Spiders and salamanders were denizens of early fireplaces
Explore early Ohio frontier kitchens, where nonstop fires, ash piles and iron “spiders” and “salamanders” shaped daily cooking and pioneer life.
Giving thanks when salad is not a salad
A humorous look at Midwest “salad” culture, where holiday salads mean Jell-O, cool whip and canned fruit, not greens. Know the assignment this Thanksgiving.
Second species of wild ramps discovered in southwestern Pennsylvania
Penn State Beaver researchers uncover genetic proof of a second ramp species, a finding that could guide better conservation and sustainable harvesting.
Some trivia about trivets
Early Ohio cooks relied on iron trivets to control heat over open fires. These tools evolved from simple cookware to ornate cast-iron household staples.
Lard is love
A humorous look at modern food safety advice versus grandma’s timeless cooking traditions, from thawing turkeys to tasting raw cookie dough with no regrets.
Ohio farm preserves worker’s turkey tradition for Thanksgiving
Mason Kisamore Family Farms supports the tradition of giving turkeys to employees for Thanksgiving by selling hundreds to local businesses at a discount.
Helping others is its own reward
A final harvest at the community garden brought potatoes, beets and joy, despite relentless mosquitoes.
OSU expert unwraps the reason behind Halloween chocolate price increase
Cocoa shortages, climate change, tariffs and rising costs mean higher prices and smaller packs of chocolate this Halloween.
Ohio Pawpaw Festival and bees
Ohio’s state fruit, the pawpaw, is a tropical-tasting native treasure. From festivals to farms, discover the unique flavor and culture around this rare fruit.
Happily toiling in community garden
Tending a community garden proved harder — and more joyful — than expected, yielding friendship, shared meals, and the simple rewards of working the soil.
