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Celebrate charm, quirk of Ireland

With St. Patrick’s Day just around the corner and many of us having some shamrocks growing around our family trees, it’s the perfect time to explore some lesser-known facts about Ireland. From the deep-rooted symbol of the shamrock to some truly quirky laws, Ireland is a land of fascinating history and charm. St. Patrick, Ireland’s patron saint, is credited with bringing Christianity to the island and uniting its many clans under a single faith. As he tried to explain the concept of the Holy Trinity — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — he is said to have picked a shamrock from ...

Happy grilling season from Bev’s Kitchen

Hello from the kitchen, or from the grill! Time for some spring grilling. We enjoy the usual hotdogs and hamburgers, but have you ever tried salmon or your favorite fish on the grill? Adds so much more flavor. I buy the disposable grill topper pans to put the salmon in, so I don’t lose anything in the grill. Another family favorite is a grilled ham slice. I brush my ham with either a bit of peach jam or orange marmalade for some added flavor, too. Just make sure you wait until the ham is close to done before brushing the jam on. The sugar in the jam can burn if it’s on the grill ...

Laughs, love, and little feet

My seven grandchildren (number eight is on the way) never cease to amaze me. Just when I think they can’t get any funnier or more adorable — they do! Recently, I had the opportunity to assist my daughter-in-law, Katie, as she unpacked the moving trucks for her mother, who was relocating from Kentucky to Pennsylvania. After unwrapping box number 25, we had quite the mountain of crumpled packing paper heaped on the floor. My four-year-old grandson, Oliver, was having the time of his life, running across the room and leaping into the pile like it was a mound of fall leaves. At the ...

Bev shares family memories from the kitchen

Hello from the kitchen! I see many of you are already counting down the days until spring. As I get older, I try not to wish for the days to go faster. I remember my Dad telling me once to stop wishing my life away because it’ll go faster than you think. So I’m enjoying life one day at a time. Yesterday was the anniversary of my Mother’s passing, so I thought I’d highlight a few of her favorite dishes she made for us. Potpie was often made. Whether ham, chicken or beef, it was always good. Along with apple butter and cottage cheese on bread, it made for an excellent meal. ...

Remembering the 1887 Mifflin County sleigh ride murder trial

It was a dark and stormy night when it all began. Well, perhaps it wasn’t, but the winter of 1886 did bring a chilling tale to Mifflin County, one that would resonate in local folklore for years to come. What began as a seemingly ordinary evening took a dark turn, resulting in the tragic death of John Akely. This case — marked by mystery, scandal, and unanswered questions — remains a dark chapter in our local history. As you picture a Victorian winter scene with a horse-drawn sleigh gliding across freshly fallen snow, it might be hard to imagine a sense of foreboding. Yet on that ...

Embracing the leap: A New Year’s adventure awaits

Here we are again, standing on the cusp of another year, ready to take the plunge into the unknown. Will it be a terrifying, uncontrolled free fall or a leisurely, floating descent? That remains to be seen. Even though we don’t possess a magical crystal ball to reveal the future, would you want one? Isn’t it the unpredictability that makes life an adventure — a journey into the unknown? That’s not to say we shouldn’t plan or work to avoid harm and pitfalls. But isn’t there something exhilarating about that feeling of excitement and freedom right as we leap into a new ...