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Pioneer Press readers explore gorgeous, opulent French Riviera

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:50:42 GMT

I always thought there were two types of overseas vacations: An adventure, or a beach vacation.In the former, which I prefer, you get to know a place and its history, preferably on foot. In the latter, you relax on a beach, drink vacation drinks and float in the ocean.I’m here to tell you that it’s possible to have both — which I discovered recently on a trip to the French Riviera with more than 30 Pioneer Press readers.Our tour group stayed in Nice, France, for the entirety of the trip, with short motorcoach trips to other places in the region. There was plenty of history, culinary adventures and walking — but also a gorgeous beach on the impossibly blue Mediterranean Sea (the region is known as Côte d’Azur, or blue coast, in French) and lots of free time to enjoy it.Here’s what we did during the tour, which took place in mid-October.ArrivalPlace Massena in Nice, France. (Courtesy of Mick Richards)After a long flight that was delayed slightly, we had just a few mi...

Stillwater area residents trying – again – for indoor pool and community center

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:50:42 GMT

Dianne Polasik has been advocating for an indoor pool and community center in the Stillwater area for more than 40 years.She’s hoping this time, the fifth time, will be the charm.Dianne Polasik, president of the board of the Valley Community Center, which is exploring options for a community center and indoor pool in the Stillwater area. (Courtesy of Valley Community Center)Polasik is president of the board of the Valley Community Center, a nonprofit organization exploring options for a community center in the Stillwater Area Public School District. The group recently hired Colorado-based Ballard*King & Associates, a consulting firm that specializes in, among other things, creating feasibility studies for recreational and sports facilities, to conduct a survey of more than 1,300 residents of the area.Nearly 90 percent of the respondents support an indoor pool. “Spoiler alert: everybody wants a pool,” Polasik said. “Since we don’t have a pool, we have to go to other community poo...

Literary pick for Nov. 5

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:50:42 GMT

By the time you finish reading “Driving Dad Home,” you will have experienced a wide range of emotions, from laughter to sympathy for author John Halter, who had the unenviable task of driving Russ, his 96-year-old father, from his trailer park in Phoenix to a memory-care facility in La Crosse, Wis.Russ Halter is a complicated man, loving his children and first wife but with a volatile temper. Russ and son John had a rocky relationship beginning with John’s teen years, when he was always mad at his dad and his dad was mad at him. Yet, Russ later called his son every Sunday night to complain about his second wife, a bedridden alcoholic dying of kidney disease. John and his siblings knew it was time to bring their dad back to the MidwestWith the help of a social worker they mapped out an elaborate plan for getting their stubborn father into the car for the three-day drive to La Crosse. The early chapters read like a novel as John tries to coax his dad into the car. So...

Literary calendar for week of Nov. 5

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:50:42 GMT

Elizabeth Acevedo (Courtesy of the author)ELIZABETH ACEVEDO: Dominican-American author and spoken word artist best known for her young adult novel-in-verse “The Poet X,” winner of a National Book Award, discusses “Family Love,” her first novel for adults about a woman who can predict, to the day, when someone will die. In MELSA metro libraries Club Book. Free. 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 9. Virtual/streaming at facebook.com/ClubBook.MATTHEW BATT: Discusses his memoir “The Last Supper Club: A Waiter’s Requiem,” about being a waiter at Surly’s fine-dining Minneapolis restaurant, The Brewer’s Table, a job he took during his college teaching sabbatical. 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 7, Next Chapter Booksellers, 38 S. Snelling Ave., St. Paul.ANDREA BEATY: Bestselling author reads her newest Questions picture book, “Lila Greer, Teacher of the Year,” featuring a teacher who is all about kindness, learning to face your fears and the influen...

Ask Amy: Alcoholic struggles to recover from estrangement

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:50:42 GMT

Dear Amy: Four years ago, my daughter and son-in-law cut off all contact with me.I am a recovering alcoholic, but I relapsed and moved in with my sister.She and I got into a fight, so I moved out, but I didn’t have anywhere to go so I asked my daughter if I could stay with her and her husband until I found a place.They let me stay with them, but were angry about it.After two weeks with them I moved back in with my sister, which was a mistake.To make a long story short, I started drinking again and tried to kill myself.I went to a behavioral health center and got help.Now I am doing great, but they still won’t talk to me.I have been sending cards to them for birthdays and Christmas. I don’t know what else to do. My daughter is my only child.I have been sober for four years now, and I go to AA meetings.Your advice?Related ArticlesAsk Amy | Ask Amy: Mother-in-law’s clothing choices rankle Ask Amy | Ask Amy: Nonbinary adult faces misgendering...

