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How to Build an Outdoor Reading Nook: Crafting Your Personal Sanctuary

1 month 2 weeks ago
Did you know that nearly 75% of adults say their favorite reading spots significantly enhance their enjoyment of a book? Creating a dedicated space to read outdoors can transform your relationship with literature, offering a peaceful retreat that nurtures focus and relaxation. An outdoor reading nook is more than just a place to sit—it’s a thoughtfully designed environment that invites you to slow down, escape distractions, and immerse yourself in stories. Here’s how to build one that elevates your reading experience. Choosing the Perfect Location Selecting the right spot is the foundation of your outdoor reading nook. It should strike a balance between tranquility and accessibility. Privacy and Quiet: Seek a corner of your garden, patio, or balcony that is shielded from foot traffic and street noise. Natural barriers like hedges, fences, or trellises with climbing plants can provide a sense of seclusion. Shade and Light: While natural light is ideal for reading

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This Day in History on May 19: Battle of New Market in Virginia

1 month 2 weeks ago
May 19 has been a date marked by remarkable events that have shaped history across the world. Stepping back in time, May 19 is remembered for significant military and revolutionary events. In 1535, the explorer Jacques Cartier returned to France after his first voyage to the New World, marking a critical stage in European exploration and the eventual colonization of North America. Cartier’s expeditions opened the door to French claims in the region that would later become Canada, influencing the geopolitical landscape of the continent for centuries to come. Another key military event took place on May 19, 1864, during the American Civil War. The Battle of New Market occurred in Virginia, where cadets from the Virginia Military Institute played a notable role in the Confederate victory. This battle is remembered for the youthful courage of these cadets, some as young as 15, who fought alongside seasoned soldiers. The engagement underscored the intense and often tragic nature

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OSF Rehab Director Discusses Osteoporosis During Women's Health Week

1 month 2 weeks ago
ALTON – Osteoporosis can significantly affect women’s health, but local health officials are highlighting preventative measures and more during National Women’s Health Week. Frances Young, Director of OSF Rehabilitation Services in Alton, shared her osteoporosis expertise on Our Daily Show! on Riverbender.com for National Women’s Health Week from May 11-17, 2025. Young described osteoporosis as a disease in which one’s bones become “brittle and weak.” She said that while osteoporosis can affect both men and women, it’s more commonly found in women. And while it’s mostly seen in patients ages 50 and older, she said bone deterioration starts outpacing bone growth past age 30 – underscoring the need to take preventative action early on. “If you can start exercise at an early age, that can help to prevent it,” Young said. “At an older age, can help to slow the progression of the disease.” Though

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Teen dead after stabbing in O'Fallon, Ill., suspect in custody

1 month 2 weeks ago
ST. CLAIR COUNTY, Ill. - Police are investigating after a 17-year-old teen was fatally stabbed Sunday night in O'Fallon, Ill. According to the O'Fallon Police Department, the incident took place between 8 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Sunday night in the Goshen Trailhead parking lot, located on the 300 block of Kyle Road. According to St. [...]
Nick Gladney

Proposed federal work requirements could cut over 90k Missourians from Medicaid

1 month 2 weeks ago
Over 90,000 Missourians could lose their Medicaid coverage under a proposal by Congressional Republicans to implement work requirements, according to a pair of recent studies of the plan. A Republican reconciliation bill still being negotiated in the U.S. House contains various proposed changes to Medicaid — among them work reporting requirements — to pay for […]
Clara Bates