A large pile of bright orange pumpkins is my visual celebration of the beginning of fall.

DEAR DR. ROACH: My question is about microscopic hematuria. I see a rheumatologist for sarcoidosis. Last year I had various lab tests, including a urinalysis. That test and several since then have shown microscopic hematuria. The rheumatologist sent me to a urologist, who did scans and a sco…

Since it looks like this horrible coronavirus isn’t going away soon, we might as well take a few steps to make our lives more comfortable over the winter. Here are some ideas:

LIBERTY — “Be the Bridge to Racial Unity” is a four-session group discussion about racism and how to be a white ally through the Precious Blood Renewal Center. The sessions, which are held via Zoom, are 7 to 8:30 p.m., Tuesdays Oct. 20, 27, Nov. 10 and 17. The cost is $10 for a workbook.

Kristi Soligo Fleshman may be a familiar name. She has been in the real estate business since 1997 and leads her own RE/MAX Revolution team in the Northland.

KEARNEY — After months of closure due to safety concerns amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the Kearney Senior Center is slowly returning to hosting community events. The annual garage sale will be from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16.

LIBERTY — Heartland Tree Alliance offers a free two-hour course on basic tree pruning skills for shade and ornamental trees on Oct. 17 at Stocksdale Park, 901 S. La Frenz Road.

LIBERTY — When English philosopher and essayist Francis Bacon penned “Of Studies” almost 400 years ago, little did he know that there are six women in Liberty who believe in his line: “Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested; that is, some …

LIBERTY — Thrivent Group’s financial representatives Jennifer McLaughlin, Jacob Wedekind, Gary Eldridge and administrative assistant Tabetha Reece have been spreading generosity in the community.

LIBERTY — The Liberty Cemetery Committee is seeking volunteers to help clean up Fairview and New Hope cemeteries from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 17. This is the final scheduled work day of 2020.

Life is always abuzz in the Holmlund household. Working parents and three active kids under 11 come and go from their welcoming Santa Cruz home near Monterey Bay, California. You could almost say that with all their work, school and youth activities, they're as busy as the honeybees living o…

Pomegranates are known as a superfood with tons of wonderful health benefits, including fighting cancer and heart disease, as well as lowering blood pressure and cholesterol. They’re also loaded with B vitamins, potassium and folic acid. If you’ve never tried eating or cooking with pomegrana…

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I am due to have a mammogram in July, but around the same time I am supposed to have a chest CT as a follow-up to my chondrosarcoma cancer. I have a CT every other year, and an X-ray on the opposite years of both my affected arm and my lungs. Does a chest CT have the potent…

It’s a bit unnerving to walk through a store and see so many empty shelves. I haven’t been to the local big box store very often lately, but I wanted to see if what I suspected was true. I’d been unable to order a number of items for curbside delivery and had been told that lots of things we…

After postponing the last half of the 2019-20 program due to COVID-19, the Northland Symphony Orchestra is exploring new ways to continue bringing music to the community. With this in mind, the orchestra is offering a virtual recital series featuring members of the NSO performing solo recita…

KANSAS CITY — The Fall Parade of Homes returns to Kansas City Oct. 10 to 25, and will feature nearly 250 homes by 85 builders in seven counties across the metropolitan area.

As many traditional Halloween activities can be high-risk for spreading viruses, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers guidelines for a safer Halloween this year in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. The following is a list of activities rated by the CDC by risk level.

While masks have been part of lives for the past several months due to COVID-19, the use of decorative, ornate masks are not just for Halloween. Culturally, masks have been used in theater, storytelling, hunting and more.

SMITHVILLE — The community is invited to the luncheon meeting of the Smithville Community in Action Coalition to be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22, at Humphry's in downtown Smithville, 111 Bridge St.

The Northland Coalition, with support of Tri-County Mental Health Services and several member community coalitions, launched a multimedia campaign to provide support to parents, grandparents and other caretakers dedicated to helping their children thrive, states a press release.

The Liberty/Northland Walk to End Alzheimer’s continues, but instead of hosting a large gathering, the Alzheimer’s Association is encouraging participants to walk as individuals or in small groups on sidewalks, tracks and trails across the Northland area for Saturday, Oct. 10.

On Wednesday, Oct. 7 Kids Win Missouri, a children’s policy and advocacy coalition, released a new report detailing the challenges parents face from the COVID-19 pandemic.

CLAY COUNTY — Three local Halloween events have been canceled due to COVID-19 safety concerns. The Kid Safe Halloween planned for Oct. 24 at Shoal Creek Living History Museum has been canceled as has Liberty Hospital’s Trunk or Treat 2020, which is usually scheduled for the Saturday before H…

LIBERTY — The Liberty Christmas Tree Program is designed to lend a hand to disadvantaged families and older adults who are facing a difficult holiday season.

