Rural Life

For Judith Sutherland, a simple cookbook replaced the dream of an Easy-Bake Oven, creating a lifetime of sweet memories and family traditions.

There is nothing quite like a summer night lit up by lightning bugs. To ensure future generations get to enjoy that same magic, Pennsylvania is embarking on its first-ever statewide firefly inventory. Discover how this inventory will shape future conservation policies for PA's state insect and support local "firefly tourism."

Ohio hunters checked 232,142 white-tailed deer this season, marking the fourth consecutive year the total has topped the 200,000 mark and the seventh-highest harvest on record. Find out the top 10 counties, the impact of the unprecedented EHD outbreak in southern Ohio and which hunting implement is the most popular with Ohio hunters.

Learn how to make a classic chocolate gob (whoopie pie), a cake-like cookie sandwich that is commonly eaten in homes across Pennsylvania.

Before snowplows, Ohioans relished the snow. Explore the history of pioneer sleighing with history columnist Paul Locher, from foot warmers to sleigh bells and community caravans.

Ice safety is about more than just your own recreation—it’s about the safety of those who are called to help when things go wrong, according to outdoors columnist Jim Abrams. As the tragic events at Rocky Fork State Park in 2021 reminded us, poor judgment on frozen water can have fatal consequences for both victims and rescuers. Learn the technical standards for ice thickness and the essential gear that can mean the difference between a close call and a tragedy in Jim's latest column:

Ohio is expanding its box tree moth quarantine to seven new counties. Learn how to identify this invasive pest, check the new boundaries, and report sightings.

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.

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.

Discover the art of making lefse in this "Accidental Rancher" excerpt. Explore the history, technique, and heartwarming tradition of this Dakota holiday staple.