Christmas cookie season is behind us, but don’t put away those baking sheets just yet: Making the sweet treats can be one of the most pleasant ways to pass a chilly, indoor afternoon with your children. Baking with kids teaches them kitchen skills that they’ll use for the rest of their lives. You also can… Continue reading.

If you’ve resolved to travel more during 2020, get your house ready.  Traveling is more fun and relaxing when you don’t have to worry about whether your home is safe and secure. Here are five ways to prevent mishaps — and save some energy — during your absence.  Create the illusion that someone is home…. Continue reading.

Most New Year’s resolutions benefit us. If we quit smoking, lose weight or exercise more, for example, we get healthier and happier. This year, add a resolution that benefits others: Volunteer in your community. For starters, your electric cooperative could use your help. Did you know that the board of directors at your electric utility… Continue reading.

Going on a diet again this Jan. 1? Opening a savings account? Joining a gym?  Here’s another one — and it might be easier to keep for longer than two weeks: Do one thing a month that will make your home more energy efficient. Here are 12 easy ideas:  January: Get into the habit of… Continue reading.

’Tis the season to swear off of sugar and fat as you embark on your first diet of the new year. Make it easier on yourself by stocking your kitchen with an array of small appliances designed to cook food the healthy way. Here are seven to consider: Spiralizer. Press a zucchini through this gadget… Continue reading.

By Emily Schilling One of my favorite Christmas traditions is spreading some holiday cheer to a lucky reader. In the past, I’ve given out ornaments, Christmas CDs, one of my favorite holiday movies and a gift basket of Christmas goodies. This year, I’d like to share something meaningful as well as practical: the gift of… Continue reading.

By Richard G. Biever Franklin D. Roosevelt probably didn’t dub his successful 1932 presidential campaign — “New Deal” — after unsuccessfully playing cards in a French Lick gambling house. But he first laid what became his bold “new deal for the American people” on the table at the 1931 National Governors’ Conference at the renowned… Continue reading.

Even the happiest of times can turn to tragedy if everyone’s not careful. This winter, practice some commonsense electrical safety. You could prevent accidents, fires and injuries — and save the season for everyone who gathers in your home for the holidays. Here are 10 electrical safety tips: 1. Buy lights designed for outdoor use. … Continue reading.

If a video-game fanatic is on your holiday shopping list, consider updating his or her video game console to a newer model. Newer consoles use a lot less energy than older ones. Still, gaming consoles are so energy inefficient that the National Resources Defense Council a couple of years ago estimated they consume enough electricity… Continue reading.

It’s the same thing every year — the Christmas tree is up, you decorate it and that’s that. But it all happens so fast. Sometimes you just want to keep going and decorate some more trees! Well, we’ve got a way for you to keep up the tree trimming! Make some edible Christmas trees using… Continue reading.

By Richard G. Biever If words and phrases like: “You’ll shoot your eye out” “Triple-dog dare” “Fragil-ee” and “Oh, fuuuuuudge!!” immediately bring smiles to your face and visions of BBs ricocheting in your head, have we found a home for you this holiday season! Hammond’s “‘A Christmas Story’ Comes Home” is a holiday exhibit and… Continue reading.

Whether you’re buying lights to trim the tree or power tools to wrap as gifts, beware of bogus “bargains” this holiday season. Many home products can be illegally counterfeited, placing the purchaser — or the recipient of the perilous present — in danger of using faulty electrical equipment that does not meet product safety standards…. Continue reading.