Pocono Living Magazine- April/May 2023

Pocono Living Magazine and Pocono Family Magazine, two regional publications filled with articles, features and photography exploring and capturing the real Pocono Mountains living experience.

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MAGAZINE & WEB DESIGN

Smart Blonde Creative

Food & Wine Editor

Jamie Marra

PHOTOGRAPHY & ART

John Anzivino

Gayle C. Brooke

Ray Caswell

Pat Coyle

Randall FitzGerald

Ashley Hall

Maurice Harmon

Susan Hartman

Marlana Holsten

Ann H. LeFevre

Barbara Lewis

Marie Liu

Harry Loud

Regina Matarazzo

Janet Mishkin

John L. Moore

Michael Murphy

Justine Nearhood

Roseanna Santaniello

Tom Stone

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Kimberly Blaker

Roseanne Bottone

Kathy Dubin-Uhler

Sandra Gordon

Rebecca Hasting

Amanda Kuhn

Amy Leiser

Marie Liu

Jamie Marra

Suzanne McCool

Janet Mishkin

John L. Moore

Allison Mowatt

Jim Werkheiser

Kim Williams

Marty Wilson

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANTS

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Linda Spalluto

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> Photo by Linda Zak

> 1964 photo shows Frank Sinatra, left, and Fred Waring in a recording studio.

Public domain photo

FRED WARING and the SHAWNEE INN

By John L. Moore

Laura Peacock once worked as a waitress in a restaurant in a resort owned by a famous musician.

The musician was Fred Waring, the Pennsylvania band leader who in the late 1940s became one of America’s first television personalities.

The resort was the Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort, which Waring owned at Shawnee On Delaware.

For many years, Waring had done a daily radio show. Then came the dawn of the Age of Television. In 1949, Waring began a weekly television show.

Laura Peacock was in her early 60s by then. She must have struck Waring as being the grandmotherly type because he invited the waitress to play a special role in his upcoming Thanksgiving Day program. Waring needed somebody to portray Grandmother when his orchestra and chorus performed that holiday standard: “Over the river, and through the woods, to Grandmother's house we go.”

One November, Laura Peacock’s daughter accompanied her to New York City to do the show. They were surprised when people stopped them and asked for Laura’s autograph. They were at a coffee shop in Manhattan when a woman remarked, “I saw you on television last night.”

Peacock’s daughter, the late Jane P. Smith, related all this in an interview 40 years ago. Smith recalled that Waring once

introduced her mother to Bob Hope, and Hope said, “I’m one of your biggest fans!”

Waring achieved legendary status between 1922, the year he quit studying architecture at Penn State University to pursue a career in music, and 1984, when he died in Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, at age 84.

News of the death of the Tyrone, Pa., native appeared in newspapers large and small across the country. “From 1916, when Mr. Waring first conducted his group with his mother's curtain rod, to 1981, when he gave an official farewell concert at President Reagan's inaugural festivities, Mr. Waring hewed to the mainstream of American musical tastes with soft melodies and lush orchestrations,” the New York Times reported.

“Between the 1930s and 1950s, Mr. Waring's income was reported to be as high as $2 million a year, and his band was among the most successful in the land,” said the Washington

“There were the marvelous song writers who have been my good friends — Irving Berlin, Cole Porter, Duke Ellington, Hoagy Carmichael — and the actors, Fred Astaire and Jimmy Durante.”

> 1945 portrait of Fred Waring Public domain photo

We didn’t see any golfers at Shawnee Inn and Golf Course during a brief visit one sunny Sunday afternoon in late February. We did, however, see a team of sled dogs moving across the grounds.

That was odd. The temperature that day was in the low 40s, the wind was brisk, and the land around the inn was bare of snow.

The dogs belonged to Eric Walker, a Saylorsburg man. He explained that since the day was snowless, the dogs were hitched to the front of a utility vehicle. The rope connecting dogs to the UTV appeared taut, but the vehicle moved on its own power.

“If there were snow, we would bring out the dog sled,” Walker said.

Several hotel guests were riding in a second vehicle that accompanied the dogs. Without snow, the riders would have to use their imagination to “see what it’s like to mush a team of dogs,” Walker said.

“We’re one of the amenities,” Walker said. “This is our fourth year here.”

Post. “They headlined on their own and with some of the legends of music … Mr. Waring later became one of the first stars of television, on the General Electric TV show on the CBS network in 1949.”

The Post quoted Waring as once having told a reporter: "There were the marvelous song writers who have been my good friends -- Irving Berlin, Cole Porter, Duke Ellington, Hoagy Carmichael – and the actors, Fred Astaire and Jimmy Durante.”

“For almost seven decades, Fred Waring and his Pennsylvanians entertained audiences throughout the world on stage, radio, television, records, in motion pictures, and toured America and other countries.”

Penn State, the school from which he didn’t graduate, has amassed a sizable collection of Fred Waring-related memorabilia and has a website devoted to his career.

“For almost seven decades, Fred Waring and his Pennsylvanians entertained audiences throughout the world on stage, radio, television, records, in motion pictures, and toured America and other countries,” according to the Penn State website. “The ultimate showman, he was a pioneer in every field of show business.”

Penn State’s Special Collections Library also has a special webpage titled, “Fred Waring, a biography.” It highlighted the musician as an innovator: “One of his first auditions was for Thomas Edison in the early 1920s, and his first recording was his theme song, ‘Sleep,’ for Victor Talking Machine Co. They later made one of the first electronic recordings and the first vocal dance recording. He was the first to use a girl singer, to feature vocalists with an orchestra, and to combine orchestra and glee club. The Pennsylvanians recorded over 1,500 songs and 100 albums.”

Fred Waring’s career as showman had passed the 20-year mark when in 1943 he purchased the Buckwood Inn, a nationally known golf resort. Waring changed the resort’s name to the Shawnee Inn and in time expanded its golf course from 18 to 27 holes.

> A team of sled dogs pull a utility vehicle past Shawnee Inn in late February.

Photo courtesy of John L. Moore

Pocono Living Magazine 2023 PHOTO CONTEST ENTER YOUR BEST SHOTS

Your photos could be seen by more than 26,000 readers when you enter them in Pocono Living Magazine’s Annual Photo Contest. The contest is open to amateur photographers only. (Those who do not earn a majority, over half, of their income as photographers).

You may enter no more than 15 images, so choose your best shots. Categories are “Scenics”, “Wildlife”, “Florals”, and “Historical Structures”. Only photographs that are representative of the Pocono Mountains should be submitted. Individual photos should be attached to an email message and sent to: pmags@ptd.net. Photos submitted must be high resolution, (300 dpi), jpg or tiff files or they cannot be used. You must include your full name in the title with each photo submitted as you would like it to appear in the magazines. We will contact you for your mailing address to receive your prize if your photo is chosen as a winner in the contest. Winning photos, along with the names, and hometowns if available, of each winner will appear in the October/November 2023 issue of PoconoLivingMagazine and the PoconoMagazines.com website. Some lucky participants may have their photo featured as a cover on Pocono LivingMagazine!

PRIZES AWARDED:

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Honorable Mentions: One year subscription to Pocono Living & Pocono Family Magazines.

In the event of a tie, prize money will be split among the winners.

RULES OF THE CONTEST:

1. Contest open to amateur photographers only.

2. Contest opens April 1, 2023 and closes August 1, 2023.

3. Enter electronic files by email to: pmags@ptd.net. One photo at a time.

4. Submitted photos must be as an attachment to an email message, (not within the body of the email), and be high resolution (300 dpi), jpeg or tiff files.

5. Please include your contact information (phone number, mailing address & email address) with the submission.

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7. Photos submitted may be judged for inclusion in this year’s contest, and in all future year’s contests, so you have several chances to be a winner.

8. Entered photos must have been taken recently, from January 2013 to present and be of a scene or subject found in the Pocono Mountains only.

9. Categories are: Scenics (landscapes, rivers, lakes, waterfalls, etc.), Wildlife, Florals, and Historical Structures.

10. Judging will take place in August and September 2023 and winners will appear in the October/November issue of Pocono Living Magazine.

11. Winners will receive gift certificates within 90 days after being published.

12. Contestants will retain all rights to their photography, but agree that Pocono Magazines, LLC and Pocono Mts. Publications, LLC may use their photos from time to time in the magazines that they publish and on the Pocono Magazines.com website provided proper credit is given to each photographer.

Questions? Email the editor at: pmags@ptd.net

During the 1960s, guests at the resort included President Dwight D. Eisenhower, who had become famous for his frequent golf trips during his years in the White House. Many celebrities from show business and sports also patronized the place. According to Shawnee Inn, these included Bob Hope, Art Carney, George Goebel, Arnold Palmer, Lucille Ball, Ed Sullivan, Eddie Fisher, and Perry Como.

