Lifestyle Columns
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Hosanna! Lutheran pastor to retire after 39 years of serviceJun 18, 2025 10:58 am - Being a pastor for a long time means John Nelson, who is retiring from Hosanna! Lutheran Church in St. Charles, has touched thousands of people through various organizations and programs, in addition to sermons at church services.
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The best bowls are delicious, complete and convenientJun 18, 2025 6:06 am - Do you remember when the only thing served in a bowl was soup, breakfast cereal or an ice cream sundae? My, how things have changed! Today, bowls are a vehicle for just about anything. This recipe for Asian Salmon Bowls is a favorite.
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The wonders of willows: How this hardy tree is designed to survive floodsJun 16, 2025 11:22 am - Nature columnist Mark Spreyer takes a look at the history and uses of weeping willow and black willow trees, including their medicinal benefits and how they are designed to survive floods.
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New Illinois laws aim to make streets safer for bikers, pedestriansJun 11, 2025 9:02 am - Several new Illinois bills improve biking and pedestrian safety, including requirements for e-bike battery safety standards and fatal crash studies to protect vulnerable road users.
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Lighten up: Fruit brings out the natural sweetness in three easy, anytime treatsJun 11, 2025 6:06 am - These three recipes are some of my go-to favorites: peanut butter banana oat bars, lemon loaf and strawberry lemon muffins. They’re lightened-up, easy to make and all use fruit to bring out natural sweetness without being overly sugary.
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The president’s cabinet: A look at its history, the duties of membersJun 04, 2025 12:06 pm - Author and retired educator Bruce Simmons debuts a column detailing the history of the president’s cabinet and the duties of each position.
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Happy mistake: When you’ve got extra ears of corn, make tomato corn soupJun 04, 2025 5:35 am - Anyone who has ever had their groceries delivered will understand what happened. I ordered four pieces of corn on the cob and received four packages of four. I could have made a fuss. Instead, I made Tomato Corn Soup, which turned out to be a lovely addition to dinner.
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One family’s 50 years of making delicious wine in AmericaJun 04, 2025 5:33 am - If you shop Jewel-Osco wine departments, you undoubtedly recognize the label of J. Lohr’s Cabernet Sauvignon “Seven Oaks.” But did you know that the wine consistently receives 90+ points and “Best Value” nods from international wine critics?
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Biking popularity surges with infrastructure improvements, events, clubsMay 28, 2025 8:13 am - Illinois has improved its bike safety and infrastructure since 2020, with more counties and municipalities adopting bike/ped plans. But fatalities remain high, indicating more focus on safety is needed.
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What makes a good brownie great? Quality ingredientsMay 28, 2025 4:29 am - The ingredients in most brownie recipes are pretty similar, though the quantities may differ. But using quality ingredients like natural high-fat cocoa and einkorn flour can take your brownies from basic to melt-in-your-mouth.