The Human Eye: A Closer Look

By Michael Spilane, MD

Few parts of our body are as small and vital as the eye’s macula. This organ is the size of a tiny button, but is responsible for 90 percent of our vision. It is the workhorse part of the much larger retina, the image-capturing membrane at the back of the eye. Degeneration of the macula is the chief cause of severe and irreversible loss of vision in persons living in developed countries, and is almost exclusively a problem of older adults. Prevalence of visual symptoms caused by macular degeneration increases with advancing age, with about 10 percent of the older population having significant symptoms by age 85. Its cause is unknown, and treatment is often frustratingly unsuccessful. Recent scientific advances do allow help for some.

There are two types of macular

By Carol Hall

Wisconsin is known for its beer, cheese, and supper clubs. The beer and cheese, of course, are part of the supper club experience: the part that comes before consuming the signature Friday night fish fry or Saturday prime rib of beef.

Supper clubs are a Wisconsin institution. For reasons no one can explain, they abound throughout the state. Most sprang up in the 1930s and ’40s, but some date back to the 1920s, and are reputed to have been prohibition roadhouses, frequented by the likes of Al Capone and John Dillinger. Today, they have a reputation for good food at a reasonable price.

Often located on the outskirts of a town, they have an unfailing ambiance: dark, cool, and slightly masculine. You don’t expect to see a gathering of Red Hat ladies at a suppe

By Lisa Kane, RD

Health facts remain elusive

Submitted Photo

Tangible rewards, such as granddaugter Ashley’s chalk message, make grandparenting a joy.

By Andrea Langworthy

Mike and Linda Nelson are not just special occasion grandparents

By Dave Nimmer

When I was a kid growing up, I could have learned some of my best life lessons from my grandparents, each of whom modeled a trait or trademark to make the journey easier, richer, sweeter. As it turns out, I went two for four — not a bad batting average in baseball, but a little less impressive in real life.

From my Grandpa Nimmer, I learned the joy of hard work, as in manual labor: getting your hands dirty, working up a sweat, mopping your brow, taking a break and looking at what you did. The old boy worked as a brakeman on the railroad, survived the depression and provided for his family. He was thin as a rail, maybe about 135 pounds, 5'7", usually wearing overalls and carrying a corncob pipe in the breast pocket.

As far as I can remember, he never took