The suicide of a Howard County dentist amid allegations that he used a hidden camera to secretly record three female colleagues in the nude has led to a messy legal dispute over what his estate and former practice owe to the victims Though criminal charges in the case never materialized the fallout continues to play out in local and federal courts filed a lawsuit in Howard County Circuit Court in September alleging negligence on the part of Menton Family Dental Care and seeking damages from the practice The Baltimore Banner does not identify victims of sexual misconduct The Baltimore Banner thanks its sponsors. Become one. According to the lawsuit and police records the camera was found in a Jack-and-Jill-style bathroom situated between Menton’s office and another one used by the other dentists The suit alleges that Menton encouraged staff to use the bathroom’s shower by purchasing a Peloton stationary exercise bike for the practice and telling them to exercise during work hours Jane Doe 1 told police she had just finished using the bathroom’s shower following a run in late December 2023 when she noticed a block-style charger with a lens plugged into an adjacent wall outlet She took photos of the device and left the room to call her mother and husband When the woman returned to look for the charger’s serial number She left the bathroom again and saw Menton enter the bathroom after her Jane Doe 1 took photos and video of the device She checked the outlet again after Menton used the bathroom The woman found the charger with the camera a third time and then met with a police investigator in the office parking lot to turn it over investigators obtained a warrant to search the dental practice Menton told police officers during the search that he kept a charging block in the bathroom for his watch The dentist said he wouldn’t have accidentally bought a charger with a camera When investigators asked Menton if his DNA or fingerprints would be found on the camera that Jane Doe 1 turned over to police Menton was found dead near a creek close to his home in Glenwood Authorities noted that Menton had a copy of the search warrant on his person as well as a book “Your Brain on Porn: Internet Pornography and the Emerging Science of Addiction” by Gary Wilson Menton wrote that his “stupid and weak character led to the situation at work,” police records state Police went on to review data from the hidden camera and found numerous nude images of multiple women Authorities identified Jane Doe 1 and two other female employees in the images The women’s lawsuit claims they suffered professionally and economically as a result of the incident They had to leave the practice and abandon their patients and long-term careers The suit says the women felt violated and humiliated and suffered “mental anguish.” Menton’s estate and dental practice in November asked a Howard County Circuit Court to dismiss some of the counts in the suit arguing that any claims for compensation or damages fall exclusively under workers compensation insurance but said in an email that the case “is a tragedy for all involved.” asked a federal court to weigh in on the dispute Attorneys for Cincinnati Insurance did not respond to a request for comment Menton’s insurance policy included general liability coverage up to $4 million Cincinnati Insurance claims in court records that the policy contains exceptions for intentional or criminal acts An obituary for Menton states that he graduated from Centennial High School in 1982 and studied biology at Mount St Mary’s University before graduating from the University of Maryland School of Dentistry in 1990 “He took tremendous pride in providing his patients with excellent care and kindness for more than 30 years,” the obituary states The Menton case is one of several accounts of voyeurism in health care coming out of Howard County in recent months In February, a dental assistant, Delano G. Draine, was sentenced to seven years in prison for secretly recording and stealing intimate media from 37 women Lillian Reed lillian.reed@thebaltimorebanner.com Welcome to The Banner's subscriber-only commenting community. Please review our community guidelines Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policies The Baltimore Banner is a trademark registered in the U.S for The Venetoulis Institute for Local Journalism Statement from Executive Vice President and General Manager Eric DeCosta pic.twitter.com/TNQrqw3me2 Welcome to The Banner's subscriber-only commenting community. Please review our community guidelines Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policies Click here to view our Terms of Sale.\n \n Click here to learn more about supporting local journalism.\n Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes. If the problem persists, please contact customer service at 443-843-0043 or customercare@thebaltimorebanner.com The vote came after board members initially considered a motion to begin negotiating a new contract Board members must now decide how to conduct that search under a relatively tight time frame Superintendent Menton’s contract ends June 30 Board members at the April 28 meeting cited concerns over the district’s financial predicament — and worries that the community will not trust the board and current superintendent to solve it — in their discussions prior to the vote Another factor — not mentioned by board members but referenced by Menton — was his recent interview as one of five finalists for the superintendent position with the Byron Public Schools in southeast Minnesota BOLD board members Todd Sheehan and Greg Peppel voted “nay” on the motion for a new superintendent search while members Todd Frank and Sandy Benson made the motion for the search and were joined in “aye” votes by MaryElla Clouse and Brad Aaseth Board Chairman Todd Frank stepped aside from his role as chair so that he would be free to urge members to rescind the motion to negotiate a new contract with Menton and start a new search School board members held a closed session with Menton one month earlier to evaluate his performance a public body may close a meeting to evaluate the performance of an employee under its authority Menton told board members that he left that meeting with the impression that he had the support to move forward and fix the district’s financial situation The district is on track for a $700,000 shortfall or greater in this year’s budget It could grow to as large as $900,000 in what Menton described as a “worst-case scenario.” He told the board then that the district was facing a shortfall of $700,000 The budget had not allocated sufficient revenues for significant transportation and payroll expenses included in the budget Chairman Frank initially raised the concerns on Monday about negotiating a new contract He said he had been contacted by 17 different community members as well as by five former school board members who said they did not want to see the board renew the superintendent’s contract “I don’t think the trust will be there by the community we’ve lost it,” said Frank after explaining his concerns Other board members expressed favorable opinions of the superintendent as well as concerns about the fiscal dilemma “is he is responsible for balancing the budget and ensuring we do not go into debt.” After the motion was made to search for a new superintendent I understand completely and this has been a massive debacle (There is a) need to accept responsibility and I certainly do there have been some pretty massive extenuating circumstances that (I’m) just not at liberty to fully discuss Menton explained that he had left the last board meeting with the impression that he would continue He added that he had “taken a lot of flak for taking a job interview without the opportunity to fix what has happened here.” He said he was not sure that the problem can be fixed in one year "I am certainly motivated to fix this,” he said Sheehan said he had also left the last meeting with the impression that board members were going to give the superintendent a chance to fix what happened Clouse pointed out that the BOLD School Board does not have a finance committee in place She said there were many extenuating circumstances and that she felt partially responsible for not having spotted the budget problems in the making “That is what makes this such a difficult decision I believe in giving people a second chance,” she said Menton has served as superintendent of the BOLD School District since May 2021 He led an effort that saw voters in November 2023 approve nearly $40 million in financing to address facilities needs in the district serving the communities of Bird Island Menton had served for five years as BOLD’s high school principal He had been an assistant principal for the Westbrook-Walnut Grove School District before joining BOLD A philanthropic gesture of magnitude that infuses new life into one of the oldest sanctuaries on the French Riviera the Chapelle de la Madone in Menton received substantial support when Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou presented a €100,000 donation from his Philanthropic Foundation to the Fondation du Patrimoine The ceremony took place in the presence of Menton’s Mayor along with several representatives from the Heritage Foundation and the municipality Nestled along the ancient Via Julia Augusta, this chapel reportedly dates back to the 11th century and stands as Menton’s oldest place of worship. For four centuries, it belonged to the Grimaldi family of Monaco as evidenced by the oldest Princely Family crests visible around the altar It wasn’t until 1863 that the entire estate was ceded to France before passing through various hands and finally becoming municipal property in 1994 Sir Stelios’s generous donation adds to the €12,680 already collected since the fundraising campaign launched on March 26 These contributions will help finance an ambitious restoration project with a total cost exceeding one million euros scheduled to begin in the second half of 2025 the roof revision and stripping of interior walls the restoration of the altarpiece and interior and exterior improvements Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou: at the crossroads of entrepreneurship and philanthropy in Monaco This philanthropic gesture is part of Sir Stelios Foundation‘s ongoing commitment to supporting cultural and historical preservation projects across Europe faithful to its mission of developing philanthropic activities in places where its founder has lived and worked Make a donation: www.fondation-patrimoine.org/102529 Lemon growing has always been a key part of life in Menton, located just half an hour’s drive from Nice This variety is now a protected species which can only be grown in this geographical area where the climate has resulted in a mild tasting lemon possessing an intense aroma and with an intense yellow coloured fine rind when fully ripe Highly prized by gourmets, the lemons are picked by hand, untouched by chemicals and not covered in wax. The 12 citrus fruit growers within the area produce over 60 tonnes a year. Oranges are also grown throughout the area and the two fruits are known collectively as the Fruit d’or (golden fruits) a local hotelier came up with the idea of creating an exhibition of flowers and Menton lemons within the grounds of the Hotel Riviera It proved immensely popular and the following year the