The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation announced that the 2026 Empire Pass is now available for purchase. The $80 Empire Pass provides unlimited day-use vehicle entry to New York State Parks, state boat launch sites, arboretums, park preserves and Department of Enviro...

With the holiday season fast approaching, UConn Extension released a new fact sheet, “Smart, Savvy & Nourished: Eating Well on a Budget During Holiday Seasons.” This resource offers practical, research-based tips to help families and individuals enjoy nutritious, festive meals without overspending. ...

During the hectic holidays, an eye-catching display of plants may seem like the perfect gift solution, particularly at the last minute. But is it? Is the intended recipient a plant lover? Will they welcome the gift, or will it be something they’ll feel obligated to water (when they remember) and fee...

The New York State Department of Ag & Markets encourages shoppers looking for that perfect holiday gift item to support local growers and producers this year by shopping at a Taste NY Market. New York’s regional Welcome Centers’ Taste NY Markets and other Taste NY stores located around the state, in...

Cooler temperatures bring many things, including the arrival of fun and festive holidays. But flu season also kicks into high gear between the months of December and February. Although flu season runs from October to May, a combination of factors during the chilliest months of winter, such as increa...

Once the Halloween candy disappears, holiday travel is a hot topic for news outlets everywhere. Everyone heading to Grandma’s or back home for the holidays has to run the gauntlet of flight cancellations, delays, higher fuel expenses, traffic jams and the inevitable threat of foul weather, all of wh...

The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) are reminding drivers to be extra cautious in the autumn months as deer and moose become increasingly active. “A chance encounter with a deer or moose is much more likely this time of year,” said...

I’ve said before that the “gauntlet” of Halloween through New Year’s Day is one of, if not my favorite, times of the year – and it’s true. I believe in magic – the make-believe kind and the kind forged by loving moms and dads and a house full of love. You feel that magic at its strongest around the ...

Certain items are staples of winter dinner tables. Think of warm, belly-filling sides like mashed potatoes, candied yams and stuffing. Home chefs interested in injecting more variety into their offerings may want to consider a few unique side dishes to complement their cold-season dinners. Sides tha...

No matter your politics, pretty much everyone will agree that it’s going to be a tighter holiday season this year as costs continue to rise and a lot of the longterm social safety nets are disappearing. Where does that leave us? In many ways, it leaves us to help each other. And that’s just what fol...

The shop local movement is a worthy endeavor. A thriving Main Street can foster a sense of community, encourage entrepreneurs young and old to pursue their dreams and expose residents to a host of new ideas and products. But the benefits of a strong local business sector don’t end there. In fact, co...

Spending time with loved ones increases the chances for fun days and nights. That is why nights out with friends are so popular. Such nights give people opportunities to reconnect and potentially expose them to new and entertaining experiences. Sarah F. O’Brien, LCSW, LCSW-C, CCATP, CTMH, says it’s ...

Though modern Americans might find the notion of a turkey-free Thanksgiving hard to fathom, the idea of eating the now popular fowl did not become synonymous with the holiday until the mid-nineteenth century. According to History.com, President George Washington declared a day of national thanksgivi...

Small business is big business across much of North America. (more…)

There’s much to look forward to come the holiday season. Celebrations with family and friends, awe-inspiring lighting displays and opportunities to see loved ones’ eyes light up after opening the perfect gift are just some of the many things that excite holiday celebrants each December. Foodies also...