Advice

What is wisdom? Merriam-Webster defines it as good sense, knowledge and insight. It is accumulated learning, and the ability to discern inner qualities and relationships. Here at The Herald-Mail Co., we recognize the important role wisdom plays in daily living. And we've developed a publication dedicated to it. Wisdom -- Advice for Ageless Living debuts Wednesday. Like its namesake in the Lifestyle section of the Sunday Herald-Mail, the publication's mission is to provide valuable and entertaining information to area seniors and their immediate circle.

What's the best advice your mother ever gave you? Share it with us, and you could receive an autographed copy of syndicated columnist Heloise's latest book, "Heloise Hints for All Occasions. " The book will go to one person whose name we'll draw at random. Tell us how your mom's words of wisdom inspired you. If you have children, have you shared Mom's advice with them? We'd like to publish some of your responses in Lifestyle on Mother's Day, Sunday, May 10. Send your response in one of the following ways: Write to Mom's Advice, Lifestyle, The Herald-Mail Co., P.O. Box 439, Hagerstown, Md. 21741.

Low-income Washington County residents may seek free legal advice from a Hagerstown attorney once a week at The Washington County Circuit Court Family Law Clinic. Tiffany Reiff, a Hagerstown attorney, is at Circuit Court, at 95 W. Washington St., on Thursdays from noon to 4 p.m. to help low-income county residents with family law matters at no cost. Reiff helps applicants on a first-come, first-served basis in Room 229 of the courthouse annex building. Advice is not given over the phone, said Patti Witmer, Circuit Court family services coordinator.

marlob@herald-mail.com Ben Lloyd had all sorts of expectations when he headed off to the University of Richmond (Va.) last fall. Now with that first year under his belt, the North Hagerstown High School standout said he generally is pleased with how things turned out for him. Still it was a big change in lifestyle for him, as it often is for new college freshmen. "I chose a small school. Richmond has about 3,000 students and it is just the right size for me," he said.

Advice on caring for older relatives By KEVIN CLAPP / Staff Writer Fred Otto, executive director of Washington County Commission on Aging, and Barbara Ensor, a psychologist at Stella Maris in Timonium, Md., a nonprofit organization that provides elder care, offer the following tips on care for elderly relatives: Help them remain independent. "If you lend too much support to seniors, they will not become as independent as they should be in their later years," Otto says.

They walk across the stage in their caps and gowns as their parents and relatives watch, anxious to cheer for their graduate. As part of the commencement ceremony, members of the Class of 2006 will no doubt hear speeches meant to inspire them to use what they've learned, not just to make a living, but also to contribute to the society that helped provide them with an education. Inspirational speeches are fine and the graduates, whether they're from high schools, community colleges or four-year institutions, will no doubt hear some fine ones in the days and weeks to come.

Much has been made of the fact that the members of the Class of 2005 entered college at the same time as the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. What should have been a time of discovery and adventure became something else, as students wondered how the war on terrorism would affect their plans for the future. Now that future has arrived, and our advice to the graduates comes in part from some of the mental-health counselors we spoke to after the 9/11 attacks. Survival requires a job that pays a decent wage, but having good mental health and a happy life involves thinking about others, even if they're not friends or relatives.

Planting advice given By KIMBERLY YAKOWSKI kimy@herald-mail.com It may be too early for most planting but it's not too soon to plan flower and vegetable gardens, according to area nurseries. "Planning and thinking ahead pays dividends," said Chris Snavely of Snavely's Garden Corner, which has locations in Hagerstown and Chambersburg, Pa. Snavely said a variety of plants, trees, vegetables and statuary are starting to arrive at area nurseries. "You're only limited by your space, budget and imagination," he said.

Tri-State tax preparers offered the following tips to make the inevitable a little less painless: - File early, especially if your tax situation is complex. - If you can't pay the full amount you owe by April 15 pay what you can and file for an extension to minimize penalties and interest due. Failing to file anything by April 15 can result in penalties of up to 25 percent of the amount of taxes due, according to Phil Cox, a partner in the Martinsburg, W.Va., CPA firm of Cox Nichols Holliday.