After long break, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Italian Feast is back (Photos)
It continues Sunday.
Read the original article on MassLive.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
34 minutes ago
- Yahoo
9 Things in Your Home You Need to Get Rid of ASAP This Month
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." You might spend the most time getting organized around the new year and in the spring, but pros organizers say there's another period that's just as important: July. Between yard work, road trips, barbecues, water sports and kids' activities, your house has likely seen better days during this summer month. That's why we tapped professional organizers to find out the top things you should get rid of in your home this July. "I think July is the best month for a mid-year check-in and decluttering session," says Shaniece Jones, professional organizer and Founder of Closet Therapy. "It's the perfect time to restock summer essentials and let go of what's just taking up space. If it hasn't been used by now, it might be time to let it go." From ill-fitting swimwear and expired sunscreen to old school supplies and unwanted bikes taking up much-needed space in the garage, see suggestions from Jones and other professional organizers to keep your home in tip-top shape. Remember, anything that can be, should be donated. Old Outdoor Gear With all the outdoor activities on your schedule, from biking to swimming, chances are you have some unnecessary gear in your space. It's important to stay on top of it, especially if you have kids. "Get rid of bikes they've outgrown, pool toys collecting dust or swimwear that no longer fits," says Jones. Don't forget to get rid of defective beach umbrellas, too. And good news: Some things like camping gear and outdoor clothes can be donated. Just do a quick Google search first!Unwanted Kids' Supplies Back-to-school season in August isn't the best time to tackle your kids' supplies, Jones says, as it's "highly intense and chaotic." This month, get a head start and declutter your kids' schoolwork from the past year. "Toss the old worksheets, reports and notebooks while things are a bit slow," she says. Tackle the mudroom as well, says Marissa Hagmeyer, NEAT Method co-founder and COO and author of the recently published book, The NEAT Method Organizing Recipe Book. "Set aside backpacks, lunchboxes and water bottles that are stained, broken or missing parts to be tossed or donated. The same goes for any other school supplies or gear that may need replacing before the school year." RELATED: Pro Organizers Want You to Throw Out Your Children's ArtworkUnnecessary Travel-Size Toiletries With vacation season underway, make packing a breeze by editing travel essentials. Take stock of everything from mini face moisturizers and toothpaste to makeup and body products. "Keep what you love and use," says Janelle Lam of Straighten Up by Janelle. But you can recycle what has expired, or donate what hasn't been used. RELATED: Thought You Had to Toss Your Empty Beauty Containers? There May Be Another WayExpired Sunscreen "If you're using expired bug spray or sunscreen, they're not doing their job," says Hagmeyer. It's important to check dates on packaging, especially citronella stickers or bracelets. "Finish the summer off strong — sans sunburns — and clear space for products that actually work," she Summer Clothes Don't overlook your closet when you're decluttering. Are there pieces you didn't wear last summer? Is there an item you just don't love anymore? "If it didn't make it out of your closet last summer, there is a high chance it probably doesn't reflect your current style," Jones says. She recommends creating a Pinterest board just for your summer style. That way, you have a clear vision of what doesn't fit so you can easily declutter. Violetta Elezovic, founder of VS Organized Interiors, also suggests evaluating your summer wardrobe every year: "Go through your summer clothes and shoes that are worn out or no longer useful. In general, you can create more space in your wardrobe and keep a better eye on what you already have when things aren't so cluttered." And remember, many organizations will take gently worn summer clothing, including dresses and shorts. RELATED: Declutter Your Closet in Just a Day With These Hacks From Pro OrganizersMismatched Food Storage Containers With outdoor entertaining, comes lots of food storage containers. You're bound to have some in your cabinet that you never reach for. "Summer leftovers, BBQs and picnics mean you're using food containers constantly," Lam says. "Take five minutes to match up lids, and toss any warped pieces." If you have too many, or they are just mismatched, check with local schools or senior center to see if they can be donated there. You can also try to find clever new uses for them, like storing crayons and pencils!Worn Beach Towels Examine your beach towels to make sure they're in good shape. "If they are too thin or are ripped and frayed, it's time to let them go," says Nicole Gabai, founder of B. Organized! "Many donation centers will accept most textiles because they can sell the unusable items by the pound." You can also check with your local pet shelter, which can use them for clean up or keeping pets Reusable Water Bottles Water bottles always seem to accumulate out of nowhere, so it's worth taking stock of your collection in any cabinets and coolers. "Toss the ones that are moldy, smelly or rarely get used for whatever reason – broken zipper, item doesn't insulate well or water bottles that leak easily," says Gabai. RELATED: Not All Reusable Water Bottles Are Recyclable. Here's How to Tell If Yours Instruction Manuals It's pretty easy to access instruction manuals for appliances on reputable websites these days, whether you're trying to figure out a maintenance issue or learning how a specific feature works. Ashley Hines of Thee Tailored Life suggests making note of your appliances' model numbers before recycling paper manuals, though. "Most are unnecessary now that setup guides and troubleshooting tips are just a company website or YouTube search away," Hines says. You Might Also Like 67 Best Gifts for Women That'll Make Her Smile The Best Pillows for Every Type of Sleeper
Yahoo
34 minutes ago
- Yahoo
The 1 calming phrase I use to get my kids to listen
