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Gail Maholick/TIMES NEWS Oliva Kupinsky, 8, of Coaldale, and her parents, Carolyn and William, and sister, Samantha, are hoping to raise funds for Give Kids the World at a dress down day fundraiser on May 23 at Panther Valley Elementary School as a way of giving back. The family recently traveled to Florida as guests of Make a Wish Foundation.

A Coaldale girl and her family recently had the time of their lives visiting "Mickey's House" and other Florida attractions.

Olivia Kupinsky, 8, her sister, Samantha, 14, and her parents, Carolyn and William Kupinsky, visited Disney World compliments of Make a Wish Foundation.

Oliva became eligible for a wish trip because of her heart problems. She was born Nov. 20, 2004, in Palmerton Hospital. Shortly after birth, Olivia began experiencing respiratory distress. She was immediately taken by ambulance to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Lehigh Valley Hospital.

Features

AUDITIONS

The Pale Moon Players are holding auditions for young actors, ages 8-15, for the play "Wooing Wed Widing Hood" by Charlie Lovett. Auditions will take place from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, May 21 and Wednesday, May 22 at Grace Lutheran Church, 4th and Mahoning streets, Lehighton. No preparation is needed. Show dates planned for July 12, 13 and 14. For more information call (610) 377-0290.

Announcements

Tammy Neyer and Greg Neff exchange vows

Tammy S. Neyer of Lehighton, and Greg Neff, also of Lehighton, were united in marriage on April 9, 2013 at Graceland in Memphis, Tenn. The Rev. David Bayer officiated the double ring ceremony. The bride is the daughter of Suzanna Vaughn of Lehighton and the late Carl Trine. She holds a paralegal degree and is employed as a certified counselor/advocate. The bridegroom is the son of Betty Petco of Lehighton, and Ronald Pitt Neff, also of Lehighton. He is a graduate of Lehighton Area High School and is employed in construction by Benner & White.

Columns

Water pills and high blood pressure

Q. If you have high blood pressure, aren't you better off just taking old-fashion water pills instead of all these fancy drugs?

Water pills (aka diuretics) are the oldest and best studied of the drugs used to treat high blood pressure (aka hypertension). Diuretics help the kidneys flush extra water and salt from your body and decrease blood volume to lower pressure.

There are three types of diuretics: thiazide, loop and potassium-sparing. They work in different parts of your kidneys

Low vision caused by diseases, disorders and eye injuries

Q. What kind of glasses should you get for low vision?

Low vision is a significant reduction in visual function that can't be corrected by regular glasses, contact lenses, medicine or surgery. Low vision can range from moderate impairment such as tunnel vision or blind spots to almost total blindness.

One out of every 20 people has low vision. About 135 million people around the world suffer from this impairment.

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Q. My wife insists on buying nothing but crunchy brown bread because she says it is good for us. I'm a bit skeptical about this and suspect we are victims of hype to sell this kind of bread. What do you think?

I'm presuming that your wife wants to get whole grain bread to put more fiber into your diet. Whole grains are cereal grains that include the bran, the germ, and the core of the kernel known as the endosperm. Bran is a tough, fibrous outer layer, which is a source of fiber.

Speak with your doctor before taking St. John's wort

Q. I have friends in France who take St. John's wort for depression. Do you think this stuff works?

St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum or Klamathweed) is one of the most commonly purchased herbal products in the United States. However, do not take this product unless you have consulted your family physician.

The St. John's wort plant has been used as a medicine for many centuries. It was popular in ancient Greece. Today in Europe, it is used widely to treat mild-to-moderate depression.

Food

A retro and fun do-it-yourself Easter mint

In this image taken on March 11, 2013, retro cream cheese Easter mints are shown in Concord, N.H. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)

A little retro and a whole lot of fun, you can also form the mints in a variety of shapes and flavors.

Retro Cream Cheese Mints

Start to finish: 30 minutes, plus drying

Makes 7 dozen

8-ounce block cream cheese

2 pounds powdered sugar

Flavorings or extracts of your choice

Gel food coloring (optional)

Superfine sugar

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AP PHOTO/MATTHEW MEAD Hoisin-glazed ham with Napa cabbage-snow pea slaw.

Who says the traditional Easter ham has to be traditional?

We understand that there is good reason for many traditions, particularly when it comes to food. After all, many food traditions earned their place because they are simply delicious. The glazed ham is a fine example. And that's why we decided not to mess with that part of this spring staple.

DEADLINE: TONIGHT AT MIDNIGHT!

The deadline for the 26th Annual TIMES NEWS Recipe and Cookbook Contest is tonight at midnight. You can email your recipes to dhall@tnonline.com until midnight, or drop them off at the TIMES NEWS office on Route 443 before 4:30 p.m. today. There are $900 in prizes up for grabs, and six categories to enter. Categories include Main Dish; Vegetarian; Breads, Biscuits and Muffins; Soups, Stews and Chili; Christmas Cookies; and Dessert. And don't burn your buns while you're busy emailing those recipes tonight!

COOKBOOK CONTEST

The 26th Annual TIMES NEWS Recipe and Cookbook Contest is under way. Have you submitted your recipes yet?

There are $900 in prizes up for grabs, and six categories to enter. Categories include Main Dish; Vegetarian; Breads, Biscuits and Muffins; Soups, Stews and Chili; Christmas Cookies; and Dessert.

For more information and rules, go to: http://www.tnonline.com/2013/jan/16/your-mark-get-set-cook.

The deadline for entries has been extended to midnight, Tuesday, March 12.

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