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Readers’ Corner: The truth, and nothing but the truth

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:16:30 GMT

The president of the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts in the Berkshires awarded me an honorary doctor’s degree in journalism at last weekend’s commencement.As an alum, it’s more than I deserve. I declined at first, but President James Birge insisted. I accepted on behalf of everyone who believes in the truth.“Truth is my job,” I said in my acceptance speech. “Even if it takes all day, I never stop digging for the truth.”Truth keeps my old car on the road and sells this newspaper. I promised President Birge and his amazing staff I’d write about the recognition and today is proof the Herald keeps a promise. I’d rather stay out of the news, but sometimes it can’t be avoided.Ain’t that the truth.What was just delivered to President Biden is Exhibit A.Former U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts Rachael Rollins called the Herald liars and blocked me from her Twitter feed after she attended a DNC fundraiser featuring First L...

Life goes on in robin’s nest outside window

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:16:30 GMT

Dear Dr. John,As I look outside my kitchen window, I see a nest of robins in a tree. Our kitchen is on the second floor of our townhouse so it’s perfect for viewing the birds. I’ve watched the babies for almost a week, and I can see their heads as they stretch for their feeding. I’ve got great photographs!How much longer can these three babies squeeze into the nest as they grow and when will they step out to learn how to fly? It seems that both parents come and go with food. I’ve seen what appeared to be insects and even bees in their beaks and now I see some worms too. Is that a typical diet and when will the young eat on their own? Lastly, if one or two should fall, is it safe for me to put them back in the nest or on the branches around the nest? C.H.Dear C.H.,It seems that you have a perfect bird’s eye view, no pun intended! The eggs hatch approximately two weeks after they are laid. The first meals are regurgitated by the parents deep into the young birds’ throats and since you...

Absent dad wants to walk her down the aisle

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:16:30 GMT

Q. So I haven’t seen my dad in nine years. He walked out on our family to hang with a much younger woman in his office and we haven’t seen him since. Evidently, he just broke up with her and he is reaching out. But, here’s the thing: I’m getting married in two weeks and he just texted me that he is sorry and would like to walk me down the aisle. That honor goes to my bonus dad. He has been in our lives for 7 years and has been there for all of us, especially my little brother who is now 14. My first thought is that I don’t want my father anywhere near my wedding. It would just be too awkward. Am I being too harsh? What’s good ex-etiquette?A. Isn’t life’s timing ironic? If this had happened even a year ago you may have had time to forge somewhat of a relationship, but in two weeks it’s doubtful the pain associated with your father’s choices can be healed. And even if your goal is to forgive him and move on, it doesn’t mean you want him to walk you down the aisle.Enter your bonus dad,...

Your guide to a stylish Memorial Day getaway

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:16:30 GMT

For the nation, Memorial Day honors those who’ve given their lives to fight for America. For many of us, it also marks the annual three-day weekend that unofficially kicks off summer. And it’s the time of a million fantastic sales. These days — as with almost all holidays — those sales happen in advance of the actual day.So if you haven’t already made your plans for your long weekend getaway, it’s time to do three things —and pronto:Make those plans, now.Shop for the getaway — with a smart, sales-centric strategy.Pack your weekend getaway bag and go.Here’s a quick cheat sheet on what to buy and pack, according to your destination —based on what your preferred mood and activities are, and with a keen eye on Memorial Day sales. Ready? Get set. Now go, already. Beach, beach, and more beachWhere: Pelham House (pelhamhouseresort.com), Dennis PortWhy: Lounge on the private beach and in the sunken firepit centered in the seaside pool, then nosh at the rooftop eatery. Consider i...

Editorial: Gas stove ban conspiracy theory comes true

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:16:30 GMT

You aren’t crazy if they really are out to get your gas stove.Earlier this month, Democrats in New York passed a budget limiting the use of natural gas in new construction. Natural gas hookups won’t be allowed in most construction projects, including homes. That means no natural gas appliances, such as stoves and dryers. Buildings will have to install electric heating. There are some exceptions, including for restaurants, hospitals and large industrial buildings.New York passed this intrusive law over concerns about global warming. Climate alarmists are concerned about the methane in natural gas. The conventional wisdom is that it’s a much greater contributor to global warming than carbon dioxide in the short term. But if this were the case, you might expect New York politicians to inform the public how much this effort will reduce global temperatures.Instead, you’re not even supposed to notice this is happening.Recall that in January, U.S. Consumer Product Safety commissioner Richa...

