Marbles Offer Fun, Colorful Collectible

Even though today’s children are overloaded with toys and activities, marbles still fascinate youngsters — at least as far as my grandsons go. Just last weekend when I needed a marble for an old-time game where you tilt the board and race the marbles, my 5-year-old grandson, Angelo, ...

The Last Of The Great Ones

Anyone who has followed my writings over the 40-plus years I worked fulltime for this newspaper would have noticed my appreciation and affection for the military veterans in this Ohio Valley. During those years, I met many veterans from World War II, the Korean War, Desert Storm and so on. Among those troops was West Virginia’s own CWO4 Hershel Woodrow “Woody” Williams who died June 29 at the age of 98. At the time of his death, Woody was the last living World War II Congressional Medal of Honor recipient. Marine veteran John Nanny of Wheeling, who also died this year, ...

Creamers Are Fun and Useful to Collect

Do you use creamers on the table? Not just for cream, these small glass pitchers make perfect containers for condiments, syrups or dressings and add a little class to the dinner table. Creamers or syrups, as these small pitchers are usually called, are also fun to collect. Pitchers of all sizes were important elements of dining in days gone by. Tables were set with linens, china and proper serving dishes, even in the family home and on a daily basis. The required decorum meant that small pitchers were necessary to serve cream, milk, syrups, gravies and other condiments. ...

Stretch Glass Sparkles for Collectors

The term “stretch” glass seems a contradiction. Glass is one of the hardest substances known, so how in the world would it stretch? But stretch glass enthusiasts know that this term stands for a sparkling type of Victorian art glass that attracts lots of attention. Ask any one of the thousand or so members of the Stretch Glass Society why they got started collecting this novelty glass and they will tell you that once you discover it — stretch glass just won’t let go. Not to be confused with swung glass, or glass made by swinging it back and forth on a rod, stretch glass is ...

Ankle Sprains Can Sometimes Create Serious Complications

Accidentally rolling your ankle and suffering an ankle sprain can be a painful and debilitating experience. Acute ankle sprains are one of the most common musculoskeletal injuries leading to emergency room visits, with upwards of two million people being affected in the United States every year. Routine sprains typically respond quickly to rest, ice, compression, and elevation. Guarded weight-bearing in an ankle brace or utilization of a cast boot for two to three weeks usually gets the patient back on track. Up to 40% of patients will experience more chronic pain and ...

Sparklers, Pie And Magic

Preparations for the Fourth of July holidays of my youth began days before the actual date. There was grass to be mowed, weeds to be pulled, sidewalks to be swept and coolers to be rescued from the basement. The kiddie pool in the backyard would be filled early in the day to allow the sun to warm the water. The littlest of the clan would enjoy sitting in that pool while we attempted to keep the family dogs from jumping in with the toddlers. Dozens of ears of corn were to be shucked, and the largest of kettles would be readied on the stove to cook this must-have picnic side dish. ...