“But none,” the inn notes on its website, that “caught Waring’s enthusiasm for golf like Jackie Gleason. In 1959, Jackie attempted his first game of golf scoring a 143. However, only 15 months later, with practice and lessons, Jackie Gleason shot an amazing 75.”

A son’s memories

Nearly 40 years after Fred Waring’s death, it’s become clear that the band leader and showman left a broad legacy. “It’s pretty extensive, and it covers a lot of fields,” said Malcolm Waring.

The 65-year-old Waring ought to know. The semi-retired IT consultant was Fred Waring’s son with his third wife, Virginia. “He was not only a band leader, but he also had the Waring Blendor,” Waring said, adding, “My Dad was a pioneer on TV, too.”

Indeed, Internet users can still find videos of Fred Waring’s television performances on YouTube.com

All TV shows were broadcast live in those days. To make recordings, the station had someone train a movie camera on a studio monitor while the performance was under way. “They filmed the live show on 16 millimeter film,” Waring says.

What was it like being Fred Waring’s son? “It was normal for me because I didn’t know anything else,” Waring said.

“It was a lot of fun growing up here,” he said, referring to the 96room Shawnee Inn. “I had the run of the hotel when I was a kid.”

Waring said that he went to grade school in Southern California. Every year, the Fred Waring tour came through, and “I would get to join the tour for three weeks.” Once he went with the tour to Seattle. Another time, he accompanied his father and the Pennsylvanians to Alaska.

“During the 1960s, guests at the resort included President Dwight D. Eisenhower, who had become famous for his frequent golf trips during his years in the White House.”

> The Hall at Castle Inn has been restored and is available for weddings and other private functions.

Photo courtesy of Scott Fabian

Is Fred Waring being forgotten?

“A lot of people still do remember him,” Waring said.

After all, he performed with some of the 20th century’s brightest stars. “He’s got recordings with Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra,” Waring said.

“People in music haven’t forgotten him.”

Although Fred Waring may have hosted many celebrities at the high-profile Shawnee Inn and staged performances these, the musical entrepreneur did much of his day-to-day work at the Castle Inn, a compound located three miles south in the village of Delaware Water Gap.

Every summer, musically-inclined people flocked to Delaware Water Gap to study choral music at Fred Waring’s Music Hall, which was part of the Castle Inn complex. Following a “very intensive, 10-day workshop at the Castle Inn, they would come over to Shawnee Inn and do a concert,” Waring said.

The Castle Inn comes into view as one drives through the village and turns down Delaware Avenue. A large sign on the front of a large building at the corner of Delaware Avenue and Waring Drive proclaims “Castle Inn.”

Back in Waring’s day, the building sported a different sign, “one saying Waring Enterprises,” said owner Frank Paccione. He and his wife, Theresa Veltri, bought the building in 2005.

> Historical marker explains that Waring Drive is named for Fred Waring.

Photo courtesy of John L. Moore

FRED WARING TIMELINE

1900: Born in Tyrone, Pa.

1922: Leaves Penn State University to pursue a musical career

1923: Waring’s Pennsylvanians’ recording of “Sleep” hits Number 1 on the music charts

1939: Founds the Shawnee Press, which publishes sheet music

1943: Acquires the Buckwood Inn in Shawnee on Delaware, Pa.; changes its name to the Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort

1947: Organizes the Fred Waring Choral Workshop

1949: Begins a weekly TV show on the CBS Network

1954: Acquires the Castle Inn, Delaware Water Gap, Pa.

1983: Receives the Congressional Gold Medal from President Ronald Reagan

1984: Dies at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, Pa.

Source: the website of Penn State University Libraries

Waring’s Shawnee Press, which printed musical publications including sheet music, operated out of the Castle Inn. Musical workshops were conducted in Music Hall, another building in the Castle Inn complex. “The Pennsylvanians would rehearse at Castle Inn before going on tour,” Paccione said.

A walking encyclopedia

Scott Fabian, a tour guide at Castle Inn, has become a walking encyclopedia of Waring-related facts and anecdotes. Although Waring met tremendous success in the music business, when he studied architecture at Penn State, “the Penn State Glee Club wouldn’t take him on as a singer.”

Another instance: The entrepreneur helped develop a prototype of the kitchen blender during the 1930s. He promoted and marketed the invention, which he renamed the Waring Blendor. Eventually Waring sold a million of them. “Dr. Jonas Salk used one in developing the polio vaccine,” Fabian said.

When the Castle Inn was built in 1906, the Delaware Water Gap was one of the county’s top destination for vacationers. The inn itself featured 52 hotel rooms and offered a variety of recreational activities including bowling and billiards. The

> The Delaware River flows past Shawnee Inn. There’s a golf course on the island at right. Photo courtesy of John L. Moore

complex had two other main buildings: a dining hall, which could accommodate 500 people at a time, and a music hall, where Waring’s chorale workshops were held in the summer.

Waring purchased the Castle Inn in 1952 and converted the main building into the headquarters and the printing and distribution operations of Shawnee Press. He had his own office on the second floor. The third floor housed the sales staff and the musicians who prepared instrumental sheet music.

Among the arrangers and composers who worked at Shawnee Press was a man named Leo Arnaud. “He wrote Bugler’s Dream, which is the official Olympic song,” Fabian said. “That song was written at the Castle Inn and printed by Shawnee Press.”

One of Waring’s most prolific composers was a musician named John Coates, Jr. His arrangement of “Amazing Grace,” the 18th-

“When the Castle Inn was built in 1906, the Delaware Water Gap was one of the county’s top destination for vacationers.”

Scott Fabian, who conducts guided tours at Castle Inn in Delaware Water Gap, collects anecdotes and memorabilia relating to Fred Waring and the Pennsylvanians. He’s especially interested in meeting and talking with people who once performed with Waring.

Fabian can be reached online at tourthecastle.com

2023

> The entrance to Shawnee Inn at Shawnee On Delaware

Photo courtesy of John L. Moore

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century hymn, became so popular that Shawnee Press sold more than 750,000 copies of the sheet music, Fabian said.

Occasionally, people who once belonged to the Pennsylvanians stop by to reminisce. Fabian said that last year he met a woman, Jacquelyn Mayer, who had been a singer with the group in 1961. Mayer was named Miss America in 1963. Some years later, when she was 28, she suffered a near-fatal stroke.

Mayer told Fabian that “Fred Waring would call her every day in the hospital to encourage her to get better.” She eventually recovered and went on to become a motivational speaker.

The music hall had a large concert venue, rehearsal facilities, a recording studio, and overnight accommodations for the musicians.

The Pennsylvanians spent much of their time on tour, often logging 40,000 miles a year. When they returned to Delaware Water Gap, they rehearsed in the music hall. Also, “the Pennsylvanians would stay on the third, fourth, and fifth floors when they weren’t performing,” Fabian said.

Every summer, the Fred Waring Choral Workshops attracted a thousand people who came to study under Waring and other well-known musicians. “He had some fairly big names teaching at these workshops,” Fabian said. One was Dave Brubeck, the jazz pianist.

A fire of undetermined origin destroyed the music hall in 1985, Fabian said.

J ohn L. Moore continues to pursue his lifelong interests in Pennsylvania’s colonial history and archaeology. The Northumberland writer has published 11 non-fiction books about Pennsylvania’s 16th and 17th century. John’s latest book, 1780: Year of Revenge, is currently available in book stores or from the online bookstore Sunbury Press Inc. This book is the 3rd volume in his Revolutionary Pennsylvania Series and tells the story of Indian raids all across the Pennsylvania Frontier — including the Poconos and Minisinks — in the year following General Sullivan’s 1779 invasion of the Iroquios homeland.

Over the years John has participated in archaeological excavations of Native American sites along the Delaware and Susquehanna Rivers. A professional storyteller, he recently took part in the Heritage Festival at Frances Slocum State Park near Wilkes-Barre. He told the true story of Frances Slocum, a 5-year-old girl who lived as a Native American after being kidnapped by Indians during the American Revolution. The park was named for her.

“Every summer, the Fred Waring Choral Workshops attracted a thousand people who came to study under Waring and other well-known musicians.”

THE BENEFITS of GARDENING with KIDS

By Cherie Gough

Wondering how to get your kids to eat more veggies? Grow them.

Whether it’s a container on the patio or a raised bed, gardening is easier than most people think, even with limited space. Last year, our family dug up the front lawn and built raised bed garden boxes. We started gardening when the kids were little, so over the years we’ve reaped the rewards of more time outdoors, building personal responsibility, and growing seeds into healthy, irresistible foods. Spring is the optimum time to dig into gardening with kids. Read on for great resources from local experts.

Why Garden? Raise Adventurous Eaters

When children take ownership of growing food, they are more likely to try new foods. “Growing food cultivates curiosity,” says Jeni Barajas, environmental educator at Olivewood Gardens in National City. “My students have become more adventurous eaters. Even trying one bite gives kids the opportunity to expand their palate.” When kids try new foods, it creates a ripple effect, encouraging family members to try new foods, too. “We have families who now love Swiss chard on tacos.”

