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Ugly Signs Of Spring

The brief warm-up of last weekend led to increased traffic on the area’s walking and biking trails. More signs of spring are beginning to show up. At Oglebay Park, the tulip bulbs planted last fall are peeking out of the ground, which was, until recently, covered with a blanket of snow. The golf courses actually look green after the long dormant non-growing months of winter. Golfers didn’t seem to mind the brisk winds as they took to the links. The birds are singing a bit louder or maybe there are just more of them now. A determined nest builder will once again circle our ...

Irish Lace, Delicate Collectible for the Season

The fragile beauty of lace attracts the eye and fascinates collectors. Lace can be varied in size, depth and intricacy, but it always adds a touch of elegance and a bit of drama to clothing and household linens. Framed antique lace is beautiful, too, and offers an unusual visual treat. Like samplers or other forms of needlework, it is a wonderful decorating statement. Ireland has a strong heritage of lace making and with the onset of Saint Patrick’s Day, I thought I’d share a little research. Lace was originally made by hand and not until the machine age of the late 1800s, did ...

The Russians Are Coming?

I wasn’t around during World War II, but I am a product of the post-war baby boomer generation. I heard plenty about the conflict that claimed the lives of American troops “across the pond” and in the Pacific. As an eight-year-old Catholic school student in the mid-1960s, my fellow students and I were taught to pray a lot for peace. Like many school students of that time, we were duped into believing that closing the classroom windows and crawling under our tiny wooden desks would keep us safe in the event of a Russian invasion/nuclear war. I can recall vividly having ...

Maybe It’s The Oatmeal

Some call it a blessing. Others call it a curse. Thanks to improved knowledge about healthy living, improved sanitation and modern medicine, people are living much longer than their ancestors. Pioneers crossing the prairies and mountain ranges of this country had many obstacles to simply staying alive. Later as cities and towns blossomed in population, lifespans improved with better living conditions that resulted from educated leaders and improved medical facilities. There was a time not so many years ago that when someone passed after reached 100 years or more, they received a ...

Wheeling Tile, Cozy Collectible

Like many Wheeling residents, I am fortunate to have three beautiful and original fireplaces in my home. These lovely fireplaces are surrounded by carved and convenient mantels that are the perfect spot for displaying antiques! Each fireplace is enhanced by decorative wall and floor tiles. In its heyday, Wheeling manufactured everything from cigars to steel. This hotbed of manufacturing relied on the immigrant workforce and quality handwork that made the name of the Friendly City known around the world. Wheeling Tile is a good example of a manufacturer that turned out masses of ...

Something To Think About

It was later than I had hoped as I left the store. I guess I lost time as I perused the winter markdown bargains. However, it was dark now and winter storm clouds were brewing up something. I pulled my scarf around my neck to ward off the chilly wind as I made my way to my car. Now I was questioning why I didn’t park closer to the door. It wasn’t so much the cold I dreaded. It was the not-so-crowded parking lot and the growing darkness that had me worried. Clutching my packages closer, I picked up my pace to the car. Hitting the key fob, I chucked my bags in the front seat, ...