Sometimes we just need to hang out in a good bar with friends- someplace that’s relaxing, has a little atmosphere and good service. We’ve been watching the construction on the Cold Springs Inn and Brewing Company over the past two years and now it’s open! Everyone in the area knew it as a “biker” bar in the past, but you won’t believe the transformation. It’s now one of the best brewpubs in the area. Scenic View of the Yellow Breeches Chris Crowley and Dennis Mulroy completely reconstructed this bar with their own hands, transforming it into a destination complete with two beautiful decks ove ..read more

It’s enormous! This huge bull elk stood not 200 feet from us with a rack the size of Manhattan. Several more were a little farther out in the field bugling with the power of a locomotive. It was eerie to hear their piercing calls echoing through the open range. We stood behind the viewing wall, peering out from the beautifully-colored canopy of trees that surrounded us. It’s fall in Elk County, Pennsylvania. Elk Country Visitors Center: A Treat! The Elk Country Visitors Center provides wonderful, forested trails leading to protective walls where visitors can view the animals in their natural ..read more

Machu Picchu So you’re visiting Peru and you’d like to eat like the ancient Peruvians (I’m talking 5000 years ago), would you consume guinea pig or Pisco? The 5,000 year-old-winner is guinea pig. On a trip to Peru, savoring the ancient delicacy is a must. It’s deep-fried and crispy and tastes similar to turkey or the dark meat on duck. And, yes, it’s often served head and all. Poor babies. Deep-fried Guinea Pig Foodies- Rejoice in Peruvian Food! Three of our intrepid travelers, Connie, Betsy and Beth, recently visited Peru and raved over the guinea pig. In fact, they were impressed with th ..read more

  It’s hot and humid and you just came off the pickleball court. You’re sweating profusely and guzzling water. Believe it or not, that’s probably a good thing. Your body is not only working to cool you off by sweating, but it’s also telling you to hydrate. All good. Your body is working as it should. Am I Dehydrated? There’s always that nagging feeling, though- am I hydrating enough? We often read how dehydration can become a problem as we get older. Studies have confirmed that our bodies hold less water the older we get, and our brains are not as efficient at signaling to us that we’re ..read more

We were pleasantly surprised. The atmosphere was inviting, cozy and tastefully appointed. Tables were adorned with red table cloths complete with candlelight. Each place setting had a unique antique-like plate along with whimsical salt and pepper shakers, painted oil and vinegar bottles and other novelties. It felt like we stepped into a European bistro. We knew we were in for an interesting evening. We all felt quite comfortable and lapsed into conversation, joking and laughing and generally enjoying ourselves. Our server, sweet and very knowledgeable, cheerfully took our bar order and prese ..read more

Oh, for Pete’s sake, get over it! Dogs and cats are both great pets, but maybe for reasons you never thought of. I’m partial to dogs. They make me laugh. It’s like having a two-year-old running around the house. High activity and very entertaining. Hmmm. Did you know dogs are as smart as two-year-olds? Bright, attentive, soaking up information and needing you 24/7? They have a vocabulary of 250 words. Ah, but cats. . . they’re the brains of the family. It’s like living with an introverted, significant other. They come around for attention from time to time when they feel the need, inserting t ..read more

Annapolis, Maryland. Home to the U.S. Naval Academy, quaint waterfront shopping, Maryland crabs, sailing and water sports. . . did I mention Maryland crabs? Once or twice a year, a few of my family members, who live far and wide, meet up in Annapolis for lunch and an afternoon romp through the shops. Ice cream at Kilwins included. This year, the temperature skirted 100 degrees, so we found ourselves lingering in one of our favorite restaurants, Boatyard Bar & Grill on the corner of 4th and Severn streets. It’s just a short jaunt from the shops over a small bridge.  Boatyard Bar & ..read more

Just a few achy backs and creaky knees, but after five hours of almost constant work volunteers started for home feeling satisfied. They knew they were making a difference in the lives of kids staying at Penn State Children’s Hospital in Hershey, PA. Today was the big push. Approximately 30 volunteers showed up to assemble the colorful, fun and cute pillowcases guaranteed to bring a smile to those afflicted. A core group of about twelve crafters living at Traditions of America (TOA) over-55 lifestyle community in Mechanicsburg, PA chose this project about five years ago and they’ve been ..read more

  You know what? The moon stinks! I’m not just having a childish snit. The moon literally stinks. This is one of the little known facts from the Apollo 11 landing 50 years ago on July 20, 1969. The Moon Stinks! According to the Smithsonian Magazine, the dark gray, fine-grained moon dust that wafted through the LM (Lunar Module) when they returned from the moonwalk had a peculiar smell. According to Buzz Aldrin, he thought it resembled “the smell in the air after a firecracker has gone off”. Neil Armstrong thought it smelled like “the scent of wet ashes”. The extremely clingy moon dust was ..read more

It’s summer and Central PA is experiencing a restaurant deck explosion of sorts. More and more venues are opening decks, serving sips and casual dining. It’s a great time to enjoy friends and family in a relaxing outdoor setting. New Greystone Brew House One of the new kids on the block is the recently opened Greystone Brew House in Dillsburg.  Large and spacious, this newly renovated deck and restaurant overlooking the expansive countryside at the Range End Golf Club is to die for. The scenery is awesome and the food is delicious! Just As Good As the Greystone Public House And, yes, thi ..read more