Columns

Mixed Emotions On Mother’s Day

It’s an undeniable fact: we all have or have had a mother. That doesn’t mean everyone born has known his or her mother — for various reasons. Celebrating Mother’s Day each May can be a time of warm and fuzzy emotions for moms and their offspring. It’s a day of flowers, cards, dinners and spending time with family. However, it also can be a most difficult 24 hours for women who have lost a child whether from miscarriage, illness, accident, violence, drug overdose or suicide. Birth mothers forced to relinquish a child — for whatever reason — also suffer emotional ...

Looking Back on Some Antiques That Mom Loved

If you’re like me, you were introduced to antiques by your mom, so Happy Mother’s Day to all moms and grandmothers who pass down the love of antiques and collectibles to the next generation. Not that dads don’t play a part in passing down appreciation for the finer things in life, but it does seem that when I talk to collectors about antiques and how they got interested in the hobby, it is typical that they recall their mom or grandmother’s house and style. For me, it was listening to my mom Margaret O’Malley Bierkortte tell me the history of a piece of furniture, painting ...

Don’t Take Library For Granted

I’m not much of a gambler. That’s not to say I don’t purchase an occasional lottery ticket or take chances on church raffles or other benefit games of chance. Over the decades of this career in journalism, I have taken many chances when it comes to meeting newspaper deadlines. Deadlines are an important part of this business or your work is not worth the ink. When I was in high school, teachers believed term papers were a must in just about every class other than math. I tried not to drag my feet on such tasks because I was pretty good at writing, and it wasn’t as ...

Have a Seat in Beautiful Antique Chairs

As I was going through old copies of Southern Living magazine and trying to part with the 10-year or older copies, I came across an article that remains solid advice. The article refers to chairs with style and it covers the variety of big names in chair styles over the years (18th and 19th centuries). These names are good to know and understand if you’re into antiques and even if you’re not — yet. I’ve always thought that antique furniture adds character to a room. Blending the past with today’s fashions gives your home a strength of character and a timeless look. So, it ...

Spring Brings Awareness to Occupational Therapy, Autism

WHEELING — Throughout the month of April, organizations around the country spread awareness of two topics that are close to our hearts at Easterseals — occupational therapy and autism acceptance. Occupational Therapy Month Occupational Therapy Month celebrates the work of the 230,000 occupational therapy practitioners and students in the United States. Occupational Therapy — or OT — can be provided across the lifespan, but Easterseals specializes in pediatric therapy, treating children at our Wheeling and Steubenville outpatient clinics as well as in ...

Extension Agent’s Love for Trees Grows Beyond Arbor Day

WHEELING — You may have noticed trees with white mesh trunk collars around our neighborhood parks and at Heritage Port. Our Ohio County WVU Extension Agent is Karen Cox, who loves trees. With state grant money, in 2019, 52 families and Master Gardeners planted and continue to care for approximately 140 trees throughout Wheeling. Says Karen, “Trees give us fresh air, absorb CO2, stabilize the soil, provide shade, ‘air conditioning’ and shield against cold winds for our homes.” In conjunction with the mayor’s office, the WVU Extension Service has formed the Wheeling City ...