Sunday Gazette-Mail

Smell the Coffee ; Bottoms Up

Excuse please if today's column is a bit vague, but considering many read their paper during breakfast, some imprecision is a kindness. Younger readers may want to skip this entirely as it applies only to those age 50 and above, or those who have a family medical history that, once shared with a doctor, soon has the patient asking, "You intend to do what with that hose?"

The Shape We're in ; Body & Spirit; 'Jesus and; Cabin Creek Clinic Delivered Me From Food'

Some minutes with Freida g VIDEO wvgazette.com Freida Smith lives up Campbell's Creek "on a road where it's so quiet at night, you can hear a bird sing half a mile away.

'Chillers' Is Now a Graphic Novel ; West Virginians Movie a Global Horror Favorite

Danny Boyd will host the release of the novel at the following locations: Wednesday, 5:30 to 8 p.m.: Lost Legion Games and Comics, The Rifleman, 600 D St., South Charleston. Call 304-205-7919. Thursday, 5:30 to 8 p.m.: Lost Legion Games and Comics, The Keep, 706 Thorn St., Princeton. Call 304-431-0021. Friday, May 18, 5:30 to 8 p.m.: Lost Legion Games and Comics, The Castle, 406 2nd St., Beckley. Call 304-253-1974. Saturday, May 19, 2 to 6 p.m. Lost Legion Games and Comics, The Vault, 3206 Du...

For Opera On Wvpr, Is the Fat Lady Singing? ; Plummeting Listener Numbers Cited for Public Radio Cutting Back Dramatic Musical Programming

Starting Saturday, radio opera fans will find their favorite spot on the West Virginia Public Radio dial taken over by news and talk programming. With the May 5 season finale of the Metropolitan Opera, WVPR will not pick up the American Opera Series. James Muhammad, director of Radio Services at West Virginia Public Broadcasting, said it's been a long time coming, but change was almost inevitable.

Wyeth's Pa. World Opening to the Public

CHADDS FORD, Pa. - Andrew Wyeth's humble studio in the picturesque Brandywine Valley isn't something the average day tripper would stumble upon, but the late artist made his wishes loud and clear for anyone who might have found their way down the winding wooded path to his door. "I AM WORKING SO PLEASE DO NOT DISTURB. I do not sign autographs," announces a small white sign at the entryway.

Book Notes

St. Albans Historical books are available The St. Albans Historical Society has reprinted its 300-page "St. Albans History" book, full of vintage photos, family histories and histories of the local businesses, schools and churches. The book sells for $60.

Challenges Abound in Gordimer's 'No Time Like the Present'

"No Time Like the Present" Nadine Gordimer

Help Out

McGraw honored at benefit The Appalachian Community Fund is honoring Attorney General Darrell V. McGraw with an Appalachian Hero Award at a benefit from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. May 31 at the West Virginia Assoication for Justice, 1614 Kanawha Blvd. E.

Live Life Fully ; As Mother's Day Nears, Looking Back While Moving Forward

Today marks my fifth anniversary of beginning to write this column. I'm so grateful for this opportunity, and it's one of my favorite things to do. That's because I believe we all learn from each other, and this forum has created a dialogue around everyday things we all experience.

Riverboat Resumes Nostalgic Cruises On Mississippi, Ohio

WANT TO GO? American Queen Steamboat cruises on the Mississippi and Ohio rivers. INFO: Cruises depart from Memphis, New Orleans, St. Louis, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh and St. Paul, Minn., on trips from three to 10 nights; www.greatamericansteamboat company.com. Per- person rates for double rooms, meals and beverages, including some shore excursions and one night in a land-based hotel before or after departure, range from $995 to more than $8,000, depending on accommodations and trip length. HENDE...

Wildflowers Have Become a Travel Destination

Nowhere is nature's "Yay!" more apparent than a good display of wildflowers. Seeds are splitting, shoots are shooting, buds are unfolding to show the colorful petals they've concealed. It's happening everywhere from your backyard and your neighborhood to national parks and foreign forests, plains, hillsides and tropical jungles. Some destinations and stretches of land bloom with such awesome endlessness and ferocity of color that they've created a tourist industry of their own; there are fest...

Travel Notes

Historic-homes tour in Bramwell BRAMWELL - The annual spring tour of historic homes in Bramwell will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $15 and be purchased on Saturday at the Presbyterian Church in the middle of town.

On Safer Ground ; There Are Lots of Options for Play Surfaces

Joshua Barry knows that wipeouts are inevitable when children are climbing and sliding on outdoor play sets. So he placed shredded rubber under and around the climbing toys his two children use in the backyard of their Aurora, Ohio, home. "It gives me peace of mind knowing there's a little bit of cushioning," he said.

Blog Aids in Your Renovation of Mid-Century Modest Home

When it seemed like everyone was outfitting their kitchens with granite countertops and Sub-Zero refrigerators, Pam Kueber was on the hunt for steel cabinets. Ten years ago, Kueber and her husband bought a 1951 ranch house in Lenox, Mass., with ugly plastic tiles in the bathroom and a 1970s kitchen that was showing its age. But rather than bringing the house up to date, she wanted to take it back to its mid-20th-century character.

Housework in the 1920s Was a Full-Time Job - and Then Some ; Discovery of Old Good Housekeeping Book Sheds Light On Martha Stewart of That Era

The housekeeper of the 1920s had it made. No longer did she need to polish her stove regularly with black graphite. Treatments with special cleansing oil were all that were needed to keep her modern stove rust-free.

Do It Yourself ; Composite Deck Not 'No' Maintenance

Q:We had a composite deck (Fiberon) installed about two years ago and now it has many black spots and stains that we have been told are mold and mildew. What is the best cleaner for the deck and is there a way to keep these stains from returning? - J. Kaufmann A:Many types of materials, including composite decking, can develop mold and mildew if the right conditions exist - mainly moisture, lack of sun and, in the case of decking and other horizontal surfaces, failing to remove leaves and oth...

Astro-Graph

Sunday, May 6, 2012 YOUR BIRTHDAY TODAY: In the year ahead you'll not be deprived of a substantial amount of opportunities, some of which could be of the long-shot variety. If you're smart, you'll restrict your risk- taking to sure things.

Into the Garden ; Kanawha Garden Club Behind Davis Park Facelift

In April 2011, members of the Kanawha Garden Club surveyed the users of Davis Park to see what city dwellers and office workers want from the park. Safety, smoking food, and flowers were among the answers.

On the Town

Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundations 50th Anniversary Gala Celebration was April 3 at the Clay Center. Author Homer Hickam was the featured speaker, entertainment was provided by Larry Groce and Bob Thompson. 1. Nelle Chilton, Ron Potesta, Terry Potesta, Homer Hickam, Dana Burns, Valerie Burns, Eli McCoy, Paula McCoy. 2. Amy Brown, The Rev. Rose Edington, The Rev. Mel Hoover, Judy Sjostedt, Sheri Ryder, Debbie Poole. 3. William Cosby, Loren Friend, Nancy Ti...

Elway's Charred Red Pepper Soup: A Roasted Reason to Visit Denver

Dear SOS: I get to Denver a few times a year, and at Elway's restaurant in the Ritz-Carlton, they serve a terrific charred red pepper soup. Can you get the recipe? - Dave Wohl, Sudbury, Mass.