Advice

"If you remember to clip your toenails, you won't get holes in your socks. " It was practical advice that a mother would give ... and a child would remember. Not only was a directive given, but a consequence (or lack thereof) was provided. In this particular case, the advice surfaced in a party game. (Toenails in party games? I know. It sounds strange, but if you were there, you would have laughed, too.) Several years ago, my husband and I were among a group of couples who were guessing which friends' parents had given them particular advice.

About eight months ago, we got a new email system at The Herald-Mail, a switch that put all Schurz Communications properties “on the same page,” so to speak. The change allowed us to more easily share documents, calendars and other items important to our daily functions. From a business standpoint, I can see how the conversion made sense. Personally, I'm still trying to make sense of the conversion. For starters, I'm not a high-tech, bells-and-whistles kind of guy. I don't own a GPS, an mp3 or an iAnything.

TRI-STATE-Kristen Shriver waited until she had her mother alone at Sheetz before approaching her with wedding thoughts. Shriver, who is Suzann Grimm's only child and best friend, said she was nervous about asking her mother whether she should marry her best male friend. From her daughter's actions, Grimm said she was worried Shriver was going to tell her she got a tattoo. A marriage, three children and no tattoos later, Shriver said she has gained a better understanding of the work, worries and hopes that go into holding the title of mom. "I find myself now saying things she said to me and understanding why she said them," said Shriver, 32, who was feeding her 8-week-old daughter, Delainey, at Grimm's home in Falling Waters, W.Va.

"Never give up. " That was the advice Nick Patterson's father, Ed, gave the 9-year-old this spring when he was tackling a standardized test in third grade at Paramount Elementary School. Patterson's brothers, Andrew, 7, and Jonathan, 5, said their parents tell them to live by the Golden Rule - to treat others as they want to be treated. To honor thy father this Father's Day, The Herald-Mail asked Tri-State area residents what the best advice was they ever received from good ol' dad and asked dads what advice they would give to their children.

The Herald-Mail asked the seven other Washington County delegation members what tips they would give Del. Andrew Serafini, a political newcomer joining the Maryland General Assembly two-thirds of the way through its session. · Del. John P. Donoghue: "My first couple years, it was like trying to learn Spanish all over again ... Sit back, take a deep breath, relax and listen. Ask questions of colleagues. It will be very bewildering. " · Sen. George C. Edwards: "Don't forget your roots ... Be yourself.

Kristen Shriver waited until she had her mother alone at Sheetz before approaching her with wedding thoughts. Shriver, who is Suzann Grimm's only child and best friend, said she was nervous about asking her mother whether she should marry her best male friend. From her daughter's actions, Grimm said she was worried Shriver was going to tell her she got a tattoo. A marriage, three children and no tattoos later, Shriver said she has gained a better understanding of the work, worries and hopes that go into holding the title of mom. "I find myself now saying things she said to me and understanding why she said them," said Shriver, 32, who was feeding her 8-week-old daughter, Delainey, at Grimm's home in Falling Waters, W.Va.

The "Giving Wisely" brochure, published by the Maryland Office of the Secretary of State, offers the following advice for evaluating charitable solicitations: Unless you're already familiar with and support an organization, don't promise to contribute when you're called on the phone. Ask: What is the full name, address and phone number of the charity? Do you work for the charity or are you a paid fund-raiser? For what purpose will my contribution be used?

As Election Day nears, some advice to readers Next Tuesday, Nov. 7 is Election Day. Throughout this campaign, The Herald-Mail newspapers have tried to give as much space as possible to readers' opinions - pro and con - about the candidates. To do even more, The Herald-Mail recently added a third page to its Sunday opinion section to give more readers the opportunity to express themselves. But time grows short, as does the amount of space still available between now and Tuesday.

Rep. Capito gives advice to Shepherd grads By DAVE McMILLION / Staff Writer SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. - U.S. Rep. Shelley Moore Capito tried to prepare Shepherd College graduates Saturday for the life challenges that lie ahead of them. Capito told students they may start out pursuing a dream only to find it is not for them. But the moment does not mean a total loss, she said. Recognizing diversions from one's path can be as helpful as recognizing the path.