exhibition moved out into the streets as the Fête du Citron the festival has grown substantially and become a major tourist attraction It now occupies most of the town and has become the second largest event on the French Rivera The Monaco Grand Prix is the third most popular event in the area During the fifteen day Fête du Citron festival filling all available accommodation for miles around Highlights of the Festival are the daily parade of floats both during the day and at night Some events are free whereas some tickets must be purchased The streets do get very crowded with people keen to see these elaborate constructions Each year, the festival adopts a different theme 2023 marks the 89th Fete du Citron in 2023 with a theme of Rock and Opera Previous festivals have included Fantastic Worlds there are usually about 10 elaborately decorated floats passing through the streets accompanied by musicians and dancers 13 decorated displays are created along the length of the narrow Biovès gardens In 2018 when Bollywood was the festival theme the Biovès gardens were covered in stunning Hindu temples and statues covered in citrus fruits On other occasions there have been giant animals fish and even a Mary Poppins complete with umbrella and carpet bag dancing on the roof of a house All the giant sculptures in the Biovès gardens as well as those on the floats are made from wire and covered in oranges In total over 140 tonnes of fruit are used for the garden and float displays 12 people are employed to check the fruit every day and replace any that have deteriorated This involves another 5 tonnes of fruit throughout the event The most dramatic designs can account for up to 18 tonnes of fruit All the fruit is held in place by elastic bands of which 750,000 are required Additional activities take place in the Jardin Remarquable in La Citronneraie where visitors can explore an ancient olive grove as well as citrus groves and countless other species such as avocado There is a large festival of orchids also taking place Local farmers host walks through lemon groves there are garden tours as well as tastings of all kinds of lemon produce lemon features heavily in the regional food specialties Worth seeking out is the French classic Tarte au Citron which is widely available a choux pastry filled with lemon custard and topped with meringue Patisserie F Leroy at La Cigale Fabrice on Avenue Carnot creates a fantastic Citronnier Head for Maison Herbin on the Rue du Vieux College for lemon jam and guided tours of the workshops Lemon wine containing macerated lemons and spices is perfect for an aperitif The similar orange wine also available at the Au Pays Du Citron store in Rue Saint-Michel The store also sells a delicious limoncello liqueur that can be served as a kir or as an aperitif but should only be served ice-cold we’ve lost it,” said a BOLD school board member on the decision to start a superintendent search The school board of a rural district in southwest Minnesota voted this week to search for a new superintendent after revelations of a potential $900,000 budget shortfall and alleged financial irregularities The decision came during a tense meeting Monday night where the school board of the Bird Island-Olivia-Lake Lillian (BOLD) school district voted 3-2 to initiate the search process “I don’t know how, moving forward with Jim, the community will trust the board,” Board Member Todd Frank said. “Once trust is lost, we’ve lost it.” The school is facing a budget deficit of potentially $900,000, Frank said, citing a monthly budget report submitted for the meeting. In March, Menton told the board that the district had discovered concerns about the school’s former business manager’s handling of money. This included payroll discrepancies and a series of unpaid bills, including a $90,000 charge for landscaping services completed years ago. Menton did not mention the name of the business manager while addressing the school board. A search warrant from police in Olivia indicated they were looking for details from a 48-year-old woman who worked at BOLD from May 1, 2021, to Sept. 5, 2024. The woman may have been using school funds to purchase personal items, according to a search warrant described as being connected to a “serious embezzlement/theft allegation,” the warrant said. The Minnesota Star Tribune generally does not name suspects who have not been charged. The board’s decision to search for a new superintendent appeared to have surprised Menton, who said he had been given the impression that the board supported him. “I understand completely, this has been a massive debacle,” Menton said. “People have told me that you need to accept responsibility, and I certainly do.” He said there were extenuating circumstances he could not discuss for what happened with the school’s finances. “I’m clearly motivated to fix this,” Menton said. Menton did not respond to requests for comment. Members of the school board declined to comment or did not respond to phone calls this week. Menton had spent much of Monday’s meeting detailing budget concerns, confirming that district expenses are outpacing revenue. The deficit of $900,000, he said, represents a worst-case scenario if the school cannot fix its issues. Addressing the gap, Menton said, might necessitate cuts, with five teaching positions not being filled next year, and the school looking at ways to save on transportation. Earlier reporting, citing Menton, indicated that much of the school’s budget deficit comes from escalating transportation costs. Joe Schieffert, founder of Superior Transportation, the company contracted for busing at BOLD, argued that the school was paying them about the same amount as previous years. “We feel relatively that we were thrown under the bus,” he said at a school board meeting in March. The school’s financial manager cut the transportation budget by hundreds of thousands of dollars without anyone noticing, Schieffert told the Star Tribune. “It’s roughly $450,000 that she cut out of the transportation column without any communication with me, the superintendent or the board,” he said. “That should have been a big red flag.” Menton’s oversight of the school’s finances were what came under fire during Monday’s board meeting. “Financial items need to be brought to the board in enough detail, and that was not brought to the board in enough detail,” said Frank, who is also the board’s chair. “And now we’re in a situation where we’re about $900,000 in debt.” But some board members objected to the motion to search for a new superintendent. “I think Jim should be given the opportunity to fix the position we’re in,” said Greg Peppel at Monday’s meeting. He declined to comment further when reached by phone Wednesday. The board on Monday did not immediately outline a timeline or process for the superintendent search following the vote. Menton’s contract is up June 30, the same day that the school’s budget is due. The board’s next regular meeting is scheduled for May 19. Jp Lawrence is a reporter for the Star Tribune covering southwest Minnesota. Duluth “We remain committed to our mission of sharing Palestinian culture and cuisine albeit in ways yet to be determined,” its owners wrote In overturning a Court of Appeals decision the state’s high court examined whether or not a woman simply exposing her breasts constitutes conduct of a sexual nature You don't have permission to access the page you requested What is this page?The website you are visiting is protected.For security reasons this page cannot be displayed This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page "I am not running for any party but I cannot say that I am not interested in the politics of the region especially in Menton which is about to fall into the hands of the Rassemblement National" the 27-year-old son of former French President Nicolas is aiming to become mayor of Menton – a town in southeastern France near the border with Italy – in the next municipal elections to be held in 2026 The newspaper “Le Figaro” reported the news in advance explaining that Louis Sarkozy “has never ruled out the possibility of one day entering politics” “I am not a candidate anywhere but I cannot say that I am not interested in the politics of the region especially in Menton which is about to fall into the hands of the Rassemblement National,” said the son of the former head of state “Le Figaro” reports that Louis Sarkozy has rented an apartment in Menton for a few weeks Read also other news on Nova News Click here and receive updates on WhatsApp Follow us on the social channels of Nova News on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, Telegram The financial challenges came to light during an annual audit for the district the district’s business manager resigned after being confronted about the purchase of two lap desks that had been ordered from Amazon It was determined that the business manager had taken them home for personal use Menton received a package in the mail with a $80 cashier’s check with a note that indicated it was to pay for the desks soon after the business manager’s resignation The largest fiscal hit is due to a transportation budget projected to be over by around $400,000 Menton attributed the transportation budget problem largely to an increase in special education routes The district has eliminated a couple of the routes for the remainder of the year in response Menton stated that he also wants the district to rebid its transportation services The second largest area of financial concern revealed by the audit was a payroll budget that is over by about $200,000 The budget did not reflect all of the instructional salaries There were several elementary school teachers who were not coded as part of the elementary payroll and there were three teacher positions listed without corresponding revenues listed for their salaries “I do not understand why this data was not represented in the proposed budget that was presented us us in May and June of ‘24,” Menton stated in his report The district also found roughly $100,000 in unpaid bills that should have been paid in previous fiscal years They included landscaping bills presented two and three years earlier After the business manager’s resignation in September Menton had the account’s emails routed to him He stated that he “started becoming bombarded by emails from companies that were waiting for payments that had been billed many months prior to September.” The district is investigating what Menton termed “fiscal irregularities” since the budget troubles came to light They include the use of a district credit card for charges by a company that handles auto loans and a payment to Centerpoint Energy when the district pays the company with an automatic bank draft Another area of concern was the discovery that a deposit made from concessions income for around $13,000 contained no cash One of the checks was a $9,000 rebate from the district’s workers compensation insurance “The cash that should have been deposited remains unaccounted for,” Menton stated Along with a criminal investigation headed by the Olivia Police Department Menton’s upcoming cultural season is full of promise To complement the season of exhibitions at Menton’s museums the town is looking to “put culture back at the heart of the town” with a promising new season of shows and concerts Renowned artists such as Angelin Preljocaj Emilie