Gardening: Too Many Tomatoes?
So your tomato plants outdid themselves this year. Congratulations! Mine did, too. I didn’t bother to weigh everything my plants produced, but it was a lot. Certainly, a lot more than my husband and I can eat.
Read full storyHome Cooking: Fresh Roasted Tomato Sauce
It’s tomato season! If you’ve been growing your own, you’re probably up to your neck in them. If you’re not, there are plenty available at farm stands and farmer’s markets. (Supermarkets, too, of course, but try to buy ones grown nearby.)
Read full storyNazareth Native Returns to NAHS to Enlist Current Students in Workshopping New Musical
Playwright Elizabeth Drinks began writing "In Days of Old" 13 years ago while still a student. Elizabeth Earle Drinks has been dreaming about creating an original musical for a long time. When she was still at school, members of the Nazareth Area High School drama troupe joined her in a table reading of the first, what she calls "plot-holey" draft of her original musical In Days of Old. That was 13 years ago.
Read full storyHome Cooking: Honey Garlic Pork Chops
When rain spoils your outdoor grill plans, try this juicy indoor option. 2-4 bone-in pork chops (use boneless if you must, but you'll sacrifice flavor) 1 TBS unsalted butter (salted works okay, too)
Read full storyBack in the Day: New Paltz's Greatest Generation Produced Some Great Dads
These guys were committed to their families and the community despite long work hours and obligations. A common misconception about "Old School dads" goes something like this: "They were cold, remote, and had little time for their kids. They didn't allow their wives to work and expected to be greeted by a smiling Stepford Wife holding a freshly made martini when they walked in the door." You hear a lot about spankings and "because I said so" putdowns, but that's not the whole story, as evidenced by what some people who grew up in New Paltz in the decades following World War II have to say about their fathers today.
Read full storyHome Cooking: Quick and Easy Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp
When I was a kid in New Paltz, NY, a Freihofer's bakery outlet there made fantastic strawberry rhubarb pies. The taste of the perfect balance of sweet and tart it delivered is one of my cherished summer memories.
Read full storyHome Cooking: Garlic Lime Chicken is Quick and Keto-Friendly
Hot weather calls for a light touch in the kitchen. Heavy, calorie-laden meals tend to lose their appeal when the weather heats up. Not only do they make you feel sluggish, but they can also stand in your way of losing those few pounds necessary to fit into that sleek bathing suit you've got your eye on.
Read full storyKids' Stuff: Celebrate Father's Day by Crafting a Haiku Poem Just for Dad
Kids as young as five or six can learn this ancient art form. Have you seen the price of greeting cards lately? Yikes! Fortunately, there's an alternative that Dad is almost sure to love: a handmade card with an original poem inside written by his offspring. In fact, a lot of kids go this route with something like this:
Read full storyLocal Playwright's New Drama Debuts at Pennsylvania Playhouse
Death by installment? Ol' Sparky dramatizes controversial landmark Supreme Court case. When Allentown-based attorney Larry Fox was in law school, he read about a US Supreme Court case so disturbing that he vowed to write about it one day. This Friday night, the result of his determination will be on display at Bethlehem's Pennsylvania Playhouse as Fox's gripping drama Ol' Sparky debuts. The show runs through Sunday.
Read full storyPet Owners Love Their Pets But Do Their Pets Love Their Lives?
Why there’s a growing movement to end pet ownership. The day I lost our parrot, Rollo, was one of the worst days of my life. After 30 years, I still tear up thinking about it. But I sometimes wonder whether what for us was a profound tragedy was for Rollo a triumph. Why? Because he was finally free.
Read full storyGet Growing: Gardening is Great If You Have What It Takes
It’s legal to gamble in the garden, which is good because I just threw money, effort and hope at some tomato plants.--Felder Rushing. Growing your own fruits and vegetables is not always as easy as you might think.Photo byNina LuongonUnsplash.
Read full storyHealth: More Americans are Affected by Disabling Hearing Loss Than You Might Think
One of them could be you. “Blindness separates us from things, but deafness separates us from people.” --Helen Keller. The author is not a medical professional. The following is based on her personal experience and research into the subject. Those who believe they may be experiencing hearing loss should consult a doctor or hearing loss clinic.
Read full storyChina’s Last Emperor Survived the Revolution but His Wife Was Not So Lucky
When I first saw Bernardo Bertolucci’s film The Last Emperor, I was fascinated, not only by its artistry but by the realization that the story was new to me. Not once in all my years of schooling did I recall learning anything about what happened to China’s Imperial family after the formation of The Republic of China in 1912 and or when the Communiststook over in 1949.
Read full storyHow Easter is Different in Other Countries
Over the centuries, immigrants have brought many holiday traditions to America that have been adopted by the general population, like Easter eggs and rabbits. Some rituals, however, never took root in the US outside certain ethnic groups. So here are a few Easter traditions from around the world that may surprise you.
Read full storySpring Holiday Gift Ideas for Kids
“When my kids become wild and unruly, I use a nice, safe playpen. When they’re finished, I climb out.” –Erma Bombeck. Here are a few non-candy ideas for your child's Easter basket that will hopefully help keep frenzy and tummy aches at a minimum. Some of them are easy on the budget, too.
Read full storyHome Cooking: Irish Spaghetti
It’s neither Irish nor spaghetti but it’s fast, budget-friendly, meatless, and delicious. If you’re looking for meatless meal options, on a tight budget, or just feeling adventurous, have I got a recipe for you. It’s called Irish Spaghetti because my sainted Irish granny invented it. Back when Catholics were prohibited from eating meat on Fridays, my family ate this every week until fish sticks were invented. To give credit where it’s due, my Polish father came up with the name for it.
Read full storyTrue Crime: The Murder of Architect Stanford White by Harry Thaw
It was only 1907, but they dubbed it the “Trial of the Century”. The night millionaire Harry K. Thaw ambushed famed architect Stanford White in a rooftop garden during a the theatrical performance and shot him dead, his already famous wife Evelyn Nesbit was about to become infamous. The trial that resulted laid bare the secrets of all involved.
Read full storyIdeas for a Healthier Easter Feast
Cut down on sugar, salt, and fat for a happier holiday. As Easter approaches, getting caught up in the excitement of traditional holiday dishes and treats is easy. However, indulging in these foods can often lead to overeating and unhealthy habits.
Read full storyHow the Amish Celebrate Holy Week: An Exploration of Easter Observances
The Amish and their Mennonite neighbors both celebrate Easter, but there are some differences.Photo byRod LongonUnsplash. The following includes AI-assisted text. The Amish, a traditionalist Christian sect, celebrate Easter with a focus on the holiday's religious significance, as well as by spending time with family and participating in community activities. While there are similarities between Amish and Mennonite Easter traditions, there are also notable differences.
Read full storyFamous April Fools Pranks
They seemed like a good idea at the time. The following was written with AI assistance. Ah, April Fool's Day - a time for silly pranks, harmless jokes, and all-around tomfoolery. However, not all pranks go according to plan, as documented by these April Fool's Day blunders.
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