Shannon Sigafoos, MCM

Meet Bucknell's Newest National Science Foundation Fellows and Goldwater Scholars

Eight Bucknellians have been awarded two of the most prestigious fellowships and scholarships in higher education: National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships and Barry Goldwater Scholarships.

Bucknellians Earn Scholarships to Advance as Global Citizens

​Four Bucknellians have been accepted into the prestigious Fulbright U.S. Student program, and another student has been selected as a Key Into Public Service Scholar.

Winter Wrap Up: Factory debuts Factory Manufacturing, Pipcorn launches Twists, 2023 date set for...

Factory Manufacturing opens in Industrial Park IVIn early February, Factory opened the doors of a 75,000-sq.-ft. production facility, Factory Manufacturing,

Make your StartUp Lehigh Valley application and pitch successful - Factory LLC

All startup founders and entrepreneurs are encouraged to apply for this year's StartUp Lehigh Valley pitch competition taking place on Wed., Oct. 26 at 6:30

How the Benefits of a Pitch Competition Extend Beyond Prize Money - Factory LLC

Whether you're preparing for StartUp Lehigh Valley on October 26-or for another pitch competition that may be a great fit for your business-these events offer

Mathematics Prof. Farhan Abedin receives NSF grant

The three-year grant will support work on investigating theoretical and numerical properties of Monge-Ampère equations.

Fatimata Cham '23 helps young women 'center their voices'

At an early age, the 2023 Pepper Prize winner dedicated herself to improving not just her own life, but the lives of others around her.

Goldwater Scholar Carter Brand '25 wants to answer life's big questions

Carter Brand '25 has embraced the "power of and" at Lafayette in more ways than one.

Leopards lead National Girls and Women in Sports Day Clinic

Girls in grades 3-7 showed up to be part of a two-hour clinic on National Girls and Women in Sports Day

Teaching the next generation

Landis Center's Connected Classrooms program engages more than 600 students and 15 faculty members in collaboration with Easton Area School District.

Gender-inclusive residence hall is another step toward a more inclusive community

Former sorority house will be first on-campus building exclusively designated a living and learning space for LGBTQIA+ students By Shannon Sigafoos Each academic year, as students peruse the vast array of housing options available for living on and off campus, they'll find there are many different ways to craft their desired residential experience.

Weighing in on Ketanji Brown Jackson’s Supreme Court confirmation

Ketanji Brown Jackson is the first Black woman to be nominated and confirmed to the Supreme Court. Professors Dana Cuomo and Helena Silverstein share their insight into this important moment in American history.

Lafayette improves Campus Pride Index rating

College receives 4.5 stars for LGBTQIA+ inclusive policies and practices Twitter By Shannon Sigafoos After a decade with a 3-out-of-5-star rating-and a year after Thomas Lee was named assistant director of intercultural development for gender and sexuality programs , bringing with him initiatives to strengthen LGBTQIA+ practices across campus-Lafayette College is now ranked one of the top five most LGBTQIA+ friendly campuses in the state, according to the Campus Pride Index (CPI).

Troubled Waters

How both drought and a ‘supercharged’ water cycle have happened simultaneously—and presented their own unique climate crises

Principal Harrison Bailey '95 makes students' mental health a priority

Under Bailey's leadership, Liberty High School has developed a leading-edge wellness center and programming that addresses traumatic stress Twitter By Shannon Sigafoos Pennsylvania Secondary School Principal of the Year. Co-founder of the Multicultural Student Leadership Conference. Frequent speaker on race and equity, and motivational leadership. Harrison Bailey III '95 may be described as many things.

Ayat Husseini '20 receives Fulbright Fellowship

Alum plans to study how urban planning can positively impact a city's ability to deal with long-term issues and short-term shocks from climate change, population growth, and inequality Twitter By Shannon Sigafoos During her time at Lafayette, , former president of resettlement for Ayat Husseini '20 created a legacy for herself that will only continue to grow as she propels forward in her research and chosen career path.

Making lifelong PALS

French Heritage Language Program builds mentorships and friendships Twitter By Shannon Sigafoos In early 2020, just before COVID-19 changed everything in higher education for the better part of a year, Lafayette's Foreign Languages and Literatures French program was expanding on a then-two-year-old pilot partnership with the French Heritage Language Program (FHLP).