Photo courtesy of Pexels.com

• Different colored vegetables protect the body in different ways. “Eating a rainbow“ is the best protection we can provide our bodies. Find an infographic that includes specific fruits and vegetables of the rainbow (and their benefits) at www.sharp.com/health-news/eat-the-rainbow-infographic.cfm.

• Variety diversifies eating habits and builds gut health. Love tomatoes? Try growing several colors.

Pick Fresh Food

My greatest victory as a gardener is picking fresh food outside my doorstep. Food we grow tastes fresh and delicious, and I know my family is getting top-quality nutrients from the freshest, organic produce.

Encourage Sharing

With just eight lettuce plants, we have enough to share with neighbors, friends and family every week. We’ve built new relationships with neighbors who share with us, too.

Support the Environment

• Organic gardening ensures no pesticides or synthetic fertilizers are used.

• No transportation is needed when harvesting produce in your yard, which saves gas and minimizes pollution.

• “Growing and nurturing food creates a new generation of stewards of the land,” says Barajas.

Get Outdoors

• Sunshine provides Vitamin D, which protects the immune system.

• Barajas’ students say they’re happier and less stressed when they’re outside.

• Gardening offers a mindful break from screens.

• Creates dedicated time to connect to nature.

Reap Educational Benefits

• Make choices and adapt to best practices while nurturing plants (problem solving).

• Enjoy science at your fingertips. Lessons about plant respiration, soil microbes and more are ready to explore.

• Build resilience. You’ll experience many successes, but some failure. Kids learn to try new things and do things differently when necessary.

Eat a Rainbow

Photo courtesy of Pexels.com

Tips for Growing Food with Kids

Assess Your Space

• If planting in containers, determine placement: patio, balcony, doorstep.

• “Full sun” means sunlight for at least 6-8 hours.

Use Good Quality Soil

San Diego’s dirt is mainly made up of decomposed granite and clay, which are insufficient nutrients. Choose nutrient-dense potting soil for growing.

Choosing Plants

• Quality local nurseries offer the best variety.

• Choose fast-growing vegetables like radishes and lettuce to enjoy quick results.

• Let kids choose what to plant; it gives them ownership.

• Identify plants that grow well in your climate and conditions: Look for labels like “hardy” and “heat tolerant.”

• Planting in a shaded area? Try growing herbs.

Planting Seeds

• Don’t plant seeds too deeply. Sprinkle over soil, then cover with only ¼-inch more soil.

• Keep moist at all times.

• Allow kids to get their hands dirty. They love sowing, digging and watering.

Planning for a Larger Space (two+ raised beds)

• We found it cost effective to buy soil in bulk from a wholesale nursery.

• Add compost to enrich soil and mulch to maintain moisture.

• Drip irrigation helps save on the water bill.

Try a Community Garden

Lease a garden plot in a community garden. For a nominal fee, you’ll reap the rewards of shared tools, soil, and advice about everything from pest control to composting from neighborhood experts. Find a San Diego community garden in your neighborhood: http://sdcgn.org/index.html

Quick Start to Container Gardening

“You can grow most everything in a container, as long as you fill it to the top with light nutrient-dense potting soil and it has a drainage hole or two. Radishes are the quickest crop and carrots are their friends. Pour a little of each of the seeds in the palm of your hand and sprinkle them over the soil in your container. Then cover them only 1/4” with more soil. Keep soil moist at all times and ensure plenty of sunlight. Radishes will space out the carrots as they plump up first; carrots will follow. You’re sure to harvest enough to share!”

— Mia Vaughnes, founder of Good Neighbor Gardens, a local urban sharecrop • www.goodneighborgardens.com

Watering

• Watering every morning is good for the plants and a good routine for the kids.

• Water the plant’s base, not the leaves.

“Different colored vegetables protect the body in different ways. “Eating a rainbow“ is the best protection we can provide our bodies.”

Cherie Gough is a San Diego-based writer and avid gardener. Find her on IG @cgoughwrites.

Photo courtesy of Pexels.com

BLACK THUMB

By Roseanne Bottone

Photo courtesy of Pexels.com

Woe is the houseplant destined to (ever so briefly) live with me. Indeed, even the most robust flora is doomed in my home. I have the best of intentions, I really do! I aim for the Goldilocks-just-right sweet spot of not too much water and not too little. I talk to them, fuss over them, ignore them when I sense I’m becoming annoying (I’m self-aware like that), and move them into the sun when they look forlorn over there in the corner. A Google search for a list of the hardiest houseplants reveals the Snake Plant as being the most resilient. Ha! We’ll see about that. Leave it to me to kill the “unkillable.”

James Underwood Crockett (1919 – 1979) was a celebrity gardener and author, and the original host of the PBS television series, “The Victory Garden.” Crockett explained why we use a colorful term to describe folks who have a knack for nurturing things that grow. Algae found on the outside of earthenware pots will stain a person’s thumb (and other fingers) if they handle enough of them. Hence the term “green thumb.” (Who knew?)

I, by contrast, have a murderous “black thumb.”

Notwithstanding the Aspidistra elatior possessing an impossibleto-kill nature and the Philodendron hederaceum thriving on neglect, along with the aforementioned indomitable Snake Plant, both stand a zero chance of survival under my care.

For a while I persevered. Several science-based benefits of growing indoor plants feel worthwhile pursuing — a reduction in both physiological and psychological stress; speedier recovery from illness when surrounded by natural elements; improved productivity and creativity; and better air quality. Alas! If I want fresh air in my place, I’ll have to open the window or use a HEPA filter air purifier.

The gardening police might as well stretch yellow crime scene tape around my home. The interrogation will be short – there’s no mystery as to “who done it.” Forensics will pick up the lifeless, shriveled up leaves off the floor and they’ll bag the soil for evidence of root rot.

“Ma’am, can you tell us what happened here? Do you know how Lucy and Desi met their demise?” (See, I even name them!)

I’ll share a secret (shhhhh): The latest crime I’ve committed is one HGTV warns is a decorating no-no; I have resorted to “growing” fake indoor plants. It’s the final act of a desperate plant murderer. The artificials are so lush, so green, so colorful, and they require ever so little, guilt-free maintenance – a quick dusting now and then will do.

My fake plants don’t mock me with a promising bud that never comes to fruition. They don’t taunt me with daily evidence of my cultivation failures. And I can still sing to them if I desire. Who will know? (Why is that crazy woman standing in front of a fake Ficus tree belting out I did it my way?) They add a different kind of beauty to my space and I no longer stress about having a thumb of the wrong color. I’ve accepted my horticultural shortcomings and I’m at peace.

“Algae found on the outside of earthenware pots will stain a person’s thumb (and other fingers) if they handle enough of them. Hence the term “green thumb.”

Roseanne Bottone is a regulatory compliance training instructor, former Peace Corps Volunteer, cancer survivor, grandmother, MBA, and freelance writer. She travels the country teaching business people about environmental and transportation safety regulations, and is a newspaper columnist.

She’s a homeowner in East Stroudsburg and lives with her daughter, grandchildren, two cats and a Rottweiler.

Photo courtesy of Pexels.com

HOW TO PAINT THE EXTERIOR OF YOUR HOUSE — from Prep to Finish

By Kimberly Blaker

Does your home's exterior need a facelift? If so, it doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg. A bit of time and effort in prep work and a fresh coat of paint can restore your home's curb appeal and make it look new once again. With the right tools and resources, you can paint your home yourself and save a bundle on the cost of labor. The following guide will help get you started.

How to choose colors

There are several considerations to choosing the right colors for your home. Your street or neighborhood will be affected by the color you choose. So take into account the colors of other homes on your street and immediately surrounding yours.

The architectural style of your house and its era also play a role in color selection. Is your house contemporary? Or is it a mid-century or turn-of-the-twentieth century craftsman home? To determine the best colors for the era and style of your house, browse through books or online to see what's appropriate and appealing.

Are there any exterior elements that'll be difficult, costly, or unnecessary to change, such as the roof or driveway? If so, choose paint colors complementary to those existing elements.

Another consideration is visual effects. Determine whether your house would look better in a lighter or darker shade based on its distance from the road, the landscape, and other factors.

Use color and visual tools to choose colors that are complementary to each other for the primary color of your home; window trim, shutters, and doors; and the trim casing, roof casing, and railings. Many paint brands offer online color

visualizers where you can upload a photo of your house to try out different paint colors and combinations virtually. One option is www.sherwin-williams.com/visualizer#/active

Once you've decided on colors, buy a sample of each and try it out on a small area of your house to avoid a costly mistake. Paint color sample cards and even online visualizers don't tell the full story. You need to see the actual paint color on your real-life home to know how it will really look.

“Many paint brands offer online color visualizers where you can upload a photo of your house to try out different paint colors and combinations virtually.”

