It’d be just your luck. You’re outside, enjoying a nice sunny day and, like Wile E. Coyote, a piano falls on your head. Or a car crashes through the wall, onto your bed. Or tree-climbing wasn’t such a good idea. Stuff happens, and “In Case You Get Hit by a Bus” by Abby Schneiderman and
READ MOREFingers crossed, the warmer weather is here to stay and, with the switch to Daylight Savings Time, spring is in the air. With this change of season comes the long-held tradition of spring cleaning. Deep cleaning some of the hidden, hardworking parts of your home might be a dirty job, but somebody’s got to do
READ MOREWhat’s underfoot in a home can go a long way toward making residences comfortable and aesthetically appealing. A study of home buyer preferences using data from the National Association of Realtors® found that 54 percent of home buyers were willing to pay more for a home with hardwood flooring. But that doesn’t mean that carpeting
READ MOREWoodburning fireplaces or fuel stoves can add warmth and ambiance to a home. These appliances are particularly coveted in the cooler months when people spend more time indoors. Maintenance is necessary in order for fireplaces and stoves to function safely, and that upkeep must include paying close attention to the functionality of the chimney. Chimneys
READ MOREA traditional lawn may not be right for every property nor desired by every homeowner. There is no denying that lawns take time and effort to establish and daily or weekly maintenance to thrive. Homeowners who find that a traditional lawn is not practical can explore some low-maintenance alternatives. Wildflower meadow Homeowners with wide swaths
READ MOREHomes should be sanctuaries for their inhabitants. Keeping homes safe and sound requires both maintenance and some caution designed to make homes less vulnerable to potentially costly issues. Promptly addressing maintenance issues around the house can reduce the risk of accident or injury. In addition, various items can alert homeowners to problems they may not
READ MOREA multi-organizational partnership has generated more than $430,000 to officially bring a new, all-inclusive Kids United Community Playground to life this summer at Cochran Primary School. The effort has been in the works for about two years, led by the Williamsport Kiwanis and Rotary clubs, in partnership with the Williamsport Area School District Education Foundation,
READ MOREBoy, we sure have been getting a lot of snow lately! As a winter girl, I love it. We have not had this much snow in a long time! I remember a year or two ago, on December 23, I was outside in a tank top hanging up clothes on my clothesline! I was so
READ MOREWith the taste of warmer weather here recently, I’ve started looking toward spring cleaning and my semi-annual closet purge. This spring, I am considering what to keep and what to donate, and how I organize my clothes and my clothing choices. If you also want to re-evaluate your closet and are looking for some inspiration,
READ MORELong-term memory is as complicated as it is fascinating. The creation and maintenance of long-term memory involves both physiology and repetition. Some events are remembered due to the sheer force of their impact. When we experience something very significant, neurotransmitters are released into the brain and the event is permanently stored. Do you remember where
READ MOREIt is believed the earliest mention of wearing a costume at Halloween dates back to 1585 in Scotland; however, the practice was most likely common place before then. The tradition of costumes originated with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain when people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off ghosts. Wearing costumes on
READ MOREVehicle maintenance schedules vary depending on manufacturer recommendations. In addition, the way a car is driven and the environment it’s driven in can dictate if routine maintenance like oil changes needs to occur more frequently or if belts and hoses need to be replaced sooner than manufacturers recommend. Many people drive in ways that align
READ MOREAutumn has officially fallen on the West Branch Valley. Although I don’t like the daylight hours growing shorter, the temperature moving a little south on the thermometer and knowing what may be just around the corner — what an absolutely amazing time of year in our neck of Penn’s woods. We all need just to
READ MOREGardens provide an idyllic escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. In fact, many gardening enthusiasts typically cannot wait for the spring thaw so they can spend the next several months tending to their plants under the warm sun. But a gardener’s work is never truly done, and the work to make gardens
READ MOREThe calendar pages may be turning fast, but it’s not too late to do some work around the house. Now is the time to wrap up home improvement projects before the weather turns too cold. Consider these five easy DIY tasks that can set you up for a warm, safe and pest-free fall: Perform routine
READ MOREAugust is National Shooting Sports Month: NSSF, the National Shooting Sports Foundation, is the driving force behind many of the activities and programs that are highlighted throughout the month of August as we promote and celebrate gun ownership and the dozens of target shooting sports. More than 2.5 million people have joined the firearm-owning community
READ MOREThere’s only one full month of summer left and, while time seems to be standing still, chances are your nails may be in need of some maintenance. Even with salons open, I’ve been doing my nails at home and have been trying to keep my pedicure as professional-looking as possible. The art of the DIY
READ MOREI’ve been letting my hair grow out recently. In summers past, I’d keep my hair relatively short in order to beat the heat. But even with salons reopening, I’ve made the conscious decision to put haircuts on hold and have unwittingly discovered that summer humidity has helped turn what I previously considered fine hair into
READ MOREPersonal appearance is just that, personal. With all the personal time we’ve had on our hands during the pandemic, we may be rethinking what appearance means when no one is there to see us. Of course, as salons and gyms have now re-opened, you may be starting to feel and look like your pre-quarantine self.
