Collectibles were sometimes made to fool people. A tiny teddy bear could hide a perfume bottle. Pincushions hide beneath the fabric skirts of half-dolls, ceramic figures stitched to the skirt. Some collectible canes hid thin flasks that held forbidden whiskey to drink secretly while on a ...
Gardeners trying to lure pollinators to their landscape would be wise to mimic nature and plant wildflowers. The attractive perennials tolerate harsh climates, seldom need fertilizing and resist most diseases and insect pests. Wildflowers are durable, too, requiring little or no irrigation ...
Eating is one of life’s pleasures, but some people lose interest in eating and cooking as they get older. They may find that food no longer tastes good. They may find it harder to shop for food or cook, or they don’t enjoy meals because they often eat alone. Others may have problems chewing ...
Librarians love to read about libraries and librarians and we love to encourage others to read about them, too. Libraries are a great setting for mysteries, romances, adventures, and more, plus give the author a chance to introduce lots of interesting characters. Here are a few books about ...
Can an antique bed be used in a modern home without difficulties? Yes and no. The beds used before about 1900 are shorter and narrower than the standard sizes used today. That means to use the beds, the fitted sheets, blankets, box springs and mattresses may have to be custom made. It might ...
Make every occasion special by designing and growing containers for summer holidays, weddings, anniversary parties or other special celebrations. Pick a color scheme appropriate for the occasion or a variety of colors and shapes sure to add a festive touch. Look for opportunities to include ...
Avoid “Empty Calories” Choosing foods and beverages that give you the most nutrients for the calories consumed is one way to eat well. At the same time, it’s important to avoid “empty calories” — foods and drinks that are high in calories but low in nutrients. Limit your ...
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) defines a tornado as a violently rotating column of wind that extends from a thunderstorm to the ground. These storms can bring winds that rotate at greater than 200 miles per hour, causing severe damage or destruction to buildings, homes, and ...
I have always loved libraries. My childhood library, the Kent Free Library in Ohio, holds an almost magical quality in my memories. The children’s area was in the basement and could be accessed by elevator or a metal spiral staircase near the adult service desk. It felt like stepping into ...
As early as the 17th century in America, members of fraternal clubs often voted at their meetings without paper ballots. Many decisions had to be almost unanimous; just one “no” vote could defeat a project. So, they used a blackball box instead of paper ballots. Each person was given a ...
Nothing is more frustrating than investing time, money and energy in planting and growing tomatoes only to watch them succumb to disease. We can't change the weather conditions that support disease problems, but we can tweak our growing strategies to reduce this risk. Select and grow the most ...
Eating a mix of healthy foods every day provides the nutrients, fiber, and calories your body needs. The amount you should eat depends on your age, whether you are a man or woman and your height and weight. It also depends on your level of physical activity. The more physically active you are, ...
A few weeks ago I reintroduced readers to Candice Fox’s Crimson Lake series. I don’t think you can adequately imagine my jubilation when I realized the third book in her series was already out. “Gone by Midnight” begins when an 8-year-old boy goes missing. In a parallel story, ...
NEW ULM — St. Anthony Elementary School has released its honor roll for the 3rd quarter of the 2018-19 school year: “A” Honor Roll, Grade 5 Alaina Blomberg, Megan Fingland, Teresa Fischer, Abigail Hillesheim, Logan Klawitter, Evelyn Mages, Ava Schmid “A” Honor Roll, Grade ...
If you never lived in Ohio you’ve probably never heard of Mitchell & Rammelsberg furniture. It was the largest furniture manufacturers of its time located in the Midwest, but not in Grand Rapids, where most of the furniture was made. (Lots of lumber and goods are transported from the ...
No matter what the weather outdoors, plants indoors are getting hungrier and thirstier this time of year. How are you going to give them the food they need to keep growth apace with burgeoning sunlight? If the plants are new to your home or you just repotted them, the potting soil itself ...
To eat well, it’s best to choose a mix of nutrient-dense foods every day. Nutrient-dense foods are foods that have a lot of nutrients but relatively few calories. Look for foods that contain vitamins, minerals, complex carbohydrates, lean protein, and healthy fats. What Foods Should I Eat? ...
Spring is here, and you know what that means…Tax time is near. Are your taxes all prepared and sent in? Whew, it’s a relief when that’s done! But maybe you have put off getting your taxes done? By the time you are reading this, April 15th will be only two and a half weeks away. I may ...
Advertising signs with bold-colored graphics, interesting product names and pictures of Uncle Sam and other patriotic designs sell for high prices. They sell best in the size sometimes called a “sofa picture,” since it’s big enough to hang between the ceiling and the top of the sofa. ...
Herbs are among the most useful plants in nature. They can tantalize the taste buds, help cure what ails you, oil the body, perfume the air, and attract bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. "People are getting more into herbs, with herb sales definitely on the rise," said David Trinklein, an ...