Lalande and Olivier Solivérès will be on the bill for this well-planned new season which will address the most important themes of humanity and history Three flagship productions will take centre stage at the magnificent Francis Palmero Theatre There will be an adaptation of Giuliano Da Empoli’s novel The Wizard of the Kremlin which sheds light on the inner workings of Soviet rule as well as a modernised version of Molière’s famous play Les Fourberies de Scapin (The Impostures of Scapin) and Dead Poets Society Music will also feature prominently in the 2024-2025 season The programme includes the traditional New Year’s concert and a variety of concerts (pop Further information: Menton Cultural Season the transport provider and PACA region have been testing a new rail service linking Cannes there should be a train on the line every 15 minutes since December 15 Let’s take a look at the situation as experienced by our readers With trains expected to run every 15 minutes users’ travel habits have been shaken up First impressions seem to be mixed: while some are delighted with the increased frequency More frequent, more modern trains plus extended timetables: new transport outlook for commuters While many users love the idea of a 15-minute frequency the reality on the ground seems less ideal shares his experience: “They don’t keep to the 15-minute frequency at peak times because there are problems every day with the trains delays of over 10 minutes and cancelled trains are the commuters’ lot every day.” He says the reality is far from ideal: “15 minutes in theory Nice-Ventimiglia rail works: replacement buses for cancelled trains While more frequent trains are welcome on paper the sheer volume of passengers on rush-hour journeys is an issue for many Laetitia voices her frustration:  “Plus the trains are overcrowded… Some mornings Many say the number of passengers on the journey is becoming a real headache even find it more convenient to take the car: “Nothing’s changed for me there’s a train at 7.17 or one at 7.45 but the first one is too tight and the second too late for my family commitments Denise believes that “public transport is preferable except that it costs too much” and mentions the lack of compensation when the service is disrupted: “When there are problems (no trains for whatever reason) there are still times when service is poor Stéphane tells us: “It’s maybe 15 minutes during rush hour there are sometimes only one or two trains an hour.” The lack of off-peak service seems to be a source of frustration particularly for those who are unable to travel at peak times Nice – Ventimiglia line: 10 months overnight maintenance work and no evening trains The question of whether the changes will encourage users to leave the car at home is still a subject of debate but regret the many problems with the service: “It’s great when it works it adds to the range of transport services on offer But there are so many negative aspects with the SNCF…” The unreliable service who takes the train alone most of the time but when she travels with her partner she finds that “it’s too expensive compared to the car.” Carpooling: the alternative solution to train disruptions and lack of evening service in Monaco? The decision to increase the frequency of trains between Cannes Monaco and Menton seems to be welcome in certain respects but the implementation leaves a lot to be desired While some note an improvement in the service others stress recurring problems with delays It appears there are still many challenges to overcome if the initiative is to become a real success in the long term Two new trains to make journeys to Monaco easier MonacoTribune straight to your inbox? It's free! Before this season, Bryan Menton had not played for Meath since the end of the 2022 season. Pic: ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne "I genuinely thought he was ringing me to ask about young players in Ashbourne about who were the up and coming lads on the scene," recalled Menton "I thought they were happy for me to be retired on my armchair." Menton hadn't played for Meath since the Andy McEntee era ended in 2022 missing Colm O'Rourke's two seasons as manager but new boss Robbie Brennan figured he was still the best midfielder in Meath reasoning that it was probably the last time he'd get such a call He has been a key figure throughout Brennan's reign so far starting all nine of their league and Championship games and helping them to claim a landmark win over Dublin last weekend but didn't play so this was his first experience of actually defeating the auld enemy explaining why he retired in the first place "It was an intense kind of six years with Andy there and I kind of saw a clean break opportunity "I was genuinely retired until I got the call back and at 33 It was very tempting because I liked the setup so I was absolutely willing to give what I had." "He said he was interested in me coming back and deep down I was really happy with the set up for Meath so it didn't take too much convincing," said Menton She could tell by me that I was itching to go back and to give it another go." Asked if it was a regret that he'd never beaten Dublin when he initially 'retired' "It wasn't a regret when Dublin were that strong," he reasoned it was more disappointing at the time that we weren't able to beat them "But Dublin were not only very strong in Leinster - they were maybe the best team in the history of the GAA It was an unfortunate era to be playing them." Menton said he was confident when he looked around the dressing-room ahead of last weekend's provincial semi-final and you can see it in the young lads coming through," said Menton "They are willing and able to step up straight away the likes of Eoghan Frayne being captain so young 22 years of age and they are in the captaincy "So there is massive talent coming through I won't be able to play with a lot of them probably but I'll take it one game at a time." From as little as €1 a week with our digital introductory offer Already a subscriber? Sign in more gaelic football articles SKORT PROTEST: Laois’ camogie players have become the latest team to join the skort protest by lining out in shorts before the throw-in of Monday’s Leinster intermediate camogie semi-final By clicking on 'Sign Up' you will be the first to know about our latest and best sporting content on this browser You have accepted push notifications for this content. If you would like to manage your push notification preferences, you can do so here a leading healthcare technology company focused on enabling health plan performance improvements and compliance across quality and risk adjustment programs has announced Mark Menton has joined the company as Chief Operating Officer Mark Menton brings over two decades of proven leadership in the healthcare industry to his role as Chief Operating Officer at Novillus With a focus on driving growth and building high-performing teams Mark has consistently delivered exceptional results throughout his career where he led the health plan business unit following the acquisition of HealthSparq Mark successfully built the leading provider search and price transparency tools for health plan members His entrepreneurial spirit and strategic vision were instrumental in driving the company's growth and ultimately leading to its acquisition by Kyruus Mark served as CEO of Clarus Health Solutions demonstrating his expertise in the healthcare technology sector His consistent track record of success and innovation has solidified his reputation as a respected leader in the industry "Mark's extensive experience in healthcare leadership coupled with his proven ability to drive growth makes him an invaluable asset to Novillus," said Harlan Edlin "His leadership will be instrumental in supporting our continued growth and delivering exceptional value to our clients and partners." "I am excited to join an organization that has proven itself in the market by driving real value for health plans Novillus has established an impressive client base that speaks to the results they can deliver I look forward to joining this dynamic team as we build and scale a company making a real difference in the healthcare market." said Mark Menton Novillus is a leading provider of healthcare solutions that streamline quality and provider incentives across all lines of business By bringing these elements together into a unified workflow Novillus empowers payers and provider groups to achieve significant improvements in revenue and performance a leader in healthcare technology solutions an AI-powered chart abstraction solution designed to.. Health Insurance Health Care & Hospitals Computer & Electronics Computer Software Do not sell or share my personal information: Much of the budget deficit comes from escalating transportation costs is grappling with a projected $700,000 budget shortfall and is working with police after allegedly discovering numerous financial irregularities The budget deficit comes from escalating transportation costs, payroll discrepancies and a series of unpaid bills, Superintendent Jim Menton of the Bird Island-Olivia-Lake Lillian (BOLD) school district said at a board meeting last month. The financial irregularities include a series of bills that had not been paid, Menton said, including a $90,000 charge for landscaping services completed years ago. “We started to find out about these late last summer when concerns came to light about our former business manager’s handling of money,” Menton said. But police in Olivia are looking for details from a 48-year-old woman who worked at BOLD from May 1, 2021, to Sept. 5, 2024, and may have been using school funds to purchase personal items, according to a search warrant described as being connected to a “serious embezzlement/theft allegation.” Some $11,528 worth of questionable purchases on the woman’s school-issued credit card included expenses at Buffalo Wild Wings, Walmart and Target, as well as auto loan payments and energy bills, the search warrant application said. Jason Krumheuer, Olivia police chief, confirmed his department is “currently investigating financial irregularities brought to our attention by the BOLD School District,” but declined to comment on it in an email Monday. The Minnesota Star Tribune generally does not name suspects who have not been charged. Menton said that as part of an audit on Sept. 5, staff asked their former business manager about two lap desks, used to eat breakfast in bed or while sitting on the floor. Staff believed the school’s business manager had ordered them using the school’s Amazon account and then had taken them home for personal use. When asked about these desks, Menton said the former manager denied having seen them and then resigned later that day. Menton said he subsequently filed a police report, initiating an investigation by the Olivia Police Department and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. The state Auditor’s Office was also notified, and the school hired an accounting firm to perform a forensic audit of its financial records. Other financial anomalies include uncashed checks dating back to April, numerous overdue payments to vendors and questionable credit card charges, including a charge to an auto loan company, Menton said. “After the business manager resigned, I had her emails routed to me and started becoming bombarded by emails from companies