Dear Paw's Corner: We recently moved, with our Springer Spaniel Gabe, into an old New England house. It unfortunately was already inhabited by a few critters! We quickly rehomed the chipmunks, but its clear from the tiny droppings behind our stove that the mice haven't gotten the message. What pest ...

Modern childhood looks quite a bit different from what it did only a generation ago. Behaviors have quietly shifted from outdoor play to screen-centered solitary activity. While digital devices offer some measure of connectivity, they also can drive physical inactivity among developing youth. The Wo...

Changing seasons expose vehicles to various conditions throughout the year. Although severe weather can occur at any time, the winter is known to be particularly harsh and can make it hard for a vehicle to function properly. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says winter weather can ...

The 2026 America’s Farmers Market Celebration™ by American Farmland Trust is underway and runs through Sept. 30. The celebration is the only annual ranking of the top farmers markets in the U.S. as voted on by the public. The 18th annual AFMC runs Aug. 1 - Sept. 30 on markets.farmland.org . The even...

Keeping pets happy and healthy is a priority for pet owners. Navigating companion animals’ health issues is not always easy and can be expensive if something serious crops up. People may wonder if pet insurance is an effective way to defray some of the costs and achieve peace of mind? Pet insurance ...

Cemeteries serve as meaningful links to our shared history, but many need care and restoration. This introductory webinar from America in Bloom, “Caring for Sacred Spaces: Headstone Restoration and Heritage Preservation,” is set for Sept. 15 at noon. The session will cover the essential elements of ...

As pumpkin season arrives and temperatures begin to drop, the United Sorghum Checkoff Program invites home cooks to welcome autumn with recipes that showcase the grain’s versatility. From pumpkin loaf and apple pancakes to a hearty harvest salad, sorghum can add flavor and texture to breakfast, dinn...

Dear Paw's Corner: The vet says my dog Wyatt has hay fever and should be kept inside the house when pollen counts are high. She also says my cat Snowball is allergic to something inside the house. Does that mean she has to stay outside? – Confused in Crystal Lake, IL Dear Confused: Dealing with pet ...

September is National Literacy Month and if you know anything by now, it’s that the team are suckers for a good weekly or monthly calendar emphasis. These are often a great way to pump the brakes and spotlight something important. Sure, there are silly entries that earn a chuckle (“National Hop on O...

It’s not just a classroom cliche to say that math is everywhere, from planning a budget to decorating a room. Even careers that aren’t directly connected to math require plenty of it. Take agriculture. Today, an online search can bring up farm calculator apps designed to help determine, for example,...

Spring and autumn are peak times of the year for millions of people to experience seasonal allergies. Sneezing, watery eyes and stuffy noses can make enjoying the outdoors particularly difficult for people with seasonal allergies, and many seek any and all remedies that can help them find relief. Ra...

After a few months of fun in the sun, it can be difficult to admit that summer will soon be over. Lazy, hazy days likely filled the calendar, with time spent poolside or at a beach. Just because summer is winding down doesn’t mean that all the relaxing fun must cease. Families can extend the fun a l...

When pondering projects around a house, it’s easy to overlook small tasks and direct your focus toward more significant undertakings. Small projects might not generate the reactions that larger projects do, but even the simplest tasks can go a long way toward making a home more comfortable. Sealing ...

Residents of the U.S. celebrate Labor Day each September on the first Monday of the month to acknowledge the contributions of the nation’s workers. The holiday can be traced to the late 19th century, when labor activists campaigned for a federal holiday to recognize hardworking employees and their a...

Tortilla chips dipped in a tangy salsa often make the perfect opener to a meal. Salsa traditionally is made with tomatoes, but people often can find different fruits filling in for tomatoes or complementing them in various salsa recipes. During the height of the summer entertaining season, salsa can...