Every grade schooler knows that President Abraham Lincoln was born in Kentucky — on Feb. 12, 1809. And, he lived in Illinois as a lawyer and a lawmaker before being elected president in 1860. But he did more than just pass through Indiana on his way, as was said upon his death, to belonging “to… Continue reading.

By Richard G. Biever The salvation and revival of the West Baden Springs Hotel 15 years ago was nothing short of a miracle … as much a miracle as raising the architectural marvel in the first place. Called the “Eighth Wonder of the World” when it originally opened in 1903 for its towering dome above… Continue reading.

Electricity turns dark into light, makes hot foods cold and cold foods hot, washes the dishes and searches the internet. It is essential to our everyday lives, so much so that we rarely think about it. But behind the scenes, interesting things are happening.  Here are three interesting facts about electricity that cause even some… Continue reading.

Named for our first president, Washington County shares the nation’s most popular county name with those in 30 other states. Many stories about George Washington have been fabricated. One of the most enduring and endearing myths has to do with a cherry tree to illustrate his honesty. When he was 6 years old, the story… Continue reading.

Do you know what Indiana’s state motto is? The Journey Takes You to a Crossroads Back Home Again in Indiana Hoosier Heartland The Land of Hoosiers The Crossroads of America If you picked the last choice, congratulations. You’re one of 80 percent of Hoosiers who can still recall at least one fun fact from their… Continue reading.

Healthy hearts face risks from many different factors: high cholesterol, obesity, diabetes, tobacco use, an unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, and secondhand smoke, among others. But another common — and often misunderstood — risk factor is high blood pressure. One in three Americans suffers from high blood pressure according to the American Heart Association. Blood pressure… Continue reading.

This month, load up on “heart-y” foods (and we’re not talking about heart-shaped candies and chocolates for Valentine’s Day) because it’s American Heart Month! The American Heart Association recommends eating unrefined whole grain foods to help lower blood cholesterol, as well as fish that contains omega-3 fatty acids (such as salmon, trout and herring) to… Continue reading.

Make it easier to stick to your diet by stocking your kitchen with an array of small appliances designed to cook food the healthy way. Here are seven to consider: Spiralizer. Press a zucchini through this gadget and it turns into spaghetti-like strands that can stand in for the pasta when you’re cutting carbs and… Continue reading.

Treadmills make expensive clothes racks. If you’re in the market for one, think long and hard about how you’ll use it before sinking thousands of dollars into something that will collect dust once your resolve to exercise wanes. If you’re sure you’ll use it, though, a treadmill might be the best piece of exercise equipment… Continue reading.

Make an “Appointment:”‘Schedule your exercise as you would a meeting or a social engagement — and keep the appointment. It’s even easier if you are part of a regular exercise/fitness class. Have a Plan B: If something thwarts your best intentions, have a backup plan. For example, tell yourself, “Tomorrow I will walk at 4… Continue reading.

It’s fitting that International Skeptics Day may be celebrated on Jan. 13.  Because some say it takes place on Oct. 13 instead. Others claim it’s always on the first Friday the 13th of the year. Or is it really celebrated at all? The creators of this special day successfully inspired skepticism when setting a date… Continue reading.

By Richard G. Biever Whenever Tom Laycock sees a blue Indiana “Environment” license plate on a vehicle, he says he wishes he could show the driver his appreciation. “I would love to have a stack of Post-It Notes and be able to run up and just thank everybody,” he said. “Unfortunately, I can’t. And people… Continue reading.