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A Ghastly Ghostly Night

Remember when the worst thing that could happen to you on Halloween night during trick-or-treating was if your treat bag broke or fell into a deep puddle? As kids, we learned to take precautions such as lifting pillowcases right off our beds to use for collecting Hershey bars, Milky Ways, PomPoms, Butterfingers, M&Ms, Bazooka gum and even homemade goodies such as popcorn balls and candy apples. Things have certainly changed regarding Halloween since a generation of baby boomers roamed the streets in search of candy. First came the reports of needles or razor blades stuck inside ...

Trick-or-treaters will soon be at the door, and though popular costumes and masks change, some things never change. One of these is PEZ, the ever-popular collectible that enthusiasts have enjoyed amassing for generations. Kids still enjoy the clever and collectible PEZ gadgets filled with candy. PEZ Candy Inc. says that the business has been a part of the American scene for more than 50 years. First marketed as a compressed peppermint candy 95 years ago in Vienna, Austria, the interesting name comes from the German word for peppermint — pfefferminz — combining the first, middle ...

Falling For The Season

The signs were all around this week. Then the weather forecast confirmed what we had suspected — that the fickle season of autumn is upon us. One day it is blustery and downright cold. The next day the stink bugs reappear during warmer afternoons. I saw the signs two weeks ago when Roseann and Skip’s tree at the bottom of their driveway turned a gorgeous shade of orange. Its huge branches reach over the lane we drive and serve as a welcome mat for anyone traveling under it. The mums have bloomed and nearly hit their peak this past week as overnight temperatures dipped into the ...

Apples, Cows And Kids

Anyone who has followed my columns over the years knows that Oglebayfest has always held a special place in our hearts. Our son Jamie was born on a Saturday during the annual fall festival, which is held at Oglebay Park. While everyone was enjoying the festival in 1985, we were welcoming our son at Wheeling Hospital. So each year we would return to Oglebay and celebrate the season and a birthday. This tradition has continued with Jamie’s children now enjoying the events of this past weekend. While crafts and such are of little interest to 6- and 7-year-olds, we headed straight to ...

Dividing Screens Add Mystery to Any Room

I’ve never written a word about screens, old room screens used in decorating for dividing a room. I’ve always admired them and found them interesting in a decorating scheme but never knew anyone who owned a good antique example. Sometimes these decorative screens are just used for adding a bit of mystery and elegance to a large room. Other times they help in dividing a large space and creating a faux wall. In my case, I was seeking a room screen for my daughter who lives in an historic home in North Wheeling, and I was fortunate to find a room screen at a local estate sale, out ...

The Power Of $1

Not until I fully semi-retired did I realize the term of being “on a fixed income.” Of course, it is my personal choice to no longer put in 40-hours or more per week. So when I consider my retirement income, I have to make wiser choices in the spending category. That doesn’t mean I don’t indulge in an occasional lunch or dinner out. But just because I am limited in my spending doesn’t mean I have changed how I treat others who serve the public. Even before the COVID pandemic caused us to retreat to the supposed safety of our homes and curb our eating-out spending, I ...