A home’s exterior is often the first thing guests or potential buyers see, meaning its curb appeal can have a significant impact on making a good first impression. Whether refreshing or renovating your home, staying current with exterior trends can help make a statement, increase your home’s value and enhance the comfort of your living
READ MOREReal estate has garnered considerable attention since 2020, and for good reason. Though speculators and real estate professionals may point to a number of variables that have affected the market for homes in recent years, the pandemic certainly was among those factors. Real estate prices and mortgage interest rates increased significantly during the pandemic and
READ MOREIndividuals want a home that is welcoming and comfortable. Unfortunately, many conditions that people find appealing also appeal to pests. Pests may be more problematic at certain times of year, such as when weather is extreme and pests like rodents or even raccoons seek refuge in a home. During times of year when temperatures are
READ MOREDevices that allow you to stay connected to your home from virtually anywhere are all the rage. If you’re looking to seamlessly integrate innovative solutions into your home for added convenience, security and peace of mind, you’ll need smart tech with the right features. The experts at Masonite, a global industry leader in interior and
READ MOREWhen building your budget, utility bills – especially the electric bill – are likely one of your largest monthly expenditures. One of the biggest culprits: home heating and cooling, which account for more than half of the average American household’s annual energy consumption, according to estimates from the Energy Information Administration. In fact, 83% of
READ MOREFor those beginning the process of home buying, there are many factors to consider. Keep these ideas in mind as you conduct your search – whether it’s online or at a series of open houses. Consider Future Needs Because life is always evolving, it’s important to move into a home that has enough space for
READ MORERadon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas. The United States Environmental Protection Agency notes that radon disperses rapidly outdoors, which makes it a generally innocuous gas. However, radon can become trapped indoors, and it’s in those instances when the gas poses a potentially significant threat. How does radon get inside? The EPA notes that radon
READ MOREAn “out with the old, in with the new” mentality can extend to people’s visions for their homes. A home in need of repair or renovation can serve as a catalyst to take inventory of personal style and help make interior spaces reflect one’s unique vibe. A living room can grow stale over time and
READ MOREHomeowners know that owning a home provides a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. Home ownership also can increase the chances individuals view their homes as a sanctuary where they can relax and enjoy creature comforts they’ve personally chosen. The comfort people feel inside their homes can be compromised when they begin to suspect certain safety
READ MOREWhen you want to enhance your outdoor living space, consider building with retaining wall units. Segmental retaining wall (SRW) units are the basic building blocks of landscaping, and you will save on design and labor costs when you do it yourself. Whether you want to level a slope, build a sitting wall or add a
READ MOREHomeowners want to view their homes as a respite from all that goes on outside their doors. Indeed, turning a home into a residents-only retreat can ensure everyone looks forward to walking through the front the door at the end of the day. One of the more popular ways to turn a home into one’s
READ MOREThere has never been a time when one’s faith has been more important. There has also never been a time when one’s faith is being tested by fear and division. We witnessed this on many levels this past week. As we have now sprung ahead into daylight savings time, let’s talk about what is most
READ MOREI’ve mentioned before that I am not Irish. I am a whole lotta Italian, with a little German sprinkled in for funsies. But alas wee lads and lassies, I don’t see any harm in finding the Irish spirit and having some St. Patrick’s Day fun! But before you don your green clothes and wish on
READ MOREUgh, that hurts! It hurts there and over here, the tops of your feet and the side of your knee, behind your eyes and between your shoulder blades. Your heart pounds, your hands shake, and your stomach’s rolling like a dice cup. You can’t complain, though. As in the new book, “All in Her Head”
READ MOREAs we proceed through “March Madness” toward a strange Sunday-Monday conjunction of Easter and April Fools’, your Weird Words writer is compiling a suitable pair of vocabulary lists: one on fools & madness — and then, more positively, on the death and resurrection of Christ. In the meantime, here are 10 more oddball terms to
READ MOREConsistency. Consistency is a new word in my life that I never thought would have so much meaning for me. I can give the word consistency pretty much all of the credit for my weight loss and maintenance of that 65-pound loss. And, of course, the good Lord above! Without consistency, I couldn’t have done
