Breaking News

Health and Home

Happenings from the Heisey

Two important April dates. The ribbon cutting for our new, and second, caboose is on April 6. This caboose was built between 1910 and 1911, and was the last wooden car to go up the Pine Creek Valley in 1963 when the line was discontinued. Our guest speakers are John Gummo, Steve Poorman and Luther Gette, “King of the Hobos,” all instrumental in the renovation and relocation to the Castanea Railroad Station Historical Site. Light refreshments will be served. Both cabooses will be available via Airbnb! And, of course, April 26 is our huge FUNraiser! Wine in the Wilds from 2-6 p.m. ...

There’s a new push to put whole milk back in school meals. Here’s what you should know

More than a dozen years after higher-fat milk was stripped from school meals to slow obesity in American kids and boost their health, momentum is growing to put it back. Federal lawmakers have revived bills that would allow whole and 2% milk to be served again in schools, in addition to the skim and low-fat milk mandated since 2012. A U.S. Senate committee hosted a hearing Tuesday on a bill that has bipartisan support. “Kids need wholesome, nourishing food to grow strong and stay healthy, and whole milk is packed with the nutrients they need,” said Sen. John Fetterman, a ...

Learn about identity theft during ‘Your Money Matters’ webinars

UNIVERSITY PARK — Penn State Extension will offer two webinars aimed at helping participants protect their identity. “Your Money Matters: Identity Theft” will take place from noon to 1:30 p.m. on April 1, and from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on April 17, 2025. Both webinars will cover the same materials. This webinar is designed for the public, human services providers and anyone interested in developing a healthier relationship with money, learning about scams, fraud and protecting their financial reputation. Identity theft can wreak havoc on one’s credit and good name, organizers noted. ...

Penn State Extension to offer free virtual walking program

UNIVERSITY PARK — Anyone interested in developing healthy habits and increasing stamina can benefit from a free Penn State Extension virtual walking program called “Everybody Walk Across Pennsylvania.” The statewide program will take place from April 7 through June 2, 2025. The program is aimed at harnessing social support to achieve healthy lifestyle goals. Participants may walk individually or with family, friends, coworkers or even their dogs in teams of up to five. Each individual or team member will aim to walk or exercise an average of 10 miles a week for eight ...

After a long winter, send your houseplants on a summer vacation

Most houseplants are tropical plants that require the warm, somewhat humid conditions of their natural habitat. In the home, many can become tired-looking, especially over winter, when even your brightest window provides lower-than-ideal light levels. So why not send your houseplants on a vacation from which they’ll return re-energized, invigorated and having grown like, well, a weed? First, slip plants out of their pots to ensure their roots aren’t crowded. If they are, loosen them gently and replant them in a container exactly 2 inches larger (no more, no less), then make a ...