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Outdoors and Travel

The Girl Scouts of Black Diamond Council is kicking off cookie season across the state, and beyond, Friday. Samoas, Thin Mints, Trefoils and the remainder of the 2020 cookie lineup — including one brand new cookie — will be available to purchase from Girl Scouts and online at GirlScouts.org. The Cookie Program began in 1917 as a way for troops to finance activities. Today, the program encourages girls to discover their inner leadership potential and use their earnings to create experiences for themselves and their troop — including travel, outdoor adventure, and ...

Path to healing begins with love

Well, we did it, folks. We made it through 2019. It is now, as crazy as it feels to even type it, officially 2020. As for many people, this past year wasn’t an easy one for me. Seeing my boy Pops struggle through his illness and saying goodbye to him in November has been one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. Even though we knew it was inevitable, given the nature of his tumors, having to make the decision to end his suffering is something with which I may never fully come to terms, even though it was the right thing to do. There will never be another Pops, ...

Entertainment listings: Dec. 26 – Jan. 2

LIVE MUSIC 123 PLEASANT STREET Earthride, Hovel, Torrents and Howitzzer play  at 8 p.m. Saturday; Beer and Carols at 6 p.m. Sunday; New Years Eve with William Matheny, Natural Rat, John R. Miller and the Engine Ligths, and Razzle Dazzle at 8 p.m. Tuesday. Info: 123pleasant ...

Kindness is a gift best shared by many

In my previous column, I closed by saying “thank you” to a number of people who helped me navigate my grief through the illness and passing of my beloved dog, Pops. This week I’d like to begin the same way, and tell everyone who so thoughtfully emailed, wrote letters and even sent sympathy cards how very grateful I am. I can’t express how much it means to me that you would take time out of your busy schedules to reach out, particularly during this busy time of year. Your kindness was indeed a gift. Obviously, it being Dec. 22, you don’t need me to remind ...

Saying ‘thank you’ through the tears

Usually, when I sit down to write one of these, I have a vague idea of how it will go. This is not one of those days. As some of you may have noticed, my column has been absent for a number of weeks. Thanksgiving came and went, without my annual list of things I’m grateful for, and some readers have also emailed asking for an update on my sick doggie, Pops. Which brings us to why I haven’t written, and the reason I’m finding it so difficult to today. Because, after fighting for as long as he was able, my beloved boy crossed over that rainbow bridge on Nov. ...

Docs to watch when you’re home with your dogs

I’d like to start out this week by thanking those who went out of their way to reach out to me regarding my sick dog, Pops, and to send him well wishes. I have passed all of your kind words and healing vibes along to him, and although the tumors make it ouchy for him to talk these days, he asked that I let you know how much he appreciates your prayers. (He also asked me to tell you to send medicinal snacks, but don’t do that. He thinks Snausages are medicinal.) Not having much of a social life to begin with, taking care of ol’ Popsicle Stick has pretty much become my ...