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Patterson Garden Club traveled to Franklin for its March meeting. Members took a ceramic crystal glazing lesson at Mindi’s DIY Art Shack. In attendance were, from left, Sandra Marshall, Ginger Griffin, Rose Butler, Iris Roy and Evelyn Estay. Each member selected the ceramic piece of their choice and went about discovering their inner artist. Later they visited shops along Franklin’s Main Street and ended the outing with lunch at the Forest Restaurant.

The 2021 National Youth Tobacco Survey was conducted among U.S. middle and high school students during the COVID-19 pandemic and revealed that youth tobacco use remains a serious public health concern. About 2.55 million students reported current (past 30-day) use of a tobacco product in 2021, according to new data released in a recent Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Because of the implementation of COVID-19 protocols across the country when the 2021 NYTS was conducted (Jan. 18–May 21, 2021), the survey was administered online to allow eligible students to complete the survey at home, school, or somewhere else.
While we remain confident in our study results, the reporting of tobacco use might differ by the setting where the survey was completed. Therefore, these results cannot be compared with results from previous NYTS surveys that were primarily conducted on school campuses.
In collaboration with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the CDC analyzed data from the 2021 NYTS. Among middle and high school students who currently used tobacco products about 1 in 3 (860,000) used at least one type of combustible tobacco product, and about 3 in 10 (740,000) used two or more tobacco products.
As previously reported, e-cigarettes were the most common tobacco product currently used among middle and high school students (2.06 million) in 2021. This was followed by cigarettes (410,000), cigars (380,000), smokeless tobacco (240,000), hookahs (220,000), nicotine pouches (200,000), heated tobacco products (170,000) and pipe tobacco (80,000).
“Youth use of tobacco products is unsafe in any form — combustible, smokeless, or electronic,” said Karen Hacker, M.D., M.P.H., director of CDC’s National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. “This report provides critical insights needed to combat this serious public health concern and help protect our nation’s youth from the harmful effects of tobacco.”

February 16, 1957 — March 14, 2022
Cindy Bollinger Landry, 65, a resident of Berwick, passed away on Monday, March 14, 2022 at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.
Cindy was born on February 16, 1957 in Lockport, the daughter of George A. Bollinger and Thelma June Lockwood Bollinger.
Cindy was very proud to be an educator, teaching for a total of 34 years. 22 years at Thibodaux High School and 12 years at Berwick Elementary School, where she taught 5th grade. She truly loved all of her students and had such a passion for teaching. Cindy was blessed to be a teaching favorite among all her students. Cindy loved watching son Spencer play sports, which was a huge part of her life. When she was not working, Cindy enjoyed spending time and having a good laugh with friends and family.
She will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her husband, Mark Landry of Berwick; one son, Spencer Landry; four siblings, Eric Bollinger and wife Sue Sue, Robbie Bollinger and wife Marie Annette, Patty Crochet and husband David, Mary Roger and husband Greg. As well as a host of niece and nephews.
Cindy was preceded in death by her parents; three siblings, Jerry Bollinger, Sue Orgeron and Laura Champagne.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, March 18, 2022 at St. Bernadette Catholic Church with Father Thainese Alphonse celebrating Mass. A wake was held in church from 10:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. when a rosary was prayed. Refreshments followed the ceremony in the church hall.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be given in Cindy’s name to M.D. Anderson Cancer Center to help continue the fight against cancer. (gifts.mdanderson.org)

DEAR ABBY: My stepson “Ryan” is an active senior in high school. He’s a great kid, and I love him. I’m proud and delighted that he says he loves my home-cooked meals, which he doesn’t get at his mother’s house. They eat a lot of takeout or premade foods. Not everyone likes to cook, so I don’t judge.
My concern is Ryan eats his food at an alarming speed, especially if it’s something soft, like lasagna or casseroles. His plate is nearly finished before anyone else has more than a couple bites of theirs. I don’t want to shame or embarrass him, but it seems unhealthy for his digestion and possibly even dangerous with certain foods. It’s also very unpleasant to watch.
Last night, Ryan inhaled an entire enchilada in two or three bites swallowed whole. He didn’t chew once. My husband will gently tell Ryan to slow down if I give him a well-timed look. Otherwise, he seems unfazed by it. Ryan frequently eats most of a serving dish of something if we don’t point out that others might want seconds, too.
I hesitate to make a big deal out of it because he’s a great kid, and my husband is a wonderful father, outside of not teaching his son good eating habits. Ryan was a chubby little boy, but has become tall and lean after a huge growth spurt. I feel bad saying this, but I’m grossed out and worried at the same time. Your guidance is appreciated.
COOKING STEPMOM IN THE WEST

DEAR STEPMOM: It is years late, but please have a serious talk with your husband about the fact that his son never learned basic table manners. From your description, he eats like an animal. He seems to not only be eating too much, but also too fast, which is visually unappealing as well as unhealthy.
Table manners are important. Not having them could have a negative impact on his social life and even his career in the future. Please point this out to your husband and to Ryan, because it’s important they both hear it. It may take reinforcement and constant reminding, so be prepared.

DEAR ABBY: My wife’s 90th birthday is coming up soon. Our younger daughter is giving her a birthday party at a nice restaurant and inviting only women. When I asked her why I wasn’t invited, she said the party will be “more fun” with only ladies. I don’t understand or agree with this. I would enjoy visiting with the ladies.
What do you think about her decision? I think it stinks.
NOT INVITED IN TEXAS

DEAR NOT INVITED: I “think” this decision should have been made by your wife as well as your daughter. At your ages, there’s no guarantee how many more birthdays you will have together, and for you to be summarily excluded seems wrong to me. If this is a ladies’ luncheon, it’s possible “the girls” will enjoy celebrating without their husbands — if they are lucky enough to still have husbands.
Because this milestone birthday is one you would like to celebrate with your wife, why not take her out for a special dinner — just the two of you — or include your children, grandchildren, great-grandkids, etc., and make it a family affair?
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Abby shares more than 100 of her favorite recipes in two booklets: “Abby’s Favorite Recipes” and “More Favorite Recipes by Dear Abby.” Send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $16 to: Dear Abby, Cookbooklet Set, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447.