Dough Boxes: A much-kneaded item of pioneer Ohio country furniture
How did pioneers bake bread for large families? Columnist Paul Locher explores the history of the dough box—a distinctive piece of early American furniture used by settlers to knead and rise dough.
A toast to toasters and roasters: Breakfast with Ohio pioneers
Discover why early American coffee roasters and wrought-iron toasters are rare finds today. Columnist and early American artifacts collector Paul Locher takes a deep dive into the decorative motifs and functions of pioneer tools.
A Dakota tradition: Lessons in lefse
Discover the art of making lefse in this "Accidental Rancher" excerpt. Explore the history, technique, and heartwarming tradition of this Dakota holiday staple.
Healthy cooking tips for the holiday season
Find out how to make smart swaps, mindful eating, safer food prep and simple planning while keeping festive flavors you love with tips from Ohio State University's family and consumer sciences educators.
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.
