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Tag: summer

National Iced Tea Day is June 10th: How Do You Take Yours?

National Iced Tea Day is June 10th: How Do You Take Yours?

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Yes, because we don’t have enough days to recognize various aspects of life, this coming Thursday, June 10th is “officially” recognized as “Iced Tea Day”.  I doubt if there will be any parades.  There won’t be a special doughnut at your favorite shop or commemorative attire offered at your local department store, but some ambitious marketing intern has somehow convinced the powers-that-be that THIS is what America was missing.  A day to celebrate iced tea. So be it. So the…

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Summer’s Over – Will Fall Be Any Better?

Summer’s Over – Will Fall Be Any Better?

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Wow, this week marks the beginning of September.  I know summer doesn’t “officially” end until September 22nd, but when the kids are starting back to school – let’s face it, summer is over and fall is here. I don’t know about you, but the summer of 2020 will be memorable only in the fact that I’d like to forget it.  Due to the “C” and “P” word (“COVID-19” and “pandemic”, respectively), the last three months have been quite the slog,…

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Summer Tomatoes: A Seasonal Treat

Summer Tomatoes: A Seasonal Treat

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I love to eat “seasonally”, which means enjoying the fruits and vegetables that are in their prime growing and harvesting months.  In today’s society, we’ve become so accustomed to having everything available to us at all times of the year that we often miss out on enjoying nature’s bounty when its rewards are at their most fragrant, flavorful, and in most cases, economical. For example, let’s talk tomatoes (which are in their prime as we speak). Sure, you can buy…

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College Visits in a COVID-19 Era

College Visits in a COVID-19 Era

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My youngest is entering her senior year in high school this year, so that means that we’re well into the planning and preparations for gearing up for her post-high school education.  SATs have been taken (multiple times), high school classes have been chosen with care, and it’s now time to start narrowing down the field for colleges.  I’m a big proponent of physically visiting a college BEFORE signing one’s name on the dotted line.  Sometimes, a campus will just click,…

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The Food & Beverage Business: COVID-19 Edition

The Food & Beverage Business: COVID-19 Edition

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I’ll admit, due to the pandemic, it’s been a summer to remember (or forget, depending on your point of view).  With all of the social distancing, rules, and just plain fear of catching the COVID-19 virus keeping customers away, running a business during the past six months has been anything but easy. Today, I’ll focus on restaurants and other food eateries, one of the hardest hit sectors in the recent economic downturn.  ‘Business Insider’ recently reported that as many as…

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The Dog Days of Summer: Yep, They’re Here

The Dog Days of Summer: Yep, They’re Here

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One of the things I love about living in Western Maryland is the change of seasons.  I enjoy the changing colors of the leaves in the fall, the cold snap on my face in winter, and the greening and promise of spring.  Unfortunately, I have to take the seasons as a package deal, so I must also put up with the stifling heat of summer (even if it’s only for a few months). Now, there are those I know that…

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It’s Carnival Week! Let the Good Times Roll!

It’s Carnival Week! Let the Good Times Roll!

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The last months of summer can mean only one thing in my neck of the woods – it’s time once again for the annual Clear Spring Volunteer Fire Company Carnival! For the week of August 5th through August 10th, the carnival grounds just south of town are the place to be and be seen, as every local civic organization and school group will have a stand or gaming tent in place for the biggest local fundraiser of the year. The…

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It’s Yard Sale Season – Heaven Help Us

It’s Yard Sale Season – Heaven Help Us

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The warmer weather brings many seasonal changes to the local landscape.  The hum of lawnmower engines can be heard every weekend, kids is baseball uniforms toddle down the street towards the local ball fields, the ice cream shop lines get longer, and it’s the season for my least favorite warm weather phenomenon – the yard sale. Now don’t get me wrong, if you have things gathering dust in your basement or attic that you want to get rid of and…

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The Summer is Here – Time for Crabs!

The Summer is Here – Time for Crabs!

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Ahhhhhh, summer.  The kids are out of school, the days are long and warm, and it’s time to enjoy one of my favorite seasonal seafood treats – the Maryland blue crab. Although the “official” season started back in April (and the heaviest crabs won’t be around until late summer/early fall), nothing says summer like sitting down to a long table covered in brown paper, grabbing a mallet and sharp knife, and digging in to a pile of hot, fresh-steamed crabs,…

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The Ten Commandments of Grilling

The Ten Commandments of Grilling

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As the temperatures rise, the rite of passage that is summertime grilling is gearing up for another season.  I grill year round (as my grill is on my covered, wrap-around porch), but for those of you that don’t have that luxury, these recent sunny days have probably been filled with preparing for the first big kick-off of the grilling season, Memorial Day weekend. Now, I know that there are some clear battle lines regarding responsibility when it comes to grilling. …

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