Family history need not be shameful secret Dear Annie: I have been doing a lot of family-tree research and recently learned that my ancestors owned slaves from the early 18th century until the end of the Civil War, when my last slave-owning ancestor was shot in the head by Union troops. My problem is, one of my brothers married an African-American woman, and they have two young daughters. I am close to my brother and his wife, and I adore my mixed-race nieces, who identify as black. My family considers me the repository of ancestral information. What on earth do I tell them? I worry that it would be terribly difficult for them to learn that their ancestors were slave owners and fought on the side of the Confederacy. Family lore, as well as official records, indicates that my ancestors didn’t own many slaves and were not cruel peo-
Annie’s Mailbox
Marcy Sugar and Kathy Mitchell anniesmailbox@comcast.net
ple, but still. I can easily talk to my nieces about those European ancestors who never came to America, many of whom were members of the aristocracy. But I feel an obligation to tell the truth about all of their relatives if they should ask. How do I talk to them about this in a sensitive way? I know they eventually could find out on their own if they bother to search, because it’s in the public record. Most of all, I want my nieces to know how much we love them, that I find
Tonys honor best of Broadway Neil Patrick Harris returns to host the 67th Annual Tony Awards (7 p.m. Sunday, CBS). Live from New York’s Radio City Music Hall, the Tonys honor the best on Broadway over the past year. Harris was recently chosen to host the forthcoming Emmy Awards as well. Jimmy Kimmel’s recent turn in that role was considered a bit too low-key to qualify as entertainment. The question remains: When will Harris get a chance to host the Oscars? He’s quick, witty and good with the song-and-dance number. He’s been a hit on TV’s “Doogie Howser, M.D.” and “How I Met Your Mother,” has been in at least two cult films: “Starship Troopers” and “Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle” (7 p.m., Saturday, Encore), and he’s hosted a web series with a fanatic following, “Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog,” directed by Joss Whedon. Given the number of times he’s hosted the Tonys and even the TV Land Awards, I’d say Harris has more than passed his audition. • “Falling Skies” (8 p.m. and 9 p.m. Sunday, TNT) returns for a third season. The action has moved to Charleston, S.C., and Tom Mason (Noah Wylie) has been elected president, making him the George Washington of the ragtag anti-alien rebellion. And just as the Continental Army allied itself with the French, and used Hessian fighters to combat the redcoats, Mason makes common cause with various disaffected alien factions, much to the consternation of some of the human patriots.
Sunday’s other highlights
Scheduled on “60 Minutes” (6 p.m., CBS): the high cost of hospitals; a profile of Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor and a look at Barcelona’s Gaudi masterpiece, a massive church under construction for more than 130 years.
Game 2 of the NBA Finals between the San Antonio Spurs and Miami Heat (7 p.m., ABC).
Joffrey faces off with Tywin on “Game of Thrones” (8 p.m., HBO).
Sarah has her own motivations for joining the search on “The Killing” (8 p.m., AMC).
“Anthony Bourdain Parts Unknown” (8 p.m., CNN) visits the Congo.
Betty has plans for Sally on “Mad Men” (9 p.m., AMC).
A softball interview turns into a grilling on “Veep” (9 p.m., HBO). Allison Janney guest-stars.
Cesare drops everything to save Lucrezia on “The Bogias” (9 p.m., Showtime).
BIRTHDAYS Comedian Jackie Mason is 85. Sports commentator Dick Vitale is 74. Mystery author Patricia Cornwell is 57. Actor Michael J. Fox is 52. Writer-producer Aaron Sorkin is 52. Actor Johnny Depp is 50. Actress Gloria Reuben is 49. Actress Natalie Portman is 32.
