Lack of table manners turns dinner into disaster
DEAR ABBY: My 11- year- old niece, “Nina,” has no table manners. I was surprised at her inappropriate behavior because her parents are well- educated people who were raised with good table manners.
I didn’t say anything when Nina slathered clotted cream on her scone with her fingers, but I was disgusted. I did suggest she use a spoon after she scooped rice out of a communal bowl with her hand. Both of these incidents happened in restaurants.
Is there anything I can do when I must eat with this child? I know it may have been wrong of me to correct Nina in front of her mother, but we were all eating from the same bowl. Should I ignore her ignorance of basic table manners and keep my mouth shut? – LOST MY APPETITE IN HOUSTON
DEAR LOST YOUR APPETITE: By age 11, children should have mastered basic table manners. ( Not eating with one’s fingers is one of the basics.) Is your niece learning- disabled? If the answer is no, you should discuss this with your sibling. Nina is at an age when she needs to know what’s expected of her when she’s out in public.
DEAR ABBY: My son came out of the closet last year. My first reaction was to tell him it was OK. ( I had already suspected that he was.) I love him dearly and we’re a close family. His brothers and sisters also accept and love him.
My husband and I are now struggling because we’re not sure how God really views gays and lesbians. To listen to
D a t e b o o k Last House on the Block, meets man Center, is open from 9 a. m. at 6 and 8 a. m. today at 315 W. to 4 p. m. Monday– Saturday. All Grand Ave. proceeds contribute to the care,
Reformers Unanimous adveterinarian fees and shelter for dictions program meets at noon dogs and cats at the kennel facilitoday at 600 Garland Ave. Call ties at 1249 Ault Loop, Lonsdale. 547- 0238 for information. Donations of pet food and sup
West Grand Cocaine Anonplies may be dropped off at the ymous will meet at 6 p. m. today store. Free low- cost spay and at 315 W. Grand Ave. Call 501- 545neuter vouchers are available 5674 for information. at the store. Call 321- 9604 for
A co- dependency class and information. Interested in volsupport group is sponsored by unteering at the store? Call to Change Point. Reserve a spot by schedule an interview with Barcalling 624- 2273. Child care probara or Jan. vided by reservations only. Potter’s Clay Thrift Shop, 1036 Malvern Ave., is open from 9 a. m.- 4 p. m. Monday- Friday. Tax- deductible donations are accepted behind the shop from 9 a. m.- 2: 30 p. m. Call 620- 4405 for information.
RPM Thrift Store, 815 Albert Pike, is open from 10 a. m. to 3 p. m. Monday- Saturday.
Habitat Restore, 350 Malvern Ave., is open from 9 a. m.- 5 p. m. Monday- Saturday. Call 3214241 for large item pick- up. some religious people, my son will go to hell. I can’t believe that God would create a person to be this way, then turn His back on him.
I tried reading the Bible, but the wording was hard to understand. I don’t want to talk to my pastor about it because, even though I have accepted my son for who he is, I still have trouble talking to people about it because I’m not sure how they’ll react. Do you believe a gay person will go to heaven? – SOMEWHERE IN THE U. S. A.
DEAR SOMEWHERE: I believe that entrance to heaven is based upon a person’s character, not his or her sexual orientation. Today, because of modern scientific studies, we know more about
classes are provided free by Friendship International from 6: 30- 8: 30 p. m. Mondays at First Baptist Church, 2350 Central Ave., in the Fellowship Hall. Enter through lower level door at back of church. No registration required.
The Salvation Army Senior Fellowship group meets at 9 a. m. Tuesdays at The Salvation Army, 115 Crescent, for free coffee, cake, devotions, singing, bingo and fellowship. If you are 55 or older, come on over.
Strong Women exercise program meets from 9- 10: 30 a. m. Mondays and Fridays in the multipurpose building at Center Fork Baptist Church, 1101 S. Moore Road. If you’ve always wanted to start a strength training program but just did not know how to start, come on by.
Water workout is held at Quapaw Community Center, 500 Quapaw Ave., from 5: 30- 6: 15 p. m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. Cost is $ 5 for nonmembers. Call 6239922 for information.
