Stories,photos

180 results total, viewing 1 - 10

’Tis the season to write about freedom. It is the central theme in the Haggadah, the story of Passover. It’s an ongoing theme in my April columns. There is no better time than … more

Fran Ostendorf | 4/3/25

Bring on the happiness

Welcome to March! We made it through February with its cold, snowy and gray days. We’ve made it to the Hebrew month of Adar, the month where we increase our joy. You are practically … more

Fran Ostendorf | 3/6/25

Winter ramblings

Some months , writing this column comes easily. Other times, it doesn’t. As I sat down to write this column, I felt very stuck. I make it a habit not to comment on the politics of the day. That … more

Fran Ostendorf | 2/14/25

Grateful to avoid the pressure of resolutions

Are you a resolution maker or do you prefer to just move ahead into the year without a list of goals to work on? Do you have trouble making resolutions that you can accomplish or even making … more

Fran Ostendorf | 1/9/25

Light in the cold darkness

I have to say I have always loved this time of year. Cold crisp days with all that bright sunlight. I love a good snowstorm as long as I don’t have to venture out in it, so December is … more

Fran Ostendorf | 12/8/24

Thoughts and ramblings on voting this year

Are you one of the many who has heard enough about politics this season? Don’t be ashamed. I’m a news junkie, and even I have to turn off the noise every so often. But the bigger … more

Fran Ostendorf | 11/3/24

Can we agree to come together as a strong community?

I am grateful for the community we have here in little Rhody. We are a group of individuals who hold each other together and keep each other going when we need to. I am grateful for those … more

Fran Ostendorf | 10/8/24

No hooray in this summer’s last hurrah

Well, it finally got me. For the last several weeks, I’ve been suffering from a bout with COVID. I’d managed to avoid the virus till now, except for one faintly positive test more … more

Fran Ostendorf | 9/6/24

The Olympics are in full swing!

I have to admit it. I am an Olympics junkie. I started getting excited about this summer’s games during a trip to Paris in March 2023. That was more than a year ago! And the anticipation has … more

Fran Ostendorf | 8/2/24

Things change, but family is forever

I’ve spent a lot of time in my childhood home in the last few months. My folks still live independently, but they sometimes need a little help from their children, which has given me an … more

Fran Ostendorf | 7/5/24