Opinions

Hinsdale Central yearbook editor urges you to pull out your yearbook

If you are a high school graduate, chances are you keep your high school yearbooks either holed up in the basement, in a corner of the attic, or collecting dust on a bookshelf at your parents’ house like my parents do. Yearbooks are like home …

Rare chance to visit Fullersburg Cemetery in Hinsdale

HINSDALE — Expand your Memorial Day commemoration. Of course you should attend the annual parade at 10 a.m. in Hinsdale as well as the observations at Memorial Hall to honor those who have served our country and community. In addition, this year the historic Fullersburg …

To gray or not to gray

LA GRANGE — I have four sisters and we’ve remained close over the years in spite of the geographic distances that separate us. We make a concerted effort to get together a couple of times a year, just the five of us. Often, when I …

Program focuses on how to love your teen

HINSDALE — Being part of a rather large crowd at last week’s Loving Your Teen Without Losing Your Mind presentation was encouraging and empowering, though some material was downright startling. “Parents of teenagers all feel like fools and failures,” said Michael J. Bradley. “You’re here …

Breaking down barriers with the homeless

Library: a shelter for the homeless with shelves of books. Some days that’s how it seems in my town’s library. I sometimes smell them before I see them. They settle in the soft chairs on the library’s second floor — talking, eating, sleeping or just …

Searching for a child’s ‘lovey’

When you say “My Child’s Lovey,” people from all walks of life will give you a knowing nod. A lovey can be anything — blanket, pacifier, stuffed animal, random household object — but it always has the same job; it is a young child’s touchstone …

Look outside the medicine cabinet when treating pain

I will never forget that morning six years ago when everything changed. I awoke to vertigo, head and neck pain so severe I was bedridden for days. Next came the doctor circuit. Everyone had a different theory about what was wrong with me — Meniere’s …

If not now, when on gun violence

I am endearingly known as “Danger Woman” in my family. This is not because I am a daredevil, but because I am always on the lookout for potential hazards. I recall several Fourth of July seasons when I threatened to picket in front of our …

Navigating lonesome places

Elsa, at 88, had only one friend left whose mind wasn’t corrupted by dementia. That was Beth, a sharp, lamb-haired lady of 82. Beth could hardly walk. Elsa could hardly see. Elsa telephoned Beth every Monday evening. Each lady sat at her own kitchen table, …

The truth behind a mid-life ‘crisis’

I am 43 years old and I own — and wear — a pair of cheetah-print skinny jeans. I also dream of being in a rock band. No doubt these statements will evoke a myriad of responses: “Who cares?” “You go, girl!” “Ugh.” “Honey, I …

Racking up points demeans virtue of NHS

Being a member of the National Honor Society brings on ambiguous feelings. National Honor Society, a national organization based on the pillars of scholarship, service, leadership, character and citizenship, recognizes high school students on their commitment to these qualities. Sounds great. Sign me up. And …

Happy Valentine’s Day, America

I can easily get down about what is wrong with America. I am aware of the multitude of problems facing our country. Many do not have easy solutions. I am also aware that there is much to be proud of in these United States of …

Keep records of vital information for elderly parents

Sometimes we make assumptions about the information that we have or don’t have when it comes to our parents, grandparents or other seniors in our lives. Unfortunately the moment we realize that the information we need is not available is usually during a crisis.

Taking stigma off incontinence

Watching daytime TV, and all of the commercials for incontinence products, one might think that incontinence is a normal part of life and aging.

Working hard as stay-at-home

Do you work? Irene hates that question. She’s hated it since she quit her job processing pensions for grocery store employees. That was 20 years ago. Since then she’s been a married mother of three. These days her children are gone a lot. Her oldest …