Florus Chandler of Ft. Worth, Texas, shared The Independent with her children when they visited her on Mother's Day. Florus (a Zimmer from home) was raised in Valmeyer, and married Ray Chandler in 1943. Now widowed, Florus, who turned 91 in February, loves to keep in touch with Monroe County friends. Gathered around the couch with Florus are her children Ray Chandler, Dianne Colburn and Cathie Read. Another son, Roy Chandler, lives in Albuquerque, N.M.

Catching up on local news while vacationing at St. George Island, Fla., are, left to right, first row, Lacie House, Casey Wood and Curtis Wood; and second row, Jodie (Yaekel) House, Carla (Upchurch ) Cobb and Cheri (Ward Chester) Wood; and third row, Walter House, Carter Mills, Susan (Kisro) Gockel, Jill (Vasquez) Mills, Greg Mills, Carissa Martin and Adam Weiler.

John and Pam Beelman, left, and Judy and Bob Haentzler decided to save gas and use pedal power on a recent bike ride to the Waterloo Country Club for lunch.

Celebrating the wedding of Donna and Mike Wagstaff at the Moon Palace in Riviera Maya, Mexico, are, left to right, front row, Russell Ray Walster, Alexis Wheeler, Abbie Walster, Joshua Dehn and Emily Harrison; and back row, Bob Mohr, Toni Heusohn, Ken and Sandy Steinmann, Linda Andres, Mike and Pat Wagstaff, newlyweds Jim and Donna Wagstaff, Pat and Larry Andres, Becky Wheeler, Kris Dehn, Lori and Russell Walster, Judy and Ray Unterseh, and Cati and Kurt Steinmann.

Bill and Janice Schepers read the Irish Independent while vacationing on the Emerald Isle. They are standing on the bridge featured in the John Wayne classic "The Quiet Man." They were surprised to find a photo of Maeystown resident and regular Independent celeb Mark Bundy in the Dublin publication.

Enjoying their annual girls trip to Cancun, Mexico, along with a passing swimmer, are Monroe County gals, left to right, first row, Christine Powers, Cindy Nabers, Dawn Sutter, Brenda Hoefft and Angie Schewe; and second row, Dawn Wahlig, Joan Kohler and Julie Whelan.

Josh and Sarah Deutch enjoy the ocean breeze while reading The Independent on their honeymoon in Riviera Maya, Mexico.

Bob Heiken, Rick Schutt and former Waterloo resident Cary Dion stop by Navajo Bridge in Arizona to catch up with what is happening back home. They were on a mule deer archery hunt in Kiabab National Forest. Because of a shortage of toilet paper, the Monroe County Independent came in handy during the excursion.

While waiting to begin their tour of Lincoln's New Salem Historical Village in Petersburg, Junior Girl Scout Troop 387 and Honest Abe Lincoln catch up on the school news in The Independent. Stops in the Springfield area included New Salem, the Old State Capitol, Lincoln's Home, Lincoln's Tomb and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum and Library.

Ken Weiler and Sharon Hirstein catch up on local news while vacationing in Key West, Fla.

Jule and Karolyn Boyer take a break atop the 10,000-foot peak of the Haleakala volcano crater. The couple were enjoying an all-expenses paid trip to Maui at the Kea Lani Hotel.