Native trees, shrubs, and flowers are best for lawns and landscapes in the Buckeye State. Here’s a look at what to plant—and what not to plant—on your Ohio property.
Growing season is over, and it’s time to put your Ohio garden to bed. Here are some essential maintenance and gardening tips for a garden in winter.
Pumpkins are popping up in Ohio! Be ready for the autumn harvest with your own field of pumpkins in the backyard garden.
Circuses are popular in the United States -- many, like Circus United, raise money for Shrine organizations. Fletcher Runyan, partner and producer of Circus United, shares his story with journalist and long-time circus lover Teri Silver.
It is easy being green when you grow beans in your Ohio garden. Depending on where you live in the Buckeye State, you can stagger the planting windows to have tasty legumes all season long. With these tips and tricks, learning how to grow green beans is easy.
With so many kinds of peppers suitable for growing in Ohio’s climate, you can enjoy them all season long. Do you know how to grow them? It's easy. Mild, hot, tangy, or sweet peppers add a little “spice” to meals, salads, and snacks.
Broccoli is a cool-season vegetable grown in spring and autumn. In Ohio, summer harvests can last all season long—if the weather isn’t overly hot.
Oaks trees in Ohio—some of the sturdiest trees growing in the state—are susceptible to diseases that can damage or destroy them.
The past is now past, but the future of circus continues—in traditional shows, venues, and in new, varied exhibitions. As a forever fan of CIRCUS, this author writes about circus life—yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
Singers like Beyoncé, Jennifer Lopez, and Ariana Grande are considered to be divas. But what exactly makes them divas, and what does the word actually mean?
How wide is home plate? Who was the first pitcher to pitch for both leagues in All-Star games? Check out these and other not-so-trivial tidbits of Major League Baseball.
Can you grow peaches in Ohio? Yes! Juicy peaches grow on trees in Ohio orchards and fruit groves—but you can also cultivate them in your own backyard.
Ohio’s climate is well suited for growing cold-season vegetables, including onions. Whether from seeds or transplants, growing, thickening, and spreading onion bulbs is best done in the spring, but not always.
Big cat trainer Mabel Stark spent more than 50 years in the ring—doing what circus bosses said a woman could never do. Available for streaming and DVD purchase, "Mabel, Mabel, Tiger Trainer" (2018) documents the life of the world’s first lady tiger trainer.
Mowing, weeding, and fertilizing ushers in lush, green grass to yards and landscapes. In Ohio, lawn grass needs constant care to keep the turf healthy.
Flowering impatiens bring color and life to your garden! Learn when to plant impatiens and how to grow them so that you can add them to your beautiful garden.
Learn about native Magnolia species in Ohio, their cultivars, and how to protect them from the elements.
Aerialists strive to entertain circus audiences with daring feats. Trapeze artist Ammed Tuniziani is at the top of his game—hitting quadruple somersaults with amazing consistency.
In Ohio, black walnut trees provide nutritious nuts for people and critters to snack on. But these trees may also harm nearby plants, gardens, and shrubbery.
Now that Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus is closed, world-famous big cat/animal trainer Alexander Lacey takes a look back at his years with the Greatest Show on Earth—and a look forward.
When Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus announced its closing, the casts and crews for both shows were in shock. What would happen next? Some of Ringling’s performers share their stories.
For those of us who’ve always wanted to fly, this documentary is a must-see. The Last Great Circus Flyer introduces us to Miguel Vazquez; the first flyer ever to achieve a quadruple somersault.
Circus lives on! Despite the closing of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey, smaller circuses are in performance at a venue or Big Top near you!
Many candy companies have gone out of business, but their popular brands live on! Candy makers of today produce our long-time favorites.
How sweet it is! Chocolate, gum drops, hard candy, chewing gum ... we love it all. Indulge your sweet tooth with this historic look at candy.
Candy, candy, candy! Here's just a sampling of products to hit the United States candy market from the 1800s, 1900s, '20s, '30s, '40s, '50s, and 1960s.
Circus! As an outsider looking in, this author and circus-lover offers an editorial look at the closing of the Greatest Show on Earth ® in 2017.
Through the eyes of world-famous big cat trainer and animal lover Alexander Lacey, here is a look at what it's like to work with lions and tigers.
