Columns & Opinions

As parties entrench, an impasse grows

Wednesday, December 3, 2025

MARBLEHEAD, Mass. – He helped supply the Continental Army during the early days of the American Revolution. He signed the Declaration of Independence. He shaped the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. He was a member of the House of Representatives, a governor of Massachusetts and vice president.

Friend doesn’t want to plan every gathering

Wednesday, December 3, 2025

DEAR HARRIETTE: My friend expects me to handle every single detail whenever we hang out: choosing the activity, making the reservations, checking hours and figuring out travel time. The moment we decide to do something, she defaults to, “You pick!” or “Just tell me where to go!

Elizabeth Ko, M.D.

The connection between music and memory

Wednesday, December 3, 2025

Dear Doctors: I know therapists use music to get through to people with Alzheimer’s disease who don’t really connect with anything else anymore.I just saw on the news that music might also help protect your cognition. I’m curious about both of those things and want to hear more about them.

It’s time to do nothing and be grateful

Tuesday, December 2, 2025

We are heading into the holiday season – already.This year it seems like I have been running and racing and making it to places in the nick of time all year.I tend to overschedule – although I’d like to point out that my sister crams far more activities into less time than I would ever attempt.

Stranger’s mix-up causes reflection on health

Tuesday, December 2, 2025

DEAR HARRIETTE: I was coming up out of the subway the other day when a man spoke to me from behind. He complimented me on my outfit and then looked at me. He remarked that he had thought I was someone else – a prominent woman in our city.It was a compliment in that regard, but a little jarring, too.

Trump is making America poor again

Tuesday, December 2, 2025

Fox News host Laura Ingraham recently told President Trump that America didn’t need to import foreign workers because “we have plenty of talented people here.” The president then gave an astounding retort. “No, you don’t,” he said. “You don’t have certain talents.

Brought to you by McDonald's & The Phillips Family!

CLINTON’S HISTORY 10, 20, 30 AND 40 YEARS AGO

Saturday, November 29, 2025

30 YEARS AGO• Spotlight on education honors for the month of November went to a set of usually unsung workers in the Clinton Public Schools, the clerks and secretaries at the Clinton School Board Office – Linda Southerland, Bettye Challis, Donna Knight, and Cindy Kendrick.

Co-worker’s personal struggles impact job

Saturday, November 29, 2025

DEAR HARRIETTE: One of my coworkers has had a lot of personal stuff on her plate lately. I am always an advocate for work-life balance, because no matter what, you should always take care of yourself (mentally, physically, spiritually, personally – whatever that looks like).

Elizabeth Ko, M.D.

Stroke likely not caused by medication

Saturday, November 29, 2025

Dear Doctors: After getting a pacemaker, my 90-year-old mother was diagnosed with A-fib. She resisted taking a blood thinner for stroke risk but finally agreed. Not 90 minutes after the first pill, she had a major stroke. Who can I notify that this is a possible side effect of the medication?

Elizabeth Ko, M.D.

Strategies for keeping chiggers at bay

Wednesday, November 26, 2025

Dear Doctors: Any advice on controlling chiggers? When I work in the yard, they eat me alive unless I wear long pants. My wife does not garden and is rarely bitten. My son worked with me last weekend and said they don’t bother him.Why not? When we took a walk later, I got bitten again.