Zumba classes are held at 5: 30 p. m. Mondays and Tuesdays at Quapaw Community Center, 500 Quapaw Ave. Cost is $ 5 for nonmembers and $ 3 for members.
Zumba Gold classes are offered free from 1- 2 p. m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at Hot Springs Mercy Senior Center, 210 Woodbine. Call Oaklawn Center, 6230020, for information.
A Community Coffee will be held at 9 a. m. Tuesday at Garland County Juvenile Court, 607 Ouachita Ave. The Coffee is an informal monthly meeting of area community agencies to provide opportunities for networking. All are welcome. Refreshments will be provided. Call Cindy Scrivner, 622- 3772 ext. 19, for information.
Spring Riders, the Hot Springs area chapter of Christian Motorcyclists Association, meets at 7 p. m. on the first Tuesday of each month at Smokin in Style BBQ, 2278 Albert Pike. All motorcycle riders and enthusiasts are welcome. Call 623- 6420 for information.
South Central Arkansas Bereaved Parents/ USA meets the first Tuesday of each month to serve parents, grandparents, stepparents, siblings and foster parents of children who have died. This is a safe environment where you can share with others your grief. It starts at 6 p. m. for refreshments with the meeting from 6- 8: 30 p. m. at Leonard Street Baptist Church, 625 Leonard St. Call Linda or Ray Bates, 501- 939- 2275, or email lynnbat@ hotmail. com for information. No childcare provided.
District 12 Nurses Association meets from 7- 8 p. m. on the first Tuesday of the month at First Baptist Church, 2350 Central Ave. All nurses are welcome to attend and receive one hour CEU credit. Free to ARNA members and $ 5 for nonmembers. Call 623- 5608 for information.
Diamond Squares Western Square Dance Club will meet for mainstream dancing from 6: 30- 9: 30 p. m. today at Lake Hamilton Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 2891 Airport Road. Dress is casual, square dance attire optional. Gordon White is the caller. Call 922- 0803 for information.
Hot Springs Emblem Club will have a business meeting at 7 p. m. Tuesday at the Elks Lodge, 132 Abbott Place. Refreshments will be served afterward.
Spa Chapter 585, Order of the Eastern Star, will meet at 7: 30 p. m. Tuesday for business at the Masonic Temple, 311 W. Grand Ave. All members should bring finger foods for refreshments to be served at 6: 30 p. m. Chapter moms and all mothers will be honored. Members are reminded to bring canned goods and nonperishable items for Jackson House. All members under the jurisdiction of General Grand Chapter are welcome. homosexuality than was known when the Bible was written, and that sexual orientation is not a “choice.”
DEAR ABBY: Our daughter keeps hinting that we should give her money for her in vitro fertilization. We have concerns based on many issues, but the bottom line is we’re not sure if she can handle motherhood.
Our daughter’s marriage is shaky, and she struggles with many of her relationships and commitments in life. She is basically disabled by anxiety. Not only do we believe we should stay out of this, but we also think they can afford the procedure themselves. We would be happy for them if they had a child, but we prefer to avoid the money connection. What do you think? – UNDECIDED IN MISSOURI
DEAR UNDECIDED: If you give your daughter money, it would be better
Tai Chi for Arthritis classes are held free from 10: 15- 11: 15 a. m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at Hot Springs Mercy Senior Center, 210 Woodbine. Call Oaklawn Center, 623- 0020, for information.
English as a Second Language spent on counseling and medication to help her overcome her anxiety disorder. A baby will not fix a shaky marriage, and could very well complicate it. Because your daughter and her husband can afford to pay for it themselves, they should not be hitting you up to fund the endeavor. Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Write Dear Abby at http:// www. Dearabby. com or P. O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069. For an excellent guide to becoming a better conversationalist and a more sociable person, order “How to Be Popular.” Send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $ 7 ( U. S. funds) to: Dear Abby, Popularity Booklet, P. O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054- 0447. ( Shipping and handling are included in the price.)