that were waiting for payments that had been billed many months prior to September,” Menton said. “One was for over $12,000 that had been asking for payment for over 220 days. It seemed like every day for the next month, I was receiving more emails with the same story.” A $13,000 concession deposit containing checks but no cash raised further concerns, with the cash portion unaccounted for, Menton said at the meeting. Menton said the district is implementing stricter financial controls, including detailed receipt requirements and tighter oversight of fund handling. “Since last September, we have been updating our procedures for handling money,” Menton told the board. “Every transaction is required to have a receipt. This has always been the expectation but has not been well enforced.” Menton attributed the largest portion of the deficit, approximately $400,000, to a surge in special education transportation routes. Payroll overruns accounted for an additional $200,000. The district has taken steps to eliminate some transportation routes to mitigate costs. Menton said in an email Friday that he expects the investigation will conclude within the next two to three weeks. Rewind back six months and Bryan Menton was a former Meath player well into retirement he felt jaded and packed it in after the 2022 season making his peace with the fact that he’d never featured in a Championship match win over great rivals Dublin The big midfielder initially cashed in his chips at the same time as manager Andy McEntee But new boss Robbie Brennan pulled him back in for 2025 figuring he was still the best midfielder in Meath and Menton has started all nine of their National League and Championship games The 33-year-old Donaghmore-Ashbourne man finally got the win over Dublin he craved on Sunday when they beat the old enemy in Portlaoise Read More: “That’s really pissed me off now”: Down lose 25-month unbeaten home record as Morris and Frayne star for Meath Now at the tail end of a Meath career that started 15 years ago He’ll probably be the first name on Brennan’s team-sheet when they play Louth in the Leinster final on Sunday week explaining why he walked away in the first place “It was an intense kind of six years with Andy there and I kind of saw a clean break opportunity “I was genuinely retired until I got the call back and at 33 so I was absolutely willing to give what I had.” Menton missed out on the entire Colm O’Rourke era across 2023 and 2024 Brennan wasn’t about to leave him lying idle though and put out an SOS for the ultra experienced middle man Read More: Colm O’Rourke insists he’s not a ‘stone-age’ manager “I genuinely thought he was ringing me and asking me about young players in Ashbourne about who were the up and coming young players in Ashbourne I thought they were happy for me to be retired on my armchair “But he said he was interested in me coming back and deep down I was really happy with the set up for Meath so it didn’t take too much convincing She could tell by me that I was itching to go back and to give it another go.” Menton was part of the panel in 2010 when Meath previously beat Dublin hitting the Sky Blues with a five-goal ambush But he never actually played in a team that defeated the Dubs in the Championship until last weekend Asked if that was a regret after initially ‘retiring’ Read More: Ger Brennan loving life in Louth as he plots Dubs’ downfall “It wasn’t a regret when Dublin were that strong,” he reasoned. “I wouldn’t say it was a regret, it was more disappointing at the time that we weren’t able to beat them. “But Dublin were not only very strong in Leinster - they were maybe the best team in the history of the GAA. It was an unfortunate era to be playing them.” Manager Brennan made the point after Sunday’s four-point win that it’s not the same Dublin team now. He also said that his youthful side isn’t burdened by the baggage of former teams who were thrashed by the Dubs. That’s part of the reason why Menton was so confident going into last weekend’s semi-final. “There is a lot of talent in Meath, an awful lot, and you can see it in the young lads coming through,” said Menton. “They have really good attitudes too. “They are willing and able to step up straight away, the likes of Eoghan Frayne being captain so young. Himself and Ciaran Caulfield, they were 21, 22 years of age and they are in the captaincy, vice-captaincy roles. “So there is massive talent coming through. I won’t be able to play with a lot of them probably but I’ll take it one game at a time.” Facebook pageTwitter feedRSS feed@2025 The Irish News Ltd Bare auld times ... Bryan Menton of Meath, who has endured plenty of heartbreak against Dublin, in action against Cormac Costello during the 2021 Leinster SFC semi-final. Photo by Eóin Noonan/Sportsfile Bryan Menton, still breathing heavily from the exertions of the 70 minutes on the pitch in Portlaoise, explains how it came about that he rekindled his county career at 33 and, in the process, became a key part of one of Meath football’s biggest days in recent years. Mention was, as he remembers, on his couch one evening late last year when a familiar name popped up on his phone. Conor Gillespie, his old Meath midfield partner, was on the other end. HomeDestinationsInterestsTop Places to Travel by MonthSearchMenuBest time to go to Provence & French Riviera and fragrant Lemon Festival is among the most important events of the Riviera which is held in Menton—the warmest town in the region It is said that even Queen Victoria herself attended the festival back in 1882 it is a celebration that annually attracts over 200,000 visitors Menton's streets are filled with a delightful citrus aroma and gardens of lights create a vivid and lively atmosphere the Promenade du Soleil will come alive with a dazzling display of illuminated floats as they glide along the promenade to the lively rhythms of brass bands The air will be filled with energy as dancers and revelers bring enchanting chaos and blazing splendor to the parade creating a street spectacle worthy of the greatest celebrations the city bursts into life as buses and cars weave through the streets stretching along the seaside before gathering by the waterfront while confetti dances in the azure sky above weaving through the magnificent citrus floats that are the stars of the show Join us on Sundays from 2:30 pm to 4 pm to immerse yourself in this dazzling spectacle that celebrates the creativity Adult tickets for the CORSO Seats in the Grandstand are priced at €29 while standing tickets in the Promenoir are €16 with seats in the Grandstand available at €24 Child tickets for the Grandstand are available for €14 and disability card holders can access the Grandstand for €14 or the walking area for free Organizers recommend arriving before 11 am for the Sunday Festival and before 6 pm for the Thursday Festival including those eligible for free admission No entry will be permitted 30 minutes before the end of the course €25.00Add to cart The festival’s dynamic atmosphere was amplified by the Golden Fruit Parades and Night Parades The Golden Fruit Parades took place on Sundays—February 16 and 23—showcasing floats adorned with citrus fruits accompanied by musical bands and dance troupes featuring illuminated floats and culminating in fireworks over the Mediterranean offering a mesmerizing experience for attendees Themed floats “Stars and Cosmic Phenomena,” drew inspiration from celestial imagery including the winged horse Pegasus These artistic creations captivated visitors blending astronomical themes with the vibrant tradition of citrus artistry The excited audience responded by throwing confetti in delight This is the flagship project of the 2024 municipal programme for the town of Menton Traditional summer fireworks display returns to Monaco ShareSaveCommentLifestyleTravel6 Ways To Enjoy Menton, One Of The French Riviera’s Most Beautiful, Affordable TownsByCatherine Sabino Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights Catherine Sabino is an editor and author who writes about travel.Follow AuthorJul 20 08:15am EDTShareSaveComment Menton's Old Town and harbor with an enviable microclimate affording more than 300 days of sunshine a year and plenty of restaurants and hotels with prices lower than in a number of other Riviera towns Although it may be lesser known than Cannes and St Menton has deep experience in tourism—it was one of the Riviera’s earliest resorts attracting English (including Queen Victoria) and Russian aristocrats in the late 1800s Menton’s border location also makes it a great jumping off point to explore other parts of the Côte d'Azur’ (Monaco is a half-hour’s drive away) and Italy’s Riviera dei Fiori (Sanremo is less than hour by car) it’s not surprising that many cities and towns along the Côte d’Azur have gorgeous seaside promenades famously the Croisette in Cannes and the Promenade des Anglais in Nice A stroll along the palm-tree lined promenade will offer painterly vistas of the Old Town and sweeping coastal views that reach into Italy although to get to one of Menton’s most notable landmarks where the annual Menton Music Festival is held (this year from July 25 to August 5) On level ground there’s the local food market a bustling hive in a colorful late 19th-century building with all sorts of tempting fruit and other delectables (open from 8 AM to 1 PM each day) In July and August Menton stages a night market with an assortment of artisanal products on the Esplanade Francis Palmero one of two museums in Menton devoted to the works of Jean Cocteau Major artists have long been entranced by the South of France settling in stunning villages to add to their oeuvres—Picasso famously in Mougins and Renoir in Cagnes-sur-Mer poet) visited Menton in the 1950s and felt drawn to the town—and the town was equally drawn to him Menton’s mayor at the time asked him to spiff up the town’s Wedding Hall which the artist did with Surrealist-inspired frescoes depicting romance in its various guises and the mythological figures The lizard pebble mosaic at the Jean Cocteau Museum: Séverin Wunderman Collection Menton officials invited him to create a museum in an abandoned fort which became a museum dedicated to his works the Musée du Bastion has a rotating schedule of exhibits following the artist’s desire for a non-static display space Cocteau fans can usually see more of his work by visiting the Jean Cocteau Museum: Séverin Wunderman Collection the museum is closed for ongoing repairs.) This museum’s grounds have an enormous lizard mosaic copied from one of Cocteau’s designs that pays homage to the reptile as he saw it representing the sweet languor of the Mediterranean (There’s another lizard mosaic in the Bastion.) A display during Menton's annual Fete du Citron The next festival will be held February 17 to March .. Sampling foods with lemon in a starring or supporting role is part of the fun of being in Menton whether it’s the lemon ravioli at Pasta Piemonte; tasty desserts like the lemon tarts and the varieties of honeys and citrus liqueurs is famous for its artisanal breads made with ancient wheats You’ll find shops offering a cornucopia of items with lemon and citrus such as those found on the Rue Saint-Michel known for its fragrances and scented home products and Au Pays du Citron (#22) with a range of citron-y beauty goods and specialty foods and liqueurs named the World's