New course connects agriculture, food, and geology in Italy

Students traveled throughout Italy to experience how geology influences the food and culture of a region Twitter By Shannon Sigafoos The last time you ate "farm to table," did you think about how the geography of the land your food came from ultimately affected how that food was grown?

Prof. Caroline Séquin Wins Article Prize

Séquin's article called a "fascinating account of the interactions between gender and race" Twitter By Shannon Sigafoos Caroline Séquin, assistant professor of history and historian of modern France, was awarded the Council for European Studies (CES) Gender and Sexuality Research Network 's 2022 Best Article Prize.

Jan. 6 hearings: What's next?

Prof. John Kincaid discusses what actions-if any-the House Select Committee hearings may lead to Twitter By Shannon Sigafoos The House Select Committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol has aired several hearings-including the first live in prime time-and introduced previously unseen material that provides the American people with an initial summary of its findings about the coordinated effort to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.

Connected Classrooms helps elementary students answer life's big questions

Long-running Landis Center program adds new disciplines and continues hands-on learning Twitter By Shannon Sigafoos What kind of fossils can you find in the sea? How much water does the average person use on a daily basis? How do different parts of the brain control our actions? How do you build a house?

Standing tall

Ryan Tall '22, Patriot League Men's Golfer of the Year, heads to the NCAA Division I national tournament Twitter By Shannon Sigafoos The final chapter of Ryan Tall '22 's college career is yet to be written after sinking a 30-foot birdie putt Sunday on the first playoff hole to win the Patriot League Men's Golf individual championship and earn Patriot League Men's Golfer of the Year honors.

What a crew!

Lafayette women's crew club-including three seniors who missed Commencement to participate-won the American Collegiate Rowing Association National Championship Regatta.

Lafayette midfielder heads to Brazil for Deaflympics

Ani Khachadourian '25 is competing with the U.S. Deaf Women's National Team Twitter By Shannon Sigafoos When she first walks into a room, Ani Khachadourian '25 seems like your average first-year college student. Clad in a Lafayette Athletics jacket with a bag of books slung over one shoulder, Khachadourian is bright-eyed and easygoing, with a warm presence and a natural ease for making conversation.

Environmental Challenges: How did we get here, and what do we do next?

Katalin Fabian, professor of government and law, educates students that small actions, when combined together, can play a big role in protecting the planet and giving us hope for the future

Under One Roof

McKelvy Scholars Program—and the mansion its students call home— has welcomed different interests across different disciplines for 60 years

Lafayette Today email

Lafayette Today email

Lafayette Today email

Lafayette Today email

What I Did During My Gap Year

Ben Shmaruk ’22 Conquers the Pacific Crest Trail

Advanced Imaging

Lafayette is now home to an electron-scanning microscope, a sophisticated tool that will unlock research opportunities for faculty and students

Breast cancer trials making an IMPACT at LVHN

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Alliance offering effective treatments for area patients

Annual Women’s 5K Classic fosters education, sisterhood, and treatment

Expo on Oct. 4 & Run/Walk on Oct. 5 shine a light on women helping women

Cancer Support Community of the Greater Lehigh Valley: A best-kept secret no more

Organization offers social, emotional & psychological support to patients, survivors, caregivers, and families

Learning to live life all over again

Jennifer Pinto’s transition into survivorship includes educating women to put their health first

Happiness, hardship and HOPE: Kathy Lowe is a “Forever Fighter”

Kathy Lowe, a 22-year breast cancer survivor, continues to battle for herself and others

Priority Physical Therapy takes a different approach to health care

Creating a mind-body connection can help with healing and future prevention

Barreform makes the fitness experience all inclusive

Barreform offers the Lagree Fitness™ Megaformer machines to enthusiastic converts. The workout uses the low-impact, toning principles of Pilates and adds resistance to build and sculpt muscles while increasing endurance.

Are your big, blue veins raising a red flag? Here’s when to treat them, and how

Do you know where to go? How to choose between your primary care physician, urgent care and the ER

If you have acid reflux, here's what you can do about it

If you've ever felt a burning sensation in your throat or chest, then you - like one third of the population - have experienced heartburn. The key symptom is usually the taste of stomach acid in the back of your mouth, though other symptoms can include difficulty swallowing, chest pain (especially when lying down or eating), difficulty sleeping due to pressure in the chest, or a chronic cough.

