40 YEARS AGO

• Christmas favors for the local nursing home residents were made by the Clinton Senior 4-H Club members at their December meeting. Nine members created wreaths, Santas and reindeer. After the workshop, the members enjoyed a gift exchange and snack supper. Shown working on the Christmas favors were Christie Crawford, Leslie Keeton, Melita Bowman, Stephanie Keil, Monica Ruyle, Christina Shepherd, Jeretta Stehr, Justin Stehr and Walker Moore.

(AP) – The Native American Church is considered the most widespread religious movement among the Indigenous people of North America. It holds sacred the peyote cactus, which grows naturally only in some parts of southern Texas and northern Mexico. Peyote has been used spiritually in ceremonies, and as a medicine by Native American people for millennia.

Elizabeth Ko, M.D.

Dear Doctor: My husband and I enjoy a glass of wine with dinner. I prefer red wine, but it always gives me a bad headache. It happens from even half a glass, so I know it’s not a hangover. I thought it was the sulfites, but I hear there’s a new theory. Do you know what that is?

Parent worried after daughter drops out

DEAR HARRIETTE: My daughter dropped out during her freshman year of college. She struggled academically her first semester, and she has decided not to go back. I’m terrified for her future because I’ve always believed that in order to have a stable and successful career, a college degree is essential. I know that not everyone takes a traditional path, but without any sort of plan or direction, I worry she’s setting herself up for failure or hardship.

New job brings imposter syndrome

DEAR HARRIETTE: After passing the job final interview at one of the biggest companies in the United States, I’ve been struggling with imposter syndrome. Although I was chosen for this role because of my experience and skills, I can’t shake the feeling that I’m not good enough. I worry about making mistakes or being “found out.” To address this, I’m trying to focus on small wins – like completing tasks ahead of schedule or receiving positive feedback from my team. I’m also reminding myself that no one is perfect and everyone has a learning curve. That said, I’ve noticed that my boss occasionally gets irritated when certain aspects of my work fall short, especially as he’s relying on me to carry forward an important project. This has added to my self-doubt, but I’m determined to improve. Any advice would be a great help. – Imposter Syndrome DEAR IMPOSTER SYNDROME: Give yourself a timeline to learn new tasks and build a rapport with your boss. When things don’t go right, be the first to admit it, and ask for guidance to help you understand your mistakes. Everyone messes up on occasion. A sign that you are capable and learning is that you pay close attention and figure out how not to make the same mistake twice.

Steven V. Roberts

Donald Trump is escalating his long-running vendetta against the media. “It costs a lot of money to do it, but we have to straighten out the press,” he declared recently.

And another Biden parting outrage

On Monday morning, the White House announced that President Joe Biden commuted the sentences of 37 of the 40 prisoners, all murderers and some multiple murderers, on federal death row. (Yes, while most death penalty cases are handled by the states, the federal government has a death row for violators of federal crimes.) Biden commuted the federal prisoners’ sentences from death to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

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