Author: Tom Purcell
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Left Behind at the Drive-in Theater
Editor Note: A prior version of this column was distributed by Cagle Cartoons in 2012. If you run this column, please mention that it is an excerpt from Tom Purcell’s humorous book, “Misadventures of a 1970s Childhood,” available at Amazon.com. I …
Categories: Columns
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For Memorial Day – Serving Those Who Serve Us
Every Memorial Day, we remember those who died during active military service. But the day gives us a special opportunity to serve those who serve us. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, nearly 42 million American men and women have ser…
Categories: Columns
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The Evolving American Prom
The more the American prom changes, the more it stays the same. The modern prom, reports Slate, “may be traced to the Ivy League and the annual tradition of a ‘presentation week,’ during which formal dress and dancing accompanied a promenade concert…
Categories: Columns
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Longing for the Old, Wooden Stereo Console
Editor Note: A prior version of this column was distributed by Cagle Cartoons in 2014. If you run this column, please mention that it is an excerpt from Tom Purcell’s humorous book, “Misadventures of a 1970s Childhood,” available at Amazon.com. …
Categories: Columns
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For Mother’s Day, Embracing Our Lost Sense of Humor
“You’ve lost your sense of humor, and you need to get it back!” Such was the admonishment my mother gave me many times over the years when one of life’s temporary failures gave me license to indulge in self-loathing. “Life is full of difficulty,”…
Categories: Columns
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An Apology to My Niece on Her College Graduation Day
Dear Goddaughter, You nailed it! You graduated from the University of Pittsburgh last week with an excellent academic record. You enjoyed experiences and friendships that you will cherish for the rest of your life. But I must apologize for the…
Categories: Columns
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The Growing Art of American Cursing
Get this: the average American can’t get through the day without cursing. So is the finding of a recent 9Round Kickbox Fitness survey, as reported in the New York Post. Why are Americans cursing so much? One reason is stress. Fifty six percent…
Categories: Columns
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Facebook Knows What about Me?
A chat window opened on my computer screen. A Facebook “friend” I didn’t know began communicating with me. “Happy birthday, Tom!” wrote the woman. “Who told you it was my birthday?” I wrote back. “You did, Tom. You provided that information wh…
Categories: Columns
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Tax-Time Q & A
Tax-Time Q&A The tax season is upon us. I’m no CPA, but let me offer advice and consolation to my fellow taxpayers. Q. Dear Tom: My CPA told me that a tax bracket is a heavy, metal object that the government uses to hit you over the head ever…
Categories: Columns
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How to Mooch off Your Parents in a Down Economy
I can’t really blame them, if you want to know the truth. I speak of the latest down-economy trend: More 20-somethings are moving back home with Mom and Dad — and happily accepting financial assistance. So pronounced is the trend — some 41 percent of parents are giving their 20-somethings some 10 percent of their…
Categories: Columns
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