Paint types

The best all-around paints are those that say "100 percent acrylic latex" on the label, says Thomas Baker of This Old House in "All About Exterior Paint." He explains that one hundred percent acrylic resin "remains flexible, breathable, and colorfast far longer than paints made with vinyl resins or acrylic blends." Still, even among 100 percent acrylics, quality varies. So it's worth comparing coverage rates, dry-film thicknesses, and proportion of ingredients.

For certain surfaces, however, oil-based paints are better because of their smoothness, hardness, gloss, and resistance to dirt. Doors, trim, railings, wrought iron, and elements that get touched hold up better with oil-based.

Prep work

Before you begin painting, you'll need to inspect the exterior of your house, make repairs, and prep the surface. Look for and resolve the following issues:

• flaking paint (remove by scraping, sanding, or with a wire brush)

• rust on iron details (scrub with a wire brush then apply a rust-inhibitive primer)

• chalky residue (efflorescence) on aluminum siding, trim, and soffit (lightly power wash siding, scrub it with a cleaning agent and brushes or pads, then rinse thoroughly)

• mold and mildew (clean light mold with bleach; replace extensively damaged elements)

• deteriorated or missing caulk in window sills and doors (remove deteriorated caulk and apply fresh high quality, paintable exterior caulk)

• rotted wood (remove or cut it out and replace)

After you've completed your inspection, and cleaned or repaired any problems, wash the exterior to remove dust and debris. You can use a hose, bucket, and rags, or rent a power washer, available through most home improvement stores.

Next, fill any cracks and crevices between siding and trim panels with an exterior, paintable caulk. This will give your house a professional, cohesive appearance after you've painted.

Choose a primer with a vinyl sealer, so both the sealer and paint adhere better. If you're adding a fresh coat of the same color paint, a sealer isn't necessary.

Also, gather your paint and the tools you'll need, including sturdy ladders, sprayers, brushes, rollers, drop cloths, plastic sheeting, and painter's tape.

Finally, just before priming or painting, tape off edges including trim, windows, doors, and hardware to protect them from paint. Even with tape, paint does tend to bleed through. So run a putty knife along the edge of the tape, to ensure it is flush and adheres. If you're using a paint sprayer, also tape up plastic sheeting to cover doors, windows, fixtures, and anything you want to protect

How to paint

Paint sprayers offer the most coverage in the shortest amount of time. Brushes and rollers are better for precision and control. Begin by applying the primer, which can be sprayed, rolled, or brushed on. Make sure it covers rusty nails, sap, or other similar problems to prevent bleed-through.

After waiting for the recommended time for the primer to dry, you're ready to apply color. You can spray the siding then roll or brush the trim and doors. Another option is to spray large areas that require minimal taping off and use brushes and rollers on the front of the house and in other areas where there's a lot of detail. Alternatively, you may decide not to deal with spraying at all.

“Carefully follow the instructions on the paint cans to ensure the paint properly adheres and provides lasting coverage.”

Just carefully follow the instructions on the paint cans to ensure the paint properly adheres and provides lasting coverage.

Where to learn about house painting

Before you begin painting, learn as much as you can to avoid mistakes and discover time-saving tips. The following resources may be helpful:

• Check home improvement stores to see if they offer any workshops. These are often provided in larger stores.

• Visit your library, bookstore, or hardware store for a book on exterior painting.

• Look for articles online, particularly those that address the specific type of siding on your home.

• Watch Youtube videos to see house painting in action, so you understand how to properly tape off, use a paint sprayer, and other steps.

Photo courtesy

WHY BUYING ORGANIC isn’t My First Concern

By Rebecca Hastings

Photo courtesy of Pexels.com

Itend to be a middle-of-the-road parent. Not in everything, I suppose, but when it comes to what my kids eat, I coast between what I know they should have and what tastes great, sounds fun, and is realistic.

An important note here: I know what the “right way” is. I get it. Organic, free-range, real food, fair trade, wholesome. And if that works for you, then I say, “Go for it!” And I will cheer you on while I eat a Snickers.

I’ve always been a bit of a rule-breaker. My kids had eggs before they were supposed to, and we discovered that there was, in fact, no peanut allergy when my mom gave my daughter a spoonful of peanut butter at a year old. Of course, we weren’t reckless; we knew there was no history of food allergies and we never gave honey (I’m still not 100% sure why). But we broke the rules, and it was okay for us.

Sometimes mom’s happiness matters more than checking off everything on our food pyramid.

I know we can’t do these things all the time. The truth is I cook, a lot. And we don’t bring a lot of junk food to the house. But sometimes I choose froyo for dinner because it’s fun.

Cruising in the middle has made me a lot happier. It’s eased some of the mental worries over things I can’t control, and it’s helped me remember that life never goes 100% our way. It’s relaxed my type-A tendencies enough that I can smile more and worry less.

We still struggle when junk food comes into our house on special occasions. Somehow putting a celebration on the calendar makes endless buckets or stockings of candy acceptable. Maybe if it’s fair-trade chocolate it’s ok? I don’t think my scale cares what kind of chocolate I eat, and my kids get just as hyped up. So, the balance comes when we need to reign it in. And it’s not easy.

But no one said this parenting ride wouldn’t be without some bumps in the road. So we navigate the best we can right after we swing through the drive-up for a latte. There’s no wrong way to do this. When our kids are raising their children they’ll think the things we cared about are crazy because they know more. It’s just how generations evolve. It’s science. It’s life.

Even now I struggle to know what is right. I feel the pull toward the organic milk and fruit, but the truth is my wallet wins out and I go with what’s cheaper. I once read to at least avoid the dirty dozen, but have you read the list? It’s the food we actually eat. That means we’re supposed to buy organic. Still, I don’t.

Somehow I figure non-organic fruit is better than organic fruit chews in the shape of animals, and non-organic milk is better than endless cups of organic juice.

Organic is awesome if that’s what you want to do. But I find myself thinking that it’s just not essential to me. It doesn’t make my top five or ten or even twenty things to stress over as a parent. So, I let it go, but it’s not the only thing.

A few weeks ago we stopped for frozen yogurt. Instead of dinner. I think I cut up something later when people got hungry, but frozen yogurt was the meal. And you know what? My kids thought I was a superhero. And I was a lot happier with peanut butter chocolate swirl and some hot fudge.

A few things that don’t change? A happy parent makes a happier household. Sometimes you have to take in the information and do the thing that works best for you. And know that might change. Next month I may realize we should all be drinking kombucha every day. Who knows? And maybe sometimes I will buy some organic products. But sometimes we must remember to do our best and enjoy the ride.

Rebecca is a former teacher and mom of three who is passionate about authenticity, faith, and family. Her books are available on Amazon and she has been featured on sites such as The Washington Post and Parents. In real life, she can often be found typing words, driving her kids places, or wherever there is chocolate.

“Even now I struggle to know what is right. I feel the pull toward the organic milk and fruit, but the truth is my wallet wins out and I go with what’s cheaper.”

Photo courtesy of Pexels.com

GARDENING FOR KIDS (Tips, Tools and Books for Success)

By Rebecca Hastings

Kids are some of the best earth tenders around. With their love for food, flowers, and dirt, gardening is the perfect activity to combine play, learning, and family time.

Why Kids Make Great Gardeners

Understanding the world around them is a child’s primary mission, even if they don’t know it. Gardening provides the perfect way to build understanding. From learning about plants and how they grow to seasons, the Earth, and what we eat, kids will be excited to discover that they can work with nature to do something amazing.

Connecting with nature has proven benefits. From increasing creativity to decreasing symptoms of things like ADHD and stress, gardening provides kids with far more than a pretty plant. Even issues like childhood obesity are helped by spending some time tending the earth.

The Perfect Tools

Having the right tools doesn’t need to be complicated, but it can make the experience much more enjoyable. With just a few basics, kids will feel ready to get dirty.

Garden gloves are a great starting place. Finding gloves designed for kids will help them fit properly and be ready

to dig, plant, and water. Plus, it means easier cleanup when they’re done!

Kid-sized tools make the job much easier for kids to maneuver. Plus, they enjoy having things designed just for them. A shovel, hoe, and rake are great starting places. Adding in a small hand shovel and trowel can also be quite handy.

The most important tools are soil, sunshine, and water! It can be helpful to talk to your local garden center about the best soil for your garden. Make sure you have a good water source nearby and the right amount of light, and you are ready to go.

Great Starter Ideas

You have two main choices when it comes to gardening: flowers and fruits/vegetables. Doing some of each is a great way to ensure kids are engaged and discover what they love to do.

Some favorite flowers to plant include sunflowers and nasturtium. These are easy to grow and provide big results.

Fruits and vegetables are especially fun as you get to eat the results! Green beans, tomatoes, cucumbers, and strawberries are favorites that yield great harvests kids love.

“The key to successful gardening for your child is knowing what works.”

Photo courtesy of Pexels.com

Read All About It

Make the experience about more than tossing some seeds in the dirt, but reading books that help kids understand gardening.

