Life

You just retired (or are about to). Now what?

Features July 18, 2026

If there's one group likely to be experiencing the most consternation over inflation and economic uncertainty, it's those who have just retired or are about to. To make it through this period with their sanity intact, they should focus on what they can control. ASSESS SPENDING RATE People who have just retired or are about to are particularly vulnerable to sequence-of-returns risk, which means that a bad market shows up early in your retirement. Not only does that early retirement sell-off feel bad, it actually is bad because it imperils your portfolio's ability to last throughout ...

Confessions of a new coffee drinker

Local News July 18, 2026

I have a confession to make. At an age when most people are thinking about giving up coffee, I’ve just started drinking it. Six months ago, in fact. I’ve somehow managed to get through college, motherhood, various careers and a zillion early mornings without becoming a coffee drinker. I’ve always been one of those suspicious people clutching tea or hot chocolate while everyone else wandered around with paper cups the size of flower pots. It wasn’t for lack of trying. Somewhere around college I discovered that coffee and I did not have a healthy relationship. I’d drink one ...

Why eat junk on a camping trip? Tips and recipes for nutritious food on the trail

Features July 18, 2026

Few things feel better than a long hike in the woods, exhausting yourself as you soak in the fresh air and tranquility. Then, back to camp, where you chip away at those health benefits with packaged hot dogs slapped into a white-bread bun with a slice of plasticky processed cheese food. It ...

Maybe Baseball Holds the Answer

Local News July 18, 2026

These are troubled times we’re living in these days. Our country is at war, not only with another country, but we’re fighting a war within our own nation’s boundaries, a Cold War between Red and Blue. We’re fighting wars on drugs, wars on a variety of trafficking, wars on senseless killings and violence, and many other disagreements, skirmishes, and spats which have created tension among people of this country. Two weeks ago, the Voice from the Bullpen asked the question, “Do you believe in miracles?” making the point that it might take a miracle for our country to reunite ...

Beat The Heat: How to stay safe while traveling during extreme heat

Features July 18, 2026

As travelers prepare to set off on summer trips, scorching temperatures lie in wait. Above-average temperatures could be on the books this summer, according to forecasters, and a developing El Nino event could spell out warmer weather later in the year or next summer. Sizzling temperatures ...

How to handle a layoff as a working senior citizen

Local News July 13, 2026

Question: I am over 65 and was working, but I just got laid off and am not sure we will be going back to work anytime soon. What do I do about Medicare and insurance? Answer: I am sorry for your situation. Life can change so quickly. All of us hope to someday retire, but you may be doing this ...