September is both National Chicken Month and National Food Safety Education Month. As part of National Chicken Month, the National Chicken Council (NCC) invites you to keep watch for in-store promotions and online contests, recipes, fun facts and more. The average American will consume about 83 lbs....

Once the grass gets its final cut and the leaves are handled, it’s time to swap out the mower, blower and trimmer for the snow thrower, generator and chainsaw. The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) says a little prep now means less stress – and fewer repair bills – later. “Your end-of-season ...

Things aren’t slowing down anytime soon. Summer’s busy – a different kind of busy – but busy nonetheless. But things are shifting into high gear with back to school shopping, the beginning of sports practices, extracurriculars and eventually the first day of classes as the upstate jumps into a new s...

Home improvement projects run the gamut from complex undertakings like room additions to simpler renovations like a new front door. Some home renovations excite homeowners more than others, but all improvements are a way to make a home safer, more comfortable and/or more functional. A gutter replace...

September 5 is the International Day of Charity, and while many of us are struggling to take care of our own, sometimes giving just a little can mean a lot. Think of the bell ringers around the holidays – all that pocket change that goes into those red buckets really adds up. So, if you are so incli...

It’s important that anyone hoping to hit the hunting trail has put in the time to educate themselves on hunting ethics and hunting safety. Black bear season in NYS ranges from mid-September to early December. NYSDEC ( New York State Dept. of Environmental Conservation ) oversees numerous hunting and...

Summer is a season for relaxation. When it comes to food, nothing quite exudes the spirit of summer like a good dessert. A freshly cooked pie on the windowsill can waft through the house and into the yard, enticing family members and passersby alike. Kicking up your heels and enjoying a piece of pie...

August in the Northeast means some really flavorful produce is ready to be picked and enjoyed. Combining it only makes it better! Consider this recipe for August-ready goodies, courtesy of the Monadnock Farm & Community Coalition in New Hampshire. Mixed Greens, Peaches & Corn Salad with Balsamic-Map...

Like a lot of families, we have particular sayings and phrases that pepper our everyday speech. Some are exclusive to our family; others are shared by our community or region. Growing up, we used them freely, not realizing those outside our family unit might not understand them. Even today, we use s...

Summer means baseball and softball, and it also means the height of grilling season. This year, the “Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner.” brand, funded by the beef checkoff, is stepping up to the plate as a proud partner of the Little League® World Series – a perfect pairing of beef and America’s favorite...

No two children are the same, but many youngsters share a number of similarities. Few young children enjoy going to bed on time, and many can’t resist a good trampoline. Kids also have a reputation for being picky eaters, which can be challenging for parents tasked with picking and preparing school ...

Houses typically feature various areas that are traditionally designed for storage, such as garages, basements and attics. However, with some renovation, these spaces can be transformed into livable areas. Homeowners who would like to convert attics into livable spaces need to take certain things in...

Warm weather means more time outdoors, but it also means more potential exposure to ticks. These tiny pests are more than just a nuisance; they can transmit diseases like Lyme, anaplasmosis and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. The good news? A few smart habits can help keep you and your family safe. He...

Let’s revisit another park stop from the 2021-2022 era of this project! The Betty & Wilbur Davis State Park lands are located in rural Otsego County, NY, in the proverbial “middle of nowhere.” I joked with a colleague as I drove out of service “if I disappear into the woods, at least you’ll have my ...

It’s July and more likely than not, school curricula and registrations and shopping lists are the furthest thing from your mind right now – as they should be. However, August will be here before we know it. If you’re thinking about homeschooling your kids – especially for the first time – there are ...