Gardening is a rewarding hobby that provides a great reason to get outdoors. Getting one’s hands dirty in the garden often pays off with a colorful, awe-inspiring and aesthetically appealing finished product. Perennials are plants that live multiple years. Even though perennials may die back above g...

Editor’s note: While July 4th and all that the Independence Day celebration brings with it is still a month away, this is a bigger season than most years as the country celebrates this significant anniversary. Over the course of the coming weeks, the editors will share some patriotic content as we a...

Poison ivy is a poisonous wild plant native to much of Mexico, Canada and the U.S. As with any species of the genus Toxicodendron , all parts of the plant contain a toxic oil called urushiol that causes an itchy, irritating and sometimes painful rash in most people who touch it. Sensitive people (ap...

Graduation season is on the horizon. This time of year is often a frenetic time for students and their families, with the promise of celebrations to come. Graduation is preceded by prom for high schoolers, and for those bidding farewell to the hallowed halls of higher education, it may mean last-min...

After the lake ice recedes and springtime brings warmer temperatures, you may forget how cold and dangerous the water still is. Water does not warm as quickly as air; it takes weeks to months to warm to safe levels. Any water colder than 70º F, a temperature that we do not expect until July, is dang...

Dear Paw's Corner: On long hikes in the woods behind my house, I let my dog run off leash. Yesterday, a neighbor ran up yelling that I need to put Skip on a leash, because it's dangerous for my dog in bear country. I told him where to shove it. What do you think? – Carl in Asheville, NC Dear Carl: T...

One shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. However, that often is hard to do, particularly when it comes to homes. Curb appeal bears significant influence regarding how a property is perceived. A property that is neat and aesthetically appealing probably will be preferable to one that looks like the h...

The cost of everyday items continues to stretch many people’s budgets, even as financial experts note that inflation is cooling off. When individuals feel a pinch in their wallets, non-essentials, such as vacations, often are on the chopping block. But they may not have to be. Typically, once the co...

Every golfer loves to hit a booming shot off the tee. Such a strike can be impressive and inspire confidence. But estimates indicate that as many as 65% of the shots the average golfer takes in a typical round are chip shots or putts. So while it can be fun to let it rip from the tee box, data sugge...

Dessert may be served last, but it still comes first in the hearts of many devoted foodies. Home cooks have many options to choose from when picking a dessert for a homemade meal, but sticking with a staple might be the way to go when serving lots of hungry dessert lovers. Cheesecake is a popular de...

Fishing attracts millions of enthusiasts. The American Sportfishing Association says one in six Americans are anglers, which equates to more than of 50 million anglers nationwide. The fishing industry supports 826,000 jobs, and excise taxes collected on fishing gear and boat fuel help fund fish and ...

Homeowners do not need to get hung up on room labels as they explore ways to reinvent their spaces. Just because a floor plan labels a space as a formal dining room doesn’t mean the area has to remain that way. Repurposing rooms in a home comes down to aligning the space a person has with their life...

Many America in Bloom communities dream of taking their local efforts to the next level by forming a nonprofit organization. But figuring out how to actually do it can feel overwhelming. Where do you start? What does it cost? Who should be involved? How do you keep it running smoothly once it’s form...

Golf attracts millions of enthusiasts every year. According to the USGA 2025 Golf Scorecard, a record 82 million rounds were posted in 2025, marking an 8.2% year-over-year increase. More than 94% of those rounds were recreational. For some time, golf has had a reputation as an expensive hobby exclus...

Great nature photography doesn’t start with expensive gear – it starts with paying better attention. In just 15 minutes, you can train your eye, sharpen your instincts and take photos you’ll actually want to show off. All you need is the camera you already carry every day. Pick up your smart phone. ...