Best Restaurant in 2019 (Tasting menus run into the hundreds of dollars.) Colagreco has other eateries in town at lower price points known for its grilled seafood and steaks and a setting with great views of the Old Town and coast a lively restaurant/pizzeria on the Esplanade a stone’s through from the harbor You have a choice of many affordable dining spots in Menton where the menus often come with Italian dishes Palace Paris is a popular restaurant with well-priced dishes on the seafront’s Promenade du Soleil (Photo by Andia/Universal Images Group via Getty Images) benefiting from a location between the sea and protective mountains The Palais Carnolès Garden with 137 varieties of citrus trees Surrounding the former home of a Monagesque prince—the Palais houses the town’s Museum of Fine Arts (currently closed for refurbishment)—the garden is filled with trees bearing all manner of citrus including oranges Throughout the grounds you’ll find contemporary sculpture a nice way to connect the gardens to the Palais’s century-spanning art collection Other interesting stops are the lavish Val Rahmeh Gardens with a global assortment of plants and trees and organized in thematic sections; and the gardens surrounding the Belle Epoque-style Hotel Orangeraie but generally you’ll find a selection of more competitive options in Menton than in many other spots along the Côte d’Azur Those with deep pockets can indulge themselves at the five-star Maybourne Riviera in nearby Roquebrune-Cap-Martin a luminous modernist standout with a dazzling infinity pool A four-star hotel with good rates is the Hotel Napoleon located opposite the sea promenade and esplanade where you’ll come across many beach clubs It is also near the Italian border—you can head to the famous Spiaggetta dei Balzi Rossi in Italy a hotelier from a prominent local family that restored the house and gardens of Menton’s Les Colombières the hotel has a solar-heated swimming pool an increasingly essential amenity in summer as temperatures soar throughout the Mediterranean in July and August The good-sized rooms have a colorful Cocteau-inspired decor Sea-view rooms with ample terraces are wonderful for a morning coffee or aperitif while overlooking Garavan Bay Bryan Menton is glad he took a punt on a Royal County return The veteran midfielder walked away from the Meath camp after the 2022 season having never featured in a Championship win over Dublin But new boss Robbie Brennan pulled him back in for 2025 and he's started every single game this season The 33-year-old Donaghmore-Ashbourne man finally got the win over Dublin he craved on Sunday when they beat the old enemy in Portlaoise He'll be the first name on Brennan's team-sheet when they play Louth in the Leinster final on Sunday week Asked why he retired in the first place, Menton revealed he was simply drained. The former captain said: "It was definitely burnout at the time. It was an intense kind of six years with Andy McEntee there and I kind of saw a clean break opportunity. "I was genuinely retired until I got the call back and at 33, turning 34, that call isn't going to come again. so I was absolutely willing to give what I had." Menton missed out on the entire Colm O'Rourke era across 2023 and 2024 Brennan wasn't prepared to leave a thoroughbred performer lying idle and put out an SOS for the ultra experienced middle man Menton said: "It was actually Conor Gillespie "I genuinely thought he was ringing me and asking me about young players in Ashbourne "I thought they were happy for me to be retired on my armchair "But he said he was interested in me coming back and deep down I was really happy with the set up for Meath so it didn't take too much convincing this is the last time you'll be asked' She could tell by me that I was itching to go back and to give it another go." Asked if that was a regret after initially 'retiring' Menton said: "It wasn't a regret when Dublin were that strong it was more disappointing at the time that we weren't able to beat them "But Dublin were not only very strong in Leinster - they were maybe the best team in the history of the GAA It was an unfortunate era to be playing them." Manager Brennan made the point after Sunday's four-point win that it's not the same Dublin team now He also said that his youthful side isn't burdened by the baggage of former teams who were thrashed by the Dubs That's part of the reason why Menton was so confident going into last weekend's semi-final at O'Moore Park He said: "There is a lot of talent in Meath and you can see it in the young lads coming through "They are willing and able to step up straight away "So there is massive talent coming through I won't be able to play with a lot of them probably but I'll take it one game at a time." Meath and Louth will also meet in the Leinster U-20 final It's the second year running that they'll meet in the provincial final at that grade with the Royals winning in 2024 Cathal O Bric's U-20 team contains AFL recruit Eamonn Armstrong and powerful attacker Jamie Murphy who is expected to receive a senior call up after the campaign It's a good time for Meath football who could yet celebrate Leinster U-20 and senior title successes for the first time since 2001 Menton said: "We have to keep it going now They have players coming back and making them stronger So it's going to be a massive test." Not only is this fragrant fruit cultivated in the city but the annual festival featuring giant lemon and orange sculptures seems to bring them to life The Lemon Festival in Menton traditionally hosts fruit parades its 2025 theme is “Journey(s) to the stars” The meeting will focus on the issues of "border control" and the "fight against irregular immigration" French Prime Minister Michel Barnier and Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau will meet Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani and Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi on Friday in Menton The meeting will focus on the themes of "border control" and "the fight against irregular immigration" A working meeting is scheduled for 13:30 p.m. followed an hour later by a visit to the Police and Customs Cooperation Center and the Departmental Border Police Service the day will continue at the Saint Ludovic border post where the forces active on site will be presented Internet Explorer is no longer supported. Try downloading another browser like Chrome or Firefox If you already have an account, Sign in. Menton have been recorded and will preserve his legacy of remarkable research A striking museum exhibit on the so-called “apemen” was based on decades of his research on the fossil record Other exhibits benefited from his years of scientific research including one on homology (using laser technology) and how this field of science is carelessly used by evolutionists to proclaim their worldview Menton’s remarkable knowledge of anatomy and an ability to use such information (along with his phenomenal sense of humor) made him a very talented communicator This was the day Dr. Menton opened his high-tech homology/laser exhibit at the Creation Museum—with designer Doug Henderson and me Menton and I had often spoken together at AiG conferences throughout America I first met him in the 1980s when I came over from Australia on a speaking tour Menton helped organize a speaking engagement for me in the St Many people have told us that he was the finest science lecturer they had ever heard People also enjoyed his wonderful sense of humor that was sprinkled throughout his talks Menton earned his PhD in biology from Brown University He served as an award-winning professor at Washington University School of Medicine in St He was elected “Professor of the Year” in 1998 by the Washington University School of Medicine Class (the class of 2000) Menton retired from the school as an Associate Professor Emeritus Menton was a consulting editor in histology for Stedman’s Medical Dictionary As a biblical apologist, Dr. Menton understood, from Genesis, why we have death and suffering in this world. Here is a video clip of Dr. Menton rebutting a popular YouTube video, “Proof of Evolution That You Can Find on Your Body.” He’s shown here with his daughters from Texas and Missouri Dr. Menton was a lover of music. In fact, many years ago he was a professional musician. Dr. Menton was especially fond of Handel’s Messiah and would sometimes lead an AiG staff meeting at Christmastime to play clips of the famous oratorio for the staff to hear and then comment on them. So, as we conclude this tribute to Dr. Menton, it’s appropriate to direct you to the famous “Hallelujah Chorus” from the Messiah—led by a conductor he greatly admired Thank you for signing up to receive email newsletters from Answers in Genesis You can also sign up for our free print newsletter (US only) Please follow the instructions we emailed you in order to finish subscribing Answers in Genesis is an apologetics ministry, dedicated to helping Christians defend their faith and proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ Learn more You should be seeing some content in this space that is currently blocked due to cookie settings Open the Cookie Management Tool to change your settings Kel Menton (they/them) is a non-binary writer and youth theatre facilitator from Cork They graduated from UCC with a Bachelor of Arts - BA English and a Masters in Medieval Literature.  Little Island Books signed Kel’s first book ‘A Fix of Light’ as its spring 2025 lead title The publisher describes it as “a queer love story which emphasises hope and the possibility of surviving trauma to build a life worth living with protagonists that destigmatise trans experience.” The synopsis reads: “Eighteen-year-old Hanan’s life is already complicated enough when he develops a strange new power: his emotions begin to magically manifest in the world around him a witty 19-year-old trans boy with fox-like features we asked Kel to share some of their experiences on their career so far – from studying at UCC to an international bidding on their new book you studied both English Literature and Medieval Literature at UCC How did these courses influence your path as a writer Studying such a wide range of literature and critical approaches made me think about words in ways I had never imagined before We approached pieces like archaeological dig sites and found treasures layered between each line I’d been told for years that everything writers include is deliberate but it wasn’t until I learned how to delve deeper into a piece that I could fully appreciate what that meant are to leave these little treasures for readers to find.  and I don’t think I would know how to tackle that task without having learned the “rules” first Whether or not I succeeded with that in “A Fix of Light” is up to the reader but at the very least it felt like I knew what I was doing As a non-binary writer and youth theatre professional how did you nurture your voice as both a creative artist and storyteller I have been very lucky to have had supportive people in my life My parents have always encouraged my pursuit of writing and my now-coworkers were some of the people who facilitated me when I was in youth theatre Adults in my life took my writing seriously I think that sense of encouragement and safety is extremely important I don’t know that I would have had the courage to seek out opportunities to improve my craft I think my voice is a little all over the place because what I have to say varies a lot – or Your debut novel has already gained significant attention with great anticipation by publishers and readers alike How did studying English at UCC help prepare you for navigating the publishing world and developing your craft as a writer I know it’ll make it sound like you’ve paid me to say this but I truly believe that the English Department at UCC is just superb I always felt equally inspired and challenged by assignments Writing theses was good practice for knocking out several thousand words on deadline Creative writing and drama are central to your career Can you share how your studies at UCC contributed to your work as a drama and writing facilitator What skills or experiences did you gain that you now apply in mentoring others I think the transition from school to university is a delicate balance Suddenly no one was watching over us to make sure we did our work or handed things in on time In the space of a few months I’d become an adult and had to be self-directed too – to push just enough while being at hand to help if needed.  