By Joseph W. Smith III Last week’s “Weird Words” marked installment No. 12; so I took those two digits as a theme and picked out several goodies from pages 1 and 2 of my ever-growing oddball vocabulary list. But I got only halfway through that selection before running out of space. Here is the other
READ MOREThe Thomas Taber Museum at 858 West Fourth Street, Williamsport, will be filled with many beautiful flowers when the DuBoistown Garden Club holds its “Grand Slam Flower Show” there, Thursday, August 17, from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. and on Friday, August 18 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The show’s title, “Grand Slam Flower
READ MOREWe’ve reached the part of the summer where it’s virtually impossible to go outside without feeling sweaty and sticky in all of the wrong places. There are lots of tricks and tips for staying cool, like putting ice in front of a fan, staying hydrated, eating lighter meals. Your wardrobe can also help you keep
READ MOREHow many times have you been told to not look directly at the sun? While this age-old advice should be common sense, the following eye information and protection tips may be new and helpful to you in time for summer. Common Eye Problems Caused by Warmer Weather One of the most common eye problems during
READ MOREBy now, if you planted in spring, you are probably already enjoying the fruits of your labor. I bet other unwanted guests have also been sneaking goodies from your plants. To date, I have seen deer, rabbits, birds, and stray cats roaming my garden. To keep unwanted guests out of your plants, you can try
READ MOREThe Thomas T. Taber Museum of the Lycoming County Historical Society will be hosting its annual History Day Camp during the week July 24-28, 2023, from 9am until 12Noon each day. The Camp, which will explore the late 1940s through the 1970s, is for children aged 8-12 years old. A whole host of activities will
READ MOREWhen actor Alan Arkin passed away in June at the age of 89, he left behind a wide-ranging filmography of more than 80 titles — with a bevy of award nominations that eventually netted him an Oscar, a BAFTA, a Golden Globe, and a Tony. Some of his best-known films include “Argo” (Oscar nom), “Little
READ MOREBe sure you are buying tickets DIRECTLY from the Williamsport Crosscutters. There are literally dozens of resale sites online that try to make you think you are actually buying from the Cutters when you are not. If you purchase your tickets through a third-party resale site, you will not only pay more money for tickets
READ MOREFor more than 150 years, the Lycoming County Fair has been provided a fun event for people of Lycoming County and nearby areas. It has — and continues — to feature various types of entertainment, and highlights through displays, the agricultural bounty of this county. This always highly anticipated event is at hand again and
READ MORESometimes, it takes a minute to settle into the season and figure out its themes and trends. In my younger and more opinionated years, I’d have set up my style for the season ahead of schedule, but nowadays, I take a “wait and see” approach to seasonal aesthetics. With the summer solstice behind us, here’s
READ MOREWhen you hear the word ‘pepper,’ I bet the first thing that comes to mind is ‘hot.’ Yes, some are hot, but did you know that there are hundreds of different varieties of pepper plants? Some varieties can be as sweet as sugar. Peppers are a vegetable that I enjoy growing. Pepper plants are easy
READ MOREOver the years, I have tried many different methods to support my tomato plants. I can remember working with my father in his garden, pounding in the individual wooden stakes to support each plant. They would break or rot within a few years, and we would have to replace them. When I started planning for
READ MOREThe goal of my writing today is to inspire you to access the powerful transforming grace God has made available to us through His Body, the Church. In this series of articles, we are recognizing one fundamental truth regarding transformational grace: God provides the grace, but we must access it. Doing so requires discipline. We
READ MOREMy Pap, Floyd Liddick, has been gone for seven years now. My Gram, Lois Liddick, and Pap had a house about a half mile up the road from us. Driving by was part of my daily routine. Gram would be out watering the flowers, and Pap would be up working in his garden or on
READ MORETomatoes are one of the few garden plants that can self-pollinate. Most of the pollination of a tomato plant is complete within five days. Take a look at your blossoms. If they are closed, pollination is complete. If the blossoms are falling off the vine, this is a sign that the blossoms are not being
READ MOREOver 80 musicians will gather in Williamsport on Saturday to pay tribute to a beloved friend and mentor. Free and open to the public, the Albert J. Nacinovich Memorial Concert is slated for 7:30 p.m. on June 10 at the Williamsport Area High School auditorium. Nacinovich, a long-time area educator and 37-year
READ MOREMy least favorite task when gardening is weeding. I often think that when I pull one weed, two more weeds appear! Over the years, I have tried many ways to control weed problems. Below are some ways that may help prevent weeds from taking over your garden. One of the easiest methods is to look