Being a parent often means feeling like a broken record. Whether it's reminding your kid to brush their teeth, put their dirty socks in the hamper or do their math homework for the third time, it can be frustrating to have to repeat yourself again and again. When kids don't listen, yelling can feel like your only option to get their attention. But there are other, more effective ways to handle things when your kids don't seem to hear you. In the eighth episode of their podcast, After Bedtime With Big Little Feelings, Big Little Feelings founders Deena Margolin, a child therapist specializing in interpersonal neurobiology, and Kristin Gallant, a parenting coach with a background in maternal and child education, shed some light on what parents often get wrong about kids' ability to listen and why it can be triggering when it seems like your child is ignoring you. In this edition of Yahoo's "" column, Margolin shares the key phrase she uses to get her kids to listen. Listening is not the same as hearing. Just because your child heard you say, 'Put on your shoes,' doesn't mean their brain has the skills to stop what they're doing, shift gears, hold the request in their working memory and actually follow through. Those are executive functioning skills — and they're housed in the prefrontal cortex of the brain, which is only 25% developed by age 3 and still under construction into the mid-20s. So when we expect a 4-year-old to 'listen the first time,' we're essentially expecting a flip phone to operate like an iPhone 15. Also, not listening does not equal disrespect. Most of the time, it's dysregulation (they're overwhelmed), distraction (they're in the zone) or developmental immaturity (their brain literally isn't there yet). The takeaway? Listening is a skill, not a character trait. It's built over time through modeling, connection, co-regulation and repetition — not through punishment or yelling. Why is it so triggering when our kids don't listen, and how can parents stay calm instead of being reactive? When your child ignores you for the third time, it's not just about the moment. It taps into something deeper. It can feel like, 'They're not respecting me,' 'I must be failing as a parent' or 'No one listens to me.' These thoughts activate our own nervous system, especially if we weren't listened to or respected as kids or if we were punished harshly for 'not listening.' That's why the first step isn't even about your child — it's about you. Try this when you feel that surge of anger rise up: Put your hand on your chest. Take a breath and say, 'I'm safe. I'm a good parent. My child's brain is still developing.' It sounds simple, but that pause interrupts your stress response and brings your thinking brain back online so you can respond instead of react. What's one surprisingly effective phrase that builds real cooperation with your kids? One phrase that's been gold in my house: 'Let's do it together.' When I see one of my kids spinning out, ignoring me or avoiding the task, instead of demanding compliance, I lean into connection: 'Need help starting?' 'Let's race to the shoes!' 'Should we do the first step together and then you finish?' The reason this works is simple neuroscience: Connection regulates the brain. Regulation opens the mind. An open mind is capable of cooperation. The goal is never perfect obedience. It's building real skills — focus, flexibility, follow-through — through a foundation of safety. Other tools I love and use: Get into their world. Before you ask them to enter your world (put shoes on, clean up, come to dinner), enter theirs — even just for 10 seconds. This might look like narrating what they're doing: 'Whoa, you're building a giant spaceship!' Or offering playful connection: 'Can your astronaut help me blast off to the bathroom for teeth brushing?' Here's why it works: It helps their brain shift gears with less resistance. You're not dragging them out of a flow state — you're inviting them into connection first. This signals safety, which opens the door to cooperation. Keep it short and positive. Skip the lecture. Give the instruction in five words or fewer, and tell them what to do instead of what not to do. 'Walking feet.' 'Hands stay to yourself.' 'Shoes on, please.' Why it works: Their developing brain can only process so much at once. Short, clear cues reduce feelings of being overwhelmed and keep their nervous system calm enough to follow through. Make it concrete and visual. If you find yourself repeating the same instructions over and over, make it visual. Create a morning routine chart with pictures, a simple checklist with drawings or photos, or a timer or hourglass to show how long until you leave the house. Why it works: Visuals reduce verbal overload, increase independence and help kids see what's expected, which is especially helpful for neurodivergent kids or during transitions. Final thought If your child listens 25% of the time and their brain is only 25% developed, that math actually checks out. It doesn't mean you're doing it wrong. It means you're parenting a human, not a robot. And the more you understand the brain behind the behavior, the less you take it personally and the more powerful you become.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Pennsylvania watch out: Spotted lanternflies get their wings
(WHTM) — It's been a calm summer, but soon they'll be flying in your face. The invasive spotted lanternfly inhabits all but ten of Pennsylvania's counties. The polka-dotted planthoppers began hatching in May and June, and come July they will get their wings. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now The species has spent the last few months as immature nymphs. Spotted lanternflies have four nymph stages known as instar phases, according to Cornell Integrated Pest Management. During this time, they can only hop or crawl, and they are often mistaken for other insects. As the adult stage begins in late July, the spotted lanternfly will develop its distinct red wings with black polka dots. They will remain in this stage until their deaths in December, though not before mating in August. The invasive species is native to Asia. However, the first sighting of the pest in the United States was in 2014 in Berks County. It poses a serious risk to agriculture in PA, feeding on grapes and fruit trees. Anyone who spots the spotted pest should squash it and scrape any eggs found on trees, vehicles, playgrounds or other outdoor surfaces. World Snake Day: Many, sometimes venomous, snakes call Pennsylvania home Officials said it's especially important to ensure spotted lanternflies are not on trucks, firewood or plants being transported across the state. If you see a spotted lanternfly, officials ask you to report it online or call 1-888-4BADFLY. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