KANSAS CITY — For over 25 years, WIN for KC’s Women’s Sports Awards Celebration has honored outstanding girls and women in the community for their contributions and achievements in sports and fitness, according to a press release.

One of the Kearney homes is has been constructed by Syler Construction, Inc. The $335,000 home can be found at 2106 Greenfield Point. The home has four bedrooms and three baths. The villa features a zero entry garage, covered back deck, hardwood in kitchen, entry and breakfast area, tile in …

In Smithville, Lakeshore Homes LLC has 707 Apache Court on the Fall Homes Parade. The house is listed at $399,900 and is a reverse 1.5 and features a true front porch, large hidden walk-in pantry, tons of natural light and a covered deck. The house includes four bedrooms and three baths. The…

As an example, Rob Washam Homes features a $482,000 story and a half at 1820 Green Meadow Drive. The home has four bedrooms and four baths. The house also includes a walk-in pantry kitchen, Hollywood glass slider from the great room to the covered patio. The second floor bedrooms share a Jac…

Felting "acorns" using fluffy natural wool is a relaxing and enjoyable fall activity for all ages. It's especially suited for young children who like to get their hands in soapy water to shape and change the structure of the soft wool into dense felted wool balls.

They never give up. Scammers are still taking every opportunity to steal our identity and separate us from our money, and the list keeps growing. Here are a few of the scams out there now: Seniors are getting calls from people who claim to be employees of the Department of Justice.

A pink ribbon is the symbol worn in October for National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. A breast cancer is a malignant tumor that starts from cells of the breast. A malignant tumor is a group of cancer cells that may grow into (invade) surrounding tissues or spread (metastasize) to distant a…

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have no health issues, but I’m a cheapskate. I see products labeled as “grainfree” or as “gluten-free,” but they always cost more than the regular product. Are there any health benefits to using these, or are they marketing gimmicks? — L.C.

This year, the Susan G. Komen breast cancer charitable organization of Kansas and western Missouri struck the word “awareness” from its month-long October efforts known as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, opting to insert the word “action.” This change aims to encourage more women to actively …

CLAY COUNTY — In addition to the Clay County Public Health Center testing site at Pleasant Valley Baptist Church in Liberty, pop-up COVID-19 testing sites will be available in Clay County.

LIBERTY — WL Conley celebrated his 100th birthday on Sept. 19. COVID-19 halted any parties or family gatherings, but his family did encourage cards sent to his farm.

LIBERTY — This year’s annual Hillcrest Hope gala, called a Night of Hope at Home, took on a virtual twist due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Through donations, the nonprofit reached 82% of its $90,000 fundraising goal. 

LIBERTY — With the city of Liberty, Heartland Tree Alliance volunteers are planting free trees in Liberty neighborhoods.

LIBERTY — The Liberty Silver Center, 1600 S. Withers Road, has teamed up with Hy-Vee Pharmacy to provide free flu shots to those 60 and older on Wednesday, Oct. 7.

LIBERTY — Tyler and Michael Anderson, sons of the late Betty Lou and Denny Anderson, have been diligent, albeit even dogged in their pursuits to find collaboration and seek out a way to make a dog park to honor their parents a reality.

Leaves that were green may be turning to brown, gold and red, but summer's growing season isn't over yet. Tall and free, sunflowers still climb upward like Jack's beanstalk. Their bright yellow blooms sway with afternoon breezes, crossing property lines and surpassing the heights of fences. …

Long before Brussels sprouts became a trendy vegetable, my family, especially, my daughter, Deanna, were huge fans. My mother was raised on a farm and loved to grow all types of green vegetables. She was especially skilled with properly preparing Brussels sprouts and other typically stinky a…

A sincere wish just came true: This year’s high-dose senior version of the flu shot will contain all four vaccines. In past years, the senior shot (for those over age 65) contained only three of the vaccines, two A and one B.

DEAR DR. ROACH: Last year, at 57, I was diagnosed with Type 1 LADA diabetes. Initially I was put on insulin to get my blood sugar within the normal range. Then I was just on metformin until the “honeymoon period” was over. My endocrinologist is great. I now am back on insulin (six units at n…

LIBERTY — On Wednesday, Sept. 23, Mid-Continent Public Library opened its new library off Withers Road in Liberty. The 18,500-square-foot Withers branch at 1665 S. Withers Road will serve as a replacement for the former Liberty branch at 1000 Kent Street, which closed last month.