Maddie's father works to keep her spirit aliveDetroit Free Press, MI - 10 hours agoOn Christmas, Paul took a batch of unopened toys to sick children on the fifth, sixth and seventh floors at Mott. He spent time with Nevin Stoutenburg, …

Journal ChrétienThe Great Gift Exchange Brings Christmas Hope to Russian ChildrenJournal Chrétien, France - Jan 26, 2007"When we arrived at the orphanage in Yubileyniy, Moscow Region, the kids rushed out to the cars to help us unload Christmas gifts and the costumes for our …

Carnival Caribbean styleChicago Sun-Times, IL - 12 hours agoPlanning for Carnival begins as early as Christmas when the mas (as in masquerade) camps open. This is where costumes are designed and made. …

By ELIZABETH ROMÁN Photos by JESSICA HILLThere is something intriguing and exciting about seeing camels, moving gargoyles and magicians roaming around a church.

They are known by many names — Carnival, Carnaval, Karneval, Mardi Gras, Fasching, Fastnacht and Shrovetide, among them. But these festivals, staged the world over, have a common denominator: They celebrate the holiday period before Lent.

HUGE PARTS SWAP, 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Feb. 19, Kane County Fairgrounds, Route 64 & Randall Road, St. Charles. Sponsor: Model A Restorers Club, Illinois Region. Information: (773) 507-5144 or (630) 628-0099.

Throughout her life, Ann Atchison Nicholas has found that proper circumstance and powerful positive influences can enhance a person’s chances to excel at multiple endeavors.

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad — The sound of Mighty Bomber could be heard in the distance of the crowded Queen’s Park Savannah. The calypso legend sings of old men dreaming dreams and young men seeing visions. Carnival in Trinidad 2006 was a 50th birthday gift from my friend, Tom. Some men go fishing.

Long established relationship brings Christmas cheer to over 60000 …etnow.com (press release), UK - Jan 26, 2007The Christmas parties take place over 20 nights in December and attract up to 1200 guests per night at each venue. Each Marquee is individually themed for …

Turning 60, and Doing So With 1500Tuscaloosa News (subscription), AL - 9 hours ago“Steve does not like little things, whether it’s deals, Christmas parties or his own homes,” said Roland W. Betts, the chief executive of Chelsea Piers who …

After the hangovers comes the holiday hold-overEdmonton Journal (subscription), Canada - 8 hours agoThe biggest reason is that suitable venues for company parties fill up fast in the weeks before Christmas, Powell said. "If you look at the average calendar …

Stephen Basly called it his “Christmas miracle.”

A month after Christmas, along with the snow came a flurry of Whitehall drinks parties. Hic! It was the busiest “Super Tuesday” since the night the Irish Embassy party clashed with drinks at No 10 last month.

Mostly Time Capsule is about the past. Today it’s about the future: A Peace Party. So many different types of parties including birthday, bachelor’s, New Year’s, Christmas! Why not a Peace Party to celebrate and promote peace?

After months of pain and poor health, following years of depression, on top of decades of feeling trapped by an insatiable appetite that left him a near-hopeless mound of a man at 580 pounds, Joel Meriwether had a simple, liberating thought.

Composing recipesHagerstown Morning Herald, MD - Jan 24, 2007Vinke and her family prepared one of the cookbook's recipes, a baked pineapple stuffing by Wilda Gift to go with a ham, during Christmas week. …

Teenage chef has a big taste for culinary creativityMilwaukee Journal Sentinel (subscription), WI - Jan 23, 2007I liked to find recipes on the Internet, especially epicurious.com. I loved the original "Iron Chef" show on the Food Network, and that inspired me a lot. …

Hearne Christopher Jr.Kansas City Star, MO - 5 hours agoThere’s more to Waldo businessman Gary Evert than providing spa services and counting Christmas lights and bodies on the Plaza. …

Proper glasses essential for recipesAuburn Citizen, NY - Jan 24, 2007My outside Christmas decorations are finally down. And yes, my house was the last one in the neighborhood to be undecorated. …

Provides a weekly view from the community. In this column last week Bets Gathered Treasures was left out of the list of merchants who contributed door prizes for the Christmas tea sponsored by Winston Garden Club. Apologies to Betty Suttle for the omission. Betty has copies of the book.