A favorite book, and New York Times Bestseller, We are Gardeners by Joanna Gaines and Julianna Swaney combines great illustrations with truly helpful information perfect for kids. Plus, Gaines offers help in handling obstacles along the way.

Grow: A Family Guide to Growing Fruits and Vegetables by Ben Raskin is a delightful guidebook that offers tips, games, and even a Grow Your Own Pizza plan with recipes. This book is the perfect way to keep kids excited about gardening as they learn all about it.

With 120 step-by-step gardening activities, The BestEver Step-by-Step Kid's First Gardening by Jenny Hendy is a fantastic resource offering new ideas for things to grow and how to do it. Full of color photos, kids will feel equipped to tackle new garden projects with confidence!

The best part is, you don’t need to wait for the warm weather to get started! You can start seeds indoors or even try winter sowing.

If you start seeds indoors, you can keep the planters inside, typically in a warm sunny area. This will produce seedlings that you can transplant outside when it is warm enough and the danger of frost has passed. Indoor seed starting kits are a good option, but you can always use containers you already have on hand. Just make sure they have adequate space and drainage in addition to light.

Winter sowing is another option that is great for colder climates or if you have limited space inside. To do this, you start your seeds by repurposing plastic containers to create minigreenhouses that you keep outside.

Empty milk cartons or food containers that are transparent or semi-transparent work best so the seeds get enough light. You can plant your seeds right in the container, and seal them making small holes in the bottom for drainage and the top for air and water. Your winter sowing containers can even get covered in snow and still be successful!

Discover how you and your kids can learn from a new garden this spring. With a few tools and a willingness to get a bit dirty, you and your kids can connect with nature and with each other!

Rebecca is a former teacher and mom of three who is passionate about authenticity, faith, and family. Her books are available on Amazon and she has been featured on sites such as The Washington Post and Parents. In real life, she can often be found typing words, driving her kids places, or wherever there is chocolate.

“If you start seeds indoors, you can keep the planters inside, typically in a warm sunny area. This will produce seedlings that you can transplant outside when it is warm enough.”

Photo courtesy of Pexels.com

GARDENING PRODUCTS TO REDUCE STRAIN, Prevent Pain, & Overcome Barriers Caused by Physical Impairments

By Kimberly Blaker

Gardening offers many excellent mental and physical health benefits. It's a healthy form of exercise because you're moving around. At the same time, it boosts your emotional health by spending time outdoors while tending to your plants' needs as they grow.

Unfortunately, as you age, or if you have any physical impairments or conditions, all the bending, extending, kneeling, lifting, and other gardening aspects can become painful or difficult. If you find gardening is taking a toll on your body, there are many handy products out there. Particular gardening gadgets and equipment can reduce strain and support you through various challenges to make the experience possible and enjoyable!

Arthritis

Arthritic hands can make it difficult to grip and maneuver traditional gardening tools that put your hands and wrists in uncomfortable positions. But there are a few great alternative tools. In particular, is the Radius Garden 5 piece tool set or the Bear Paws Cultivator Claw, explicitly made to be lighter weight with a more ergonomic design.

Bad knees and backs

When your knees or back are prone to pain, the constant bending and kneeling required for gardening may seem impossible to keep up with. Still, there are ways to reduce discomfort or eliminate the need to kneel and bend as often, if at all.

If you struggle to put pressure on your knees for extended periods, many products can reduce the stress of kneeling on the hard ground. You might want to try the Abcosport deep-seat garden kneeler. It can be used as a garden seat or kneeling pad.

There's also the AMES Buddly Lawn and Garden Cart, which doubles as an easy-to-pull wagon and a sturdy seat from which to garden.

A bad back makes it hard to bend over to pull weeds to keep them from taking over your garden. With Grampa’s Weeder, a stand-up weed puller means you can remove these invasive plants from the root without ever having to bend down.

“If you struggle to put pressure on your knees for extended periods, many products can reduce the stress of kneeling on the hard ground.”

Limited reach

Do you struggle with limited reach because of mobility issues or wheelchair use? If so, there are tools to make it easier to tend to your plants from farther away.

With the Ymachray Long Handled Planter, you can easily plant your bulbs and seedlings in the ground without having to kneel down and reach into the garden.

You can also bring the garden up to your level with the Keter Easy Grow Raised Garden Bed that you can use while standing. There are many other types of raised beds of various heights and sizes to fit your specific needs.

“Gardening offers many excellent mental and physical health benefits. It's a healthy form of exercise because you're moving around.”

Photo courtesy of Pixabay

Balance and strength problems

Gardening involves a lot of moving around, standing up, squatting, pulling plants out of the ground, and carting around heavy plant debris, soil, and all manner of tools. But suppose you struggle with balance problems or limited strength. Gardening can put you in a dangerous position, increasing your risk of falling or sustaining an injury.

So cart tools around safely with a rolling mobile tool storage system like the Vertex Super-Duty Yard & Garden Cart. This will reduce heavy lifting and carrying gardening tools around.

Watering with a hose or heavy watering can throw off your balance and be difficult to lift. To avoid this, install a drip system like the Raindrip Automatic Watering Kit. It automatically delivers an efficient amount of water to your hanging plants and containers.

Thinning skin

Plants can be particularly rough on thinning skin, especially when dealing with rose thorns or spiky weeds, which can quickly tear your skin up. This can make gardening painful and even lead to infections. When you have more delicate skin, you want to make sure it's protected. Think about investing in thorn proof rose pruning gloves that extend farther up your arms to protect yourself as you reach into thick growth.

Need for sun protection

Traditional gardening takes place outdoors since plants need sunlight to grow. So it's vital to keep your skin protected from too much sun exposure, which can lead to sunburn and increased skin cancer risk. A Lenikis sun hat with a wide-brim and neck cover keeps you protected from UV rays.

You might also consider an indoor gardening system, like the Smart Garden hydroponics growing system, if you need to stay entirely out of the sun.

Kimberly Blaker is a freelance family writer. She’s also founder and director of KB Creative Digital Services, an internet marketing agency, at kbcreativedigital.com

Photo courtesy of Pexels.com

RAISE A CAN-DO KID

By Sandra Gordon

When Allison Carter, an organization coach, got tired of doing the endless piles of laundry her family generated, she didn’t hire a housekeeper. Instead, she taught her 9 year old son and 12 year old daughter to wash their own clothes, fold and put them away. Not only has this step lightened Carter’s housework, it has been good for the kids, too. “If you run a full-service household, your kids may never learn how to do practical things like laundry or pick up after themselves,” Carter says.

the study. Guilty! At my house, for example, I often find myself setting the table while my kids do their homework, which just feels, well, wrong. Isn’t setting the table a kid’s job? It sure was when I was growing up.

Of course, chores aren’t something you can expect your kids to want to do. Even you probably don’t look forward to scrubbing the toilet or taking out the trash. But because doing them fosters so much more than just getting a job done, they’re worth incorporating into your child’s busy schedule.

Indeed, studies show that having children pitch in around the house provides an opportunity to teach them responsibility, organization, regard for others and a general sense of being a capable human being that can serve them well throughout their lives. Still, a Wellesley University study found that parents now typically only give their kids trivial jobs, such as putting dishes in the dishwasher. Schoolwork is their main task.

“Although homework and academic curriculums may be much more demanding than in the past, children may not be doing enough to help around the house to develop a sense of competence,” says Markella Rutherford, associate professor of sociology at Wellesley College in Massachusetts, who authored

1. Stop being a pick-up artist. A natural place to start with household chores is teaching your kids to pick up after themselves, which likely means resisting the urge to pick up after them. Consider: “Every time you pick up after everyone, you reinforce the behavior and condition them to keep cluttering,” says Josh Klapow, PhD, a clinical psychologist and author of Living Smart: Lifestyle Change Made Simple. Your family learns that if they leave their stuff around, you’ll bail them out. Instead, teach them to pick up after themselves by stating a rule, such as “I’d like you to take your dirty dishes into the kitchen before going to bed so we don’t come down to a messy living room in the morning.” If dirty dishes are still there in the AM, let them pile up, even if several days’ worth amasses.

“Although homework and academic curriculums may be much more demanding than in the past, children may not be doing enough to help around the house to develop a sense of competence.”

Here are five ways you can help your kids learn to clean up their act that can teach them invaluable life lessons.

Consistency is key. Whatever you do, don’t touch the dishes, no matter how much they bother you. Then, just keep stating the rule, emphasizing that as a family, you all need to do your part to keep the house neat. When kids finally get the message (they will), reinforce that behavior with praise, as in “Thank you for bringing your dirty dishes into the kitchen. I love how clean the living room is.” In time, picking up will become as much of a habit for them as expecting you to do it once was, Klapow says.

