The first American settlers in Marshall County arrived a year before the county’s formation in 1836. They came from primarily New England Puritan descent. Thus, Plymouth — after Plymouth, Massachusetts — was the name selected for the county seat. But two locations just south of Plymouth form notable chapters of the county’s history. On the… Continue reading.

Enjoy your favorite food without guilt! August’s calendar is chockful of special days celebrating a variety of tasty temptations. Make note of these Very Important Days because if it’s, say, National Ice Cream Sandwich Day you can’t just ignore it, right?

Get more use out of your backyard deck or patio by lighting it up after dark. You’ll find an array of low-voltage deck lighting fixtures that are as eye-catching during the light of day as they are at night.  Installing low-voltage deck lights can be a do-it-yourself job. But if you want an elaborate spread,… Continue reading.

Food spoils quicker during warm weather, so keep your leftovers wrapped up tight and refrigerated — but not for too long. If you notice any odors at all when you open the door of your refrigerator, chances are it’s coming from long-ago leftovers lurking in the back of the shelves. And who knows which of… Continue reading.

The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that heating water for use in your home accounts for 12 to 18 percent of your energy bill. Here’s how to lower that number: The simplest way to use less hot water is to take shorter showers.  Do take showers, though; you’ll use a lot more hot water filling… Continue reading.

You can save a bundle on major appliances during Labor Day sales.  At this time of the year, stores are making room for next year’s models of refrigerators, stoves, dishwashers, microwave ovens, and washers and dryers, which they introduce in September and October.  So, they offer deep discounts at end-of-summer sales.  Look on retailers’ websites… Continue reading.

By Emily Schilling One of my favorite Christmas traditions is watching Hallmark Channel Christmas movies.  Typically, these movies are “happily ever after” flicks that also provide viewers with the holiday of their dreams: small towns decked out to the nines, festively decorated homes, plates of cookies and mugs of hot cocoa, Christmas caroling, snowman building… Continue reading.

Humble hot dog no more! Celebrate National Hot Dog Month by upgrading everyone’s favorite summertime staple. Set up a toppings bar of creative extras to bring out the best in the wurst. Turn the page to find out how. By adding a few tasty extras, your dog can explode with flavor. First step in setting… Continue reading.

The restorative power of nature is a recurrent theme in literature, music and art. And if ever Hoosiers could use a little restorative power, it’s right about now. If you are looking to get away this month, but maybe not to a crowded or far away place, Indiana offers a diverse group of public campgrounds…. Continue reading.

By Richard G. Biever As president of her graduating class, Abby Bannon was expected to deliver the traditional speech welcoming classmates, family, faculty and friends to the 2020 Crawfordsville High School commencement in May. Instead, in a year that’s been anything but traditional, the talented singing/songwriting senior penned an ode for her classmates filled with… Continue reading.

Tucked along the state’s southern contours amid the rolling hills of the Hoosier National Forest and the Ohio River, Perry County is one of Indiana’s best kept secrets. Almost three quarters of the county is within the southernmost boundaries of the National Forest which offers Perry County residents and visitors a variety of outdoor activities… Continue reading.

When you plug a lamp or an appliance into a socket, you expect to be able to turn it on. Sometimes, though, you’ll find that the outlet is “dead.” Before you call an electrician, check a few things out: Plug something different into the same outlet. It could be that the problem is with the… Continue reading.