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Salvation Army ringing in the season of giving

If you have been arguing with members of your household about whether the time is right for putting up Christmas decorations (ahead of Thanksgiving), perhaps try mentioning that the bells are already ringing or soon will be at retail establishments that host Salvation Army red kettles. The season has begun. It’s hard to ignore the feeling that comes with hearing that familiar jingle as you go about your shopping and running errands. It’s harder to stay grumpy about whether it is too early for a certain Christmas song to become omnipresent or your neighbor’s roofline-high ...

Shutdown leaves Ohio’s kids behind

Hunger isn’t the only worry for Ohio’s youngest residents affected by the federal government shutdown. Those who attend Head Start preschool and Early Head Start programs could soon see another disruption. Beginning with the lapse in grant funding Nov. 1, 140 programs across the country were affected, according to the Ohio Capital Journal. Seven programs in Ohio were affected — those in Scioto and Highland counties have already had to shut down. Last year, there were 59 total Head Start programs in the Buckeye State, with more than 33,000 children enrolled. Of those served, 1,741 ...

DeWine should promptly reject State Senate Bill 50

Gov. Mike DeWine has legislation on his desk that should not be difficult to reject. State Senate Bill 50 would allow 14- and 15-year-olds to work until 9 p.m. during the school year. According to a report by the Cincinnati Enquirer, the law would require permission from a parent or legal guardian and a work permit from a school, but it would allow students (some of whom could be in the eighth grade, based on their age) to work 18 hours a week or three hours a day during the school year, and 40 hours a week when school is not in session. The most surface-level reason to reject the bill ...

Remember to thank veterans on Tuesday

Since 1919, Americans have been celebrating a very special day on Nov. 11. Tomorrow is Veterans Day. It is a day of acknowledgment. It is a day of utmost respect and reverence. It is a day of thanks for those who helped pay the price for freedom. Please appreciate that sentiment. We stress this message each year. Our message should be your message. Originally called Armistice Day, President Wilson first declared Nov. 11 a day of remembrance following the end of hostilities between the Allied nations and Germany in World War I on Nov. 11, 1918 — the 11th hour of the 11th day of the ...

The benefits of coffee in older adults

Editor’s Note: The following column was originally published Feb. 7, 2020. Thanks to breakthroughs in medicine and nutrition in recent years, we are living longer than ever before. But this increase in life expectancy also brings an increase in the number of diseases, injuries and impairments that affect older adults. With this in mind, we at the local Visiting Angels office in Salem have created this series of articles to keep our older population and their families informed and to offer some practical advice for meeting the challenges faced by seniors and those who care ...

Why fall is the right time to review your loved one’s health care wishes

As the leaves change and the year draws to a close, many families naturally find themselves reflecting on what matters most. Fall is not only a season of transition but also an ideal time to pause and talk about important decisions for the future—especially your loved one’s health care wishes. These conversations aren’t always easy, but they can bring peace of mind, clarity, and comfort when the unexpected happens. By making time in the fall to review or update advance care plans, families can enter the new year with greater confidence and alignment. Why These Conversations ...