For students considering studying English at UCC what advice would you give them about balancing creative passions with academic studies How can they make the most of their time at the university to build a career like yours I read somewhere that you can’t make art all the time because then you’ll have nothing to make art about university was a time when I could fill my cup with knowledge and information that would inform my writing even if you think you’re not going to like it but knowing that about myself was ultimately useful Approach things with curiosity (including yourself) Write bad poetry and bad short stories and bad novels Attend events and guest lectures and book launches and zine clubs Exchange your writing with others and give each other feedback Pre-order Kel's debut novel 'A Fix of Light' here. Considered the “Mimosa Capital” the town of Mandelieu-la-Napoule celebrates the flower every year the festival will take place from 12 to 16 February with the theme “La grande vadrouille des régions” (a big tour around the regions) It will take a look at carnival traditions and ‘corsos’ from the different regions of France considered to be Europe’s largest mimosa forest will be decked out in yellow for the occasion The Mandelieu Mimosa Festival will get the major winter festival season started on the Côte d’Azur followed by Nice Carnival and the Menton Lemon Festival the City of Menton invites you on an intergalactic journey The theme of the 91st Lemon Festival will be “Journey to the Stars” and it will take place from 15 February to 2 March 2025 Floats adorned with thousands of citrus fruits will be on parade The highlights of the festival will be the two night-time corsos on 20 and 27 February The history of Menton’s lemon festival the Villefranche-sur-Mer floral naval battle will take place this year on Monday 17 February 2025 The festival celebrates Villefranche-sur-Mer’s maritime identity while showcasing the region’s wealth of flowers including the Riviera’s famous mimosas and carnations a carnival parade along the quayside before the bloom-bedecked ‘pointus’ (pointed-end boats) wage the huge floral battle at 2pm Thousands of spectators are expected to attend the City of Menton will welcome Justin Paton winner of the Katherine Mansfield Literary Prize The traditional welcome ceremony will be an opportunity to present him with the keys to the Katherine Mansfield Memorial He will have the chance to work there for a few months in the very setting where the famous New Zealand writer lived This prize was born from the initiative taken at the 36th World Congress of PEN Clubs held in Menton in September 1969 by Madame Celia Manson to an association of women writers in New Zealand (The New Zealand Women Writers Society) to create a literary prize in the form of an annual scholarship that would be awarded to a New Zealand writer to enable them to spend a 6 to 8-month stay in Menton and work in the very setting where Katherine Mansfield had lived namely in the gardener’s former quarters (the Memorial) of the Villa Isola Bella officially recognized by the New Zealand Government under the name of “The Winn-Manson Menton Fellowship Trust,” could offer the laureate thanks to a grant from the New Zealand Ministry of Internal Affairs a scholarship of $1,000 for their Menton stay The laureate also benefited from a free ticket for the trip from New Zealand to France by boat or plane The city of Menton provided the winning scholar with the Katherine Mansfield Memorial premises Fire at Bailey Road shopping mall doused Some banks hit by capital squeeze Air purifiers for Dhaka: hope or hype? Chinmoy shown arrested in Saiful murder case The Daily Star (DS): You returned home empty-handed in your debut appearance in the 2021 Bangladesh Games, but you stunned all by winning two golds and one silver in your second appearance at the senior level. How did you transform yourself? Menton Tony Mro (MTM): During the Covid outbreak, we received uninterrupted training at the Quantum Cosmo School before joining the national training camp in 2022 under Korean coach Cho Sung Dong until June 2024. I never gave up because I dream of becoming a world-class gymnast in the pommel horse event… To be honest, I got more than I expected from the championships. DS: How much are gymnasts benefiting from the National Gymnastics Championships, held after a four-year gap? MTM: If the national championships are held every year, the number of gymnasts and teams will increase, and the gymnasts will also be able to evaluate themselves in competitions. DS: Quantum Cosmo School dominates all gymnastic competitions. What is the secret behind its success? MTM: The gymnasts of Quantum School rise early every morning to meditate before starting a 4-kilometre run. Then, they do two hours of training before going to school to study. In the afternoon, there is another three-and-a-half-hour training session before doing homework for school at night. DS: What facilities does the school provide for the gymnasts? MTM: Initially, there were almost no facilities in 2013 because every apparatus was either broken or old. There was not even a proper floor facility, but compared to 2013, the facilities at Quantum School are now more or less good. DS: Korean coach Cho Sung Dong left the country in June last year. Do you feel his absence in the national training camp? MTM: Under his guidance, we trained for eight hours a day -- two sessions per day -- with proper food provided by the federation. But now, the federation can't provide proper food, so the training hours have been reduced to five. We are trying to improve ourselves, but we can't reach the same level as we did under the Korean coach. DS: How do you see the Bangladesh Gymnastics Federation's target to qualify directly for the 2028 Olympic Games, especially without a foreign coach? MTM: We still believe in qualifying directly for the 2028 Olympic Games. We are not giving up our hopes despite the departure of the Korean coach. We don't want to dwell on what we have lost; rather, we want to progress with whatever we have in our hands. DS: The 2028 Olympics are still far away. Do you think the appointment of a foreign coach and proper facilities can help Bangladeshi gymnasts qualify? MTM: Firstly, an athlete needs mental and physical stability, and secondly, motivation. Without proper facilities and a good coach, you can't achieve the target. Nevertheless, the appointment of a foreign coach and improved facilities will help gymnasts realise their dream. MTM: As a Quantum gymnast, I am still motivated by the dream of winning an Olympic gold medal. We are improving ourselves gradually. However, I want to be the first Bangladeshi gymnast to qualify directly for the Olympic Games on merit. I am confident that one day, I will enter the Olympics by proving my performance. |রাজনীতিদেশের পথে খালেদা জিয়ামঙ্গলবার বাংলাদেশ সময় সকাল সাড়ে ১০টায় এয়ার অ্যাম্বুলেন্সটি হযরত শাহজালাল আন্তর্জাতিক বিমানবন্দরে অবতরণ করবে। If you've never seen a giant sculture made of lemons and oranges you've got to go to the Fête du Citron de Menton this event is as surprising as it is attractive because it’s so colorful and flavorful it’s already the 91st edition of the Fête du Citron Hundreds of thousands of people turn out every year to witness this exceptional spectacle the Fête du Citron de Menton has taken place during the second half of February It’s an event of international stature attracting some 200,000 visitors every year (just goes to show how many of us love lemons) when hoteliers in Menton organized a parade to entertain hotel guests on the Côte d’Azur But it wasn’t until 1934 that the festival officially took the name “Fête du Citron” the Fête du Citron will take place from February 15 to March 3 under the theme “Journey to the Stars” An edition that invites us to dream bigger Get ready to see parades of corsos (floats decorated with lemons and oranges) that rival the world’s greatest carnivals These “golden fruit” corsos will rock the city to the rhythm of brass bands and folkloric groups strolling between the citrus floats They will take place on Sundays February 16 These parades will cross the town between the Promenade du Soleil and Avenue Carnot perhaps showering spectators with confetti for a colorful spectacle magnificently illuminated for the occasion The evening culminates in a magnificent fireworks display a big flower and fruit sale is organized to enable everyone to buy the citrus fruits used for the float decorations you need a lot more than just 5 fruits and vegetables a day A total of 140 tons of lemons and oranges are shipped in from all over the world to create the sculptures and decorations It’s important to know that the Menton lemon is a rare product The citrus fruits used for the festival therefore come from elsewhere these 140 tons of citrus fruits are resold to tourists or Menton residents Sixth-generation lemon farmer Pierre Ciabaud collects lemons at his farm in Menton “A young person today would not be able to live from lemon farming,” Ciabaud said A sliced Menton lemon is shown to visitors in Menton A sculpture of Nike the Greek god of victory made with lemons is displayed during the 90th edition of the Lemon Festival in Menton Tourists pose for pictures in front of a sculpture made of lemons during the 90th edition of the Lemon Festival in Menton A worker places citrus fruits on a carnival float during the 90th edition of the Lemon Festival in Menton A carnival worker dressed as a lemon dances in the street during the 90th edition of the Lemon Festival in Menton A visitor examines a sculpture made of lemons during the 90th edition of the Lemon Festival in Menton A rack of posters are for sale during the 90th edition of the Lemon Festival in Menton Menton was once a leading lemon-growing region in Europe A caretaker tends to citrus groves at the la Casetta garden in Menton A worker carries baskets full of lemons at Pierre Ciabaud’s lemon farm in Menton Sixth-generation lemon farmer Pierre Ciabaud collects lemons at his lemon farm in Menton A lemon tree grows at the la Casetta garden in Menton A visitor picks lemons during a guided tour at the Maison du Citron lemon farm in Menton Visitors take a guided tour at the Maison du Citron lemon farm in Menton A visitor tastes a lemon during a guided tour at the la Casetta garden in Menton The mild climate — from a protective mountain range proximity to the sea and steady sunshine with moderate rain during winter months — and sandstone-rich soil give the Menton lemon its distinct flavor: acidic Lemon farmer Laurent Gannac looks lemons at his Maison du Citron farm in Menton Gannac has been growing lemons for 30 years since he first moved to the region as a landscaper “The valleys of Menton used to be covered with lemon groves there were trees everywhere,” Ciabaud said Sixth-generation lemon farmer Pierre Ciabaud’s house and lemon farm sits near the highway in Menton Tourists enjoy the sun on the beach in Menton proximity to the sea and steady sunshine with moderate rain during winter months — and sandstone-rich soil give the Menton lemon its distinct flavor When the French Riviera town of Menton prepares to host its lemon festival each year it assembles more than 140 tons of citrus to build the ornate floats and showy park displays that attract thousands to the Fete du Citron a prized variety whose fans included King Louis XIV who enjoyed drinking its juice and bathing in its essential oils.