By Beth Quinn
The world doesn’t offer the mentally challenged a lot of breaks, but my grandson Sam has caught the two most important breaks any child could hope for – his parents.

Goldenrod is blooming on the roadsides and the hillsides, promising autumn. See Carrie’s paintings at the Wallkill River School Gallery in Montgomery, Route 17K, Sept. 1-30. You’re invited to the reception, too, Sept. 12, from 5-7 p.m. Click on the link to Wallkill River School on the Zest home page for information, hours and directions.

By Bob Gaydos
John Odom was a pitcher who got traded for 10 baseball bats last year. You may have heard about that. He died a tragic death six months later. You might have missed that story.

By Jeffrey Page
Compassion for a man who served 11 days in jail for each of the 270 people he murdered.

A Fish Story
Photography by Rich Gigli
“Fish,” he said softly, aloud, “I’ll stay with you until I am dead.” – The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway.
This photo was taken next to the old covered bridge, Downsville, NY.

By Carrie Jacobson
Chapter 11
In this chapter, Zoe and her big dog friend, Kaja, meet Samantha and Ashton Morrone, a brother and sister who are building a fort that’s also a raft, on the shore of the Delaware River.

By Michael Kaufman
This season may be a train wreck for the New York Mets but it is still producing some wonderful and surprising moments to fans who love the game.

By Shawn Dell Joyce
View of the bridge and High Point from Riverside Park in Port Jervis painted on location with the Wallkill River School last year. To paint with us or to see more paintings, click on the Wallkill River School link on the Zest home page.

By Shawn Dell Joyce
Building in this age requires addressing multiple environmental concerns. For the Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, which specializes in holistic living, those concerns mean designing beyond conventional codes and practices.

By Bob Gaydos
In this country where everyone seems to have one, some people think there is no such thing as a stupid opinion. Trust me, there is. Say something, Sarah …