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Figure out which diet plan is best

Dear Heloise: I'm trying to lose some weight before my son's wedding in December. There's so much controversy about what to stop eating and which diet plan is best. At 61, with bad knees, I am not going to the gym, not running in a marathon, and wouldn't last on a diet that would starve a ...

Not looking to cause a stir

Dear Annie: I have a family problem for which I would appreciate your opinion. My wife and I are Americans living in a small village in Italy, in an area popular with tourists. Recently, I contacted my sister and her husband from the States and expressed our interest in having them visit us ...

The Chamber Referrals You Might Not Know About

When someone asks me what the Chamber of Commerce does, one of my favorite answers is, "We make connections that help build relationships." Sometimes those connections are easy to see ~ a Business After Hours event, a ribbon cutting, or other networking opportunities. But many of the Chamber's most valuable services happen quietly behind the scenes, often without anyone realizing they're taking place. In fact, some members may have received referrals from the Chamber without ever knowing it. Every day, our team fields questions from visitors, new residents, business travelers, ...

Dispose of paper without shredder

Dear Heloise: If you don't own a paper shredder, here's a second solution: For a large amount of paper with personal information on it, you can place it in a dish pan and fill the pan with water and a cup of bleach. The ink will mostly dissolve, and the paper will become mushy. Then you can ...

Always the afterthought

Dear Annie: My husband and I have one daughter, and family has always been important to us. She has several cousins around her age, and we've always hoped they would grow up close. Over the years, we've been the ones reaching out to make plans, but the effort is rarely reciprocated. I don't ...

Allergy season is changing – wildfire smoke is a growing part of the problem

ESCANABA — Across the country, allergy season is undergoing a significant shift. Poor air quality, caused by the growing reach of wildfire smoke combined with rising pollen counts, is creating a compounding effect for the millions of Americans who already struggle with seasonal allergies. While poor air quality and wildfire smoke do not directly cause allergies, health professionals warn that they can make allergy symptoms incredibly difficult to manage—even for individuals whose mild symptoms are typically well-controlled. Allergy season used to be a relatively predictable window, ...