Category: Features
Features, December 2024
Word of the Month: Gerund
David Zapatka Reader Luz Stella Perotti wrote, “I had a SPLENDID time reading that one (Splendor). It is one of my favorite words.” While reading a fiction writers evaluation team’s comments about what makes a story successful, I came across these sentences, “Successful: tight writing, sharp dialogue, creative use of language, vivid imagery, a surprising…
Features, December 2024
What Do You Say to a Gold Star Mom?
Kathy Sinnott How often do we see heroes wearing insignias or uniforms that identify one’s service in the military or other hero profession? How often do we then congratulate and thank them for their service? For the Gold Star Moms who wear the Gold Star lapel pin, it’s of the utmost importance to approach them…
December 2024, Features
In Passing – December 2024
Charles Edwin Astleford Charles “Chuck” Edwin Astleford Jr., 79, passed away unexpectedly on Oct. 25, 2024. Born on April 17, 1945, in Detroit, Mich., to Charles and Bess Astleford (Middleditch), Chuck was their only child as his father passed away in Germany in service to our country during WWII. At an early age, Chuck discovered…
Features, December 2024
East Africa—A Trip of a Lifetime!
Michael LaBaw and Phyllis Parker Cheryl and Michael LaBaw, owners of World Travel Agency, and Quail Creek residents John and Phyllis Parker recently embarked on a 28-day safari across Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Botswana. This epic journey covered some of Africa’s most stunning landscapes, teeming wildlife, and rich cultures. A highlight was witnessing…
Features, December 2024
Deck the Halls with Fire Safety
The holiday season brings joy and celebration but also increases fire risks due to kitchen accidents, dry Christmas trees, candles, and faulty decorations. The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) provides safety tips to minimize these risks: Fire Safety Tips 1. Candles: • Keep candles at least 12 inches away from flammable items. • Use flameless, battery-operated…