'Woman of Heart' SCAD survivor becomes full-time advocate

Jill KellyMcComsey connects her heart health to both her personal and professional life

Wake-up call: How poor sleep can contribute to an unhealthy heart

In today's fast-paced society, sleep deprivation has become increasingly pervasive in our demanding daily routines. Whether we lose out on sleep because we don't make it a priority or due to unwelcome stress, insomnia or sleep disordered breathing, we put ourselves at a growing risk for a number of cardiovascular issues - including high blood pressure, stroke, atrial fibrillation, and heart disease.

A multi-disciplinary approach to individualized weight loss

Easton Hospital and Lehigh Valley Weight Loss provide comprehensive weight loss programs backed by interventional medicine

What your HDL cholesterol is telling you - and how to change it

If you're one of the 102 million Americans diagnosed with high cholesterol, it's likely that your physician has spoken to you about managing your LDL (low-density lipoprotein), the "bad cholesterol" that can lead to buildup in your arteries.

St. Luke's Weight Management Center: Real People. Real Results.

Whether you want to lose 20 pounds or 200 pounds, St. Luke's Weight Management Center can help.

Bethlehem House Gallery: Five years of a truly unique approach to exhibiting

Gallery celebrates anniversary with the local community

Spend the day sipping, shopping and eating at old-world, low-key Folino Estate

Family-run Kutztown estate beckons as a local getaway with plenty of Italian charm

Turning Communities into a Canvas

Dripped On Productions brings the power of public art to the Lehigh Valley

Getting a mortgage doesn't have to be complex or confusing

Embassy Bank’s Uncommon Mortgage® offers a unique way to buy or refinance

Capitalizing on Culture: How the arts helped fuel Southside Bethlehem's resurgence

The city’s transformation has looked to creativity as an economic catalyst

Civic Theatre’s “Constellations” invites the audience to weigh life’s choices and outcomes

Coffee shop owner hopes to set the stage for a more vibrant Hellertown

Some prefer to keep their work and personal lives totally separate. Not Rogelio Castillo. His new business, The Coffee Shop Company on Hellertown's Main Street, features just the type of fresh, organic foods that he would find in his own kitchen - food that he would feed his own family.

Steel Club makeover boasts expanded food, shopping & entertainment options

A good club starts with a good golf course, but it's the full venue itself - as well as membership benefits - that really make the club what it is. At Hellertown's Steel Club, continuous improvements throughout the property pay homage to the rich history of the club and pedigree of the course while upgrading for the next generation.

Feelin' fit: Golf keeps this resident at the Terrace at Phoebe Allentown both physically and...

Golf isn't just a physical game - it's mental, as well. Every shot requires a measure of visualization, focus, and concentration. It stimulates the tracking functionality in the brain. It requires a lot of walking. All of these together help keep the brain and body active, and slows the aging process.

Living the high life: What it's really like inside the Valley's newest luxury apartments

New and revitalized buildings across the Lehigh Valley continue to go up or have new life breathed into them, and these spaces - mixes of residential and commercial units - are putting a shine on the scene a year into their tenants occupying them.

Moravian Academy takes a comprehensive approach to getting students on the path to college

With over 4,500 colleges and universities across the country, finding the perfect fit based on academic needs, learning styles and personality can be stressful. To make the process even more difficult, once a student narrows down the list, most colleges and universities have wildly diverging views on what makes an ideal candidate.

Grocer's Alley at Sullivan Trail features detached living, open concept designs, and customizable...

Grocer's Alley at Sullivan Trail doesn't look like your average townhome community. For starters, residents of the Forks Township neighborhood will never run into the problem of hearing their neighbors through the walls.

Moravian Academy's 'Buddy System' forms lasting, strong friendships across grade levels

When you are young, befriending an older child is special. There is a mixture of curiosity, awe, acceptance, and belonging. A new-found sense of confidence. In a school setting, a bond with an older friend can provide a sense of safety when navigating school and life.

Moravian Academy's Four Secrets of Success

It's no secret that the world of the near future will be a very different place. Young people today will experience more change throughout their lives than any previous generation. They will need to be adaptable, open to new ideas, and comfortable with change.

