1978: • The DeSoto High School Bulldogs Bark became one of the more prestigious school newspapers last week when its staff won the Miami Herald award for general excellence. Six Bark staff members went to the convention with staff advisor … Find out how to read more online.

This column will present the answers to historical research questions posed to the DeSoto County Historical Society. Longer versions of these articles will be published in the Society’s “Recollections” books. If you have a question or an answer, call Carol … Find out how to read more online.

Editor’s note: We are delighted to welcome back columnist Lois Hendricks, who had been absent from the paper for a few years. Lois’s column, From a Senior Viewpoint, includes a mix of practical and heart-healthy recipes, observations and reminiscences from … Find out how to read more online.

Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, was first celebrated on May 30, 1868 on an order from General John Logan. In 1882, the name was changed to Memorial Day. Surprisingly, this day to honor loved ones who have died and … Find out how to read more online.

If you have a pasture — be it large acreage for cattle or a small pasture for a horse or two — more than likely you have weeds. One definition of a weed is a plant out of place. But … Find out how to read more online.

Last week, the Answer Man wrote about the hackers’ targets pasted on the backs of small businesses, the “sitting ducks,” unprepared to hack back. It was about banks and small businesses nationally losing $2 billion a year to cyber thieves … Find out how to read more online.

You can hardly turn around in Charlotte County without bumping into a hibiscus of some type. The hibiscus is one of the most popular shrubs in our area due to its tropical nature and color. From low, spreading types to … Find out how to read more online.

Dorothy Carter is a woman on a mission. Taking advantage of Senior Discount Day on a Monday afternoon last month at Bealls Outlet in Punta Gorda, the Gulf Cove resident searched for hard-to-find 95 percent discount items to donate to … Find out how to read more online.

The ability to communicate is one of God’s greatest gifts, enabling us to express the deep feelings of our hearts through words and songs. When we’re hurting, emotionally or physically, we can describe our pain to another person who may … Find out how to read more online.

Just when you thought it was safe to forget all about Mother’s Day for another year, I come along and say, “Nice Try.” I may be a bit presumptuous, but I assume that mothers everywhere were honored, pampered and doted … Find out how to read more online.

This column will present the answers to historical research questions posed to the DeSoto County Historical Society. Longer versions of these articles will be published in the Society’s “Recollections” books. If you have a question or an answer, contact Carol … Find out how to read more online.

The Manatee Rare Fruit Council will be hosting its Annual Rare Fruit Tree Sale from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, May 19 at the Manatee Civic Center, One Haben Blvd., Palmetto. (For more information call 941-776-0222 or see … Find out how to read more online.

Love bugs are curious creatures that appear a few times a year and then vanish. While more of an annoying phenomenon than anything else, love bugs have curious behaviors and life cycles that are underappreciated and misunderstood by the general … Find out how to read more online.

Larry Brady did what he normally does this time of year. The 70-year-old South Gulf Cove resident went to the Englewood post office to forward his mail temporarily for the next few months he’d be living in New York State. … Find out how to read more online.

ONA — I see empty dog food cans, beer bottles, soda cans, juice jugs and milk bottles in my recycling bin. Howard Solomon might see an octopus window-washing team (“they really stick to it”). Solomon sees art and irony in … Find out how to read more online.

This column will present the answers to historical research questions posed to the DeSoto County Historical Society. Longer versions of these articles will be published in the Society’s “Recollections” books. If you have a question or an answer, please contact … Find out how to read more online.

S he was but a young girl when she made her first serious vow: “I will never do anything that will hurt my mother.” And, young as she was at the time of her vow, she remembered and kept it … Find out how to read more online.

If you saw several limousines making their way around town a couple of weeks ago, it wasn’t because the television industry was scouting in DeSoto County for ideas for yet another redneck reality show. Not that it’d be hard to … Find out how to read more online.