Lifestyle

Eating like our ancestors

As a society food is taken for granted as always being what it is, but there are some dishes with origins dating back to ancient Roman times that we still feast on today. One delightful treat …

Smith is new 4-H leader

The Illinois Extension office in Paris has a new team member. Brittany Smith is Edgar County's new 4-H program coordinator, filling a vacancy that has existed since April. Smith, originally …
Portable breakfast help with a busy week

Iced coffee is not breakfast

Some of us need TLC for our relationship with breakfast. Perhaps the morning meals are forgettable at best or get skipped entirely in favor of a big cup of coffee during the rush to get to the office …

Film "Asteroid City" includes local talent

Edgar County claims several natives and/or residents who appeared in major motion pictures over the years including Carl “Alfalfa” Switzer from the “Our Gang” comedies, …
Patchett's transatlantic journey continues

Cruising suits us

The adventure continues for us. We took a transatlantic voyage in May with good friends we met on a previous cruise. It was a repositioning cruise for Celebrity Cruises’ two-year-old ship …
Visiting the D-Day battle area is moving experience

Normandy revisited

Le Harve, France, located in the province of Normandy, was a port of call during the 15-day transatlantic cruise we took in early May. Passengers had the option to visit the beaches of Normandy …

Shopping on a budget

Cooking meals to bring loved ones joy is often objective Number One, but creating those flavorful favorites on an appropriate budget is an important aspect of well-rounded, family-friendly recipes. A …
Savory delicacies help celebrate historic date

Cinco de Mayo

On May 5, 1862, 8,000 French soldiers converged on the city of Puebla, Mexico. General Ignacio Zaragoza led his Mexican Army of 4,000 soldiers into battle against the French. When the battle ended, …

Art for all ages

A love of art is something that should be passed down from one generation to the next, and that is exactly what is happening in Edgar County. The Link Art Gallery’s Annual Edgar County …

Breaking old bread

Historians disagree on the origins of bread. Some say the Natufian hunter-gathers made flatbread between 11,600 and 14,600 ye. Others believe Egyptians made the first breads 10,00 years ago around …
Pineapple casserole is a delightful, versatile dish

A Southern delight

Anyone who lives in the South for any time at all will quickly dis- cover there are casseroles which are served at nearly any kind of occasion. If any region has perfected the art of casserole …

Easter food goodness

Easter is about coming together with loved ones, enjoy- ing beautiful spring weather and eating the family’s favorite foods. The kids will be playing, adults will be chatting and all will be …

Planting new seeds

The Paris Public Library has launched a seed library and a fishing pole program with a goal of better serving the community. “We are hoping people can take advantage of both programs,” said …

4-H cranks up the heat

Competition was palpable as five spirited teams vied in the third year for the Edgar County 4-H Cooking Challenge. Mary Liz Wright, coordinator of the event, explained the competition rules to the …

Desserts for a diet

If healthier eating holds a prominent spot on your list of goals, you may feel it’s necessary to eliminate some of your sweetest favorites. However, committing to a nutritionally friendly way …

Cooking for the times

Grocery store shopping can be a real shock. Prices have increased and not just in the egg department.  Most of us have been told wages have increased significantly, but how many have received …

A new type of block party

With Christmas and Thanksgiving in the rear-view, many have accepted the post-New Year lull in holiday cheer. However, Saturday, Jan. 28, marked a celebration building enthusiasts should  not …

Wear Red Luncheon focuses on women's health

In honor of National Wear Red Day, Horizon Health hosted a luncheon at Betty Jane’s Kitchen. Wear Red Day is a feature of American Heart Month, and the goal is to raise awareness in women about …

Library releases cookbook

Food is something that always brings a community together. Before handwriting became prevalent the only way to know how to make a dish was by oral tradition. Eventually, people started writing …

Escaping the cold

Before the late October cruise Tom and I took to the Panama Canal, I had a premonition. It was brought on by Carol King’s song “Sweet Seasons.” For some reason I kept singing (off …

Lenten meal ideas

Fat Tuesday has come and gone. Carnival, also known as Mardi Gras, is over and we are now in Lent — a time when millions of people fast and refrain from eating meat. Fasting before Easter …

Christmas shop opening Nov. 21

As the holiday season creeps up, Anita Rhodes is turning her barn into a real-life Santa’s workshop. Rhodes has been an arts and home décor enthusiast her whole life, and her own …