READ MOREYour dog may be one of your best friends, but that bond doesn’t happen overnight. Investing in quality one-on-one time can have a big impact on the bond you build with your four-legged companion. One of the best ways to show dogs love is by keeping them healthy and spending quality time with them. Dedicating
READ MOREARIES – Mar 21–Apr 20 Aries, if you notice you have been running into obstacles as you work to achieve your goals, you may want to step back and try to figure out another course of action. TAURUS – Apr 21–May 21 Taurus, an offer that notes your efforts and achievements comes your way. Do
READ MORENow that spring has sprung, you may be starting to unpack warmer weather clothes or at least are thinking about your spring style. Pastels and florals are springtime staples and work well for standard spring events like Easter or weddings and graduations. But for a more casual approach to spring style, I’ve been thinking about
READ MORETaking care of a vehicle involves more than just maintaining the equipment under the hood. There are a number of steps involved in keeping a car or truck in top form, and that includes regular car washes. Car washes keep a vehicle shiny and clean, which can help it look good while sitting in the
READ MOREGetting a driver’s license is a major rite of passage in a young person’s life. Depending on where that teenager lives, he or she is likely to secure a license between the ages of 15 and 18. The next natural step is finding a vehicle to get around town. A teenager’s first ride may be
READ MOREInflation has been a hot topic for several years, as the cost of everything from groceries to gas to housing has increased considerably since 2019. Cars are no exception to that phenomenon, and anyone who has purchased a new car over the last half decade likely experienced some sticker shock when they started their search
READ MORE‘Bucket lists’ are an unusual commodity. Sometimes, they have holes in them; other times, they overflow with expectations. As the years have passed, my ‘bucket’ has continued to be worked on, especially regarding baseball-related items. Checked off has been witnessing Major League Baseball games at all 30 MLB stadiums and taking a road trip to
READ MOREThis week is the fourth anniversary of an event that should get more attention. The COVID-19 shutdowns began in Pennsylvania on March 13, 2020. At the time, I thought how appropriate it was that it was Friday the 13th. Believe it or not, there is a word for the fear of this day: Paraskevidekatriaphobia. The
READ MOREWith deep sadness, area sports fans learned last week of the death of Lycoming County sports legend Ed Ott, remembered as a standout catcher on the 1979 World Champion Pittsburgh Pirate team. He was also a legendary athlete at Muncy High School, excelling in both football and wrestling. I had the pleasure of interacting with
READ MOREVisitors to the Montgomery Public Library building at the official opening yesterday totaled 225, according to the official registry kept by the recording secretary, Hilda Piatt, the assistant librarian. Mrs. Benjamin Shelley reports that out of this number, no less than 100 used the library on the opening day, taking out books from the 3,000
READ MOREEating disorders are serious conditions that go beyond dieting or wanting to lose weight — they can significantly affect one’s physical and mental health and overall well-being. In addition, out of all mental illnesses, eating disorders have one of the highest mortality rates and can be life-threatening if left untreated. Approximately 9% of the U.S.
READ MOREOver the years, as an outdoor enthusiast here in Pennsylvania, I, like many others, have seen wildlife that I never thought I would encounter in our state. The reason for these sightings is mostly attributed to the deliberate reintroduction of several species. Grant it, not all of the wildlife that has been introduced was for
READ MOREIt was in 1900 that the very first federal law to protect game, The Lacey Act, was passed, and in 1929, the Migratory Bird Conservation Act was passed, furthering efforts to protect wildlife. While both of these laws were beneficial to wildlife, neither addressed the issue of funding conservation efforts. Finally, in 1937, the Pittman-Robertson
READ MOREIf St. Patrick’s Day inspires feelings of hearth and home rather than leprechauns and green beer, you can celebrate tradition with warm, filling meals that harken back to Irish heritage. Soups and stews are certain to conjure up some nostalgia while soft, delicious cake is a perfect way to honor tradition regardless of your ancestry.
READ MOREI wanted to wait until after the South Carolina GOP primary to pen this column. The polls that I don’t often trust and many people I talked to told me it would be former President Donald Trump in a runaway. This was my gut feeling also; however, it was Nikki Haley’s home state, and I
READ MOREWoohoo! We made it! March is finally here, and, fingers crossed, the bulk of winter is behind us! The March 6th sunset time is scheduled for 6:05 p.m.! Spring Training has begun! I saw the sun like at least three times last week! I even heard mourning doves the other morning! But don’t get too
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