Radio station managers know that sound quality is part of everyday operations. But what is the audience actually hearing? Poor sound and shoddy production may lead to lost messages.
Pruning fruit and ornamental trees in Ohio's ever-changing climate helps bring about strong, healthy flowers, fruits, and nuts.
Did you realize that Major League Baseball is woven into America’s long and diverse historical tapestry? Here's a look at teams of today and yesteryear.
With white, red, or pink blooming flowers, dogwood trees thrive in Ohio’s climate. Learn about growing these trees in your yard, how tall they get, and more.
From April through October, it’s baseball season! The announcers can make it confusing, but whether you’re new to the game or an "old pro," baseball is a language we can all speak fluently.
It’s the day every teenager waits for, that magical 18th birthday! Turning 18 is not merely a sign of becoming a legal adult, it has a number of do’s and don’ts that come along for the ride.
Millions of young readers have grown up reading Nancy Drew mysteries. Although depictions of the young sleuth have changed dramatically over the years, Nancy Lives on!
Get the word out! Today’s libraries are not just about loaning out books and providing reference information; they’re a community connection. Bring in more customers by promoting the engaging services your library has to offer.
30 to 40 known species of dolphins live in fresh or salt waters worldwide. They are protected in the U.S. but elsewhere, many dolphin species are endangered, threatened or in an "unknown" status.
Planting healthy grass seed in Ohio depends on the time frame, temperature, method and soil alkalinity.
Barbie Doll got physical! In 1975, Mattel released a line of “free moving” dolls with levers to control the action. That year, Barbie got new friends, new activities and of course, new clothes.
During the 1960s, Barbie Doll, along with her stylish clothes, had a variety of sold-separately (and now, vintage) games, toys and extras -- many sought by collectors today.
Action! Help school-aged children stay busy and creative with activities for before and after school, weekends and vacations. Whether for group settings or solo play, check out these simple games, crafts and projects for elementary and pre-teen school children.
All of us ... well, most of us … have favorite colors. Reds, pinks, oranges, blues; the color wheel is practically endless! But as much as we think every color we like looks good on us, there are some hues that are better than others. Which colors bring out the “color” in you?
Fresh strawberries! Grow these tasty little fruits in gardens, landscapes, containers and greenhouses for your culinary uses.
Climate, soil pH and drainage determine the best types of lawn grass to plant in your yard. This guide will help you figure out what kind of grass is best for your yard and how to properly care for it.
Hanukkah is sometimes referred to as Chanukah, Hannukah, or Chanukkah. Although the holiday is spelled several different ways, its overall meaning is the same. As we will see in this article, the festival celebrates two miracles in Jewish history.
December is one of the most celebrated months in the world … from Christmas, Chanukah/Hannukah/Hanukkah and Kwanzaa to a host of other winter holidays.
Radio … whether it is broadcast (AM and FM), HD, satellite, Internet, one-way, two-way or the latest hybrid, radio is always evolving. What is radio?
The federal government offers grants and loans to municipalities, educational, non-profit and other types of organizations but not for personal finances.
When someone is having (even what appears to be) a stroke, every second counts. Discovery, diagnosis, and treatment must begin immediately.
Whether it’s the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City or the New Year’s Day Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California -- America celebrates with these two major holiday traditions.
Remember those Saturday mornings when we couldn’t wait to turn on the TV? It was cartoon time! Here's a short history of cartoons produced from the 1920s to the 1970s.
Toys, Toys, Toys! We loved toys when we were kids and some of us still do! What toys were in your toy box? Get out your old toys, let’s play!
From the 1930s through today, drive-in movie theaters provide big-screen entertainment on a hot (or cool) summer’s night.
Remember the sweet, sugar-frosted breakfast cereals you loved as a kid? Sugary cereals of the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s bring back those sweet childhood memories.
Remember your favorite children’s book? Re-read the books you enjoyed as a kid -- share them with your own children. A great story in a great book lasts forever!
It all began in the 19th century. When you think of beer, think of Ohio. The Buckeye State (especially in Cincinnati, Cleveland and Columbus) has its own history of brewing beer and ale.
Throughout the decades, we Americans have loved our soda pop, and we still do! What is your favorite soft drink?
The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and Major League Baseball support wooden-bat baseball leagues for college students in the summer.
