View from Hickory Heights: Comfort-food time

October 27, 2023

All of the cold rainy weather made me think of comfort food. There are many things that I consider comfort food. Most of all it is food that is satisfying. Of course, the first one is homemade soup. I found a new recipe this year. I cannot even remember where I saw it. It sounded so good that I could not wait to try it. Although I am not a vegetarian or a vegan, this one sounded good to me. I am sure it would be easy to make it with a vegetarian in mind. New Vegetable Soup Recipe 2 stalks of celery 2 carrots 1 sweet potato ½ small onion - chopped 1 c. chicken ...

The October comforts of home

October 26, 2023

My birthday is this week. I’m not completely comfortable with that. I’ve never been this old before. Well actually, I could say the same thing about yesterday and today. But our yearly birthday markers are a little different. They make us stop and think. I’ve been thinking about the numbers that have stacked up already vs. the amount that might be left. Seems a little lop-sided. But I’ll take what I can get since it’s probably a decision I am not allowed to make, anyway. I can get pushy about gifts though. I don’t want any. Essentially, I don’t want any more STUFF. ...

Warren Worx already eyeing future challenges

October 21, 2023

This letter is presented to clarify the Warren Worx initiative and dispel the opinion expressed in the editorial (Oct. 5) that suggests that municipal officials in Warren County be skeptical of the Warren Worx initiative. The Center for Rural Pennsylvania recently released population projections from 2020 through 2050. This study shows that the Warren County population of 38,516 in 2020 will decline to 34,223 by 2050 — a decline of 12%. Of compounding impact the study shows our school-age population to decline by 1% but our population in the cohort over 70 years of age to ...

Apple picking, buying

October 20, 2023

I took advantage of one of those beautiful late fall days to go to the apple orchard. The drive was beautiful. So many trees had colorful leaves. When I arrived, the ladies who were working recognized me. They told me they read my column. We talked about my visits. In the years since I discovered Whittier Farm, I have returned often. My first visit came when we were visiting a friend of my husband. Actually, the man was a friend of my father-in-law. They worked together at one of the furniture factories in Jamestown. During our visit they suggested we visit the orchard. Of ...

Rascally redheads have staying power

October 19, 2023

I recently read that redheads will not exist by the end of this century. Holy Clairol! The story went on to say that between one and two percent of the world’s population is redheaded. Well, if current world population is approximately 8 billion, let’s say that 1.5% of that number is 120,000,000, give or take a few hundred thousand. Doesn’t sound like a species heading for the extinction list to me. My mother was a redhead (she only gave me auburn highlights, not the real deal). My sister-in-law, Barbara, has spiked red hair, my cousin, Jeanne, has a thick red mane and my ...

Exposed veterans can benefit from PFAS Act

October 14, 2023

Pennsylvania is home to nearly 800,000 veterans, and many of these brave people trained at military bases during active duty. However, the vast majority of military installations across the country have been heavily contaminated with perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly known as PFAS or “forever chemicals” for decades. Exposure to these harmful substances is responsible for countless health problems, including kidney, prostate, and testicular cancer. The Keystone State is also home to four military bases. One of the military facilities in the state with a high ...