2. Focus on the outcome. Meanwhile, you can also encourage your kids by offering an incentive to clean up. For example, tell them that once they’ve picked up their toys, they can go to the playground. Or once they’ve cleaned the den after their slumber party, then you can all go shopping. Or once they’ve emptied the dishwasher, then they can go to their friend’s house. That’s not bribing. Rather, it makes them understand that completing chores makes other fun activities possible. Keep it positive by focusing on how clean the playroom, or whatever room they’re tackling, will look when they’re done. Concentrate on public areas in your house, the common ground you all inhabit, where kids get the greatest sense that “we’re all in this together” and consider letting them do what they want with their bedroom. “I think a child’s bedroom should be off limits to housekeeping rules,” says Carleton Kendrick, a family therapist.

3. Assign tasks based on your child’s age. It’s never too early to enlist your child’s assistance. Even preschoolers can put napkins on the table, help match the socks, put their toys away and help you look for specific items at the supermarket from their perch in the shopping cart. From preschool to the lower elementary grades, you’ll need to do the task with them until they’re old enough to do it themselves. Even a first grader isn’t likely to clean the living room solo. Emphasize, “We’re doing this together” without getting angry. But over the years, you can expect kids to do more without your support or reminding. Eventually, the process will become ingrained and your kids will tidy up automatically.

Based on your child’s age and stage, the tasks they can be expected to handle (from toddlers to teens) might include putting their toys away, putting their backpack away after

“Rotate chores as much as possible, given your children’s ages so that no one gets stuck with the same job. One idea?

Put all the chores that need to be done into a hat. Whatever gets drawn is your child’s job for the week.”

Photo courtesy of Pexels.com

school, putting their clean clothes in their dresser drawer, loading and emptying the dishwasher, taking out the garbage, setting the table, vacuuming and dusting, mowing the lawn, washing the car, doing the laundry, making dinner and, later, doing household errands around town with the family car. Rotate chores as much as possible, given your children’s ages so that no one gets stuck with the same job. One idea? Put all the chores that need to be done into a hat. Whatever gets drawn is your child’s job for the week. You can also encourage your kids to work together, which fosters cooperation and problem solving. “See if they can sort the tasks out by themselves,” says Vicki Panaccione, Ph.D., president of the Better Parenting Institute, as in ‘you dust the furniture while I pick up all the dog’s toys.’” That teaches another life skill: teamwork.”

4. Don’t be a nag. If you’re always reminding your kids to do their chores, they’ll learn to depend on you for that cue. Instead, help them remember to do tasks without prodding by teaching them to evaluate their own work. “If you go into the bathroom and see the towels on the floor again, for example, instead of saying, ‘Pick up the towels,’ ask your child: ‘What’s wrong with this picture?’” Panaccione suggests. Another option is to assign your kids their own designated towel. If it ends up on the bathroom floor again, so be it. That’s what they get to use next time, which is a logical consequence for not hanging the towel up.

5. Pile on the praise. “Giving lots of praise, especially in the beginning, for every helpful thing your child does, even if it’s small, helps reinforce the behavior,” Panaccione says.

But rather than “You’re the greatest laundry folder in the world,” you might say, “Oh, wow! You’re doing such a great job folding all the laundry. I’m so proud of you for helping out.” “Make your accolades authentic,” Panaccione says. Kids love it when you recognize their contribution and honestly express gratitude; it’s a competence and confidence booster.

Sandra Gordon is a freelance writer based in Stamford, Connecticut who specializes in parenting, health and medical topics. For more about Sandra, visit Sandrajgordon.com.

DIGITAL DECLUTTER How

to Tame and Reclaim

Your Devices

By Cherie Gough

If any of the above is familiar, you know that technology comes with clutter all its own. The mental load added by devices can be overwhelming. This year, make a commitment to declutter your devices, because just like clearing clutter in our homes, clearing clutter in our digital lives helps make room for greater calm and happiness. I spoke with local professional organizer Bethel Swift, founder of Real Life Professional Organizing, for practical tips that make the process attainable.

Don't Aim for Perfection

Getting a job done is more important than getting a job done perfectly. "As with any organizing project, think about good, better and best scenarios," says Swift. "Before you jump in, envision an [attainable] end goal to motivate you toward completion." Life often gets in the way, so don't beat yourself up if you "only" do a good job the first time around.

Not enough storage

Start Small: The Computer Desktop Swift recommends having one to five (max 10) main folders on your desktop. Over-organizing can be counter-productive. Ideally, structure folders to be no more than three clicks away from any file. It's important to name folders and files the way YOU will look for them. Ask yourself, "When I look for a digital copy of my car registration, will I naturally type 'truck,' 'vehicle' or "F150' into the search bar?"

Be Purposeful with Email

Fewer email addresses are easier to manage, of course, but Swift recommends having separate work and personal email addresses to prevent getting sucked into work when you embark on personal tasks (or vice versa). Use yet another email address for signing petitions or making

“Before you jump in, envision an [attainable] end goal to motivate you toward completion.”

purchases since these generate follow-up spam. If using email folders, Swift proposes keeping the system simple for easy access and maintenance. She uses an "Active" and "Archive" structure with a few subfolders.

Unsubscribe

Unroll.Me helps people mass unsubscribe from unwanted emails and will condense others into "digests" to view at the user's convenience. Learn more at www.unroll.me.

Tackle the Mother Lode (Photos)

Swift's number one suggestion for an overwhelming number of photos on phones is to delete, delete, delete! "As with physical items, the fewer we have, the easier it is to organize. By regularly deleting duplicates, old screenshots and blurry snaps, you'll have an easier time finding the photos you really want."

How to Get Started

Go through photos starting with the oldest and work on it for 1020 minutes each day. Or, begin with the most recent and work your way backwards. Seize mini moments to delete photos: In the drive-through line, while you wait for kids at school or afterschool activities, during a child's naptime or when you have travel downtime. Again, a few minutes each day makes a difference!

Once you've deleted, set up a simple file system and add new photos to it as you go.

Use Mylio Photos to organize photos, videos, report cards and other meaningful digital files in one lasting library that's accessible on all your devices. Fit even the largest photo library on your phone without reaching storage limits and set automated backups. Easily import years of Instagram, Flickr and Facebook images. Visit www.mylio.com to learn more.

Create a Back-Up System

Few things are more upsetting than losing precious photos of our children. To avoid this, Swift recommends regularly backing up photos to three locations: cloud-based storage, computer desktop and an external hard drive. "I prefer to do most sorting and renaming of photos on my laptop and then upload them to my secondary back-up systems," says Swift. When naming folders, Swift puts the date first so photos automatically sort in chronological order. "The most important thing to remember when naming folders and photo files is to go broader initially," she says. "You can always get more specific later." It can be very difficult to maintain files the other way around. If you have photos and videos stored only in apps like Instagram and Facebook, be sure to back up those as well (the ones you want to keep).

Photo courtesy of Pexels.com

Share the Love

Consider preserving special photos by creating an annual photo book for yourself or to give loved ones as gifts. Or create shareable digital folders.

Enlist Help

When it comes to photos, get the kids involved. Most kids enjoy choosing favorite photos-let them help decide which ones to keep. To find a professional organizer, search by city on www.NAPO.net. Swift is adding photo organizing to her repertoire of services starting this year. Learn more at www. RealLifeProfessionalOrganizing.com.

Stay Motivated

The best way to stay motivated is to not let digital clutter get out of hand again. Schedule maintenance- calendar “delete emails" as a weekly or monthly agenda item. Try pairing it with another activity you do regularly (housecleaning, laundry, doctor visits, etc.).

Officially Sign off

If you work from home, avoid the blurred boundaries and mental clutter of always being connected and available. To officially sign off for the day, consider a ritual that creates boundaries between home life and work life. "Try an initiation and cessation routine, such as a quick gratitude practice or affirmation to transition in and out of work and family modes," suggests Swift.

Gretchen Rubin, author of Outer Order, Inner Calm: Declutter & Organize to Make More Room for Happiness, suggests that adding an element of fun motivates task completion. To that end, she created a Desk-Clearing Bingo game; each square contains a small, manageable task. "Play" every day or once a week for a satisfying sign off. Visit her Instagram page (@gretchenrubin) and scroll to the March 18 post to play along.

Most importantly, remember that any day is a good day to start decluttering!

Cherie Gough is an award-winning writer with a background in education. Find her on Instagram @cgoughwrites.

“The most important thing to remember when naming folders and photo files is to go broader initially. You can always get more specific later.”

PARTNERING WITH THE PROS

How to Get Your Lawn Ready for Spring

By Courtesy of BPT

If you enjoy time at home these days, you're not alone. According to TruGreen's new survey conducted in collaboration with OnePoll, 69% of Americans spend more time at home than two years ago. And because homeowners enjoy being at home, it's no surprise home improvement remains a priority, with lawns as a top investment in both time and money.

While lawns are valuable to homeowners, so is their time. Rather than tackling lawn maintenance, homeowners would rather be with family and friends (49%), doing outdoor activities (36%) or reading a book (33%).

