It seems that every day during this pandemic I see one or more stories of people who are giving or have given their lives for others. The obvious ones, doctors, nurses, EMTs, and many folks who work in health care, are the subject of hero and heroine stories and receive my praise and gratitude for such dedication. The essential workers who are keeping the country running and supplying us with food, energy, and many other material resources are dying at even greater rates, giving their lives for others. During this same time I have seen people who are entrusted with bringing the country and world together during such trying times disrupting the harmony of the whole by reporting false information and distracting us with what seems to be their own agenda rather than focusing on the common good.

In many people’s minds, job interviews are right on par with public speaking and painful dental procedures in terms of the anxiety they provoke. The fear of being placed in the proverbial hot seat and having your expertise, experience, and personality thoroughly dissected by a perfect stranger (or strangers) is enough to reduce even the most unflappable job candidate to a pool of nervous perspiration. But a modest amount of advanced preparation can really calm your nerves and help you stand out among the crowd of candidates. Here’s how:

Many disparate factors shape a person’s well-being and health equity throughout Northwest Ohio. Creating opportunities that have the potential to reach everyone in the community is challenging, but when we’re able to see the trees through the forest by compartmentalizing and focusing efforts, the potential becomes more real.

The end is near—for casting your vote: Tuesday, November 3, 2020, the presidential Election Day. No matter what your personal party affiliation is, you need to vote. The fact that we, as Americans, have the right to vote and worked hard to include many groups to have that right. Some nations do not have safe and free elections; we need to remember that it is our privilege and duty to vote.

Many of us aren’t addressing the realities of retirement planning. Here are some of the worst mistakes being made today:

Plants are the foundation of any garden or landscape, but the atmosphere of a garden can be further enhanced through the use of gardening accents, such as statuary, birdbaths and feeders, wind chimes, stepping stones, and other artistic touches. These elements can make a delightful impression if they’re used judiciously and conform to the scale and character of the garden itself.

If you were driving north from Durango, CO on Rt. 550—which you should because the drive along the Animas River up into the mountains is spectacular—you would pass through the historic towns of Silverton and Ouray before reaching Montrose in about 100 miles. You could do that in about two and half hours. But you should take your time. It is called the Million Dollar Highway not because it cost that much to build, but because the views are worth that much and more. There are numerous excuses to stop along the way, including in the historic towns themselves. The entire town of Ouray, for example, is a National Historic Site.

With Ohio gradually reopening and area residents tentatively returning to normal activities and routines, it’s important to remember that not everyone can take equal advantage of the relaxed restrictions. People who are more vulnerable to COVID-19, such as older adults in senior living communities, must remain especially vigilant against the disease and continue to take steps that minimize their risk of exposure. So, while the rest of us are beginning to interact with one another once again (hopefully at a safe social distance), many in this population are still coping with isolation. That’s why it’s so important to reach out to our older loved ones and help them stay engaged as this pandemic continues.

There is no safe place outside when thunderstorms are in the area. But you can protect yourself, even if you’re caught outdoors, when thunder and lightning storms are close by knowing lightning safety. The National Weather Service (NWS) and the Ohio Committee for Severe Weather Awareness (OCSWA) encourage Ohioans to have a safety plan not only for severe thunderstorms, but also for all weather events. Here is there advice:

It’s that time of year again—late spring/early summer when we all get excited about good weather, the end of school, graduations, vacations, etc. For healthy food aficionados like me, another exciting event that happens at this time every year is the return of farmers’ markets!