Flirting is not merely a way to attract the opposite sex; you can overcome shyness by turning on your natural charm. Yes, you can Learn to Flirt!
OMG, I’m 50 Years Old! Hey, Lady, you are too. We are entering the second half of our century. Scary? Strange? Unsettling? Sure, but it is still excellent!
50 years old is something to celebrate! Turn 50 years old with humor, wisdom, and optimism.
Passover is an eight-day holiday celebrated in the spring. What is Passover, and why do Jewish people honor the tradition with Seders and special foods? What is a Seder? Where did the Ten Commandments come from? Before watching the movie, check this out.
Baseball is “America’s pastime.” Wooden and concrete ballparks and stadiums add to the sport’s rich heritage. Take a look back at the homes of your favorite teams!
If you want to make money with a hobby band, you must first create a professionally-minded business plan. Then stick to it. Here are 11 tips for succeeding in a crowded field.
Get out your green! St. Patrick’s Day is March 17th; the day when everyone becomes Irish. Who was St. Patrick and why do we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day?
New Orleans, Rio de Janeiro and other cities around the world come alive every year with the Mardi Gras. What is Mardi Gras and why do we celebrate it?
Valentine’s Day is a special time for giving romantic tokens of love; candy, flowers, perfumes, greeting cards, jewelry and the like. But why is Valentine’s Day about love and romance? Valentine … who was this guy, anyway?
Out with the old, in with the new! Traditions and cultures give us different New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day celebrations around the world.
Caring for “senior” cats can sometimes be a challenge, but your furry family member is depending on you. Love your kitty!
Chinese Holly, with its bright green leaves and glossy red berries, thrive in warm climates. Soil pH, fertilizer and insecticides help Chinese Holly shrubs to stay healthy.
Hand-spun and blown glass is an art form requiring skill, patience, and the ability to “stand the heat.” Have a few pieces on your knick-knack shelf? Here are some basics of how they came to be.
Olives are great in salads and on pizza but can you grow them in your own backyard? Olive trees need hot, dry weather and ample space to spread their roots.
America acknowledges a number of patriotic and other kinds of holidays and observances each year, although not all of these days mean time off from work. Still, Americans celebrate America!
What to buy -- and what not to buy -- for college students living in school dormitories and university-owned apartments.
From the Big Top to the arenas to the small tent shows, generations of people have always loved the circus. Check out these favorite circus movies, documentaries, and TV shows.
Traveling the Caribbean and Mexico -- What to expect at beachfront resort hotels and All-Inclusives. "KNOW" before you go -- enjoy a stress-free vacation!
Baseball’s documentaries, highlights and player biographies are available for viewing on the small (or large) screen. It doesn’t have to be Baseball Season -- (But it couldn’t hurt!)
Even when the season is over, baseball lives on! Stories about America’s national pastime have entertained theater and television audiences for decades.
Damaged power cords are dangerous! Repair or replace damaged cords on vacuum cleaners and all electrical appliances before use.
Mattel produced the original Francie Doll, Barbie’s “mod” cousin, for ten years; 1966 through 1975 (although the doll continued to sell in 1976 and 1977). Francie Doll was still popular in the mid 1970s but she received fewer clothing line additions in 1974 and 1975 than she had in previous years.
Toy manufacturers produced many different items in 1973, from Walkie Talkies to Silly Putty to Hoppity Hops. That year, Barbie Doll's "mod" cousin Francie had a new curly hairstyle and a number of new outfits.
In 1974, Barbie Doll celebrated her sweet 16th birthday. Mattel’s teenage fashion model had new looks, new clothes and a special Sweet 16 Barbie promotional doll.
Barbie Doll was as popular as ever! 1973 saw a new wardrobe (of course!) and dolls with “quick curl” hair. From 1959 through the early 1970s, Barbie Doll loved her Fashion Runway!
While many people write for fun and profit, “spreading the word” is actually serious business; readers want accurate reporting and “the whole story.” Journalism, in one of its simplest forms, is the dissemination of information to a wide range of audiences.
You don’t need to be a professional orator to talk into a microphone, but knowing how to use one is very important—that is, if you want your audience to understand what you’re saying. Check out these tips for different types of microphones and how to use them effectively.
A special bond exists between cats and their “owners.” Check out these tips and “tails” on how to care for your feline friends.
