Living

Despite its small size —just 1.5 miles wide and 7 miles long — it offers fascinating history, abundant wildlife, and recreational opportunities ranging from kayaking and biking to golf.

As she continues to spread her childhood literacy platform to thousands of Iowans, Grace Lynn Keller hopes to scale it to the national level as she competes for the Miss USA 2023 crown.

Like most things in life, though, summertime presents an interesting duality. Perspectives on the season can range from overwhelmingly positive to distinctly negative. In either case, the season can bring with it additional stress that can have a very real impact on our mental health.

The Marion-based not-for-profit announced it will kickoff the sixth season of its native tree sale, on Aug. 7, with multiple sizes now available. The program enables landowners with more than three woodland acres to purchase anywhere from five to 150 native trees, in an effort to restore Linn County’s native tree canopy.

The facilities — including one in DeWitt — offer a short-term, homelike, nurturing environment for people who are experiencing a mental health crisis but don’t need immediate medical attention. At respites, patients are treated like guests, proponents say, and can feel heard and keep their dignity without having to relinquish their clothes and other belongings.

Practiced for thousands of years, an ancient form of therapy is finding new audiences as Eastern Iowans look for new ways to escape everyday stress.

Research reports that positive experiences and creating happy memories often promote resilience and have a positive impact on one’s physical and mental health.

Available at the Cedar Valley Humane Society