2011
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Apple Harvest Time
January 12, 2012
- Backyard orchardists are noticing a black sooty looking material on the surface of their apples as they harvest. It is a fungal disease which is appropriately named “sooty blotch”.
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Chestnuts Roasting
January 12, 2012
- The American chestnut was the dominant tree in the Pennsylvania forest a century ago. The American chestnut was prized for its massive size, excellent lumber, delicious sweet fruit, and its benefit to wildlife. Sadly, the chestnut blight changed our forest dramatically. Today only stump sprouts remain.
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Tough Growing Season
January 11, 2012
- The one two combination of hurricane Irene and tropical storm Lee has put an early end to most gardens. There are some enjoyable activities that you can do this fall that will help make your 2012 garden better.
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New Year's Resolutions for Gardeners
December 22, 2011
- Here are 12 resolutions for the coming year, adapted from a list developed by Dr. Leonard Perry, Extension Professor from the University of Vermont.
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Winter Wildlife Protection
December 22, 2011
- Many of the gifts we receive during the holiday season are to keep us warm during the harsh winter. Fleece, scarves, gloves, and flannel give us protection.
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A Time to Plant
December 21, 2011
- There is an optimum time to plant and that time may be earlier in the season than you think. Most perennial plants do best if planted in the early spring as compared to later spring.
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Whiteflies and Gnats on my Plants, Oh My!
December 21, 2011
- Two small insects that can cause big headaches for our indoor plants are whiteflies and fungus gnats. Here are some tips on what to look for and what you can do about it.
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Spend Time With Your Family During the Holidays and All Year
December 21, 2011
- Many people take this week off from work and school to spend time with their families. The holidays are a good time to strengthen our connections and renew relationships. So turn off the cell phones, computers and televisions and take time to focus on your family.
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Snow Shoveling Safety
December 21, 2011
- It’s only fall, but as we know all too well here in NEPA, snow shoveling season can start any day now! As you ponder the onset of winter, keep some of these tips in mind.
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Select Toys Which Develop Imagination and Creativity
December 21, 2011
- If you ask a child what they’d like for the holidays, toys usually top the list. Toys can play an important role in child development because they influence a child’s imagination, creativity, and problem solving skills.
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Dining With Diabetes
December 20, 2011
- Learning that you have diabetes can be overwhelming at first. There are many new things to learn and it can be difficult to know where to start. Dining with Diabetes is a program offered by Penn State Cooperative Extension.
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Handle Holiday Party Foods Safely
December 13, 2011
- If you are planning on hosting a holiday party or family gathering, be sure to keep food safety in mind. Handling food safely is critical to preventing foodborne illness from being an uninvited guest at your event. Below are a few tips from the USDA and Iowa State University Extension to help keep holiday parties safe.
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Minimize and Manage Holiday Stress
December 12, 2011
- Stress and depression can occur at any time in our lives. For many people, they occur during the winter months and around the holidays. There are many causes, including too many expectations, too many responsibilities, and commercialization of the season.
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Give Meaningful Gifts From The Heart
December 12, 2011
- Are you looking for that perfect holiday gift? Some of the best presents don’t come from a store but rather from the heart.
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Curing Gourds
November 22, 2011
- The rush of the first holiday of the season is over. Halloween is gone and all of the candy is too. The pumpkins and jack-o-lanterns are now part of the compost pile. However, with Thanksgiving a few weeks away, most people keep gourds around as decorations. They are ideal color for the whole fall season, as they do not rot like pumpkins. Also you may want to consider drying, or more precisely curing, gourds to make them last even longer.
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Show Gratitude on Thanksgiving and Every Day
November 17, 2011
- Thanksgiving is less than two weeks away. It began hundreds of years ago as a way to give thanks for a good harvest. Today, we may not gather to celebrate a bountiful harvest, but we can show gratitude on Thanksgiving and every day.
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Keep Control of Your Holiday Expenses
November 17, 2011
- Now that Halloween is over, our thoughts turn toward the winter holidays. While the holiday season can be a wonderful time for families, it can also be expensive. So this year, start the holidays by planning ahead. Below are some tips for keeping your holiday finances under control.
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Wild Game Requires Proper Handling
November 17, 2011
- Hunting is a popular sport in Northeastern Pennsylvania. It’s one that requires knowledge of proper dressing and handling of wild game to prevent foodborne illness and spoilage of meat.
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Make Halloween Healthier
November 17, 2011
- Halloween is an exciting holiday for children. The anticipation of dressing in costume and receiving sweet treats is a thrill for them. However, it can also be a challenge to parents who are concerned about their child’s consumption of Halloween goodies.
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Use Versatile Pumpkin in Fall Meals
November 17, 2011
- Pumpkins are a popular fall fruit. Not only are they good for carving, but they are nutritious as well as versatile since they can be prepared and served in many ways.
