A growing number of American families rethink packed schedules as children show a clear preference for unstructured play. The Harris Poll surveyed more than 500 children ages 8 to 12 across the United States, and found 45% say they would rather play with friends in activities not organized by ...

Dear Annie: For most of my life, I picked the wrong partners. Over time, I realized it wasn't bad luck. I was choosing what I had seen, not what I had actually done the work to earn. Those patterns came from my family and the system I grew up in, and I kept recreating them. A few years ago, I ...

Dear Heloise: When I moved into an apartment that had recently become nonsmoking, I quickly learned that the odor from previous tenants can linger for far longer than expected. Even after maintenance aired out the apartment with a fan, the tobacco smell was so strong that I woke up my first ...

Wells Lions raffle winner ESCANABA – The $250 winners of the Wells Lions Club’s 52-week raffle for week 30, dated Feb. 23, are EJ Kostreva of Ishpeming and Doc Bricco of Gladstone. St. Thomas breakfast ESCANABA – St. Thomas the Apostle Church, found at 1820 9th Ave. N. in Escanaba, ...

Dear Annie: Am I being too sensitive? My niece's son is getting married this year. I always believed I was close to her family, but when the "save the date" and shower invitations went out, my daughter was not included -- although all the other cousins were. My daughter rarely attends family ...

Dear Heloise: To Susan L., as a retired registered dietitian who specialized in pediatrics, I absolutely do not recommend popsicles as a snack. They are high in simple sugars and can be high in added sugar, with limited vitamins and minerals and no fiber. There are numerous other healthy snacks ...