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Rural Perspectives: Black swallowtail butterflies found in fields, parks, gardens
by Diane Constable The beautiful black swallowtail butterfly is a common visitor to wildflower gardens this time of year and is the state butterfly of Delaware. Papilio polyxenes is its scientific name. Pailio is Latin for butterfly, and polyxenes comes from Greek mythology, as it was the name of the youngest daughter of Priamos, the […]
Deductions in the new federal tax bill explained
by Cherie Van Blaircum On July 4, 2025, the President signed into law the sweeping tax code named the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. This law made permanent the tax code changes of 2017 under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), including the higher Standard Deduction amount, the Qualified Business Income Deduction, the State […]
Bridge to Wellness
Navigating the back-to-school transition: Managing emotions and setting yourself up for success by Kristen Chandler and Lauren Heidrich As summer winds down, the transition back into the busy routines of school can stir up a mix of emotions for students and parents. For some, there’s excitement about reuniting with friends and getting involved in activities […]
Voices of Service
Community is Key: Shannon Beutler’s Commitment to Serve by Melissa McPherson Shannon Beutler finds fulfillment in serving others. As a licensed Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) with the Unadilla Township Fire Department (UTFD), she responds to medical emergencies, accidents, and fires, providing medical assistance to residents, often on the worst days of their lives. “It’s about […]
Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp nurtures Stockbridge talent
Compiled by Kate Fox Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp spans 1,600 acres within western Michigan’s Manistee National Forest and hosts more than 5,400 students. Each summer, attendees are immersed in music, art, dance, and theater at the camp. Four Stockbridge area students had the opportunity to attend Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp to immerse themselves […]
Positive Parenting: Use intentional conversations to connect and engage with your teen
by Leanne Trapp Let’s face it, raising a teen is not for the weak. With all of the hormonal imbalances, mood swings, social challenges and changes happening in their lives, it can be extremely hard to connect with them. However, that is exactly what they crave. Connection. To feel included, heard, loved. They need real […]
Dear Gabbie: …
“Dear Gabbie” is written with the simple hope of bringing a few smiles to your day and is not meant to replace the advice of professionals… especially your mom! Dear Gabbie: Why do some people insist on leaving their shopping carts next to other people’s cars instead of putting them in the cart corrals? Dear […]
Positive Parenting
The power of the pause: Taking breaks can strengthen family bonds by Kelsey Rasmussen This month we’ll return to reviewing “And Baby Makes Three” by Drs. John and Julie Gottman. In May, Dr. Erin Clifton explained what the Gottmans call the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, or how toxic communication habits can quietly erode a […]
Active Aging
Stockbridge Area Senior Center: Who we are, how you can help by Stacey Mason I was sitting at my desk recently, where I can watch members enter our center, feeling thankful that our center is available for area older adults. I, along with our members, would be devastated if we could not sustain our senior […]
Bridge to Wellness: Exploring the eight dimensions of wellness
by Sarah Wilczynski When considering wellness, topics like our physical health, diet, and mental health are common things people think about. But what many people don’t realize is that eight dimensions of wellness come into play when evaluating our overall health. To celebrate National Wellness Month in August, we are going to explore these eight […]