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The problem with leaf blowers, and what you can do instead

Many communities across the country have tried to ban or limit leaf blowers because of their noise and environmental impact. But they roar on. There are simple alternatives and steps you can take. First, if you hire a landscaper, express your concerns. If you have the time and inclination, ...

What to say if you’re in recovery and your workplace encourages social drinking

Picture this: It's lunchtime in the 1960s, and you're out with co-workers enjoying not one, not two, but three cocktails with your meal. While the three-martini lunch seems improbable today, workplaces still can be boozy places. After-work happy hours, corporate parties and client meetings at fancy bars are still expected in many areas of American corporate culture. Talking about sobriety with managers and colleagues therefore can be daunting for people in recovery from alcohol addiction. Professionals in some industries fear being judged for needing help or missing out on career ...

A roof, rain and trusses at MCL

We have a roof. Well, the Mifflin County Library in Lewistown has always had a roof, but now we have a new roof. As a matter of fact, we have several new roofs. Let me explain. Penn State Extension is getting a new office at MCL in Lewistown, in the back, with the entrance by Berks Alley. ...

Judging a book by its cover

Each book comes with a cover. The writer and/or the publisher can enlist an artist to design the book’s cover. If a book has new editions released, the cover may change. I have recently seen new editions released to coincide with TV adaptations on Netflix or Hulu. The cover can use the same ...

The boy who waited became the doctor who helped them see

LEWISTOWN – Alan Gordon was five years old when his father went away for cataract surgery in 1952. He was gone for three weeks. To a boy that age, it felt like forever. The operation was only the beginning. Months passed before his father received a contact lens. He struggled with it, but ...

Chevrolet Bolt vs. Nissan Leaf, an Edmunds $30,000 EV comparison

The Nissan Leaf and Chevrolet Bolt EV are formidable rivals for the title of America's most affordable electric vehicle. The new third-generation Leaf discards its hatchback roots for a taller, more modern crossover shape, while the Bolt returns from a hiatus to undercut its rival by roughly $2,500. Both are excellent, budget-friendly entries for testing the EV waters without committing to costlier midmarket Tesla and Hyundai alternatives. The slightly cheaper Bolt has the edge with maneuverability and quick charging speeds, while the overhauled Leaf counters with more range and slightly ...