Fully Stocked: Jarrett Design LLC takes home beverage centers to the next level

There's real power behind a good beverage. Whether it's the aroma of coffee that gets us out of bed in the morning, the lure of weekend cocktails with friends, or a simple passion for pinot, prepared beverages are a communal good that tap into our senses, connect us with friends and can even help with stress relief.

Building an Urban Future

The revitalization of Southside Bethlehem

Chefs learn to roll with it

NCC's Culinary Arts program keeps service running smoothly across the Valley

Be Our Guest: Hospitality students learn the front and back of house

Hospitality Management students discover that internships are the best way to get hands-on in the field.

Our Student Veterans: Off to war and coming home

Student veterans want to fit in but not blend in

Sheer Determination: Forging ahead in spite of it all

How one student has overcome adversity to make a better life for herself

Real Life 101

Can college offer students valuable, real life experience?

Monroe Marvel: Tudor inspired mansion blends the old and the new

NCC alumni Joseph Hanyon and Connie Merwine's new home in Effort, PA creates living space with natural materials.

Faces of Success

From the hundreds of entries, 12 alumni were chosen to appear on a billboard in 2012. So many other wonderful stories were told in those hundreds of nominations, we want to share them with as many Northampton devotees as possible. What be­tter way to do this than by packing as many of the nominee stories as we could into a special issue of Northampton magazine?

On Air

NCC's longstanding radio/television program has been responsible for launching hundreds of broadcast careers.

Golf tournament flyer for Rotary International (Bethlehem)

A flyer I designed for Bethlehem Rotary's annual golf tournament

Hatch House Ventures Media Kit

Media kit I created from scratch for the Bethlehem launch of Hatch House Ventures

HCLV Annual Report 2014-2015

Annual Report I designed for the Hispanic Center of the Lehigh Valley, created with InDesign

NACE Recruiter Leadership Institute mailer

A recruitment mailer for NACE's annual RLI Institute

New Membership Kit

A membership kit written and designed to send to new members

Lehigh Center for Clincal Research

Weis 2 Go

Boscov's campaign copy

Country Meadows advertorial campaign

Step back in time in quaint Frenchtown, NJ

Less than an hour southeast of the Lehigh Valley, along the banks of the Delaware River, lies charming Frenchtown, NJ.

The House and Barn delivers two distinct dining experiences

Trying to decide between elegant and casual dining can often be an ordeal. "Elegant" can sometimes make a meal out feel more like a chore, while "casual" shoots for great food without all of the fuss, but can get ambiance right and the plate all wrong.

Sagra Bistro Excels at Comfort Food in a Cozy Environment

Diverse comfort food is what's on the menu at Sagra Bistro & Bar this fall - the kind that will remind you of the homestyle dishes your mother used to make. In this case, owner Robyn Cavallaro is turning to her own mother's recipes for each week's specials, making savory additions to a seasonal menu already perfect for warming you on a crisp day.

Apollo Grill Shows Why it Remains a Valley Favorite

It is not a stretch to say that the opening of the Apollo Grill 18 years ago paved the way for the many restaurants that have since dotted Bethlehem's downtown district. The popular eatery debuted at 85 W. Broad St.

Robotic Surgery 2.0: Advancing the Treatment for Colon Cancer

Your best option for beating colon cancer - the second-leading cause of cancer death in the United States - is actually preventing it with regular colonoscopies. What happens, however, if you've already been diagnosed? Lehigh Valley patients looking for cutting-edge colon cancer treatment no longer need to travel to Philadelphia or New York; state-of-the-art robotic-assisted surgery is revolutionizing colon cancer treatment here in the Lehigh Valley.

Going to the Dogs: Where to pamper your pet this summer

Dogs just want to have fun - and the Valley has no shortage of places you can take your canine companion.

So You Want to Run?

If you've never tried to run before, you may have been put off by the uncertainty of getting started. Many would-be runners face questions about how to begin, what they need in the way of shoes and equipment, how to prevent sore muscles and even where to run.

Ready Set Summer

Tap into your inner explorer and let your summer unfold on a whim: The best things to do this summer across the Valley

A tour for your taste buds: Chef Jason Hook aims to taste success with the culinary tourism industry

Everyone knows that you can experience a new place by taking in its sights and sounds. But let's face it: Eating your way through a new destination is way more fun. And whenever you're grabbing a heaping forkful of local cuisine in a place that's new to you, you're poised to learn about flavors, customs and cultural events.

