Dear Heloise: For years, I’ve been using various kitchen tools to help me in the kitchen and do jobs that they weren’t originally designed for. I thought I’d share some of these with you and your readers: -- I use a tea strainer filled with herbs and spices to flavor soups and stews. ...

Dear Annie: On a recent cross-country flight, I had an uncomfortable experience that left me wondering about basic airplane etiquette. I was seated in coach, where space is already tight, when the person in front of me reclined their seat all the way back -- immediately after takeoff, without a ...

The Independent calendar lists upcoming meetings, facility hours and events in and around Marshall. To have your group’s events listed, email the information to news@marshallindependent.com or submit the information to our virtual newsroom. Today AA (Book study), 8 a.m., Open Door Church, ...

Dear Dr. Roach: I’m a generally healthy 60-year-old man. Last week, I had some abdominal cramping, and while I was on the toilet, I noted the abrupt onset of a strange feeling in my chest as well as abnormal, irregular and fast heartbeats. My watch has an electrocardiogram (EKG) function, and ...

Dear Annie: I’m writing in response to “Grieving and Not Prepared for a Confrontation” whose husband died before he could recoup a sum of money he lent to his brother; now, she needs that money and is looking to collect. Your wishy-washy advice to this widow on how to approach her ...

Dear Heloise: I have a chest of drawers that is a family heirloom. My great-grandfather made it by hand as a wedding gift for my grandmother. It’s really beautiful, and I’m proud to have it in my home office. The only problem is that all of the drawers seem to stick together, and it’s ...