Lifestyle

Dear Dr. Roach: I am a 57-year-old woman in excellent health. I practice holistic wellness, which includes eating nutritiously, exercising daily, sleeping seven to eight hours a night and taking minimum alcohol and no drugs. In May 2019 after a strenuous workout, I developed exercise-induced rhabdomyolysis; my main symptom was swelling of my upper arms. My primary care physician ran my CPK levels, which initially tested at 5,400. I was immediately directed to a nephrologist, and within two weeks I was completely back to normal.

Dear Amy: Last week I had major surgery on my back. The morning of the surgery, I posted on social media: “Wish me luck, I’m having back surgery today.” All my friends wished me luck, sending their prayers and positive thoughts.

Dear Amy: Should I have to tell my boyfriend every single place I go during the day? He’ll get home and ask me how my day was and what I did during the day. Sometimes I just want to go get out of the house.

Ask Amy: Advice for the Real World Dear Amy: I met a young woman online about eight months ago and have messaged her regularly. We also have video calls because she lives in the Philippines.

Williamsburg held its annual Mardi Gras Parade over the weekend as an early celebration of the holiday, which falls on Tuesday, March 1 this year. Mardi Gras, French for Fat Tuesday, originated as a way for Christians to have one last day of feasting before Lent begins the next day. The city of New Orleans holds a world-famous Mardi Gras celebration each year, but for those who couldn’t make it to the Big Easy, Williamsburg held its very own mini-parade, complete with a Cajun feast. All proceeds from the dinner went to the Wellsville Community Building. The event was sponsored by the Williamsburg Community Club.

The Franklin County Optimists announced the finalists for this year’s essay contest: OHS students Riley Meyerkorth (right), Molly McGrath (center), and Christina Sorensen (left) placed first, second and third, respectively. Meyerkorth will advance to the district contest to compete for a $2,500 scholarship. Photo: Franklin County Optimists

The hill along the Forest Park dike was a favorite destination to play in the snow before warm temperatures melted away the fun. The public slid down the hill in various ways. Snow may be in the forecast again later this week for the Ottawa area. Photo by Greg Mast/The Ottawa Herald

Love – and song – was in the air at Rock Creek of Ottawa this Valentine’s Day as members of the Ottawa High School Choir serenaded Al and Marilyn Keefer, a couple who has dedicated their lives to helping students, staff and teachers at Ottawa’s schools.

A winter storm that began Wednesday evening and made its way from Texas to the northeastern tip of the country dumped about four inches of snow on Ottawa, according to the National Weather Service. All public schools in the area were closed, as were many businesses, in an effort to keep community members safe at home. The city’s Central Business District, or CBD, enacted its Emergency Snow Removal Plan, and plowing continued through Friday morning. Parts of Kansas covered in up to six inches of snow. Photo courtesy Ottawa Police Department and The Pink Suitcase Boutique.