READ MOREElm Park Softball Complex Is Back Bigger and Better Than Ever For over 50 years, Williamsport’s Elm Park Complex has been synonymous with the best of amateur softball, both slow and fastpitch. After a few rough, down years, the complex is back — bigger than ever — under the auspices of the Lycoming Softball Association,
READ MOREFew experiences provide as much relief as walking into a cool room on a hot summer day. Air conditioning systems make such experiences possible, and homeowners’ decision in regard to which one to install in their homes is significant. Homeowners may not know where to begin in regard to finding the right air conditioning system
READ MOREThe term “self-care” has been a buzz word in the beauty, lifestyle, and wellness industries for quite some time. It may have seemed frivolous or indulgent in the past, but during these times of stress and crisis, self-care is needed now more than ever. Self-care does not have to be elaborate or expensive; it can
READ MOREGovernor Wolf uses a traffic light metaphor to distinguish the phases of the state quarantine. Since mid-March, Lycoming County has been in a “Red” condition, which certainly translates into “Stop.” We have been mandated to stop almost every aspect of normal life, from education, entertainment, commerce, community life, etc. I think if the governor could
READ MOREWhat is it like to be COVID-positive? What is it like to live in the same house together with a family member who has this virus? My daughter, Elizabeth, is a healthcare worker in the greater Philadelphia area, and two weeks ago she called my wife and I with the solemn news that she had
READ MOREWhether you’re a first-time homeowner or looking for an upgrade, deciding what lawn mower to purchase deserves careful consideration. Similar to day-to-day life, new technology over the last five years, specifically in the gas mower industry, is making it easier to maintain your lawn. If you’re in the market for a new mower, consider these
READ MOREExterior renovations can enhance the appearance of a property and make it more enjoyable for homeowners. Certain renovations have the potential to add value to a home, while others may do the opposite. Learning which ones have the largest return on investment can help homeowners select features that will have the most positive impact. Curb
READ MOREAs people become more active during the warmer months, keeping home safety top of mind can sometimes go by the wayside. However, when it comes to fire and carbon monoxide safety, you can never be too prepared. Whether you are just beginning to take a stronger safety-first approach or looking to upgrade existing home safety
READ MOREWouldn’t you know it, one of my goals for March was to schedule a hair appointment and get my nails done to celebrate the start of Spring. Then schools closed, working from home became mandatory, and non-essential businesses, like salons, shut down. I saw this meme on social media that read “Feels like we’re 3-4
READ MOREThere are state and federal job openings, so spread the word! For starters, the United States Census Bureau is still looking for help in knocking on doors after April 1st. Between March 12-20, a notification will be sent to every home, inviting them to participate in the census either online, by phone, or by mail.
READ MORERemodeling your home can be one of the most exciting projects to undertake. Whether you’re thinking about a bathroom update, kitchen overhaul or a new room addition, planning and setting realistic expectations are critical in ensuring your project goes as smoothly as possible. Consider these steps from the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI)
READ MOREEveryone has a different plan in mind for how they wish to live their life as they age. It’s important to consider your general health, mobility, mental capabilities, and specific activities you may need help with as you grow older, as well as your family’s support. It also is important to consider your interests, social
READ MORE