Yoga, mindfulness promote positive emotion for local youth and trauma survivors

How often does it feel like we're all just trying to manage the chaos of life - navigating different responsibilities while dealing with inevitable interruptions? No matter our ages, backgrounds or circumstances, we live in a fast-paced world where many are more adherent to screens and social media than we are to what's actually happening around us.

New year, new basement: Options for creating the perfect bonus space

With the change into a new year comes everyone's newest resolutions. Have you considered a resolution that would make you and your family happier in your home - specifically, in your basement? Finishing a basement is one of those goals that many homeowners plan on, but often put off for one reason or another.

Manor Makeover, Part 3: Renovation Reveal

Dan Kroll wasn't about to miss his HGTV moment. "This is as close as I get to a big reveal, except it's backward and I had nothing to do with any of this," he jokes as he opens the door to one of three recently renovated rooms in his home.

Merchants Square Model Train Exhibit gets visitors 'all aboard' for a wide-eyed, sentimental...

For many Baby Boomers - and for the generations they have since raised - trains are as synonymous with Christmas as Santa, stockings and the star on top of the tree. For nearly a century, real trains have exemplified the hustle and bustle of the world that dramatically increases during the holiday season.

Direct Kitchen Distributors: Achieving a space to enhance your lifestyle

A well-planned and executed home redesign is all about re-imagining your space and style - but it's also entirely about the way that you use your home. How often do we get caught up in wanting a project done but not knowing where to start?

Trees of Historic Bethlehem offer holiday decor inspiration

It's an integral part of the holiday decorating season. In the next few weeks, people across the Valley will be getting out boxes of ornaments, lights and tinsel to fill the branches on their Christmas trees with whimsical, nostalgic trinkets that recall memories. Many of us acquire new ornaments when we travel.

Manor Makeover, Part 2: Renovation pitfalls bring out the frustrating, the costly and the unexpected

Nobody ever intends to hire a contractor, electrician, painter or plumber who doesn't have you and your home's best interests at heart, but it often doesn't take much for home renovation projects to set off frustrations - particularly when you're dealing with an older property.

Studio26 homes: 'High performance' and 'healthy' describe the homes of the future

What do you think of when you hear the phrase "custom home"? Usually, most people tend to think of one-of-a-kind, upscale creations that come with luxury upgrades and unique architectural elements. They think of a house that is specially designed to meet the specifications of the homeowners who commissioned it.

Give your indoor plants the gift of light

It’s been 2 years since local entrepreneurs Paul Hodges (CEO), Michael Planer (design and development engineer) and Chris Clark (CMO) realized there was a market for a plant light developed especially for interior design – an LED light that is energy efficient, built to last, maximizes plant growth and is also aesthetically pleasing.

Falling for Fall Décor: Local female entrepreneurs show us how to easily embrace the 'itch to...

As soon as the first drift of chilly air makes its way through the Lehigh Valley, many of us are ready to decorate our homes for the fall season. Some of us start in early September to take advantage of having the colors up for at least a few months - and why not?

Manor Makeover: Owner of former "Hess mansion" reaps the rewards of renovation

New sidewalks. Revamped landscaping. Irrigation across two acres of fenced-in yard. Masonry restoration. New paint in the formal living room and master bedroom. An upcoming renovation of the dining room and two guest bedrooms. Updated windows and lighting. And someday, more community fundraising events in a casino-themed basement-level bar and club area.

Vintage treasures find new life at Chelsea Forge Antiques and Design

It's been said that in the antique world, there is a still a desire to see and touch a piece to truly appreciate its beauty. Tucked away between two vineyards in the quiet 208-acre village of Finesville, NJ - 20 minutes south of Easton and just across the Riegelsville bridge - is one of the area's best-kept secrets for dedicated antique and vintage hunters.

Hot topic: Fire safety and the new generation of 'smart' smoke detection

Most fire safety stories would probably start out with scary statistics on how many injuries and deaths are caused by fires in the U.S. each year. What this article aims to do, however, is to start a conversation between you and your family about what you can do to increase your precautions and safety measures at home - particularly because homes burn faster today than they did 20 years ago.