Mourning a beloved pet is a personal journey. You can help someone with their grief by doing just one thing … listening.
Stripes, checks, plaids, flowers, zigzags—these patterns were all included in Francie Doll’s 1972 wardrobe. The colors were hot, and the fashions were wild. “Fancy Francie” added some great new outfits to her closet!
Barbie Doll got a new look for 1972. She was a busy and active gal! Mattel released new versions of Walk Lively Barbie and Busy Barbie in 1972—and, of course, a whole new wardrobe!
The 1971 fashion scene featured knee-length, “midi” and “maxi” skirts and dresses, sweater vests and high blouse collars. Peasant and “granny” dresses were popular, as well as pants suits (straight and wide-legged bottoms), ponchos and halter tops. Francie Doll’s closet featured the latest...
What do all those letters and numbers in a baseball box score stand for? Knowing how to read a professional box score will keep you in the game.
You’ve heard it before, the scammers are out and they want YOUR money. But whether it’s during the holiday season or other times of the year, you are always at risk for being conned out of money, credit card and identification information.
Snowflakes are fluffy, feathery and frigid. How do they form and why are they so different, yet the same? What gives a snowflake its unique characteristics? Whether you love it or hate it, snowfall can be a beautiful work of art.
Styles and fashions were changing in 1971 … and so was Barbie! Barbie and her friends went “Malibu” and the live-action dolls got even more active. 1971 was the beginning of a new era for Barbie!
The 1970s arrived, and—of course—Francie Doll had a new wardrobe! Mattel released 16 new outfits for Francie and Casey dolls in 1970. Francie also had a couple of new hairstyles!
It was the dawn of a new decade! Barbie Doll really started to “live” when Mattel introduced the new Living Barbie in 1970. With new features and a new wardrobe, Barbie and her friends entered the 1970s in style!
Spelling, verbiage, grammar and punctuation are all essential to conveying information and ideas in a concise and understandable way. Think Like a Professional when writing blogs, articles, Internet posts and advertisements.
America’s “mod” scene was in full swing and Francie Doll got some groovy new threads in 1969. Mini-skirts, bold colors and patterns, shiny fabrics … and some “classic” looks … it was all Francie!
1969 was a “mod” year for Barbie Doll and her friends. The world was changing … Barbie Doll was in style, swinging with the swingers! Check out Barbie’s 1969 fashion choices.
The late 1960s brought maxis, minis, bold patterns, and hot colors to a young woman’s wardrobe. In 1968, Francie Doll wore the same “mod” clothes as her swingin’ friends on Carnaby Street!
Barbie’s “mod” wardrobe featured bold colors, sharp patterns, and a few classics. In 1968, Barbie wore 24 new outfits (and 14 repeats from 1967). 1968 was hot and wild!
So, you think employers cannot ask your age? Think again.
Francie Doll wore the hip clothes of the “mod” era. 1967 was a year of hot colors, wild patterns, shiny materials, and fun! Whether her outfits were traditional or mod, Francie Doll was a trendsetter!
The world was changing and in 1967, so was Barbie Doll! The Teenaged Fashion Model got a new face, long straight hair, twistable body and a groovy new wardrobe.
Avocado trees with root rot or other diseases may or may not be salvageable.
Francie Doll was on the scene, wearing those mod, mod clothes! Barbie's cousin Francie joined the Mattel family in 1966.
1966 was a stylish year for Barbie and her friends. Barbie Doll loved the new look! She added a variety of new "classic" and "mod" outfits to her wardrobe.
Introduced in 1959, Barbie Doll’s popularity, as well as the number of outfits and accessories available, soared in the 1960s. 1965 was a high-fashion year!
Outfits, separates, accessories, costumes ... they are all in Barbie's closet. 1964 was a fashionable year for her!
Barbie Doll had a lot of outfits to choose from! In 1962, eight new ensembles were added to Barbie’s closet. Also available were 28 outfits from 1959 to 1961.
Barbie Doll began her fashion journey in 1959. Her clothes, including those introduced in 1959, 1960, and 1961, reflected fashion trends during the 1960s.
Generations of us love our Barbie dolls—a love affair that’s lasted since 1959.
All you need are pumpkin seeds, salt, and a great technique! Roasted pumpkin seeds made simple.