The first grandchild and the Christmas puzzle

The first grandchild and the Christmas puzzle As the Cravens and Waggener families remember the first grandchild who passed away earlier this week, this story comes to mind from a few years ago written by his mother, Wilma Jean. She paints a picture of her firstborn, a precious, precocious rascal child, Phillip Glenn Cravens, who ruled in her family’s kitchen as his Grandparents and the young Aunts and Uncles stood by in admiration — no discipline.

Christmas weight gain can persist for months

… It is perhaps no surprise that the festive season can lead to weight gain. According to the Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH) in the United Kingdom, Christmas Day gorging is likely to clock up around 6,000 calories – almost three times the …

Offering a haven for the homeless

… run a kind of soup kitchen. “A lot of the people we’re dealing with have alcohol and drug problems, they have mental health issues – and at the time they’re with us every place is closed. We can’t get them any help. If we had these people for twelve …

Olivia Kelsey’s first Christmas at home since 2014

Waking up at the crack of dawn to open presents, eating until you’re stuffed and spending time with loved ones are givens for most Kiwis on Christmas Day. But for nine-year-old Olivia Kelsey, being able to do all these things at home in Te Aroha with her family will be extra special this year.

North Coast Rep Heralds New Year with Critically Acclaimed Hit,…

North Coast Repertory Theatre continues its highly successful Season 35 with the San Diego premiere of Marjorie Prime, hailed as “an elegant, thoughtful, quietly unsettling drama” by The New York Times. Written by Jordan Harrison, the play enjoyed triumphant runs in Los Angeles and New York and was a finalist for the 2015 Pulitzer Prize for drama and won the 2016 Horton Foote Prize, which honors excellence in American theatre.

Holidays can also rekindle feelings of grief

The Christmas season can pose some challenges for those grieving the loss of a loved one. Lynett Getz, social worker, grief companion, facilitator, counsellor and life celebrant, talks to an audience at Strathcona Centre on Wednesday about strategies to cope.–NEWS PHOTO GILLIAN SLADE If you are grieving the loss of a loved one, this time of year can be particularly difficult, but there are some strategies you can employ to help, an audience was told Wednesday at a workshop at Strathcona Centre.