A summer day was not complete in Northwestern Pennsylvania in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s, until the fireflies flashed. We would exchange the kickball, metal can (for kick-the-can), or whatever backyard game we were playing after dinner for the clear glass jars mom would save for just one purpose...catching lightning bugs. To us, they were “Lightning Bugs” because they looked like flashes of lightning in the night sky.  To you, they may be Fireflies, Flashing B …

Add another holiday flavor to your Christmas cookie tray with these tasty Cran-Orange Shortbread Cookies. This easy-to-make, delicious shortbread is buttery, tart, and citrusy, a perfect combination of Christmas flavors.   Thanks to our friends at Rada Cutlery for this recipe Ingredients for 2 1/2 dozen cookies 1/2 C. dried sweetened cranberries 1/4 C. sugar 2 1/2 C. flour 1/2 C. sugar 1 C. cold cubed butter 1tsp. almond extract zest of 1 orange For glaze: 1T. orange juice 1/4 …

In Western Pennsylvania, we call them "Gobs" but maybe you prefer the term "Whoopie Pies." Whatever you call them, I call them delicious. For those who haven't heard of either, a Gob (that's what I am calling them from here on out,) is a soft, cake like, chocolate cookie sandwich with vanilla cream in the middle. "The term gob was trademarked in 1927 by the Harris-Boyer bakery. Gobs are inherently part of the fabric of Pennsylvania's culinary landscape." You Can read more about the his …

Do you remember the iconic Soda Fountain of the 1950s? This was the hippest hangout spot for teens and young adults of that era. History of the Soda Fountain The Drugstore Soda Fountain, or Malt Shop, has a long history. It dates back to the early 1800s. At the time, drinking mineral water was a popular health trend. This fad prompted the development of a machine that added carbonation to mineral water. In May 1886, Dr. John Stith Pemberton, a local pharmacist, created the syrup for Coca- …

Have a drive-in movie night any time without leaving home. You can get as fancy or relaxed as you want for outdoor movie night, but the two most important things to have, besides snacks, are a Movie Screen and a Projector. Here, we will show you how to DIY the movie screen for $50-$60. The movie projector can be found on Amazon or other online electronic retailers. Get one that will hook up to a DVD player (or Xbox). It can also be hooked up to different gaming consoles for larger-than-life vid …

Late Spring to Early Summer is the perfect time to try our Rhubarb Crunch Recipe.   It is that wonderful time of year again when the delicious, tangy rhubarb is ready to harvest. Rhubarb can be enjoyed by itself as a crispy treat or as a sweet, delectable dessert. This rhubarb crunch dessert is a great way to add a little sweetness to rhubarb. Ingredients 1 1/2 C. flour 1 1/2 C. quick-cooking rolled oats 1 1/2 C. brown sugar 1/2 t. ground cinnamon 3/4 C. butte …

Impress your family and friends with all the flavors of a bacon cheeseburger at your college or pro football tailgates without the hassle of transporting a grill!  This cheeseburger dip gives you all the juicy, bacon-y goodness of a cheeseburger, while dill relish, ketchup, and mustard make it a flavor explosion with ground beef, bacon, and cheese. It's like the ultimate burger experience with lettuce, tomato, and pickles on top! I'm making this dip a bit easier by using Halladay's Bacon Ch …

How The General Store Started The concept of the general store can be traced back to the original trading posts. These stores were located on trade routes in the early 19th century. Besides trading and the bartering of goods and supplies, trading posts were also places for people to meet to exchange local and worldly news in a time when newspapers did not exist. Trading posts were very common in the early settlements of the United States for the fur trade. For many communities, they were th …

Why Polypropylene Rope is a Must-Have for Every Home The garden hose is tangled, the trash can lid keeps flying off, and your kids' swing is hanging on by a thread: literally. You don't need a full toolkit. You need one underrated, overperforming fix: polypropylene rope. It's weatherproof, won't rot, and strong enough to secure just about anything around the house. Need to tie back a tree branch, secure patio furniture, or rig a quick clothesline? This rope handles it all, rain, shine, or …

Poly is an artificial material that is created using high-density polyethylene (HDPE). This material is derived from recycled plastic items, such as milk jugs, laundry detergent bottles, and water bottles. HDPE is well-known for its strength. Therefore, it is a popular option for making materials for industrial and commercial use. HDPE is derived from recycled plastic. It is a strong and durable material. This makes it suitable for many uses. Poly is easy to take care of and is practically maint …