Submitted photo/information On Feb. 8, Grace Barie from New Ulm won a Minnesota State Championship in the Rail Jam competition at Hyland Park in Bloomington, Minnesota at the Minnesota State High School Snowboard & Freeski Championship.

Dear Annie: My husband and I are at a full-blown spring break standoff, and the kids are watching it like it’s a sport. He wants to take our two kids skiing. He’s already talking about “fresh powder,” early lift tickets and how this is the perfect chance to make “core memories.” ...

Dear Heloise: While I agree with Daniel D.’s mother that flowers are best enjoyed by the living, I had to share with you that my late mom said “flowers are for the dead” when, as a kid, I presented her with a bouquet (from her garden). However, later in life, she really did seem to enjoy ...

Dear Annie: I’m a 64-year-old woman who thought making new friends at my age would be simple: find someone kind, show up, bring snacks, repeat. A few months ago, I met “Jill” at a community class. We clicked right away. She’s funny in that dry, smart way that makes you feel like ...

Dear Heloise: This is to add to Karen from Michigan’s suggestion about recycling toilet paper rolls. I reuse them by cutting the rolls in half and standing them upright in the bottom of a plastic ice-cream bucket. Next, I add potting soil until it reaches the tops of the shortened rolls. ...

Dear Annie: I’ve had a dear friend for nearly a decade. He has been addicted to meth, heroin, alcohol -- you name it. For years, I was the savior he ran to when everything fell apart. He’s married and has two young children. Before his youngest was born, he was a full-blown meth addict. I ...