged to bid on with eight, nine or 10 points, and to pass with six or seven. The three-spade bid is thus an invitation — not a command —to responder to bid again. A four-spade bid is made by ...

Often overlooked gardening tool

How is your soil? Is your garden ready for the growing season? Does the soil contain the nutrients needed for healthy plant growth? Is it rich in organic matter? These are important questions that can only be answered by obtaining a soil test from a reliable laboratory. Soil testing ...

Let’s take another look at mayapples

In another article on ephemerals, I mentioned mayapples as spring flowers. I needed to get some for a forest area in my yard, so I began to research. Mayapples, Podophyllum peltatum, grow as colonies in shady forests. They come up in early spring and bloom between April and May. Everyone ...

Valley Grows Calendar

Here are upcoming gardening events through the Ohio State University Extension Office. For more information and a complete list, contact: • OSU Mahoning County Extension Office, 490 S. Broad St., Canfield. 330-533-5538. Office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday. • OSU Trumbull County Extension Office, 520 W. Main St. Suite 1, Cortland. 330-638-6783. Office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Plant and Pest Clinic You can submit your questions by calling the Mahoning County office at 330-533-5538 or emailing us at ...

DEAR ANNIE: Honoring sacrifice beyond the long weekend

DEAR READERS: Memorial Day arrives each year wrapped in red, white and blue, but at its heart, it is a day of quiet gratitude. It is the unofficial beginning of summer, yes. There will be hamburgers on grills, children running barefoot through backyards, flags waving from porches and maybe a little potato salad that sat out longer than anyone wants to admit. There is nothing wrong with enjoying the day. In fact, joy is one of the freedoms so many brave men and women fought to protect. But before we rush into summer, let us pause. Memorial Day is not simply a long weekend. It is a ...