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Opinion

Ridge Runner Chronicles: Look out for ‘false’ morels

By Bill Hoagland Morel mushroom season is just about here. I wrote a column recently about a group of people in Montana who became sick after eating uncooked morel mushrooms in a restaurant. Five of those dinners were hospitalized and two eventually died from the toxic effects of uncooked morel mushrooms. These dinners ate what…

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Robin Writes: Beautiful March

I brought flowers to Mom this week. Springtime stems of forsythia, dogwood and lilac. It’s too early for the real thing—but silk is fine. March was Mom’s favorite month, and on the first mild day of the month she would say the same thing: “It is going to be beautiful soon!” Her eyes would meet…

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Week of March 14, 2024: Cards and Contemplations

Don’t let anything stop you The Fool, IX of Presents, XVII The Star Merry meet, dear readers. Before you continue, take note: Tarot is for everyone, no matter your walk of life. While the cards have their own singular meanings, tarot is also largely intuitive and the meanings can change; no two tarot readers read…

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Ridge Runner Chronicles – March 14, 2024

“Flaco” By BILL HOGLAND Over the weekend of March 2-3, there was a memorial service held in Central Park, New York City. It was well attended and featured a wide variety of folks who gathered to express sympathy for the loss of a loved one. This ceremony included a mournful saxophone, a guitar and singer…

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Robin Writes – March 14, 2024

Sharing a cup of coffee By Robin Garrison Leach We have many coffee cups. They’re all capable of holding liquids. All have a handle with a hole for digits, and they are various sizes and colors. Some have words on them: “World’s Best Grandpa.” “Coffee Lover.” Even the dreaded: “Live. Love. Laugh.”

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Robin Writes – March 7, 2024

Mom — The original seat belt By ROBIN GARRISON LEACH We are required by law to wear seat belts in our cars. But there was a time when Mom was the only seat belt we needed.

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Ridge Runner Chronicles – March 7, 2024

Banning the Use of Native American Team Names By BILL HOGLAND There was some new legislation introduced in the Illinois House of Representatives two weeks ago that may be of particular interest to people living in or otherwise connected with Calhoun County. It is House Bill 5617. The bill provides that upon passage, Native American…

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Outdoor Truths – March 7, 2024

Signs don’t always guarantee success Whether you are on the water or in the woods, if fish or game is involved, so is scouting. Just because your boat is in the water doesn’t mean all you have to do is drop a line in order to catch fish. The same goes for the woods.

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