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Hints From Heloise

Prepping big dinners ahead of time Dear Heloise: For years, I hosted Thanksgiving for my husband’s family, which usually consisted of around 15-20 guests. Some brought a dish, but I prepared my dishes ahead of time and kept them in Crock-Pots with liners, including the turkey. I have several Crock-pots of different sizes that I’ve accumulated over the years. I got to enjoy my company, everything was ready on time, and cleanup was easy. What a time- and stress-reliever! I enjoy your column! — M.L., in Iowa SEND A GREAT HINT TO: Heloise@Heloise.com IT’S SEW EASY Dear ...

Visit from rowdy cousins causes issues

Dear Annie: I adore my cousins, I really do. We grew up together, and when they suggested coming to stay with us for a long weekend, I was genuinely excited. I pictured late-night laughs, good meals, maybe a hike, maybe some time catching up without phones buzzing every two seconds. Instead, it turned into “Spring Break: Middle-Aged Edition.” By 3 p.m. on the first day, one of them popped open a drink and announced, “It’s 5 o’clock somewhere!” Then another. Then another. Pretty soon they were camped out on my patio like it was an all-inclusive resort, and I felt like the ...

Mother from Kentucky among 6 U.S. service members who died in air crash in Iraq

(AP) — A woman raising two children was among the six U.S. service members killed last week when a refueling plane involved in the war with Iran crashed in western Iraq. Tech Sgt. Ashley B. Pruitt, 34, hailed from a large family in Bardstown, Kentucky, and was “very, very” proud of her military career, her husband Gregory Pruitt said Sunday. “I’ll give you something brief — in a word, radiant,” he said on a phone interview, trying to hold back tears. “If there was a light in the room, she was it.” Survivors include the couple’s 3-year-old daughter and Sgt. ...

Pope escalates call for ceasefire in Iran by addressing those responsible for the war

ROME (AP) — Pope Leo XIV demanded a ceasefire in the Middle East on Sunday in his strongest comments to date, directly addressing the leaders who launched the war in Iran. “On behalf of the Christians of the Middle East and all women and men of good will, I appeal to those responsible for this conflict,” Leo said. “Cease fire so that avenues for dialogue may be reopened. Violence can never lead to the justice, stability, and peace that the people are waiting for.” Leo didn’t cite the United States or Israel by name in his comments at the end of his Sunday noon blessing. ...

Denny Hamlin storms back to win at Las Vegas after early penalty

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Denny Hamlin returned to victory lane at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Sunday for the first time since he lost the NASCAR championship four months ago. Hamlin used his Las Vegas victory last October to lock into NASCAR’s championship-deciding finale three weeks later. He dominated last year’s finale at Phoenix Raceway but the wrong call on the final pit stop cost him the title that has eluded the three-time Daytona 500 winner. What followed was an emotional rollercoaster: Hamlin, as co-owner of 23XI Racing, was part of the winning team in a federal lawsuit ...

Duke, Arizona, Michigan, Florida top seeds in NCAA tourney

(AP) — The team that went undefeated in the regular season, racked up more victories than anyone but Duke and Arizona — and fewer losses than any team at all — is anything but your run-of-the-mill basketball behemoth. In fact, Miami (Ohio), despite that 31-1 record and maybe because of a little chip that’s been placed on its shoulder, is one of those plucky underdogs that makes the NCAA Tournament what it is. Welcome to March Madness with a twist. While Duke (32-2) took the overall top seed on Selection Sunday, with Arizona (32-2), Michigan (31-3) and defending champion ...