Hope, courage and triumph.

After spending many hours — more than 40 years’ worth — with needle and thread, sewing machine and crochet hook — an area woman decided to use her skill as a seamstress to say “thank you” to U.S. military veterans.

Losing is winning on a personal and leadership level for Hiawatha vocal teacher Sarah Kleopfer, as she continues her weight loss journey for a net loss of 122 pounds.

Hiawatha native Brooke Grier grew up in a household where love and children were abundant.

The only reason for being a bee that I know of is making honey…. And the only reason for making honey is so as I can eat it. – Winnie-the-Pooh (1926) by A. A. Milne.

Two Northeast Kansas women want the communities there to know the Northeast Kansas Pro-Life Action League is “all about life” and helping people, not about controversy.

Firefighter, unicorn trainer, president; kindergartners are full of ideas as to what they want to be when they grow up. Usually those ideas change and became more elaborate, depending on the imagination of the child.

If you have limited grounds, or even no ground, you can plant a garden. A kitchen garden for food or a window box garden for flowers, depending on your living situation.

Going gluten-free is more than a lifestyle change or fad for Brenda Elsbury. By the time she realized she suffered from Celiac Disease, she and her family were beginning to think she would never be well again.

A willing-to-work band of Social Media-era volunteers got together last year and began a wide-ranging crusade to make Atchison a better (and better looking) place to live. Spearheading the effort was an enthusiastic community booster, Casey Quinn, and she continues to be a spark plug of what…

Slight of frame, her hair pulled back into a braided ponytail with a headband, Heidi Jordan looks like she could be another student at Highland Community College.

There is a lot to be said for taking care of business and taking care of others. Sometimes you are on the receiving end of care and if you are fortunate enough you may be able to be on the giving end at some point in your life.

With the spring rains come luscious grass, blooming flowers and trees, warmer weather and the thoughts of spring activities.

One lady’s passion of good food for better health, coupled with an immense respect for the Native American culture, is attempting to reinvent the food program for the students at Kickapoo Nation School, in Powhattan.

Baseball practice and music lessons, volleyball matches and theater rehearsals. There are dozens of opportunities for children to grow and learn in the world today.

Some people are talkers and some people are doers. If you want to see a doer in action you need look no further than Hiawatha native Janelle Larson.

The average wedding costs about $30,000. Yeeouch. By the way, that’s similar to the annual salary for a starting journalist. Double yeeouch.

Couples planning a wedding can utilize a tablet, laptop or notebook to keep track of all the details.

We asked two local moms where they like to take their kids out to dinner in Atchison. Both admitted that they don’t take their kids out often — since there aren’t a lot of healthy dining options — but they agreed that one restaurant stands out above the rest.

Charo Kelley has lots of energy and a smile that is contagious.

The air in the crowded gym changes in an instant. In one breath, the visiting crowd is coiled on the edge of their seats, poised to explode in jubilation as the winning shot leaves the hand of their All-League center and arcs toward the basket, a shot they have seen her hit a hundred times. …

The use of technology is growing in America. No one needs to remind you of that — the evidence is in your purse, your pocket or your hand.

Nontraditional students aren’t so nontraditional anymore. Roughly 71 percent of all U.S. undergraduates defy the college-student stereotype, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.

Like all art, gardening takes skill and dedication — wait, scratch that.

Not every woman cares about what’s hot on the catwalk. Maybe you dress yourself in the morning to look decent — who cares about what’s “in” right now — then you waltz off to work or to drop your kids off at school.

While we are thinking about fall fashion and back-to-school, let’s not forget that it’s still summer! We have another month (at least) of nice, warm weather that is perfect for deck parties and grilling or trips to the lake with friends and family

For Dan Watowa, an office challenge has become a second career – perhaps, even a second calling.

Wine is definitely not just an Italian or a California thing any longer. With more and more wineries popping up across the Midwest, the locals are finding themselves planning day or weekend trips with spouses or groups of friends to find not only some great wines, but a little education alon…

When you think of Alaska, you think of a huge landmass and picture beautiful mountain scenery, colorful northern lights — nature at its purest. What you probably don’t think of is photographers who bring those images to you.

Facing the facts is tough sometimes: more than 90 percent of all dieters will gain back the weight they lost within one to five years, according to fitnessforweightloss.com.

It can be frustrating yet fun and — with both kids and adults — often messy. Sometimes it’s therapeutic. It’s art.

The family that plays together, stays together.

A writer’s work is never done.

Facing the facts is tough sometimes: more than 90 percent of all dieters will gain back the weight they lost within one to five years, according to fitnessforweightloss.com.

Kathleen and Scott Tryon of rural Hiawatha have spent the past decade or so enjoying time away from the Midwest exploring the deep seas.

“My garden is my most beautiful masterpiece” – Claude Monet

Looking your best on your wedding day is definitely a high priority on the wedding checklist. Everyone wants to look and feel like a princess when walking down the aisle.

Welcome to spring everyone and if late January weather is indicative of what’s in store for us the 2015 season, we will be wearing shorts soon.

Picking the perfect wedding dress for your big day can be overwhelming for many brides. Some women have had their dream dress picked out since they were five, but for others the amount of options can bring more confusion than clarity. If you’re a bride who is wondering where to start when yo…