the family’s slavery past shameful, and that we are proud that our family has become more diverse. But it still doesn’t erase what happened. Please help. — K.C. Dear K.C.: You are taking on more blame than necessary for your family’s past. Talk to your sister-in-law. Tell her what you discovered in your research, and add what you told us — that you love your brother’s family and find your slavery past shameful. Should these nieces someday become interested in their family history, they will want this information, warts and all, and are entitled to have it. The most important thing is to reassure them of your love. Dear Annie: I work in a doctor’s office as a receptionist. I was with a customer (a salesman), and another receptionist was with a patient. At some point during this time, another patient ap-
JACQUELINE BIGAR’S STARS
For Sunday, June 9: This year you are unusually fortunate, both personally and financially. Play it conservatively with money that is coming in, because good luck doesn’t last forever. If you are single, you attract many potential sweeties. If you are attached, the two of you get into loving life together, which strengthens the bond that exists between you. The Stars Show the Kind of Day You’ll Have: 5-Dynamic; 4-Positive; 3-Average; 2-So-so; 1-Difficult Aries (March 21-April 19) You will be experiencing a transition that won’t repeat itself for another 12 years. Use the positive vibes around you to add to a sense of warmth in the morning. Tonight: A serious one-on-one talk happens. Taurus (April 20-May 20) Lady Luck rides along with you in the morning. If you want to take a risk, take it. Tonight: Enjoy visiting with a neighbor. Gemini (May 21-June 20) Do not push so hard to achieve your desires. Relax, and trust that your choices are correct and things will happen naturally at the right time. Tonight: Make it an early night. Cancer (June 21-July 22) Your sensitivity emerges from taking on a new perspective. Reach out to someone you care about. Tonight: Follow your instincts. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) Touch base with a family member who might need an upbeat suggestion or an invitation to a ballgame or get-together. This person often is reclusive, but he or she needs to be drawn out. Tonight: Not to be found! Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)
parently came in. I was away from the front desk to take the salesman where he needed to go. The patient who came in texted the doctor, saying she was ignored and his staff is incompetent and rude. Our office manager instructed us that we essentially are to push aside salesmen, drug reps, etc., in order to take care of the patient. I disagree. I was waiting on this salesman and believe I should stay with that person until I am finished. Who is right? — Etiquette Confused Dear Confused: Your office manager. That salesperson was not a customer. The “customer” is the patient, and the patient always comes first. — Send questions to anniesmailbox@comcast.net, or Annie’s Mailbox, P.O. Box 118190 Chicago, IL 60611.
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Have a discussion, even if it feels like it might not help. You have an opportunity to bring many different people together. Tonight: Return calls. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) Use the morning to assess an issue that you might not have been willing to see in its entirety. Do not hesitate to ask for more feedback, even if you feel as if someone has a bias. Tonight: Invite an older relative to dinner. Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) Your self-confidence comes through loud and clear, especially when dealing with a partner. You could be pushing this person away, whether or not it is intentional. Tonight: Let the party begin. Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) Others seek you out, which could be a pleasant change. You often express your high energy by reaching out to others. Tonight: Opt for togetherness. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Getting up usually is an issue of self-discipline. Having a lazy morning gives you some time just for you. Tonight: Touch base with a friend. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) Your playfulness might be particularly appealing to a child or loved one who often is withdrawn and refuses to open up. Allow yourself to be more childlike. Tonight: Think Monday. Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) Make a point to take your time for a change. You simply do not need to keep extending yourself beyond your natural energy level. Tonight: A loved one’s suggestion makes you smile. — The astrological forecast should be read for entertainment only.
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45 Sheet music mark
10 Luau locale 11 Settled
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Universal Crossword Edited by Timothy E. Parker June 9, 2013
ACROSS 1 Increase, with “up” 5 “Falstaff” composer Sir Edward 10 About 30 percent of Earth 14 Bar locking a capstan in place 15 France’s longest river 16 Hand cream ingredient 17 Blunted sword 18 Stan’s partner in comedy 19 When many doors open 20 Perrier or Pellegrino, e.g. 23 Joule component 24 “East” on a grandfather clock 25 “Go on ...” 28 Plain-weave fabric 32 Financial instrument 35 Alleged reader of the future 37 Brit’s “Baloney!” 38 Rich ore deposits 40 KFC offering, say 43 Ballpark instrument 44 Sleek, for short 45 Sheet music mark
46 252 wine gallons 47 Overshadow 50 Heavy weight 51 “30 Rock” star Tina 52 Room offerer 54 Colorful opening course 63 “___ la Douce” (1963 film) 64 Star bursts 65 Achy 66 Bygone big birds 67 Arabian leaders 68 Prayer ender 69 “Meet Me ___ Louis” 70 Blabs 71 “___ we forget” DOWN 1 Architectural detail, for short 2 Spanish appetizer 3 Vase-shaped pitcher 4 Annapolis freshman 5 Stretch out 6 Entertainer Falana 7 Covered in a shiny coat of gold 8 Singer India.___ 9 Polish again, as an article 10 Luau locale 11 Settled
12 13 21 22 25 26 27 29 30 31 32 33 34 36
upon the earth ___ of the above Moose or caribou Sphere in a scepter Brandish English race place Indira Gandhi’s father Consider appropriate Describing pitch Japanese immigrant Cheddar type Utterly senseless person Odd-numbered page White with fright “His Master’s Voice” label
39 Possess 41 Injured, in a way 42 Curiosity 48 Pen’s offspring 49 Nearly half of ninety-nine? 51 Extensive spread 53 Twangy, as a voice 54 Woman with the same two notes? 55 Steel ingredient 56 Dec. holiday 57 “Julius Caesar” setting 58 Nefarious 59 British nobleman 60 Togo’s capital 61 “Iliad” warrior 62 Fender damage
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