The long summer sunlight hours offer unique opportunities to spend time in the great outdoors. The sun can also inspire ideas — and even power activities — for families looking to have fun. More technology utilizes solar power, offering new tools and ideas for things to do. Families can spend time together with a variety… Continue reading.

Hoosier Energy held its second annual Community Impact Week this spring, which was bigger and better than the first. Hoosier Energy employees’ participation increased by 11 percent, and they also saw increased opportunities to participate. The week kicked off with Monroe County Community Kitchen’s Backpack Buddies, which distributes backpacks with food items for distribution to… Continue reading.

By Natalie Derrickson Summer is in full swing, which means more time spent outside. When it’s time to take a break from the pool, look no further than one of Indiana’s shady, serene, and sacred natural spaces. Indiana boasts a wide variety of nature preserves, each offering unique landscapes and opportunities for outdoor exploration. Here… Continue reading.

We asked readers to submit their favorite Fourth of July memories and traditions throughout the years. Here are some of their responses. Our Fourth of July traditions include celebrating with family, grilling out, making s’mores, and setting off fireworks. We also take plenty of photos and make lots of memories each year.— CHRISTINA HUCKELBERRY, SOUTHEASTERN… Continue reading.

By Stephanie Bernaba In honor of National Ice Cream Day on July 21, 2024, we have gathered some of the gooiest, sweetest, and most delectable places for local treats that will cool you down and turn up your taste buds. Some local shops have decades of history, while others offer photo-worthy, shareable snacks. All of… Continue reading.

Even when it’s blistering hot outside, sometimes you can crave a good hot meal — even when you finally get tired of grilling but loathe the idea of turning on the oven. There are some simple, practical things you can do to reduce the energy load and keep comfortable in your kitchen so you don’t… Continue reading.

Did you know that a ceiling fan could allow you to raise the thermostat setting without affecting your comfort? Fans create a wind-chill effect on your skin to make you feel cooler. Raising the temperature and using a fan can help you use less energy running your air conditioner. You may even be able to… Continue reading.

These strategies will help you save energy and keep costs down during the summer when the weather is warm and you are trying to keep your home cool. Use your windows to keep out heat Operate your thermostat efficiently Keep your cooling system running efficiently Consider a range of appliances and lighting options Keep hot… Continue reading.

For the past couple of months, we asked readers to submit their Fourth of July traditions and memories. Some of the submissions are featured on pages 26 and 27. Reading about other people’s celebrations and cherished memories with their families was fun. For my family, July 4th was always a day to get together and… Continue reading.

An estimated 150 million wood poles form the backbone of the nation’s electric grid, supporting the delivery of electricity and telecommunications across America, says Osmose, a nationwide utilities services company. Wood remains the preferred material for poles because of its durability, strength, low cost, and availability. But like most things, wood can weather and weaken…. Continue reading.

By Rob Powell Energy providers and electric bills often reference kilowatts and the cost per kilowatt hour used. While those terms might be familiar, you might occasionally wonder just what is a kilowatt? The first and perhaps most obvious thing to know is that a kilowatt is a metric unit of power used to measure… Continue reading.

By Jo Ellen Myers Sharp Enhance your garden with scents from these aromatic plants I have a small urban yard, and I’m picky about the plants I put there. Because space is limited, I look for fragrant plants. Here are some of my favorites. ANNUALS Flowering tobacco I especially like Nicotiana alata and N. sylvestris,… Continue reading.