Holy Lots of Sunflowers

September 22, 2025

Last Saturday, I found myself standing in the midst of what can only be described as sunflower heaven. We’re not talking about a few flowers in someone’s back yard. No, these were sunflowers as far as the eye could see, a golden ocean stretching toward the horizon. I stood there absolutely awestruck, soaking in the sea of proud yellow blooms swaying in unison, cradled in the arms of a warm breeze. Each flower seemed to have a personality of its own, but together they moved like a perfectly orchestrated, captivating floral dance with a host of bees along for the ride. It was almost hard to believe that just a few short months earlier, these very fields had looked very different. They were full of wheat, also golden, waiting for harvest. Once cleared, they were planted with sunflower seeds. By July 22, the infant plants were only an inch and a half tall, small, fragile, and easily unnoticed. Yet less than eight weeks later, they had transformed into towering stalks supporting blooms larger than dinner plates. It’s a reminder of how quickly nature can turn an ordinary field into something extraordinary! Learn More

Discovering My Roots Through Relativitrees

September 22, 2025

Have you ever been curious about your family history? I often wondered what my ancestors were like, who they really were. What did they experience? What were their struggles and passions? What did they look like? I didn’t care if I uncovered horse thieves, bootleggers, patriots, lawmen, deserters, or even royalty, I just wanted to know their stories. Years ago, I tried to do the research myself, but quickly gave up, assuming I’d never really learn where I came from. Yet something inside me kept tugging. I wanted those stories preserved so future generations wouldn’t lose them to the turning pages of time. And, truth be told, I was curious about just what sort of blood runs through my veins. That curiosity led me to the Mifflin County Historical Society’s genealogy program, Relativitrees. Their dedicated staff does the digging for you and then presents your family history in a beautifully organized way. When I heard about the program, it took me all of 30 seconds to decide—I was in. And trust me, they did not disappoint. What I discovered sent me on an incredible journey of self-discovery. One of the first surprises was that my grandfather, Charles Kelley, was the first in our family to spell our name with the second “e.” Generations before him were recorded as “Kelly.” Why the change? I may never know, but I was fascinated to see the distinction. Learn More

My Favorite Unsung Holiday

September 22, 2025

Can I get a hip, hip, hooray from all my fellow thrift shoppers? This Sunday, August 17th, is National Thrift Shop Day! While thrifting has recently become the “in” thing to do, I’ve been at it for as long as I can remember, not because it was cool or trendy, but out of pure necessity. Growing up, my father worked hard but never made a lot of money. My ever-resourceful mother found countless ways to stretch our dollars, and secondhand shopping was one of her favorite secret weapons. Back then, we didn’t call them “thrift stores.” They were “rummage sales,” and to my younger self, they were places I dreaded being seen. But looking back now, I’m grateful. Those humble Saturday mornings taught me one of life’s most valuable lessons: sometimes you have to swallow your pride and do what’s necessary for the greater good of your family. Sure, I wished I could stroll into Danks or Bon Ton and pick whatever I wanted off the rack, but that wasn’t my reality. Our purchases weren’t always the latest style, but I learned to make them my own. I got creative, learning to alter hems, add embellishments, and even reworking entire garments. I once bought a dress that was too snug in the middle, took it apart, added a matching fabric panel, and voilà, it became one of my favorites. Nobody knew my “fashion choice” to always wear a vest over it was actually to hide my novice attempt at alterations. Learn More