(AP video by Daniel Cole They’re too precious — and there aren’t enough of them we prefer that people taste our lemons rather than look at them on display,” said Marine Krenc an events manager for Menton’s tourism office with a global reputation and exports as far as the United States and Russia in the 18th century But that was before the French Revolution led to cancellation of laws that protected Menton from competition from other lemon-growing regions and before the Riviera’s rise as a playground for tourists and the wealthy led to hotels and villas steadily displacing orchards and farmland was looking for a job that would support a family in the 1960s He set up a hardware and appliance store to make ends meet he tends the family’s grove on one of the last remaining lemon hills overlooking the city of Menton and its built-up Mediterranean coast dotted with private swimming pools “The land is sold to developers and all you see are buildings.” He recalls his father collecting a ton and a half of lemons every 20 days The region’s annual production now is about 200 tons The region nestles between the French southern Alps and the Mediterranean Sea covering about 100 hectares (247 acres) and stretching beyond Menton’s municipal boundaries into Roquebrune were treated to a taste of the Menton lemon by a caretaker who handed out slices then took a bite before handing it to a companion Krenc calls it “our caviar.” Mauro Colagreco a celebrity chef who operates a three-Michelin-star restaurant has praised it and features it in fish dishes and desserts The Menton lemon got a boost in 2015 when the European Union granted it the protection of a geographical indicator which aids in marketing the lemons and is intended to guard against lesser varieties misusing the name It’s the only lemon in France to carry such an indicator Laurent Gannac has been growing lemons for 30 years He started from scratch on an uncultivated plot of 2.5 hectares (about 6 acres) and spent years clearing and terracing the land planting 400 trees and setting up an irrigation system He said he has benefited from the geographical indicator but both he and Ciabaud worry about climate change This part of France has endured three years of drought and seen rising temperatures and scrambling of seasons Snowmelt from the mountains has helped so far But farmers will have to adapt to rising temperature if they want to continue producing the lemons “Our goal for the Menton lemons is that they land on a plate or in a gourmet jam for select customers,” Gannac said This work, 1st SFG (A) celebrates the legacy of elite forces during Menton Week, by SGT Kayla Hocker, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright writer and poet Professor Selina Tusitala Marsh will take her talent to the south of France after winning a prestigious fellowship for three months with all expenses covered “I’m ecstatic and deeply honoured to be selected,” said Marsh a professor of Pacific literature and creative writing "Being the first Pasifika woman to receive this fellowship is profoundly meaningful to me and It's a testament to the growing recognition of Pacific voices in our literary landscape I hope it opens doors for more voices to be heard and celebrated in the future She says the award is a dream come true and the chance to fully immerse herself in writing and creativity for months and to bring some long-term projects to life Being the first Pasifika woman to receive this fellowship is profoundly meaningful to me and “I’m excited to dive into my FETU*STARS project I’m eager to map the constellations of Pacific women's poetry across our literary firmament and ensure their starlight shines for generations to come.” "One aspect is that I will write a poem in response to each poet's own titular poem and also devise a creative writing exercise from the key working metaphor The book will be another genre-bending exploration of Indigenous Oceanic women's creativity – including my own." Selina's voice has already shaped our literary landscape and we are thrilled to see her receive this recognition "There was a marvellous 'passing the baton' there and I was quite teary when introduced by Dane Fiona Kidman herself."  Marsh is hoping to take up the fellowship from next July the Katherine Mansfield Menton Fellowship is one of New Zealand's most prestigious and long-running fellowships It offers writers the opportunity to live and write for three months or more in Menton working on their chosen project or projects The fellowship provides a grant of $43,000 to cover travel who faced scrutiny in the last year when allegations that she harassed staff at her restaurants became public that she is closing down the majority of her restaurants in Boston cited rent increases and failed landlord negotiations as primary reasons for the closures in a press release The restaurant group’s chief operating officer who was hired last September to help stabilize the company and alleged missteps by “prior restaurant operational managers” who “had failed to respond to post-pandemic realities,” according to the release “We’re beyond disappointed that Acadia apparently would rather force out long-term tenants paying over market rates and push a hundred people out of work because they think they can get Seaport District rates,” Tomlinson-Hall said in a statement “We have done everything possible to avoid putting these creative but had no choice when a working solution with the landlord wasn’t ‘agreeable’ to them.” In a press conference on Friday, Tomlinson-Hall said that when she joined the restaurant group in September, the three Fort Point restaurants (Menton, Drink, and Sportello) were three months behind on rent, the Boston Globe reports The three restaurants had been collectively paying $88,000 per month in rent since 2018 despite ongoing building issues like water damage in Drink and Menton’s wine cellar according to the group’s press release on the restructuring “Boston is no longer the same place where I opened seven restaurants over the last 25 years,” Lynch said in a statement in the release “Properties have been flipped and flipped and the landlords just want the rents that only national chains can sustain.” Lynch is now focusing any future expansion plans on the North Shore where her newest restaurant the Rudder is located When you think of the French Riviera what comes to mind Not many people know of Menton and its Fête Du Citron when my husband and I decided to spend a week in Menton to celebrate my birthday Menton is located close to the Italian Border for us it is only five hours away from Vicenza You can easily walk through Menton’s Old Town and explore the Old Port The port is home to the Bastion Museum which was restored and converted by artist Jean Cocteau between 1958 and 1963 You will see Jean Cocteau’s name in quite a few places around Menton as he loved the city very much Menton’s Old Town has a myriad of narrow lanes that wind up the hillside between tall and colorful houses You’ll find one of the longest streets there called Rue Longue which is approximately 270 meters from Place Saint Julien to Place du Cap Monaco’s princes would use Traverse Des Diaments to get to the shore from a nearby palace Saint Michel’s Bell Tower is a must and a peek inside the church will fill you with splendor Pay attention to the ceiling as you come in Perhaps my favorite part about exploring Menton is the famous yellow staircase and the colorful houses that make photography fun You’ll want to get up early to take in the sunrise on the Mediterranean As the sun comes up it casts a beautiful glow against the hillside It’s worth hanging out by the Old Port to take in the sunset There is a path that goes behind the wall of the port You can easily sit and watch the sun go down peacefully While planning for this trip I stumbled upon Food Tour Riviera which is run by a local expert named Patricia She will take you to some of the greatest places in Menton You’ll learn about the various citrus varieties in Menton and get to know all about olives You’ll have a chance to visit some popular restaurants and taste food from various stalls at the market This was a higher-end tour but well worth it for the company and run down of the history of Menton I signed up for this tour on the Menton Riviera and Mervellies website You’ll need a car to get to this destination as it is up in the hills of Menton You’ll get a world-class tour through their Pepiniere led by an employee of Maison Gannac Here they will take you around their hillside nursery that has bergamot They’ll explain the ideal climate for their orchard what goes into harvesting the citrus and why the Menton Lemon has an Protected Geographical Indication Status or IGP You’ll finish with a tasting of the citrus fruits where they will encourage you to try the rind of the lemon as the Menton Lemon is not like other lemons you can easily hike the GR52 Trail which starts from the coast and runs to Mercantour Park This trail takes you to Les Granges de Saint Paul and the Plan du Lion Cap-Martin Peninsula and Monaco are all viewable from this point I’m told this is a very family-friendly hike Menton Is dog-friendly and there is even a dog park that is on the beach Bring your furry little friends with you so they can get in on all the fun Just remember to always keep them on a leash and make sure you follow all local regulations round shape with bumpy skin (Credit: Anna Muckerman)Menton was once the top lemon growing region in all of Europe but had seen a steep decline over the centuries producers are again seeing the fruit's potential If you want to know just how attached the people of the coastal town of Menton are to their beloved lemon look no further than the legend that credits its arrival on the French Riviera to Eve Eve plucked a lemon to take with her on the journey which she obliged to do only in a spot of her choosing situated on the gleaming Bay of Garavan where the Alps rescind from the water just enough to create slopes with an east-west alignment – the perfect conditions for cultivating lemons While the legend itself is impossible to authenticate the symbolism of the paradisiacal lemon is embedded in the folklore of this