As Mother’s Day approaches, it’s time to treat the special mother figures in our lives with something unique, fun and utterly delicious. Why not surprise Mom with a taste of British charm by serving up a delightful dessert known as Eton Mess? Eton Mess originated from the prestigious boarding school, Eton College, in Windsor, England.

Don’t let the name fool you; this is one mess Mom will absolutely adore!

Eton Mess is not only delicious, its playful combination of textures and flavors make this a joy to eat. With simple, affordable ingredients like fresh strawberries, meringue and cream, you can create a dessert fit for a queen without breaking the bank.

Eton Mess

The amount...

Q: What is the name of the show that preceded NCIS? It had a very handsome leading man, but I’m blanking on the show and the star. — K.L.

A: JAG, which is a United States military acronym that stands for Judge Advocate General, debuted on NBC in 1995, but the show moved to CBS a year later and lasted another nine seasons. The handsome leading man was played by David James Elliott, who was previously known as one of Elaine’s boyfriends on the Seinfeld episode titled “The Couch.”

JAG also starred Catherine Bell, Patrick Labyorteaux and John M. Jackson, all of whom have guest-starred on its very successful spin-off NCIS. Mark Harmon, Cote de Pablo and Michael Weatherly launched...

Ÿ On May 20, 1506, the Italian explorer Christopher Columbus died in Valladolid, Spain. The first European to explore the Americas since 10th-century Vikings set up colonies in Greenland and Newfoundland, he traveled the West Indies, South America and Central America, but died feeling he had been mistreated by his patron, King Ferdinand of Spain.

Ÿ On May 21, 2000, the bones of President James Garfield’s spinal column, showing where one of two assassin’s bullets had passed through it in 1881, were displayed for a final day at the National Museum of Health and Medicine in Washington, D.C., in an exhibit featuring medical oddities from the museum’s archives.

Ÿ On May 22, 1856...

DEAR PAW’S CORNER: My 7-year-old cat, “Sunbeam,” has a tough time in the spring when the pollen starts to fly. He sneezes frequently, his eyes water and he scratches hot spots on his skin. I’ve tried many things to reduce the allergens in the home: I vacuum every other day, run an air purifier near where he sleeps and I brush his coat daily. None of that seems to help. What else can I try? — Harry in Pittsburgh

DEAR HARRY: You’re doing your best to reduce airborne allergens, and that’s great. However, because it doesn’t seem to be helping, it’s time to enlist the help of your cat’s veterinarian.

The vet can suggest some other ways to reduce allergens in the home, and...