This is me being optimistic when I say this: Being a high school freshman is atrocious. First off, this whole situation must seem very unfair to you. Just after you have a chance to be on top in one school, you go to a new and bigger school, and then all of a sudden become the lower class of living again. The first time was going into middle school. You were the crme de la crme of elementary school. The king of the playground. Then you go to sixth grade and everything changes.

Legal advice is something just about everyone will need at some point during their lifetime, and residents of Washington County and surrounding areas will have the chance to get some help for free on Wednesday. Assistant State's Attorney Michele F. Hansen said May 1 has been nationally known as Law Day since the 1950s. “At that time, we were in the Cold War situation. So President Eisenhower decided that we in the United States would have a counter to their Labor Day,” Hansen said.

"If ever there is tomorrow when we're not together... there is something you must always remember. You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. But the most important thing is, even if we're apart... I'll always be with you. " - A.A. Milne, author of "Winnie the Pooh. " There is nothing that can ever truly prepare someone for the loss of a loved one. And grief, at any age, can be hard - especially during the holidays. For children, who are still learning how to express their feelings over such a loss, grieving brings with it many confusing emotions throughout the journey.

Americans are addicted to proclaiming firm conclusions: • President Obama is a socialist. Mitt Romney is a cold-hearted capitalist. A black cat crossing your path will give you bad luck. Deaths always come in threes. Global warming is caused by human activity. Having firm opinions and beliefs gives us something to say in the conversations we have in everyday life. But belief is not the same thing as truth, according to North Hagerstown High School International Baccalaureate teacher Steven Heller.

With President Obama re-elected Tuesday, the Republicans maintaining control of the House of Representatives, and the Democrats maintaining control of the Senate, Washington appears as if it will be as divided as it was before the elections. Hagerstown resident William Jones said Obama should work to end the partisanship in the country over the next four years. “As a former coach, I always emphasized that it's not me, it's we, and Republicans and Democrats have to work together for the sake of the country,” Jones, 67, said.

Acting on legal advice, the Greencastle-Antrim School Board has halted its tradition of opening meetings with the Lord's Prayer and replaced it with a moment of silence. At Thursday night's meeting, however, audience members recited the Lord's Prayer in unison during the moment of silence. Board President Eric Holtzman said the Lord's Prayer has been a mainstay of the board agenda for several decades. “I'm sad to see a tradition that was intended to help the board and the community end because of a court ruling,” Holtzman said.

The 2012 general election campaign officially begins this week with the opening of the Republican National Convention, followed next week by the Democratic Convention. The parties' presidential nominees, Barack Obama and Mitt Romney, have been telling voters for months that this November's election is a pivotal choice between contrasting philosophies of government. So far, the American electorate has not pivoted toward either the Republicans or the Democrats: Polls show the contests for both the White House and control of Capitol Hill are close.

Indigent criminal defendants have a right to legal counsel, often provided through the Public Defender's Office, but people of limited incomes often have legal issues that are civil in nature. While defendants or plaintiffs in civil matters are not guaranteed free representation, free legal advice will be available in Washington County at the Maryland Legal Aid Pro Bono Day on Thursday, July 19. From 4 to 8 p.m., volunteer attorneys will be at the Department of Social Services, 122 N. Potomac St., to provide answers and advice on issues including family law, landlord-tenant disputes, foreclosures, business law, Social Security disability and other topics, said Katie Cox, a paralegal with Mid-Western Maryland office of the Legal Aid Bureau Inc. There is no charge to attend and no registration is required.

About eight months ago, we got a new email system at The Herald-Mail, a switch that put all Schurz Communications properties “on the same page,” so to speak. The change allowed us to more easily share documents, calendars and other items important to our daily functions. From a business standpoint, I can see how the conversion made sense. Personally, I'm still trying to make sense of the conversion. For starters, I'm not a high-tech, bells-and-whistles kind of guy. I don't own a GPS, an mp3 or an iAnything.