seaside town of about 30,000 inhabitants where the bus line is called "Zeste" and a lemon motif seems the logical choice for many local businesses The town swells to nearly double its size during the Fête du Citron an annual festival held in February celebrating the history and culture of citrus growing in the region an officially recognised species that differs from Corsican Spanish or Italian varieties in terms of its mild flavour and large The allure of the festival lies in its floats and sculptures each with more than three tonnes of lemons and oranges rubber-banded to a wire framework shaped to match the year's theme The Fête du Citron stands apart from other Carnival events in France in that municipal workers who spend most of the year maintaining city buildings are also the ones who prepare the floats and sculptures the 2022 edition marked a triumphant return for the festival after it was cancelled midway through in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic The Sunday parade was a jubilee of blaring marching bands vibrant performers and six floats covered in lemons and oranges • The French take on a trendy 'superfood' • The cake made with a 280-year-old water mill • Is French cuisine forever changed? performers in costume worked alongside smiling city employees in neon-green safety vests to shower a seemingly infinite amount of confetti on the 15,000 spectators whose outstretched arms made it clear they couldn't get enough the terraced hillsides overlooking the town harboured a harsher reality: Menton was once the leading lemon-growing region in all of Europe All the fruit for the Fête du Citron's sculptures and floats must be imported from Spain "The annual production of Menton lemons is between 100 and 120 tonnes we need between 150 and 180 tonnes of lemons and oranges the production of Menton lemons wouldn't be enough to create the whole of the Fête du Citron," said Christophe Ghiena the city's director of technical services who added that the remaining citrus is sold at discounted prices after the festival It was once the leading lemon growing region in all of EuropeAside from its Biblical legend the documented story of the Menton lemon's rise and fall began with its arrival from Spain in the 15th Century The fruit quickly adapted to Menton's temperate microclimate created by the unique combination of a protective mountain range and proximity to the ocean the region was estimated to produce one million lemons annually director of Menton's heritage department the lemon was really the fortune of the city of Menton Lemons were exported all the way to the United States It was a production of global scale," he said It was a production of global scaleThe Menton lemon's decline began at the end of the French Revolution when laws that had protected it against competition from other lemon-producing regions were lifted when the arrival of British winter tourists prompted the construction of hotels and villas on land used for citrus terraces an unusual cold snap spelled the Menton lemon's demise "There was a big freeze in Menton and in France which killed the remaining lemon trees," Rousseau said "It was in the 1980s that the lemon began to come back thanks to several producers who saw the lemon had potential and relaunched its production." Gannac arrived in Menton in 1988 to work as a landscaper He said that every time he brought lemon trees to clients in the area he'd get the same question: Is this a Menton lemon agricultural training and I'd never even heard of a Menton lemon," he said I brought it from Menton so I guess it's a Menton lemon if you want.'" He soon became curious about the species and the few remaining producers questioned why a young person would be interested in a seemingly bygone product Gannac and his son own 750 trees on 2.5 hectares of land with the goal of reaching 1,000 trees in the next three years Although his operation pales in comparison to the output of producers in Spain or Italy Gannac is proud to call himself the first person in recent years to live entirely off the Menton lemon "To plant 400 trees here means to start with a site that's completely abandoned create irrigation reservoirs and fence it to protect from wild boars," he said especially when you consider it takes eight years to recoup the investment." Gannac says he believes the tide is changing thanks in large part to an effort by local officials growers and other stakeholders to achieve the European Union's Protected Geographical Indication for the Menton lemon Although he had been cultivating the Menton lemon for nearly two decades at the time it was during this process that Gannac was confronted with the uniqueness of the species during a visit to France's National Institute for Agricultural Research "I always thought the Mentonnais were a little biased about their lemon," he said "When I had the chance to go from tree to tree and taste each lemon I realised that the real Menton lemon is actually different from others in its scent sweetness and peel that is so mild it can be eaten." "The Menton lemon is a very rare product It has a different flavour and texture from the lemons you find elsewhere and can even be eaten directly from the tree (as a fruit) Each year we plant new trees to perpetuate the culture," Colagreco said the chef uses the fruit in dishes like a Menton lemon tart or a tourbillon (swirl) of fish larvae with Menton lemon and chives He also produces a lemon confit to "remember the flavour all year long" Colagreco is not the only chef who has become an ambassador of the species. Luisa Delpiano-Inversi is the founder of Pasta Piemonte a Menton-based pasta producer that opened in 2013 Delpiano-Inversi found success with her Menton lemon ravioli an unexpected combination that she now ships across France for those who live far from the Riviera to experience "This lemon resembles no other," she wrote in her 2017 book on the topic "Its juice is intensely fragrant with a semi-acidic flavour and no bitterness."  Gannac said he remembers a time when the Menton lemon was little more than a pretext used to draw in tourists during the Fête du Citron As French consumers become increasingly interested in local products Gannac now credits the Fête with giving him an opportunity to meet his customers and speak about the uniqueness of his fruit Rousseau agrees that the recent editions of the Fête du Citron have helped bring more awareness to the Menton lemon Many of this year's guided tours of lemon terraces were sold out "The visitors are a lot more interested in the story of the Menton lemon than before Before they came mostly to see the sculptures and attend the parade," he said they really wish to discover the city and not just come to see the floats."  Perhaps the most promising result of the local effort to revitalise the species can be found in the enthusiasm of the next generation of lemon growers a Menton native who began cultivating her family's property in 2015 in collaboration with the city's initiative to plant more trees The visitors are a lot more interested in the story of the Menton lemon than beforeAt the time Sepicacchi was working in Paris and often travelled home to Menton to rest and recharge It was during one of these visits that she realised the terraces of the former vineyard were the perfect place to continue the tradition of lemon cultivation While she waits for her 35 young trees to reach maturity Sepicacchi harvests about 100kg of fruit per year from three older trees She sells her lemons to individuals and French and European grocers although some of her clients have also been reputable perfume producers interested in the essential oils of her lemons "This project allows me to rediscover and transmit a cultural heritage," she said "It's as if the roots of the trees are grounded in a heritage and an identity at a time when the world is steeped in virtual culture which can sometimes be materialistic and individualistic." When Sepicacchi reflects on her ultimate goal to cultivate the Menton lemon she imagines a day when lemon trees can once again define the local landscape and support the town's economy maybe even resembling the French poet Stéphen Liégeard's 1887 description: "little valleys that leave to the breeze the care to shake passers-by BBC Travel's Forgotten Foods offers hope for the world's "lost" foods through chefs and purveyors who are bringing them back to life through cooking and cultivation Join more than three million BBC Travel fans by liking us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter and Instagram If you liked this story, sign up for the weekly bbc.com features newsletter called "The Essential List". A handpicked selection of stories from BBC Future, Culture, Worklife and Travel, delivered to your inbox every Friday. Would you eat a meal dreamed up by a computer?AI v The Mind: We explore the world of food and ask if human expertise is the only way to deliver great flavour. 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FORMER Meath captain Bryan Menton has agreed to a Royal County return in 2025 — three years after his last game The 33-year-old midfielder is one of a number of local heroes who has signed up for new manager Robbie Brennan Menton did not feature at all for Meath in the Colm O’Rourke era but along with Padraic Harnan has committed to a comeback Harnan was a key figure in Meath’s Tailteann Cup win in 2023 but appeared to have settled into retirement when he sat out 2024 Injuries have been an issue for centre-back Harnan and Brennan will be praying he can keep both the Moynalvey man and Menton fit Menton’s last game for Meath was the 2022 All-Ireland SFC qualifier loss to Clare Former Kilmacud Crokes boss Brennan said: “I saw Mick Fitzsimons up close and personal playing for Cuala in the Dublin final and I can tell you age is literally just a number. “If the hunger is there and if guys are willing to play, we’d love to have them back in.” The versatile Eoin Harkin has also been recalled after a year out having inspired Dunsany to their first ever Meath junior football title success. Attacker O’Sullivan remarkably played for Meath in this year’s Championship despite being diagnosed with MS Brennan said: “I’ve spoken with Cillian already an inspirational story to get back to where he currently is Brennan said he’s had no retirements or withdrawals so far — giving fans hope that Donal Keogan will give it another year But the former All-Ireland club title-winning Crokes boss vented his frustration that there will be no O’Byrne Cup to road test his players.The pre-season competitions have been parked for 2025 Brennan said: “As a new management in with a new group “The return date for training is December 7 so it’s nearly nigh on impossible to be up to speed for the league "For some counties the league is maybe not so relevant because they might be guaranteed to be competing for Sam Maguire down the road “But for us it’s hugely important and I’m sure there are a lot of counties in the same boat massive thing for us and to have whatever it is I think it’s maybe 20 possible training sessions if you go from the start date of training to the first game on the 25th of January Brennan reckons there is still time to put a warm-up tournament in place for January — but reckons the will is not there He said: “I’d absolutely appeal to them to bring that back but I don’t see it happening at this stage