Lovely Lavender: Herb has uses in decor, the kitchen and more

Close your eyes. Take a nice, deep breath. Imagine the scent of lavender both uplifting and calming your senses. Lavender is a fragrance that is so familiar, even just imagining it is enough to soothe the brain. And that's what we tend to think of lavender for - as a base for oils, soaps, lotions, perfumes, sprays and bath salts.

Making an offer: Avoiding common mortgage missteps as a first-time buyer

Mortgage. It can be an intimidating word, even for those who have all of their finances and paperwork in order before looking to make their first home purchase. For those going into the process totally blind, however, making the leap into home ownership can be daunting because of confusing jargon, a lack of understanding about the market, and lack of knowledge about how your financial state impacts your chances of getting approved.

Valley youth heed the call of volunteerism

Young people with a penchant for activism are hard at work this summer across the Lehigh Valley, assisting organizations that need a helping hand and also gaining invaluable experience that will benefit them as they move into adulthood. Volunteer experience has long been a secondary consideration on most students' resumes as they begin preparing for college and post-college life.

Mosaics for the home: Putting the pieces together

By Shannon Sigafoos, Of The Morning Call There's something captivating about mosaics. Giant illustrations made of stone, glass, tile and other materials go beyond traditional subway style and are a genuine design statement that shouldn't be reserved just for a kitchen backsplash or bathroom.

Don't stage it personally: Why staging your home is designing to sell

difference. Staging is all about a look that would appeal to a multitude of potential buyers and playing up the positive features of a space or a home so that a buyer can envision their own things in it. Interior design is all about your own personal taste, where your décor is based on your personality and you plan to live with that décor for quite a long time to come.

Surge in Valley hiring brings wide variety of employers to Career Fair

"Unlike any company you have ever seen before!" The headline on the handout provided by Smooth-On - maker of rubbers, plastics, foams and other materials used around the world to turn ideas into 3-dimensional reality - is a bold statement to make, but it was enough to grab the attention of prospective employees stopping by their booth at The Morning Call Career Fair on Tuesday, May 15 at Coca-Cola Park.

Rent? Buy? Millennials flock to walkable communities, downtown amenities

For the past several years, millennials (commonly referred to as Gen Y) have been a force on the real estate market - but how many are your Lehigh Valley neighbors? A lot, as it turns out. The latest American Fact Finder community survey by the U.S.

New technologies can help seniors age in place

The newest in modern technology is giving older people more confidence in their ability to live alone or to live as independently as possible. It is also helping many families avoid the difficult decision to move an aging parent or loved one from their home into a full-time care facility.

Words of wisdom from successful women across the Valley: Thriving through difficult moments

A few weeks ago, we ran Part 1 in this series of the Valley's successful businesswomen revealing difficult career moments and how they overcame them. It's fascinating to read the perspectives of women across all different professions, each discussing the realities of business (and life), that there are bad times as well as good times, and that we all need to know how to deal with both.

SOTA Idea House 2018: See the space, then get the look

Why is there a crushed velvet deep blue couch in the middle of this sitting room? This upcycled coffee table is made from wood pallets? Whose idea was this? How do I get this look? If you walk away from this year's SOTA (Society of the Arts) Idea House at HoudenHAL thinking thoughts similar to this, then the interior designers have done their jobs.

Valley's successful businesswomen reveal difficult career moments - and how they overcame them

If you're like many working women today, you've probably struggled with a professional roadblock or circumstance that, at one time, may have felt like it could have derailed your career. As much as we'd love for our paths to be free of wrong turns or difficulties, it rarely happens that way.

Down on the farm: Cultivate a farmhouse chic look that takes cozy to the next level

The popularity of farmhouse décor has been ongoing for years (I dare you not to think of the word "shiplap"). And while most people in the Lehigh Valley don't live in a farmhouse (or even close), it hasn't stopped us - like everyone else - from adding accessories that are welcoming, casual and livable to our homes.

Empowering women with confidence and clothing

The Perfect Fit for Working Women provides clothing and a second chance for area women

Author Q&A with Shonda Moralis: Mindfulness & Female Leadership

How much do you know about how mindfulness can be applied in a professional situation?

Overcome fear to advance your career: A Q&A with career coach Megan Godorov

When it comes to careers, there is a lot at stake. Sometimes, we face decisions that are difficult to make.