In just a few days, our neighbors to the north will host one of the most mind-numbing, not to mention gross, tests of physical fitness and gastrointestinal fortitude one could possibly imagine. How someone came up with the idea for such an event in the fi

The start of the new year is a great time to focus on your finances and put them into perspective. Competing demands on our time can often cloud our line of sight on what really matters. So, if you want a better handle on your finances, take these six fou

I recently received a letter from a reader by the name of Angeline Watford. She lives in Darlington County just north of Hartsville. In the letter she details a true story about her pet, a dog named Lucky. Never, ever pass up the chance to hear a story ab

If you buy into all the New Year superstitions mumbo-jumbo, it might be wise to steer clear of a certain newspaper editor during 2020. Having more to do with my taste buds and stomach than with superstitions and luck, I adhered to the custom of eating mo

What better way to start off the New Year than with some sound advice from an old friend – Ann Landers: - - - Advice for All on New Year’s Day Let this coming year be better than all the others. Vow to do some of the things you’ve always wanted to do

Wondering what the most popular toys were this year? So was I. According to Amazon.com, these are some of the toys that had the kiddies screaming with glee when they were unwrapped this morning: • CANDYLOCKS. Get a whiff of this. This doll, which sells fo

I love Christmas lights. Not the glowing bulbs strung on Christmas trees or the blinking and flashing offering some sort of season’s greetings. The Christmas lights I speak of are people who shine the true lights of Christmas, hope, peace, joy, and, by fa

With the new year upon us, those who collect Social Security or pay into the public retirement program through payroll deduction will see some changes. The Social Security Administration makes cost-of-living adjustments on an annual basis. Here’s how the

A crisp wind blew as we walked back to our hotel on Christmas morning. It was 1981 and we were in Barcelona, Spain. I was in the Marine Corps and deployed with the 32nd Marine Amphibious Unit aboard the USS Saipan. A mere 19 at the time, this was my secon

2019 is winding down, and before you know it, you’ll be pulling together everything needed to file your federal income tax return for the year. Federal income tax returns for 2019 are due on or before April 15, 2020. But if you’re interested in potentiall

The Christmas holidays glitter and glisten with all sorts of traditions. One of them is the telling, reading, singing, and watching a television program about a certain reindeer with an extraordinarily shiny nose. Everybody, young and old, loves the story

The unmistakable smell of Thanksgiving drifted from kitchen to dining room to living room and all throughout the house. After days of planning and preparation, the feast was nearly complete. The table was perfectly set. Dozens of dishes lined the kitchen

Is your son or daughter heading to college? If the answer is yes, it’s an exciting moment in your child’s life. But, financially, it can also be a paralyzing time if they do not have a principled approach for managing money. Out on their own for the first

Alcohol and sharp instruments? Yes, it does seem like a decidedly dangerous combination, but bar and pub patrons have been hoisting pints of frosty malt and hurling darts at round boards for centuries. I myself have thrown a few back while at the same tim

The best way for me to describe the writing of Pat Conroy is to say his words had a way of drawing you into his story. Sometimes the words would take you by the hand and gently guide you into captivating scenes of breathtaking beauty. Other times they wo