Mary Beth Breckenridge: My life in Christmas cards
You think managing kids’ Christmas expectations is hard?You should deal with my friends’.Every year, the questions start coming before the Thanksgiving turkey is even cold.“What are you doing for your...
View ArticleHome and garden happenings — week of Dec. 21
If you want to grow the tastiest tomatoes, now’s a good time to stock up on seeds.TomatoFest, an online marketplace associated with the renowned California tomato festival by the same name, has 300...
View ArticleHow early is too early to plant?
“Plant early and you’ll plant often” is an old saying containing more than a kernel of caution. Timing is everything in gardening.Start too soon and you’ll lose your crop to lingering spring frosts....
View ArticleBagup turns plastic bags into dustpans
The Bagup lets you reuse your plastic grocery bags as a dustpan or pet cleanup tool.The tool holds a bag open, so you can sweep dirt and other debris into it. Its long handle keeps you from having to...
View ArticleOSU researcher brings home commitment to sustainability
Wooster: Sustainability is central to both Fred Michel’s work and his way of life — so much so that he’s gone well beyond the norm to reduce his family’s carbon footprint.Michel, a biosystems engineer...
View ArticleAuthor advocates natural pest control
Most people want insects out of their gardens and yards.Jessica Walliser invites them in.Walliser, an organic gardening advocate, makes the case for natural pest management in Attracting Beneficial...
View ArticleOhio Supreme Court upholds board’s vote to expand Medicaid
COLUMBUS: Ohio’s highest court on Friday upheld a state legislative panel’s vote to allow the expansion of Medicaid, handing a legal victory to the Republican governor who had pushed expansion in...
View ArticlePeople Helping People — Dec. 21
People Helping People is a list of charitable causes in our area that need donations or volunteers. The Beacon Journal has not investigated these causes, so donors should verify their worthiness and...
View ArticleGuided tours at Nativity of the Lord Jesus Church
Guided tours of the Nativity Museum and replica of Bethlehem’s cave are being offered at 2 p.m. Thursday through Dec. 30 at Nativity of the Lord Jesus Catholic Church, 2425 Myersville Road, Springfield...
View ArticleChildren’s Hospital, Anthem insurance reach deal
Akron Children’s Hospital and Anthem reached a deal late Friday that will continue their “in-network” relationship past Jan. 1.If a contract had not been reached by the new year, families might have...
View ArticleThe To-Do List — week of Dec. 22
Market at Lock 3There’s still time to head to downtown Akron for the annual Holiday Market at Lock 3 Park at 200 S. Main St.There are unique, handmade gifts, including the Mario Hausdorfer hand blown...
View ArticleReaders show off their ugly Christmas sweaters
A few weeks ago we asked readers to send us pictures of themselves, or loved ones, donning ugly Christmas sweaters. And, holy mistletoe, did we get some beauts.Take (please) the photo of dudes in...
View ArticleWest Virginia’s Gaudineer Scenic Area features giant red spruce trees, living...
DURBIN, W.VA.: The Gaudineer Scenic Area is what West Virginia’s mountain highlands originally looked like.The 140-acre tract is dominated by virgin and second-growth red spruce, the tree that once...
View ArticleBook talk: ‘The Old Man and Me,’ ‘Grandma’s Yarn,’ ‘Where Do Belly Buttons...
‘Old Man and Me’ memoir shares life of young LarlhamNortheast Ohio residents know Hattie Larlham as an organization that provides services for people with developmental disabilities. Before Hattie...
View ArticleJohn Rosemond: Toilet training will solve kicking problem
Q.: My 18-month-old kicks me and hits me when I try to change his diaper. He doesn’t do this for his father or grandparents. Should I hold his legs down until he gives up, or will this worsen...
View ArticleLife in Brief — week of Dec. 22
Screaming kids top listof annoyances on planesIf you are a parent who lets your children scream and go nuts on a plane, congratulations — you top the list of most annoying etiquette violators in the...
View ArticleWhat’s for dinner? Pan-Fried Fish
Who doesn’t love comfort food? Those homey dishes remind us of being in mom’s cozy kitchen.Better Homes and Gardens has taken all of those recipes and put them together in one volume, 365 Comfort Foods...
View ArticleLooming large: Parents find a craft craze to like
Cooper Volkman is 8 years old and full of energy. While his 10-year-old sister sits down easily to focus on projects, Cooper tends to be perpetually in motion.Lately, though, it’s been different. In...
View ArticleAkron Bible Church food ministry growing
The congregation at Akron Bible Church began its food ministry more than 30 years ago by providing Christmas meals for 12 families.Today, that ministry, called Baskets of Love, has grown to include a...
View ArticlePeople Helping People — Dec. 22
People Helping People is a list of charitable causes in our area that need donations or volunteers. The Beacon Journal has not investigated these causes, so donors should verify their worthiness and...
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