But with spring around the corner and warmer weather approaching, now is the first — and best time for homeowners to prepare their lawns for the season ahead. Homeowners should partner with a professional for their lawn care this season so you can spend more time doing things you love — while still achieving the lawn of your dreams. TruGreen®, the nation's leading lawn care provider, breaks down tasks you can do, and those better left to professionals to save time and money.

What to tackle as the homeowner

Here are the top items to have on your spring lawn maintenance checklist:

• Prep your lawn mower for a fresh first cut. After a long winter, your lawnmower needs some love to work at its best. Clean or replace the air filter, change the oil, sharpen the blades and check the spark plug. Once your mower is ready, the first cut is critical to remove dead blades of grass from the past season to wake up the lawn. Always mow grass at the correct height, making sure you don't cut over a third of its height during any single mowing. Most grass types should be kept at least three inches tall, as longer, thicker turf helps combat weeds and conserve water in the soil.

• Clear debris to allow your lawn to breathe. As temperatures climb, you may discover your lawn is covered in fallen leaves, sticks and other debris. If you don't remove this debris, your lawn could get smothered and develop unsightly patches, since your lawn and its roots would be prevented from accessing sunlight, air, water and nutrients needed to thrive. Clearing debris also helps professional lawn services be more effective.

Photo

* Quench your lawn's thirst. Every lawn requires a healthy amount of high-quality H2O. While some will come from rainfall, during drier months you may need to use your garden hose or sprinkler system. Aim for about one inch of water per week. An easy way to measure is by spreading a few empty tuna cans across your lawn as you water. When they're full, that's an inch.

When to call in the pros

The spring season brings new beginnings and memories with loved ones outdoors. Partnering with the pros for your lawn maintenance lets you maximize your time, so you can do what you love without compromising your outdoor space.

"Research shows 68% of Americans trust and hire professionals for home improvement tasks, and with the winter blues behind us, don't miss out on this critical season to nurture your dream lawn," said Brian Feldman, director of technical operations at TruGreen. "Whether it's clearing weeds or providing a boost of nutrients to your lawn, partnering with a professional service can help ensure you're on track for a healthy, green lawn all year."

Let the experienced professionals help, here are three tasks better left to the pros:

• Tackling weeds before they attack your lawn. No one wants a lawn covered in weeds. Preventive treatments are vital to help fend off annual weeds before they start growing. Starting your lawn care at the right time and under the correct conditionssuch as temperature and humidity - is crucial to prevent weeds from germinating, so consult a professional to identify when to start treatments.

• Fertilizing your outdoor space. During winter, lawns stay in a hibernating state. Come springtime, they wake up with an appetite, so give your lawn a boost of nutrients with an initial dose of fertilizer. A lawn care professional can ensure this treatment occurs at the best time and in the right amount to bring out the best in your lawn, trees and shrubs.

• Tailoring a plan for pesky weeds. Despite your best preventative efforts in the spring, annoying weeds may still pop up. When this happens, a specialist can tailor a post-emergent solution specifically for your outdoor space.

Questions about recovering your lawn after being dormant all winter? Visit TruGreen.com to ensure your lawn is on track for a healthy spring season.

MAXIMALISM REINVENTED

By Courtesy of BPT

Photo courtesy of BPT

The kitchen is a space that fosters creativity — from the design choices to the art of cooking, it is the heart of the home; a place for people to come together to celebrate and share in abundance. To create a meaningful kitchen, incorporate characteristics of maximalism, such as personal items that showcase individual style and purposeful accent pieces.

Complementing contrasts

Maximalism has existed throughout time, but personalization and avant-garde touches can take it to the next level. Take a cue from previous eras to inspire home design, and do not be afraid to select and pair seemingly contrasting elements, patterns or mediums within a space. Select fixtures with tone-on-tone split finishes to create a grand statement that elevates the traditional home. Create breathtaking variations by combining artistic flair with eclectic features, such as selecting faucets with unique fluting details. These aesthetic choices bring beauty into a space while enhancing the sensory experience.

The Tulham™ Kitchen Collection by Brizo® reimagines every detail by combining elegant contours with art deco motifs for an inventive blend of traditional and avant-garde, making it a great addition to a maximalist-inspired kitchen. When paired with other elements in the space, such as a vintage light fixture or a modern barstool, these distinct attributes can create an intriguing and layered design that makes the space feel and look unlike any other.

The grandeur of technology

The integration of technology is a great way to elevate the kitchen even further; it can be both functional and innovative. Whether it is used to make the room easier to clean or makes cooking more efficient, technology opens up a world of culinary possibilities. The Tulham™ Pull-Down Kitchen Faucet has both a Touch-Clean® nozzle, to make wiping away mineral deposits simple, and a two-function wand with spray and stream elements to make the faucet as practical as it is lavishly beautiful. Optional SmartTouch® Technology on the Pull-Down and PullDown Prep Faucets activates water flow with just a tap, making both clean up and cooking functional without sacrificing style.

The Tulham™ Instant Hot Faucet easily coordinates with any aesthetic and can deliver near boiling water, ready at a moment's notice. From brewing French press coffee to steeping tea, the faucet's innovative technology elevates even the most ordinary kitchen tasks. With its creative technology and beautiful, artistic details, the Tulham™ Kitchen Collection enhances the art of cooking and brings maximalism to the heart of the home.

How Well Do You Know

YOUR HOME’S HVAC SYSTEM?

By Courtesy of BPT

How well do you How well do you know your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, or HVAC, system? Like any product, you want to keep it in working order, and being HVAC savvy will help you keep this vital equipment working more efficiently regardless of the temperatures outside. Here are some important aspects of your HVAC system you should know:

The Average Lifespan of HVAC

Generally, with proper maintenance most residential HVAC systems have a typical lifespan between 10 to 20 years. For instance, an increase in dust on surfaces in your home could be a signal to replace the furnace filter, which should be done monthly for optimal performance. Loud noises from the HVAC or inconsistent room temperature can also indicate the need for maintenance or an upgrade.

Although an HVAC may continue to provide comfort during this timeframe, the average homeowner may still seek to replace an HVAC system during this period for a variety of reasons, such as rising energy bills which could also be a signal that the HVAC is not operating as efficiently as newer models.

State-of-the-art HVAC Technology

While most people are familiar with central HVAC systems, some homeowners might not know about “mini-split” systems. A “minisplit” system, typically ductless, both heats and cools. There is an indoor and outdoor unit; the outdoor unit does most of the work while the indoor unit distributes the heating or cooling.

Mini-Split HVAC units with inverter technology, like those from LG Electronics, provide zoned heating or cooling where you need it, all while providing you with an opportunity to reduce your reliance on fossil fuel. This ductless system allows you to select comfort settings for each zone or room in your home and

Photo courtesy of BPT

then control the temperature, volume, and direction of airflow, all according to your preference. ENERGY STAR® certified models are available and, in addition to being more eco-friendly than a traditional HVAC system, can help cut your cooling costs by up to 30 percent.

Know the SEER Rating

The Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) rating of your air conditioner is a measurement of the product’s cooling output in comparison to the total electric energy input. The SEER rating, which can range from 13 to over 30, represents the heat pump cooling and air conditioning efficiency.

You’ll want to know the rating to help you understand the efficiency of your unit when it works at its maximum potential. In general, the higher the rating, the better. For example, your air conditioner should have a SEER rating of at least 14.5 to qualify as an ENERGY STAR product.

Benefits of ENERGY STAR

The gold standard for energy efficiency is ENERGY STAR, a U.S. government-backed program that helps consumers and businesses easily identify products designed and built to meet above-average efficiency standards. Home products, including HVAC systems, which achieve a certain degree of energy efficiency while also meeting usability and convenience requirements, earn the rating. In fact, heating and cooling costs could be cut by up to 20 percent versus traditional HVAC products by using ENERGY STAR certified models.

Keeping your heating, ventilation, and HVAC equipment well-maintained can have a significant effect on your utility bills and will help you catch small issues before they snowball into financial burdens. Replace the air filter regularly, have a maintenance expert evaluate your system twice a year in the spring and fall, and report any concerns to your HVAC provider between planned visits. Ready to make the switch? Consider an LG HVAC unit by contacting a contractor to learn more about upgrading your system or installing a new unit.

THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE THE MOUNTAINS FOR THE HOLIDAYS.

Celebrate the holidays surrounded by great company and even better cuisine in the Pocono Mountains. From romantic dinners by candlelight to farm-to-table experiences, our local chefs are serving up something for every palate. Visit PoconoMountains.com to see all of our mouth-watering dining options and make your reservation.

“Keeping your heating, ventilation, and HVAC equipment well-maintained can have a significant effect on your utility bills and will help you catch small issues before they snowball into financial burdens.”

