This time of year, refrigerators take center stage in our kitchens. Whether they are holding an extra case of soft drinks, bottled water or a frosty pitcher of fresh lemonade, our favorite summer appliance gets a lot of use. We grew up calling it the “icebox” because that’s what Mom and Dad and all ...

The “Best in Rural Writing” contest is open to everyone in the world. The work can have already been published (or scheduled to be published). By submitting, the author is agreeing to the possibility of the Milk House or the co-sponsor publishing or promoting their submission if it is selected as th...

The Utica Maennerchor will host its annual Bavarian Festival on July 17 from 5 - 10 p.m. and July 18 from 3 - 10 p.m. at the club, 5535 Flanagan Rd., Marcy. This event features great food, terrific entertainment and fun for the entire family. The festival starts on Friday night with the traditional ...

Few things can upset an otherwise beautiful and relaxing day spent in an outdoor living space more quickly than insects and pests. Whether it’s mosquitoes trying to bite homeowners and their guests, flies looking to land on food, or wildlife leaving trails of excrement throughout a yard, these unwel...

Dear Paw's Corner: I often see advice for humans about staying hydrated – by drinking lots of water, adding electrolyte supplements and so on. But I see almost no advice about keeping pets hydrated, and that’s so important. Is it enough to just give my dog water throughout the day? Are there electro...

The Erie Canal Museum has teamed up with cultural sites and breweries across the state to develop a summer-long cycling series along the Erie Canal titled “Beers, Bikes & Barges.” The goal of this series is to showcase the Erie Canal’s diverse history, the Empire State Trail and the unique breweries...

Is something chewing on and creating holes in your plant leaves, but you can’t find any insects? Does new damage continue to appear? This is a true case of whodunit. This is a common question, particularly in early summer, and the absence of a pest with continued damage suggests a nocturnal pest or ...

When the weather warms up outside, the desire for healthy, lighter fare rises alongside the mercury. That leads many people to turn to vegetables, which can satisfy hunger pangs but do not typically create feelings of sluggishness. Vegetables can be cooked in myriad ways, and some can even be eaten ...

The U.S. bird population has been declining by the millions for several decades. Thankfully, there is a growing interest in managing sugarbushes as an ecological support for our diverse bird populations. Steve Hagenbuch, the lead on the national Audubon Bird-Friendly Maple program, shared ideas of h...