READ MOREA colorful garden in full bloom is an aesthetically appealing sight each spring and summer. The pleasant aromas emanating from such spaces only add to their appeal. Many variables contribute to a thriving garden, and perhaps none is more important than bees. North America is home to thousands of species of bees, but many of
READ MOREThe goal of my writing today is to inspire you to access the powerful transforming grace God has made available to us through prayer. Prayer is the act of communicating with God. Let’s take a moment to consider the significance of that first sentence. Through prayer, you and I are given the ability to speak
READ MOREFinally, gardening season is upon us! Last week my son was working with me in the garden. He was watching me prepare the garden and plant my herbs. When I gave him the tray and asked if he wanted to plant the rest, his eyes lit up, and he went to work. I was excited
READ MOREIn honor of Mother’s Day, I have a special message for the ladies. Actually, it’s a message for anyone who struggles with having faith in themselves — or even in God. In a callous world that mercilessly judges and compares everything we do to an impossible standard, it’s not unusual to think, “I am not
READ MORESpring marks the return of lawn and garden season. Lawns often bear the brunt of winter’s wrath, so spring is a great time to nurse them back to health, and fertilizing can be an essential component of that process. Fertilizing a lawn can be intimidating. An array of fertilizers, with each seemingly designed to address
READ MOREWarmer months are likely to have the whole family eager to dive into outdoor activities. This year, as you tackle the garden, find ways to get the youngest family members in on the action, too. Not only is gardening an activity you can enjoy together, there are numerous ways to incorporate age-appropriate, teachable moments from
READ MORESpring and summer present ideal growing conditions for many plants, making these seasons an ideal time to tend to lawns and gardens. Though it’s easy to succumb to the temptation of exotic plants, avid gardeners and eco-conscious planters recognize the significance of native plants. Novices may not realize that native plants are much better for
READ MORELast week I finally found some time to plant my seedlings, so this week, I will go over some pointers for plant care. Tomatoes are a staple fruit in most vegetable gardens — tomatoes like well-drained, loose, and fluffy soil. Tomatoes require 6-8 hours of sunlight per day and grow well when supported with a
READ MOREAfter some weird weather to kick off May, we have finally turned the corner on spring weather! The final frost has passed, so that means it’s the perfect time to plant something! As the old saying goes, “Give a man some vegetables, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man how to grow
READ MOREMother’s Day is coming up, and a great time to focus on the matriarchs of your family. This is something they may not be used to since they are usually putting others’ needs before their own. To make this day extra meaningful, make your mother’s health a priority. Celebrate With Wellness in Mind When it
READ MOREGardening is a worthwhile endeavor that not only passes the time, but can be a form of exercise and relief from the daily grind. Gardens also provide ample opportunity to experiment, as individuals can produce everything from vegetables to bountiful blooms. Recent years have witnessed a growing emphasis on eco-friendly gardening that aims to reduce
READ MOREThere’s that old saying, “April showers bring May flowers,” and as my mother jokes, “And May flowers bring pilgrims.” May flowers also bring wedding season! Some years, your calendar may be bursting with wedding invites; other years, it’s a nuptial desert, but even in the lean times, having a go-to wedding look never goes out
READ MORESpring is one of the most popular seasons of the year. After several months of chilly temperatures in many regions, spring provides a welcome reprieve from the cold. Moderate temperatures makes it much more comfortable and inviting to venture outdoors, particularly for families with children who might not adapt to the cold as well as
READ MORESpringtime brings the return of the Pennsylvania black bear to many neighborhoods across the West Branch Valley. They are looking for a quick and easy meal, whether it be from a bird feeder, garbage can, picnic basket, or whatever they find appetizing that day. This was the case in my neighborhood last week, as there
READ MORELast week I started working the soil in my garden and realized that I should take a soil sample before applying any compost or fertilizers. After I got the soil results back, I knew I was good after adding some lime and compost. I thought this week I could share some composting tips again. Compost
READ MOREIn 2022, Trinity Episcopal Pro-Cathedral (844 West Fourth Street, Williamsport) made a commitment to step outside their church walls and seek more direct ways to empower its neighbors to thrive. The church built a community garden and began a pollinator program. Non-stinging bee houses were hung outside the church, and a honeybee hive was placed
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