Who doesn’t love a warm fire during a chilly winter night? While fireplaces and wood stoves can add warmth to your home, they should be used responsibly. Here are some tips from the U.S. Fire Administration to keep your home fire safe.

Festive celebrations, flickering lights, and winter greens are hallmarks of the holiday season, but they also present fire risks that can quickly turn this festive time of year into a devastating one. National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) statistics indicate that 30% of all home fires and 38% of home fire deaths occur during December, January,… Continue reading.

Winter holidays are a time for families and friends to get together. But that also means a greater risk of fire. Following a few simple tips will ensure a happy and fire-safe holiday season. DECK THE HALLS O, CHRISTMAS TREE I’LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS SILENT NIGHT

By Natalie Derrickson Sometimes, you can’t help but stare, but these Hoosier State standouts invite curious eyes to take in their mega-sized status.  World’s largest candle Warm Glow Candle Outlet2131 N Centerville Road, Centerville, IN 47330warmglowcandleoutlet.com  The cozy glow and staggering size of the World’s Largest Candle have been known to lure celebrity tour busses… Continue reading.

By Nicole Thomas Located in central Indiana, Hancock County is a part of the National Road Heritage Trail, a project repurposing old railways into recreational paths across the state. The county’s Pennsy Trail follows the route of the former Pennsylvania Railroad, offering a scenic path for walkers, runners, and cyclists while honoring the county’s transportation… Continue reading.

By Jodi Borger Indiana boasts a rich literary heritage and is home to numerous authors who have contributed significantly to various genres and American literary history. These writers reflect the state’s evolving literary landscape, engaging readers of varying ages with their diverse writings. Many Indiana authors have also influenced broader American literature, specifically on identity,… Continue reading.

Roasting a turkey in the oven is still the most popular way to cook a bird for Thanksgiving. Here are some do’s and don’ts to take the fear out of this intimidating process.  Do’s and don’ts of roasting a whole turkey DON’T roast turkey in an oven temperature lower than 325 F. DON’T roast turkey… Continue reading.

Why brine a turkey? This process infuses turkey with moisture and produces a tender and juicy roasted turkey every time. Perdue Farms, which has turkey farms in Indiana, suggests wet or dry brining for a delicious oven-cooked turkey. WET BRINE Brine is a salt-water solution that may include woody herbs like rosemary and thyme, crushed… Continue reading.

TRADITIONAL METHOD Place the frozen turkey in a large food storage container, a pan with a high lip, or the roasting pan you will use to roast the turkey in the oven. Place the turkey in a refrigerator and let it defrost. A good rule of thumb is to allow five hours per pound of… Continue reading.

How much turkey do you need to feed family and friends? Plan on about half a pound of cooked turkey per guest (Thanksgiving dinner servings only) or 1 pound per guest (Thanksgiving dinner servings plus leftovers). Cooking a whole bird reduces the amount of edible meat by 25%, so check out this chart for the… Continue reading.

This month’s feature story on Bands of America made me feel nostalgic. Although I was never in marching band (I was a show choir kid, but that’s a story for another column), many of my high school friends were. Each summer, the friends who were not in band would make the drive to DePauw University… Continue reading.

By Natalie Derrickson Pigs are among the most intelligent yet misunderstood animals, and sadly, they are often left out of the traditional animal rescue circle.  It’s hard not to love a pig, but many pig adorers realize too late that pig ownership requires more training, patience, and preparedness than initially anticipated. That’s why rescues like… Continue reading.