Saying ‘Farewell’ and thanks…

By Kelly Hockenberry, Columnist, The Times
Ladies and gentlemen, I have a bittersweet announcement to make : this is the very last “Read My Lipgloss”. Although The Times will continue, it will be an abbreviated version. As I reflect upon my brief stint in the world of journalism, I am grateful that Editor, Mike McGann, gave me the opportunity to be a part of this community voice. I have written...
Balance, Schmalance

By Kelly Hockenberry, Columnist, The Times
“Work life balance”
It is a concept that garners A LOT of press, particularly around the start of the school year. However, with all the buzz, I have yet to discover a definitive formula for success. When I was a high schooler (back in the time of the covered wagon), you were defined by your intellect OR your athletic prowess. Not to say that you couldn’t...
It goes by too fast

By Kelly Hockenberry, Columnist, The Times
Mothering is very, very hard work.
For those of you with older kids, do you remember when they were little wondering “will I ever get 15 minutes to myself again”? Escaping to go to the bathroom uninterrupted was wishful thinking. I recall (vividly) setting the timer on the stove for a mandatory “rest” when my boys refused to take naps (much too early,...
The gifts that cancer gave me

By Nancy Plummer, Columnist, The Times
My Dear Readers,
Well, I’ve been looking forward to writing to you all with good news…and of course, I was always having to prepare myself that that day may never come…
However, miracles do happen every day, and I am one of them.
I am in remission from my Ovarian Cancer!
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All About Connecting: An update on my journey

By Nancy Plummer, Columnist, The Times
My Dear Readers,
I promised to keep you up to date on my Ovarian Cancer journey, and since there’s nothing like fighting for your life that brings home the gift of all your relationships, I want to share with you an important message. The hero (or heroes) during this journey isn’t the patient; it’s the caregiver{s).
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On Your Table: Holiday food traditions

From cookies to meals, what we cook at the holidays helps define the time of year
By Cathy Branciaroli, Food Correspondent, The Times
Recently, friends came to my house to share holiday treats and stories of their family food traditions. Their recipes hold long-treasured memories kept alive by us for the next generation.
While we come from different places — Hungary, Italy, the Ukraine, Poland,...
A little self care is good for you and those around you

If you don’t take care of yourself, it’s hard to care for others
By Kelly Hockenberry, Columnist, The Times
Now that I have added “full time student” to my already overflowing resume (700 jobs, 2 kids and 1 husband), I have been less than pleasant to hang around with. I know this about myself. Guess what? I KNOW THIS. For the foreseeable future, there is not much hope of anything changing...
Where does health come from?

Our life experiences shape how we answer that question
By Dr. Matthew Lapp, Columnist, The Times
If you look back over the course of your life, there are probably a few significant life events that stand out. Maybe it was an experience you had as a child. Perhaps a teacher, a coach, or a mentor influenced you in some way. Whatever the case may be, our experiences have the power to influence our...
Cavities can be contagious

Bacteria related to tooth decay can be shared with loved ones
By Dr. Stephanie McGann, DMD, FAGD, Columnist, The Times
I hear it every day, “my mom had bad teeth, I guess I got this from her.” Perhaps that is true, but not in the way we may think. Researchers have found that dental disease causing bacteria can be transmitted from one person to another.
In the case of cavities, the bacteria Streptococcus...
Focus on the good for this most unusual Christmas