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Easter memories and specialties from Bev’s Kitchen

Happy Easter week from the kitchen! However you decide to spend Easter Sunday, I do hope there’s food involved. As a child growing up, I remember my mom making baked ham, mashed potatoes, corn and baked beans. Also, we had filling and gravy and pickled or deviled eggs. It was a comfort food feast and was made more special because the ham was from our farm-raised pigs and the corn and potatoes from the field that we all helped to harvest. My Mom was always prepared with Easter baskets filled with goodies. No small feat with eight children. My Easter menu this year is grilled ham, ...

Nana’s Disney adventure filled with magic

I just returned from a trip to Disney World with my son, his wife, and two of my grandchildren — Sloan and Oliver. It had been decades since my last visit, and to say things have changed is a gross understatement. I tried to prepare myself both mentally and physically for the trip, but nothing could have fully prepared me for what was ahead. I had my nails painted in Disney colors and shapes, my brand-new Mickey Mouse backpack was packed, and my Mickey pajamas and T-shirt, along with my warm-weather clothes, were neatly tucked into my carry-on. I was ready for adventure. The first ...

When it’s not someone else

I learned a difficult lesson several years ago—one that reshaped my perspective on life and compassion. It started with the distant wail of sirens as an ambulance sped by. I barely noticed it, continuing my day as usual. Then came “the call.” My father was in that ambulance, being rushed to a helicopter that would fly him to a trauma center. He had fallen from a tree he was trimming, suffering severe, life-threatening injuries. Our lives changed forever that day. After numerous surgeries, weeks in the hospital, and months of rehabilitation, we brought him home as a quadriplegic. ...

Does it have to be your daughter?

At this year’s PIAA indoor track state championships on March 2, young ladies from across the state traveled to State College for their shot at gold, something they had been working their entire lives towards. However, as they prepared for their events, they noticed that two males were competing. They also noticed something else. These males had taken spots away from well deserving girls. Sadly, this is not an isolated instance as some claim. Since 2020 in Pennsylvania, 37 female athletes have lost first place, and another 13 lost second or third place. Overall, this injustice has ...

Mentored Youth Trout Day scheduled

With some pleasantly warmer days over the past couple of weeks and the official arrival of spring, most anglers are certainly getting ready to return to the water sometime soon. I have enjoyed the good weather on several successful outings for smallmouth bass on the Juniata River. The opening day of trout season is now two weeks away on Saturday, April 5. The annual Mentored Youth Trout Day, however, is next Saturday, March 29. Mentored Youth Trout Day was created several years ago to provide an opportunity for an adult mentor to introduce a young person to trout fishing without ...

Spring is in the air and in Bev’s Kitchen

Happy day before spring from the kitchen! Spring makes me think of new and fresh things like flowers and seeds being planted. Ok, so I’m rushing it. Since moving into town, I don’t have access to growing things like before. I do know where several roadside stands and markets are located. I recently took inventory of my winter supplies in the freezer. The corn, beans, jellies and pesto are getting close to being gone so time to start planning for another season of food. The pickles are already used up. With the price of groceries I’m hoping to put more foods away for the next ...