What to do when you’re ghosted by potential employer

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:16:30 GMT

Q. I interviewed with a company and it went really well — almost too well! They offered me a job during the third round. But I haven’t heard anything since. I followed up twice and still haven’t heard anything. What else should I do?A. First, congrats on what I’m assuming was a verbal offer! You’ve done what you could — if they changed their mind or the job was put on hold or for whatever reason, they owe you the courtesy to reach out either way.You’ve already followed up twice, so there’s unfortunately nothing else you can do. Sure, you can keep calling or perhaps checking in periodically perhaps every two weeks, and this is all personal preference — but you may end up feeling like you’re begging for a job.When I worked in corporate recruiting, trust me: when we wanted to officially extend an offer, we did. When we didn’t or when something else happened (like an internal employee moved into that role or the job disso...

Bruins have tough what-ifs to ponder

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:16:30 GMT

Pro sports are an increasingly player-driven culture, and it makes sense. Players are clearly the most valuable asset of any organization, a fact that’s proven every payday.But how much player empowerment is too much? The Bruins’ leadership group was as solid as you’ll ever find. But the aftermath of their stunning early flame-out makes one wonder if a little more tough love from above at the right moments would have meant they’d still be playing right now.For the B’s, the player-driven ethos worked as well as it could possibly work. Until it didn’t. During the regular season, the B’s won a record 65 games and looked unbeatable. But there is no such thing, especially in he NHL. The B’s gagged up a 3-1 series lead to the Florida Panthers and lost in the first round.When it was all over, we learned that Patrice Bergeron came back into the lineup in Game 5 with a herniated disc in his back. We know goalie Linus Ullmark was playing with so...

Creative Maxum loves to try new things

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:16:30 GMT

Maxum, who likes to go by Max, is an energetic and creative child. Max can present as shy and quiet, but once he gets comfortable, he opens up and engages easily. Max likes to build with LEGOS and play video games. He is very active and enjoys playing outside. He loves to play sports and has a great arm! Max also likes to draw and watch superhero movies.Max attends a collaborative school and has special education supports to assist him there. He is doing well and making progress in school. Max has a lot of curiosity and likes to learn and try new things. Max enjoys playing with his peers and is able to make friends easily.Max would do best in a home that is adventurous, playful, and compassionate. He has two sisters that he would like to maintain a relationship with. Max currently visits with his birth parents four times a year and per his open adoption agreement will visit with his parents two times a year once the adoption is finalized.If you’re at least 18 years old, have a stabl...

Dear Abby: Poolgoers leave towels to claim shady spot

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:16:30 GMT

Dear Abby: The other day I went to the pool in my neighborhood and found there were four lounge chairs with towels on them indicating they were “reserved.” They are the best chairs in the pool area because they are covered by a small roof and protected from the sun. I then had to use another chair that only partially covered me.It wasn’t until three hours later, when I was about to leave, that a couple carrying party items showed up to claim the chairs. Would it have been OK to move the “reserved” chairs to another area and put mine under the roof, and then put them back when I leave? What if the people come and I’m still there? — All Wet in FloridaDear All Wet: What those neighbors did was rude. Yes, it would have been OK for you to sit in the shade, protected from the sun. If the entitled folks who tied up the chairs (for hours) came down to use them within 15 minutes, you could have moved. But under the circumstances, you should not have ...

What should I do on the death anniversary? More are asking as US mass killings rise

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:16:30 GMT

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — On a September day that he knew would be hard, 51-year-old Damone Presley marked the occasion with barbecue and balloons.He was commemorating the one-year anniversary of the day in 2021 that his daughter and her three friends were fatally shot in Minnesota by a man who left their bodies in an abandoned SUV in a Wisconsin cornfield. Presley gathered 50 friends to celebrate the life of his daughter, Nitosha Flug-Presley, who was 30 when she died. He went big on the anniversary because he felt sure that’s what his daughter would have wanted.“She would always do stuff big,” Presley told The Associated Press.There have been 553 mass killings in the United States since 2006, and at least 2,880 people have died, according to a database maintained by The Associated Press and USA Today in partnership with Northeastern University. Those include killings where four or more died, not including the assailant, within a 24-hour period. So far in 2023, the nation has witnesse...