Lifestyle
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The 50 best wines under $50, from a critic who tasted 2,874 this yearDec 29, 2025 10:32 am - In this list of 50 top buys under $50, Elin McCoy highlights new-to-her wines along with perennial bargains. Her biggest sticker shock was how few Champagnes are still available at this price point, even on sale.
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Party-worthy lettuce cups come together at a moment’s notice
Dec 29, 2025 10:15 am - These crisp lettuce cups filled with maple walnuts, blue cheese and dried cranberries brim with bold contrasting tastes and textures. They make for an elegant and healthful finger food that’s ideal for easy entertaining.
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New businesses, fond farewells and historic preservation: A look back at the top stories of 2025 in Talk of the TownDec 29, 2025 9:57 am - New businesses and developments, historic preservation, museums and a fairy garden were among the top stories in Dave Heun’s Talk of the Town column in 2025.
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Fight the virus: 7 home remedies for a sore throat
Dec 28, 2025 10:23 am - Woke up to a sore, scratchy throat? You may want to blame it on dry air, but it’s usually a sign your body is fighting a viral infection.
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Why gray squirrels and black walnuts go together so wellDec 28, 2025 3:00 am - For many years, we’ve been finding black walnut bits on the benches surrounding our campfire circle. I know where the walnuts come from and I know gray squirrels are eating them.
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Should you worry about overfunding your 529 plan?
Dec 27, 2025 11:30 am - But what do you do if you still have money left over after covering education expenses?Thanks to Secure 2.0 Act, you can now roll over unused 529 funds to a Roth IRA. But the 529 rollover isn’t a loophole to save extra for retirement; rules limit the conversions.
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Learn about different missions at Gary UMC in WheatonDec 26, 2025 8:21 pm - Gary United Methodist Church in Wheaton will highlight missions it supports in January through an adult education series titled "Love in Mission."
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Dealing with unwanted gifts takes a little creativity — and a lot of tactDec 26, 2025 8:26 am - Whether it’s a Big Mouth Billy Bass, a cherub tchotchke or a crime scene pen holder, recipients should remember when it comes to gifts it’s the thought that counts. That said, there’s always regifting ... if you are careful!
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How to get the most out of your doctor's appointment
Dec 26, 2025 6:30 am - It’s not unusual for a 20-something to text Mom in a panic from the doctor’s office, seeking help answering a question. And patients of any age can struggle to recall all their medicines — or forget to mention a concern. Getting the most out of a doctor’s visit requires some advance preparation.
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Patient advocate: Tweaks for a happier, healthier 2026Dec 26, 2025 6:15 am - A recently released poll of 2,000 American adults of various ages yielded some interesting insights. Nearly 70% of those responding said 2025 was a dumpster fire of one sort or another for them, labeling it OK, bad or even awful. Yet, hope springs eternal.