Photo courtesy

It’s time to hit the garage, basement, attic and closets for that age-old task of spring cleaning! Before hauling unwanted possessions to the curb, you may be surprised to learn they might be valuable — especially if you have sports cards and memorabilia gathering dust.

With prices of sports cards rising in recent years, take time to determine if yours are valuable and how to best sell them.

“Older sports cards and memorabilia aren’t just highly collectible; they can be worth lots of money. Recent sales of scarce vintage cards have topped anywhere from thousands of dollars to tens of thousands, even hundreds of thousands. And really rare cards can go higher,” says Al Crisafulli, Auction Director at Love of the Game Auctions, an internet sports auction house that helps families identify and sell valuable items.

Crisafulli has assisted people in selling such keepsakes as a grandparent’s autograph collection and an uncle’s childhood baseball cards, for tens of thousands of dollars. In one lifechanging event, he helped a family determine that a baseball bat that spent decades protecting their home was used by Hall of Famer Lou Gehrig — and Love of the Game Auctions sold it for almost half a million dollars. Today, that bat could bring more than a million dollars.

The key is understanding what makes old sports collectibles valuable. To help, Crisafulli is sharing some tips:

Older is Usually Pricier

Cards from the 1960s and earlier are collectible, and those from before the 1940s can be worth a lot of money, especially those depicting stars. Do you have cards of Hall of Famers, such as Mickey Mantle, Babe Ruth, Honus Wagner or Ty Cobb? Even non-stars from the early days of a sport can be worth big bucks, especially if the cards have no creases and retain sharp corners and original gloss.

“Older sports cards and memorabilia aren’t just highly collectible; they can be worth lots of money.

Recent sales of scarce vintage cards have topped anywhere from thousands of dollars to tens of thousands, even hundreds of thousands.”

If you have very old cards from the 1880s through the 1930s, look for tobacco, gum and candy brands, such as Old Judge, Piedmont, Sweet Caporal, Goudey or American Caramel.

If you want to sell sports items for the most money, consider a specialty auction, such as Love of the Game, which has the expertise to properly research sports ephemera and maintains bidder lists of collectors specializing in sports. More information is available at loveofthegameauctions.com.

Postcards and Photographs

We all have keepsakes of vacation destinations, but most aren’t valuable. However, photographs and postcards depicting sports stars and ballparks can be significant. Look for early “real photo” postcards from the 1900s through the 1940s, which are photographs printed on postcard backs.

“The golden rule is the older the sports card or item, the more valuable it usually is.”

As with sports cards, star power matters, so preserve those Babe Ruths as opposed to images of your great grandma’s baby cousin once-removed. And when it comes to photos, look for old markings on the back, such as photographer, publication and date stamps.

Memorabilia

Set aside old advertising posters depicting sports stars and food, tobacco or sporting goods brands. Ads from magazines aren’t valuable, but those used as store displays and for other marketing purposes can be pricey. Tin signs from the 1960 and earlier can be highly prized, but reproductions aren’t.

Your family’s sporting goods, such as balls, gloves and bats, can be valuable. Pre-1950s uniforms and catcher’s masks, helmets and other equipment are highly collected, especially when endorsed by star players. Top condition brings the highest prices, but even used equipment can be valuable.

“The golden rule is the older the sports card or item, the more valuable it usually is. Pre-1975 pieces start to get interesting and are worth researching,” says Crisafulli.

Don't just clean out your "junk" this spring, examine it closely to potentially maximize its value.

Photo courtesy of Pexels.com

Photo courtesy of BPT

5 IMPACTFUL HO ME DESIGN TRENDS Coming in 2023

Courtesy of BPT

Think your space is ready for a new look in the new year, but don't know where to start? A Delta Faucet product designer shares her timeless kitchen and bathroom trends she's seeing in real customers' homes for a fresh look in 2023 that will last for years to come.

"There are so many beautiful products on the market; homeowners should seek products that not only are beautiful, but also impactful," says Maris Park Borris, Delta Faucet industrial designer. "Design should evoke emotion. Homeowners want to create new experiences in their spaces and are encouraged to do so now more than ever."

The top five home design trends for 2023 are leaning into the innovative, personal, unique and lasting. The country is no longer stuck at home, but we still see home as an extension of ourselves that represents who we are as people. To create your own new experiences in the home, here are five trend predictions for 2023 to start incorporating in your own space.

1. Embrace natural tones and materials

Natural and organic materials bring an airiness to a room while also being timeless and long-lasting. Rather than bold, bright colors, natural warm tones will be popping up more and more in the kitchen and bathroom.

It’s not just a day of shopping here in the Pocono Mountains—it’s an experience. Wander our historic streets. Explore our art galleries. Find unique local goods. And stop for a bite at one of our top-rated neighborhood restaurants along the way. Discover all of our shopping and sights now at PoconoMountains.com.

Photo courtesy of Pexels.com

"There are so many beautiful products on the market; homeowners should seek products that not only are beautiful, but also impactful."

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"Natural materials are acting as showcase materials — from concrete to stones, woods, porcelain, tile and crystal," says Park Borris. "We are finding a lot of these natural materials are timeless in influencing mood and design."

2. Create beautiful, gallery-like spaces

You love your things, so why not display them? 2023 will ring in luxe, gallery-like spaces. Think of a standalone tub as a statement piece or open shelving in a kitchen as a way to display your favorite items that normally would be hidden away.

"And allow luxury to go beyond aesthetics and create comfort for all your senses," says Park Borris. "In 2023, free yourself to make rooms experiential, not just functional."

3. Make a statement (wall)

A statement wall can completely shift the design of a room quite easily. A floral wall in the bathroom or a tropical print behind the sink can bring life and personality to the space.

"Anything with patterns, either vintage-looking or modern, can shift design intent and complete a room," says Park Borris. "I see a lot of mural wallpapers too — they can be quite transformative and can really seal a design."

4. Make your space work harder

You may not be in a position to upgrade to a larger space, but 2023 trends will bring more options to utilize what you have. Don't see a kitchen as just a kitchen; maybe adding a small desk in an unused corner makes it a work-from-home kitchen.

"A lot of people are not looking for more space, per sé, but looking for better-organized spaces that work harder with split functionality," says Park Borris. "We've expected so much of our homes recently and that thought is not going away."

5. Be authentic and break the rules

It's your space — it should be a reflection of you. Throw design rules out the window and create a truly authentic space you love.

"I believe people will continue to make their spaces their own," says Park Borris. "There aren't as many rules of design as there used to be. I believe the things that evoke personal emotion will always be in style and our spaces will evolve as our styles do."

2023 will bring in many trends in home design. Whether it's natural materials or a pop of pattern with a statement wall, authenticity will be key.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

HOW TO BE A PET PARENT on a budget

Courtesy of StatePoint

Whether you are a first-time or veteran pet owner, being a pet parent can be expensive. From daily needs like food, treats and toys to medicines, the costs can add up.

To help stretch your budget, the experts at Dollar General are providing cost-friendly ways to provide for your pet:

Food to Fuel Your Furry Friend

Fueling your pet with nutritious food doesn’t have to break your budget. By stocking up on options available exclusively at select retailers, you can feed your furry family member affordably. For example, Nature’s Menu is available only at Dollar General and offers dog and cat food free from artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. Their dry pet food products also include pre and probiotics to support healthy digestion, along with added vitamins, minerals and other trace nutrients and a money-back satisfaction guarantee.

Hygiene How-To

Having a pup or feline companion comes with responsibility, especially when it pertains to their cleanliness and wellbeing. To maintain a groomed pet, create a care tote that includes such hygiene essentials as a brush or flea comb, shampoo, nail clippers and puppy pads, which can be used as clean-up tool for both dogs and cats. Also consider using a dual-action topical treatment to help prevent fleas and ticks. Be sure to see a trusted veterinarian for annual checkups and other needs.

Paw-some Accessories

All those accessories that enhance your pet’s days and nights don’t have to be costly. Consider new water and food bowls, a collar and a bed for a good night’s rest after playful days. Next, make playtime a bit more fun with a few new toys from Dollar General’s private brand, Forever Pals, which include a variety toy pack for dogs and a feather wand for cats. With these accessories, your pet will be wagging their tail or purring with excitement all day long!

By shopping wisely for all your pet’s needs, you can provide them with quality products while stretching your budget in the process.

“By shopping wisely for all your pet’s needs, you can provide them with quality products while stretching your budget in the process.”

Photo courtesy of Pexels.com

Photo courtesy of Pexels.com

Lehigh Valley Hospital (LVH)–Pocono delivers on OB care excellence. Holly Fronk was pregnant with her first child and wanted two things: a great midwifery program and the best OB care around. She found both at LVH–Pocono.

The hospital’s midwifery program, provided her with the guidance and care she was looking for. Her midwife team worked seamlessly with doctors, leaving her comforted and confident. Find out how LVH–Pocono can deliver for you.

LVHN.org/pocono 570-421-4000

They deliver beautiful moments.

Holly Fronk, Maternity care