By Richard G. Biever Laura Burton was never the kind of little girl who dreamed of having that big, fancy, “Barbie-style” ballroom wedding. “I was more of a tomboy,” she said. But on Sunday drives with her parents, she did like to daydream while gazing out the back windows at the passing farmland and countryside…. Continue reading.

Benton County’s two most prominent claims to fame both pertain to the “harness” — as in harness racing and harnessing the wind. At the turn of the 20th century, harness racing was one of the most popular sports in the nation. And into the limelight paced Dan Patch, a dark bay Standardbred stallion who went… Continue reading.

Coffee has never been my beverage of choice. Although I’ve always adored how it smells, its characteristic bitterness assaults my taste buds.   But since I’ve recently discovered caramel frappes — which I’ve decided are my personal “gateway” into the wonderful world of coffee — I’m starting to understand the appeal of an occasional cup… Continue reading.

Leona Wright doesn’t remember the exact day electricity came to her family’s White County farm, but she remembers the results: “It sure was nice to get away from the coal oil lamps to do my homework.” Now 95, Wright was just a teenager when her local REMC turned the lights on in the waning days… Continue reading.

By Richard G. Biever “What’s the difference between wonder and wander?” pondered Phil Anderson rhetorically. It begins with a subtle — yet internally rapturous — “oooh” and “aaah.”  “It’s just a letter,” he said. “Wonder and wander go hand-in-hand. Why do you wander? It’s because you wonder. Curiosity … wonder: It’s what makes you get… Continue reading.

Noble County is situated in northeastern Indiana’s “lake country.” And two lakes — or rather, a series of nine connecting lakes and one other — are especially significant in the county’s culture and its attractions. The Chain O’Lakes State Park, in south central Noble County, is a series of serene kettle lakes — created by… Continue reading.

Electricity is safe when it’s used correctly. We should treat electricity with respect inside our homes as well as in our yards. Keep the following electricity rules in mind so you can stay safe: Never climb on or play near anything that says “High Voltage.” Never go near a fallen power line or near someone… Continue reading.

While electrical safety is something we need to think about every day, and we can do much to ensure it, sometimes we have to call in an expert to deal with electrical problems in our home. Problems may be expensive to fix but none is as costly as an electrical fire that damages your home,… Continue reading.

No one understands the importance of electrical safety more than electric lineworkers. Every day, they literally put their lives on the line to ensure you have power. Linemen know that when working with electricity, it is crucial to always follow the rules and never take any safety shortcuts. That’s why during Electrical Safety Month we… Continue reading.

For all the wonderful things electricity does for us, it can be unforgiving if not treated with respect — all the time. Electricity is energy. Like most forms of energy, it’s powerful. As essential as electricity is to our daily lives, when it is misused or the system that delivers it to our homes is… Continue reading.

Electricity causes over 140,000 fires each year, resulting in more than 500 deaths, 4,000 injuries and $1.6 billion in property damage, according to the Electrical Safety Foundation International. There are many measures you can take to ensure the safety of your loved ones. Use these helpful tips from ESFI to safeguard your home: In the… Continue reading.

What you need Eggs Bowl Egg carton Newspaper Cup Potting soil Water Spoon Grass seed Spray bottle (optional) What to do Crack each egg, very carefully, really close to the top of the shell, all the way around the shell. (Crack it close to the top so that you have a deep cavity in which… Continue reading.