Have you been to a Wal-Mart lately and seen the price of a gallon of milk? It’s less than $2 – every day. That’s right – less than $2 for a gallon of milk. Yes, genuine “moo-juice”. The real thing. How does a store like Wal-Mart (or any grocery store for that matter) make any money offering deals like that? Well, the truth is, they don’t. It is just another one of the tricks that supermarkets play on unsuspecting shoppers…
My oldest daughter recently completed a week-long excursion to London this past summer. It is a tradition started by my mother. Whenever one of her grandchildren reaches their 15th birthday, Grandma will take them on a trip – anywhere they want to go. Pretty awesome gift, huh? She’s accompanied grand-kids to Paris and on a cruise to the Scandinavian countries (with Germany and Russia thrown in for good measure). My youngest is eagerly waiting in anticipation for her turn in…
Looking for something different to do this weekend with friends and family? If you enjoy the soothing sounds of smooth jazz, then you won’t want to miss what’s happening in Waynesboro, PA this Sunday, August 28th. The Renfrew Institute will present its 25th Annual Jazz Festival, which is held each year on the lawn behind the historic museum house on the Renfrew grounds (the rain location will be Waynesboro Area High School auditorium). Organizers have gone the extra mile to…
Is your travel wish to take part in this year’s Oktoberfest celebrations in Germany? Do you secretly wish you could drink your German beer out of a stein? Do you have a weird affinity for lederhosen? If the answer to any one of these questions is “yes” then you, my friend, are in luck. This weekend marks the 21st anniversary of the “Augustoberfest” celebration in downtown Hagerstown, MD. Celebrating the German heritage of the four-state area and the 64th year…
How many times has this happened to you? You’re talking with friends about their weekend, and they drop the big bombshell “yeah we just saw [insert celebrity name here] in concert – it was great!” You, meanwhile, are thinking “Darn it! I didn’t even know [insert celebrity name here] was in town. I would have loved to see that show.” Don’t let that happen this year. I’ve taken the liberty of compiling a list of the big-name acts coming to…
As I’ve mentioned in a previous article, the bounty from that backyard or patio summer garden is at its peak, and everyone is looking for ideas on what to do with all of those beautiful, fresh vegetables. A homemade pico de gallo is an easy and tasty way to get some great use out of all those “extra” tomatoes and bell peppers. Pico de gallo (also known as salsa fresca) is basically a homemade salsa – the difference being is…
Growing up in the four-state area, we often take our local sites and attractions for granted. They are so close and easily accessible that we often ignore them in favor of more far-flung destinations or activities. One of the many local gems that falls victim to this mindset is the Chesapeake & Ohio (C&O) Canal. Commissioned by President James Monroe and built between 1828 and 1850, the C&O Canal was intended to provide a reliable trade route from the Appalachian…
Grocery shopping. Next to the home mortgage, it’s probably your family’s biggest monthly expense. According to the USDA, the average family of four spends $239 a week on what they call a “moderate” cost food plan. That’s almost $1,000 a month. Wow, that’s a hefty sum. Is there a way to save at the market? Well, you could diligently cut out, sort, and try to use dozens of coupons each week, but that often results in deals on items or…
While my wife and oldest daughter were out of town on various trips last week, my youngest and I headed out for a dinner of sushi and conversation at Sakura, located in Hagerstown, MD. While most of my friends refer to sushi as “bait”, my daughter was up for the challenge. We ordered off of the sushi menu, selecting a variety of sushi (fish with rice), sashimi (fish without rice), and several rolls. (Pro Tip: There is an abundance of…
Ahhh, the summer garden. You work and work to get those plants to thrive and prosper, making sure they are watered and relatively pest free. You’ve seen the summer squash and zucchini grow from blossom to mature size – and now you’ve got more than you know what to do with. They are everywhere – piling up in the kitchen window or on the porch. You’ve given them away to family and friends, but they are still multiplying like rabbits. …