• DESSUREAULT - TIERNEY
Arlene and Douglas Tierney, of South Deerfield, announce the engagement of their son Matthew Charles Tierney, of West Fifth Street, South Boston, to Haley Patricia Dessureault, of East Third Street, South Boston. The bride-to-be is the daughter of Patricia and Robert Dessureault, of Champlain, N.Y.

• DUCLOS - McDONALD
Michael and Kristine Duclos, of Monson, announce the engagement of their daughter Jessica Margaret Duclos, to Scott Vincent McDonald, of Palmer. The future bridegroom is the son of Lee and Deborah McDonald, of Palmer.

• GIBSON - PANNISCO
Raymond and Mitzi Gibson, of Wilbraham, announce the engagement of their daughter Renee Gibson to Claudio Pannisco, both of Springfield. The future bridegroom is the son of Pasquale and Maria Pannisco, of Pittsfield.

• 'I love the Jewish people'
As a young boy, Harold Grinspoon did not particularly like school but today money that he made as the founder of a national real estate company funds two foundations much involved in addressing grassroots issues of education and literacy.

• SABO - DRAPEAU
Valerie Sabo and Greg Tartaglino, of Westfield, and Mark Sabo, of Torrington, Conn., announce the engagement of their daughter Heather Nicole Sabo, of Westfield, to Paul Edward Drapeau, also of Westfield. The future bridegroom is the son of Cheryl Drapeau, of Westfield, and Robert Drapeau, also of Westfield.

• SZYDLO - IOSUA
Holly and Frank Szydlo, of Chicopee, announce the engagement of their daughter Kelly Szydlo, of South Weymouth, to Robert Iosua, also of South Weymouth. The future bridegroom is the son of Janice and Robert Iosua, of Wakefield.

• Beating egg whites presents challenge
Chef Debi: Beating perfect egg whites

• Big Y contest has big payoff!
For all of those budding cooks who picture themselves as the next Julia Child, Big Y's "Family of Brands Video Challenge Holiday Recipe Edition" is for you.

• Tips make for a healthy holiday
Next week will mark one of, if not, the biggest food holidays of the year.

• MR., MRS. DAVID DUNAJ
David and Charlotte Dunaj, of Chicopee, recently celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary. A surprise dinner with family was held at Osaka Sushi and Steak House in Northampton, followed by a cruise to the Southern Caribbean.

• MR., MRS. JOSEPH MEEHAN
Grace and Joseph Meehan, of East Longmeadow, recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with their family at the Olive Garden restaurant. The couple were married on Oct. 22, 1949, at Sacred Heart Church in Springfield.

• MR., MRS. ROBERT STEVENSON
Robert and Joyce Stevenson, of Springfield, recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at a surprise party with family and friends at Ichabod's in Chicopee.

• MR., MRS. SAMUEL WEBER
Samuel and Frances Weber, of Springfield, recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary at a surprise dinner party given by their children.

• MR., MRS. SANFORD SLADE
Madeline and Sanford Alan "Sandy" Slade, of South Hadley, recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at a surprise party with family and friends at Vivo at the Hartford Marriott.

• MR., MRS. WILLIAM COSTELLO
Rita and William Costello, of Chicopee, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with their family on Oct. 10 at Casa Di Lisa Restaurant in the Feeding Hills section of Agawam.

• Chores for teenagers?
HANNAH R. MIGEED, Cathedral High School: Once children reach a certain age, we should learn certain life skills because most of us will move out and have to be independent and won't have our parents there to hold our hand. Doing things like learning how to load a dishwasher or mowing the lawn and laundry are big ones. I don't know how to do that but I want to learn. It is important. I have a few friends who do their own laundry. If I don't have clean clothes, I can't go anywhere. It is a responsibility lesson. Cooking is a big one too. Sometimes you are home alone and if you don't have something already made, you are going to starve. You can find things to throw together to make a meal. If you have a background in cooking, you will make something you will actually enjoy. The lessons you are going to need when you are alone are the best ones to learn now.

• A call to empower mothers
Up to one in four mothers suffers from postpartum depression in the United States, and the cultural myth of the "good mother," who can do it all, may contribute to the stress and anxiety a lot of mothers feel.