Kingston man arrested on drug, weapons charges

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:50:42 GMT

A Kingston man is facing criminal charges after a search of his home uncovered illegal drugs and weapons, officials said.Officers executing a search warrant on Howland’s Lane on Saturday arrested Charles Santos, 34, on charges of unlawful possession of a large-capacity firearm, possessing ammunition without an FID card, and possessing a Class E drug, according to Kingston police.The search of his home allegedly uncovered an AR-style rifle, firearms accessories, a 3D printer, 3D-printed firearm parts, body armor, and steriods.Santos is slated to be arraigned Monday in Plymouth District Court.

Letters to the editor (mega edition!) Herald readers sound off on top issues

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:50:42 GMT

Migrant influxKudos to the Boston Herald for pointing out the issue of migrants pouring into our large cities.  The Bay State and New York City’s “right to shelter laws” are getting well advertised and passed through word of mouth. NYC Mayor Eric Adams believes that housing unlimited migrants will “destroy the city.” Governor Kathy Hochul has even stated that the constant  flow of immigrants is “unsustainable.” Up here in our “sanctuary” state, Governor Maura Healey is trying to figure out where to place unhoused or homeless people when there aren’t any places left to go. Homeless advocates have filed a lawsuit forcing her to find beds that don’t exist and do it quickly.When these so-called housing reforms and court orders came about  40 years ago, they clearly didn’t anticipate the destruction of our border control and the ongoing flow of migrants pouring into the Commonwealth and other communities across Ameri...

Prince William arrives in Singapore for annual Earthshot Prize award, the first to be held in Asia

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:50:42 GMT

SINGAPORE (AP) — Prince William arrived Sunday in Singapore for the annual Earthshot Prize awards, the first to be held in Asia, to support environmental innovators with solutions to battle climate change and save the planet. Upon his arrival, dozens of people waving British flags welcomed him with loud cheers. William, 41, shook hands, signed autographs and sportingly took selfies with many of them during a walkabout.“It’s fantastic to be back in Singapore for this year’s Earthshot Prize ceremony, after eleven years,” he said in a statement upon landing. “Singapore’s bold vision to be a leader for environmental innovation sets the standard for others to follow.”“He has this charm,” said Johanes Mario, a Singaporean welcoming William at the airport. “He really fights for … the climate. I believe this is really a good cause for the future of our generation,” he added.At Singapore’s Changi Airport and before greeting the crowd, William stood on an upper floor f...

Afghans fleeing Pakistan lack shelter, food, and warmth once they cross the border, aid groups say

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:50:42 GMT

ISLAMABAD (AP) — Afghans fleeing Pakistan to avoid arrest and deportation are sleeping in the open, without proper shelter, food, drinking water and toilets once they cross the border to their homeland, aid agencies said Sunday.Hundreds of thousands of Afghans have left Pakistan in recent weeks as authorities pursue foreigners they say are in the country illegally, going door-to-door to check migrants’ documentation. Pakistan set Oct.31 as a deadline to leave the country or else they’d be arrested as part of a new anti-migrant crackdown.Afghans leave Pakistan from two main border crossings, Torkham and Chaman. The Taliban have set up camps on the other side for people to stay in while they wait to be moved to their place of origin in Afghanistan. Aid agencies said Torkham has no proper shelter. There is limited access to drinking water, no heating source other than open fires, no lighting, and no toilets. There is open defecation and poor hygiene. U.N. agencies and aid groups ...

Russia says it test-fired an intercontinental ballistic missile from a new nuclear submarine

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:50:42 GMT

MOSCOW (AP) — The Russian military on Sunday reported a successful test launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile designed to carry nuclear warheads from a new nuclear submarine. The report comes as tensions are soaring between Russia and the West over the fighting in Ukraine. Adding to those tensions, President Vladimir Putin last week signed a bill revoking Russia’s ratification of a global nuclear test ban in a move that Moscow said was needed to establish parity with the United States.The Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement that the Imperator Alexander III strategic missile cruiser fired the Bulava missile from an underwater position in Russia’s northern White Sea, and hit a target in the far-eastern region of Kamchatka. It wasn’t immediately clear from the statement when the test launch occurred. The Imperator Alexander III is one of the new Borei-class nuclear submarines that carry 16 Bulava missiles each and are intended to serve as the core naval c...