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  Backyard Fire Pits

  For the Love of the Flame

  Autumn nights with their cool temperatures provide the perfect setting for a glowing flame. Memories made around a campfire come drifting back with a touch of tranquility as friends share lightheartedness and laughter in the outdoors … read more

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  Antiquing in the Tri-State

  Connecting Collectors to the Past

  Ironware and lightning rods drove a young Barb Sipling and her father to antique stores and estate sales across Pennsylvania in the early 1960s, where the pair scoured lots of heirlooms in search of unique primitive items her dad could make new again … read more

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  A Family Favorite

  Fried Chicken Remains Enjoyable and Delicious Main-Dish Attraction

  Decades ago, homemade fried chicken was a favorite maindish attraction at family get-togethers. While the task of cleaning, breading and frying the chicken in a skillet was time-consuming, it was tackled with a sense of purpose and pleasure by cooks aiming to please … read more

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  Roofing

  Research will aid homeowners' decisions

  A tiny leak in the garage was Bob Crawford's first clue that his roof needed to be replaced. "The House is about 25 years old, and had the original shingles on it," says Bob, who lives in Boonsboro. "My roof was old and started looking worn." Bob and his wife, Pat, wanted to make their house look nicer. "It seemed obvious that we needed to put a new roof on." … read more

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  Mighty but Meatless

  Try the Occasional Meat-Free Dish for a Meal Bursting with Flavor and Abundant Health Benefits

  If Facebook is any indication, we love thematic eating – especially if it involves alliteration. And while Taco Tuesday and Fun Food Friday get tons of attention, Meatless Monday often falls by the wayside. Which is a shame, as meatless meals can be tasty and good for you, too … read more

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  Houses of Healing

  Organizations Providing Low-Cost or Free Healthcare Help Patients on the Path to Well-Being

  Everyone has a basic need for healthcare. But when the costs of insurance, dedectibles of life-sustaining medications are too high, or a job loss leads to a family suddenly finding themselves outside the familiar healthcare infrastructure, it can be hard to know where to turn for help. And despite the fact … read more

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  Have Car, Will Travel

  Grab Your Friends and Family, Put a Little Gas in the Car, and Take Off on a Day-Trip Adventure

  Warming days, gentle breezes, budding trees and singing birds: spring’s blossoming sends us all the signal that it’s to shake off the remnants of winter’s chill. The urge to go outside, explore and take in the world anew becomes undeniable. And thanks to a man-made circumstance in the form of low gas prices … read more

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  Completing the Family

  Proper Planning Will Help Your Family Find a Pet to Treasure for a Lifetime

  There was a definite hole in Jane Powell’s family when it lost their two beloved father-and-son golden retrievers to cancer in 2012. She and her four children knew they wanted to welcome new furry family members, so they created a list of ideal traits. “We had a family meeting and talked about what we wanted in a dog … read more

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  Getting Ready for Growth

  Spring Preparations Help Set Up Your Landscape for a Successful, Healthy Growing Season

  “The early bird gets the worm.” It’s an appropriate aphorism for early spring, and one that perfectly applies to the preparation needed to ensure a lush, flourishing and enjoyable landscape throughout the growing season. There’s plenty to do in the coming months to give all your outdoor spaces the best start … read more

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  Home is Where the Hearth is

  A Crackling Fireplace or Stove Creates a Cozy Focal Point and an Effecient Heat Source

  Fireplaces once were a necessity for cooking and heating, though more often than not they were terribly inefficient at keeping a home warm. Today, fireplaces remain focal points and gathering places, and new designs and stoves have vastly improved their utility as a heat source. And, there's just something about the glow, crackle and warmth of a fire that says, "home." read more

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  Hosting the Holidays

  Local Residents Share their Tips for Successful, Stress-Free Entertaining

  Emma Chan and her husband, Dr. Samuel Chan, have been welcoming friends and family to their Hagerstown home to celebrate the holidays for more than 20 years. Emma–born in Cuba and raised in the Dominican Republic, where her husband was also born–says traditional celebrations there center around Christmas Eve, or Noche Buena, and the couple typically … read more