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Richard Zimmerman, known to all as Dugout Dick, succumbs at 94 Known as the "Salmon River Caveman," Richard Zimmerman lived an essentially 19th century lifestyle, a digital-age anachronism who never owned a telephone or a television and lived almost entirely off the land. "He was in his home at the caves at the end, and it was his wish to die there," said Connie Fitte, who lived across the river. "He was the epitome of the free spirit." Richard Zimmerman had been in declining health when he died Wednesday. Few knew him by his given name. To friends and visitors...

Saint Maron Father of the Maronite Catholic Church All that is known about Maron, the spiritual father and protector of the Maronites comes from Theodoret, the bishop of Cyr. In approximately 444, Theodoret undertook the project of writing a religious history about his religion. Theodoret never knew Maron personally, but only through the disciples of this holy man. He described Maron as "the one who has planted for God the garden which flourishes now in the region of Cyr." Little is known of the birth or youth of Maron because Theodoret was unconcerned about that aspect of his life. He...

Something is happening in North Korea. Maybe something very big, indeed. It is too early to tell, but we will stay posted. Russia's state-run communication agency ITAR-TASS reported from Beijing quoting a diplomat in North Korea yesterday that pictures of the chairman of the DPRK National Defense Committee Kim Jong Il are being removed from public places in North Korea.

Archaeologists said Monday they have found a cave where they believe John the Baptist anointed many of his disciples - a huge cistern with 28 steps leading to an underground pool of water. During an exclusive tour of the cave by The Associated Press, archaeologists presented wall carvings they said tell the story of the fiery New Testament preacher, as well as a stone they believe was used for ceremonial foot washing. They also pulled about 250,000 pottery shards from the cave, the apparent remnants of small water jugs used in baptismal ritual. "John the Baptist, who was just a...

AP: Group Discovers John the Baptist Cave KIBBUTZ TZUBA, Israel (AP) KARIN LAUB Archaeologists said Monday they have found a cave where they believe John the Baptist anointed many of his disciples - a huge cistern with 28 steps leading to an underground pool of water. During an exclusive tour of the cave by The Associated Press, archaeologists presented wall carvings they said tell the story of the fiery New Testament preacher, as well as a stone they believe was used for ceremonial foot washing. They also pulled about 250,000 pottery shards from the cave, the apparent remnants of small...

Australian authorities were in the midst of prosecuting a man for the murder of a 14-year-old girl who vanished in 1998 when the Crown attorney made a startling revelation: Natasha Ryan was alive and well and had been hiding for nearly five years in her boyfriend's home. It was firmly believed that Natasha had fallen prey to a suspected serial killer who was stalking women in the area. A long and expensive search was conducted and eventually an emotional memorial service held when hope for Natasha faded. In fact, she ran away from home and became a hermit in her...

<p>From his secret perch in the woods, the hermit watches the morning light spread over the pond and seep through a patch of trees, sprinkling a golden haze over his humble home. At night, when the raccoons leave their lair in the beech tree and the birds nest until morning, he wraps himself in a heap of blankets and takes comfort in the stillness.</p>

Spiritual Bouquet: If you salute your brethren only, what are you doing more than others? Do not even the Gentiles do that? St. Matthew 5:47 "St. Romuald" SAINT ROMUALDFounder and Abbot(906-1027) In the tenth century Sergius, a nobleman of Ravenna, quarreled with a relative over an estate and, in a duel to which his son Romuald was witness, slew him. The young man of twenty years was horrified at his father's crime, and entered a Benedictine monastery at Classe to do a forty days penance for him. This penance led to his entry into religion as a Benedictine monk....