The hottest days of summer remind us that poor energy habits can make our house uncomfortable. It’s never too late to make a few changes around the house to help keep things cool. A bonus: You could lower your energy bill during air-conditioner season. Check for loose or leaky windowpanes. And notice if your home… Continue reading.

By Richard G. Biever You can never have enough confetti said Reggy Funfurhuggin, the purple party dude and official spokescharacter of the National Mascot Hall of Fame in Whiting. And with that, fanfare blew and confetti flew as the Hall welcomed the class of 2020 — its four newest furry, fleece and foam-faced members. Located… Continue reading.

Why did you choose to accept a job at an electric cooperative?  I grew up in this area and knew it was a great place to work. It’s a great family-like culture; everyone is here to help and that makes it such a nice work environment. What’s a typical day like? The most common day… Continue reading.

Nothing garners attention on social media these days like cute critter photos. The photos you make and share of your dog or cat can be just as memorable as the photos you see in magazines or on Instagram. But rarely do they just “happen.” Here are some tips to keep in mind to make your… Continue reading.

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.