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Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
November 17, 2011
- The heating season has arrived! Many people will use wood stoves, fireplaces, and other heating systems which produce carbon monoxide to heat their homes.
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Enjoy Broccoli and Cauliflower In Fall Meals
November 17, 2011
- Broccoli and cauliflower are fall vegetables loaded with nutrients for good health. They are part of the cruciferous family which have many health benefits including reducing the risk of chronic diseases like cancer, heart disease and diabetes.
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Make Time For Family Activities
November 17, 2011
- Finding time for family may be challenging for busy parents. But spending time together is critical to maintain strong relationships within the family and to keep family members connected to one another. Autumn presents lots of wonderful opportunities for family activities. Below are some ideas for having fun together as family.
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Use Precaution When Handling Food From Flooded Homes
November 14, 2011
- Flood waters from Tropical Storm Lee may have contained potentially dangerous materials, such as fecal matter from overflowing sewage systems, agricultural runoff and chemicals from industrial areas.
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Lackawanna County 2011 4-H Leader Awards
November 14, 2011
- Congratulations to Franceska Sweeney who received the Lackawanna County 4-H Activity Leader Award for 2011 and Patricia Burchell received the Lackawanna County 4-H Leadership Award posthumously.
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Include Colorful Foods on Your Plate for Good Health
September 19, 2011
- Healthful eating and lifestyle practices - Thomas column Mar. 20, 2011
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Get More Bang for Your Buck
September 19, 2011
- Finding the money to pay bills is no easy task these days. The high gas prices alone are hitting our pocketbooks hard. Following some financial strategies can help keep our finances afloat in these difficult times. Below are some suggestions from Utah State University Extension on managing our money to get the most bang for our buck.
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Reduce Dietary Sodium Intake
September 19, 2011
- The USDA and Department of Health and Human Services recently updated the dietary guidelines. Many Americans are still consuming more sodium than the recommended 2300 mg per day so the guidelines suggest reducing intake to the recommended amount.
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Get the Most Out of Your Day
September 19, 2011
- Do you ever notice that some people have more time than others do? We all have 24 hours in a day but we differ in how we manage our time. Learning basic time management skills can become an invaluable asset and will allow you to accomplish your goals and perform daily tasks.
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Follow Seven Simple Steps for Heart Health
September 19, 2011
- February is American Heart Month. It’s a time set aside to raise awareness about heart disease and stroke, the leading causes of death in the United States.
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Keep Relationships Happy and Well
September 19, 2011
- Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day, a day designated for couples. Some couples may be just starting out while others have spent many years together. What is the key to keeping a relationship alive and well for many years?
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Healthy Food Choices Help Diabetics Manage Disease
September 19, 2011
- Type 2 diabetes is becoming more common due to the rising rates of obesity. Making smart food choices can improve the management of diabetes and lead to a longer, healthier life.
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Strong Family Relationships Enhance Quality of Life
September 19, 2011
- Strong family relationships lead to a better quality of life for each family member. Having positive relationships enhances the family’s overall health, safety, and support; and provides a nurturing environment in which the family can grow.
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Keep Exercising During the Winter Months
September 19, 2011
- The cold, snowy days of winter can make it a challenge to exercise and keep active. But it is possible if you make it a priority. Daily exercise has many physical and psychological benefits including lowering the risk of stroke and heart disease, lowering high blood pressure, keeping bones strong, reducing the risk for diabetes, helping control diabetes, improving symptoms of depression, reducing pain associated with arthritis, and reducing the risk of falls. So don’t wait until the spring thaw to get active and be healthier!
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Vitamin D Recommendations Updated
September 19, 2011
- We’ve heard a lot about the many benefits of Vitamin D. It plays an important role in the absorption of calcium which builds strong bones. It also lowers the risk of certain types of cancers such as colorectal, prostate and breast; and reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease; type 1 diabetes, and autoimmune diseases.
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Plan to Save to Increase Financial Security
September 19, 2011
- In today’s tough economy, it’s a good idea to set a savings goal. As Dr. Jeanette Tucker, Louisiana State University AgCenter family economist says, “Saving provides a financial ‘backstop’ for life’s uncertainties and increases feelings of security and peace of mind.”No one wants the stress of living from paycheck to paycheck and knowing that they have no savings to fall back on.
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Use Proven Strategies to Keep Resolutions
September 19, 2011
- If you made New Year’s resolutions, set yourself up for success to achieve your goals. So many times, we fail to keep our resolutions. In fact, according to Lou Mueller, Utah State University Extension Family and Consumer Sciences Agent, a research study in which 1000 people participated showed that 98 percent did not keep their resolutions.
