Updated 5 hours ago
A winning day in Boston
BY VICTORIA DUGGER BLADE STAFF WRITER
BOSTON — Finally, the day arrived. After witnessing from afar the twin bombings that shook this city and the running world to its foundation, I was in Boston on Saturday to pick up my race number for the 118th Boston Marathon. …

Published 6 hours ago
Local priest offers lesson about Easter
BY KEITH C. BURRIS COLUMNIST FOR THE BLADE
My wife and I have lived in a lot of different places. We both grew up here in Ohio. We like to talk about the cultural differences, and distances. My favorite example is from the parking lot of the Perrysburg JCC-YMCA. “I’m so sorry,” the woman said, "I think my car is too close to yours." …

Published 6 hours ago
Ratings prove golf greatly needs Woods
BY DAVE HACKENBERG BLADE SPORTS COLUMNIST
According to the Nielsen ratings, the audience for last weekend’s coverage of the Masters on CBS, on average, was 8.6 million viewers in 6.4 million homes. That represented the fewest viewers since 1993. …

Published 6 hours ago
Many feel allure of spring river fishing scene
BY MATT MARKEY BLADE OUTDOORS EDITOR
Each business has its own master plan. For Clarence Labiche, the approach might seem a little unconventional. …

Published 6 hours ago
Even the outrageous Ted Nugent has right to free speech
BY JACK LESSENBERRY BLADE OMBUDSMAN
Alan Goldsmith, a reader from Ann Arbor, doesn’t mince words: “Does The Toledo Blade think paying for and supporting a racist, draft-dodging pedophile was a smart decision and one a Great American Newspaper should be proud of?” …

Published 6 hours ago
Make Common Core better in Ohio; don’t scrap it
BY DAVID KUSHMA BLADE EDITOR
Ohio is one of the 44 states whose public schools are basing their teaching on the educational standards called Common Core. But as the resistance — more political than pedagogical — to Common Core continues to heat up, so does the pressure on state officials to dump the national standards. …

Published 6 hours ago
These races are weather vanes for 2016
BY DAVID SHRIBMAN PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE EXECUTIVE EDITOR
It happens every four years: The political party on the defensive tries to portray races in off-year elections as individual ones without a unifying theme. …

Published 6 hours ago
Spring brings thoughts of fashion
BY BARBARA HENDEL BLADE SOCIETY EDITOR
The birds are chirping, the grass is green, and flowers are blooming. Spring, with no snow, is finally here. While the Easter Bunny visited many homes today, leaving a trail of jelly beans, colored eggs, and chocolate, many folks are headed to church or to family gatherings since it is Easter Sunday. In the know on what to wear were those who attended fashion shows for …

Published 6 hours ago
Easter finery, flowers have changed a lot over the years
BY MARY ALICE POWELL BLADE COLUMNIST
Obviously members of the 1946 class of Adrian High School enjoy the food at the Country House near Tecumseh, Mich., because we have gathered there for lunch once a month for several years. But, what we really enjoy is the conversation after lunch and last Monday was no exception. …

Published 6 hours ago
Church to resume popular luncheons
BY MARY BILYEU BLADE FOOD EDITOR
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 740 N. Superior St., will begin its popular monthly luncheons starting May 8 with a menu featuring Chicken Oregano, oven-roasted potatoes, and Greek-style green beans. …