Empty Nest: Strategies to Help Your Kids Take Flight Written by Marci Seither All of a sudden, the nest is empty. The birds have gone, and what had been a constant blur of activity is now nothing more than a few discarded feathers. Silence mutes all that was colorful and it is time to reestablish…

It wasn’t beginning to look like Christmas at the Seither House. I had seen pictures posted on Facebook of decorated trees and lights glowing from greenery draped banisters,but the Christmas totes of our decorations were still in a small shed. Every time our kids mentioned getting a tree, I felt my inner Grinch start to…

For those headed for college, the cost of books and tuition is no laughing matter — unless you happen to be a stand-up comic. Four area teens are taking comedy seriously enough to rent out the Colfax Theater in hopes of entertaining a sell-out crowd to add to their college funds. “We did a fundraiser…

“Jack..stop making funny faces at all the people in passing vehicles to see how many people you can get to smile. This is Chicago!” “Scott…too bad. Motown music doesn’t have annoying  electric guitar..it is still music. When you are a parent  you can pick the music you think your kids will hate just to annoy…

Last Tuesday Scott and Amy dressed up for their first choir performance. They are both in the Colfax High School choir and I couldn’t be more thrilled. The songs were perfect, the tone and volume were amazing, but the very best part of my evening started on the front porch when they both emerged from…

Sixteen years ago, Tina Hendricks welcomed a daughter. At first she was busy with diapers, feedings and picking out pink frilly dresses. By six months, however, she knew something about Mary was not right. “I remember taking her to a friend’s house. She had five children and I expressed some of my concerns despite the…