Parents typically make certain changes around a home to ensure it’s accommodating to children. Childproofing is a necessity, but entire rooms also may be transformed with children’s enjoyment and well-being in mind. It’s common for homeowners to set aside rooms for children to play and explore. Thes...

It’s hard to find a break to yourself amidst travel sports games, pool and beach days, work obligations, summer holidays and the like. The summer “honey-do list” and your father-in-law’s retirement party. Staying up all hours of the night while your teen hosts their first sleepover. It’s all calling...

Trail Tales will be a series for Country Culture this summer revisiting a project Managing Editor Andy Haman worked on in 2021 – and hopefully expanding on it by visiting and/or profiling other state parks in the Capital region, Mohawk Valley and Herkimer County areas . Back in 2021, Country Culture...

Lawn mower blades. Opening pools. Sun exposure. Summer may have just started, but it will bring with it its own set of hazards as the outdoors green up and the weather begins to warm. There’s no time like the present to brush up on first aid supplies, training and more. You typically only have to ha...

As hiking season kicks into high gear, officials from Vermont’s Department of Forests, Parks & Recreation; the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets; and the Vermont Trails & Greenways Council are urging outdoor enthusiasts to help safeguard all forests by cleaning their boots, clothing and ...

Many people enjoy the possibilities that outdoor living offers and admit they would spend more time outside if the exterior spaces of their homes featured more amenities. According to a 2024 survey by Allstate Protection Plans, Americans love outdoor living and entertaining. Seventy-six percent of t...

As the Northeast enters the summer season, UConn Extension is reminding farmers and agricultural workers to prioritize safety for themselves, their animals and their operations. From extreme heat to barn fire risk and tractor accidents, summer conditions increase the potential for injury or loss on ...

Summer is a season of relaxation when school is not in session, vacation season is in full swing and people everywhere are getting outside and soaking up the summer sun. It’s hard to imagine how that can get any better. But it can for people thinking of installing a pool in their backyard. Pools def...

As the seasons change, it’s time to freshen up food and beverage offerings so they align more closely with seasonal vibes. Light, fresh and fizzy cocktails seem tailor-made for warm evenings. Some cocktails get their effervescence from sparkling wines – as Bellini or mimosa devotees can attest. This...

Before the age of disposable paper napkins and tissues, there were handkerchiefs. Every woman’s purse and man’s jacket pocket carried one. Men also carried them in the back pockets of their khakis, jeans or overalls. Not only were they a necessary part of your wardrobe, but they were stylish as well...

People naturally think burgers and hot dogs when they envision grilled foods. But there is so much more that can be cooked over an open fire, including desserts and even pizza. Grilling lends a distinctive smoky taste to both the crust and the toppings. Grilled pizzas start with a basic dough that c...

Is recycling dead in the water? According to an article from the Sustainable Agency, only 9% of plastic waste was recycled in 2019, and the predicted global plastic recycling rate for 2040 will still be under 10%. With that in mind, Brian Belefant, author of “The Sultan of Garbage” and award-winning...

When the mercury rises, savvy cooks know lighter fare is the name of the game. Light recipes can be made even better by incorporating fresh produce that’s full of vitamins and minerals. It’s even possible to grow many of these foods right in your own backyard garden. ”Baked Peppers with Rice Stuffin...

Lack of time in the day to get enough done is a common lament. Work, family and social obligations have made many individuals busier than ever before, and that can eat into people’s ability to find time for daily exercise. The CDC says adults need to get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity ph...

The EARTH Metal Detecting Club of Central New York will meet on June 2 at the Dunham Public Library on Main Street in Whitesboro. The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. but if you get there a little early you can witness the organized chaos of everyone bringing in and setting up the finds that they have ma...