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DEAR ANNIE: They did everything, but it still wasn’t enough

Lifestyles

DEAR ANNIE: My husband and I took in five siblings after both of their parents died, even though we were already raising a large family of our own. Overnight, our lives changed. The children were 7, 9, 12, 13 and 15 when they came to us, and we did our best to give them safety, stability and love. We showed up for school events, sports, camps and counseling, though one child’s severe behavioral struggles made daily life especially difficult. Now they are adults, and four of them have cut ties with us, saying we “gave them trauma.” That accusation has been heartbreaking after all ...

Voices of hope recognized for their compassion

Lifestyles

NILES — Catholic Charities Diocese of Youngstown honored members of the six-county diocese who gave their time, talent and compassion to their community at the annual Voice of Hope fundraiser April 30 at the Eastwood Event Centre. The 2026 event recognized the Rev. William B. Kraynak ...

Religion news

Lifestyles

MENS RALLY IN VALLEY: The 2026 Mens Rally in the Valley will be 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 23 at the Covelli Centre, Youngstown. The free event will include a concert with Christian artist Michael W. Smith. Guest speakers will include Bishop Timothy Clarke, Chris Holm, Billy Hartwig and Dave Kohout. Men's Rally in the Valley exists to reach out to unchurched men to bring them together in Christian unity for prayer, fellowship, worship and teaching. COMMUNITY REVIVAL: Orwell North Presbyterian Church, Orwell United Methodist Church and Resurrection Life Church, all in Orwell, will host ...

Motherhood — what a whacky way to make a living

Burton Cole

It was Nia Vardalos who said, “Becoming a mom, to me, means you have accepted that for the next 16 years of your life, you will have a sticky purse.” Lynne Williams observed, “A mother need only step into the shower to be instantly reassured she is indispensable to every member of her ...

Words we love to hear: ‘I got this’ — or even better, ‘I got you’

Lisa Resnick

There are three words — actually, let’s call them a phrase because it hits harder when it flows — that we love hearing, whether we admit it or not: “I got this.” Or even better… “I got you.” There is something about those words, in that exact order, that just does something to you. It’s like an instant exhale. Like someone just walked into the situation, took the weight off your shoulders, and didn’t ask for a play-by-play or a thank you in return. And honestly? Half the time, they don’t even need to say it. You feel it. It’s the person who just ...

To Your Good Health: Aspiration pneumonia after an adenoma

Lifestyles

DEAR DR. ROACH: I was 47 when my first colonoscopy found a villous adenoma, and during the past 21 years, I’ve had eight or nine more without problems. But this week, I had another and wound up with aspiration pneumonia, despite having followed the prep instructions to the letter. I know my stomach was empty. How could this happen, and what can be done to prevent it from happening again? A friend suggested that it might have been “water brash,” which is associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Would they let me take an acid-suppression drug before the next ...