Warblers galore at Magee Marsh in Oak Harbor

Like most birders, I keep a life list. It is simply a list of the first time and place I saw any particular species. Compared to some, I’m a casual lister; my U.S. list is 500-plus, but I don’t know the exact number. It’s not that important. But I still get excited when I add

Move over, California. Broccoli Dream Team building East Coast production

Forget California! With their unique climate conditions, western New York growers could benefit from new regional broccoli varieties.

Fatal teen crashes fall but parental involvement still needed

ATLANTA, Ga. — The number of fatal crashes involving 16- and 17-year old drivers dropped by more than a third between 2004 and 2008, but this doesn’t mean that parents and teens should be satisfied with the progress, according to a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Deaths Crashes still remain the

Let me call you sweetheart

Recently, our local newspaper featured a letter to the editor from a reader irate not about the war, economy, unbearably hot weather, unsafe eggs or the plight of the dolphins. No, this reader was driven to distraction by the fact that some retail clerks, waitpersons and sales people refer to her as “sweetheart.” Apparently, using

Diversifying income is ensuring a Muskingum County farm’s success

ZANESVILLE, Ohio — There’s nothing nutty or crazy about Nutty Acres Farm in Muskingum County — it’s just a farm family diversifying itself to ensure agriculture remains a part of their life. Jason and Kirsten Hatfield farm 236 acres and maintain another 113 acres in pastures and hay. The couple have two daughters, Shelby, 18

A roundup of 4-H news for the week of Nov. 19, 2009

MALVERN, Ohio — The Brown Frame Round Up 4-H club met Nov. 1 at Brown Frame Hall. Payton Randal conducted the meeting. The club elected the following officers: Paige Randal, president; Payton Randal, vice president; Abby Honaberger, secretary; Tanner Kauffman, treasurer; Joe Moody, news reporter; Morgan Craven, health officer; David Eick, safety officer; and Kenny

Spanky has stepped into leadership role

“On the farm, I’d come to see that my animals managed to avoid, almost entirely by instinct, the dramas that humans create for themselves. I envied them.” — Jon Katz, Izzy & Lenore I once heard the comment that animals don’t have nearly the troubles that humans have, mostly because they cannot talk. Wow. Truer

Updated economic forecast shows prices depend on recession ending

Economist cautions mixed future with increasing agricultural products prices and higher oil costs.

Hate snakes? Bet I can outrun you!

I recall lots of great stories around the campfire over the years. Those who loved to hunt always enjoyed telling their biggest, baddest hunting stories. Those who liked to fish always chimed in with great fish stories, and somehow, the subject always seemed to turn to stories of snakes.

Huge, scary, waiting-to-pounce snakes.

Resolving to have a happier new year

As I see it, the problem with writing is obvious: all the good lines are taken. If there was any justice in the world I would open this column about 2006 with “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.