Day Trippin': A Chilly Afternoon at Boal Mansion and the Columbus Chapel

June 18, 2026

Sometimes you just need to break away from your regular routine to take a little adventure. It doesn’t have to be elaborate or far away. Sometimes the best escape is a simple day trip to a neighboring county. That was exactly the case for me when I unexpectedly found myself with a free weekend with no obligations keeping me at home. My husband and I decided to head over the mountain toward State College with a stop in Boalsburg at Boal Mansion, a place I had passed hundreds of times but never truly explored. From Route 322, I’d often catch a glimpse of the mansion tucked quietly among the trees, wondering what stories were hidden behind its walls. This time, curiosity finally won. We arrived just before the 2 p.m. opening on a brisk April Sunday. The air outside had a chill to it, and stepping inside the mansion didn’t offer much relief, but we weren’t about to let our chattering teeth stop us. Determined, we began our tour, ready to soak in whatever history the place had to offer. The Boal family, we learned, owned the property for more than 200 years, and traces of that long history can be seen throughout the estate. The mansion itself was built in stages beginning in 1809, and the grounds also include a barn later used for theatrical performances, a carriage house, and the remarkable Columbus Chapel, added in 1909. Learn More

When Easter Isn't Picture-Perfect

April 20, 2026

What happens when your much-anticipated holiday turns out to be nothing like a Norman Rockwell painting? I can tell you, because my Easter certainly wasn’t picture-perfect. Life had already been moving at a dizzying pace, filled with events and responsibilities far beyond my usual routine. I entered Easter weekend already feeling a step behind. With my children scattered across Pennsylvania, each raising young families of their own, getting everyone together is no small feat. This year, we planned to celebrate on Saturday instead of Sunday, a practical adjustment that still held all the promise of precious together time. I prepared as I always do deviled eggs made, cookies packed, Easter baskets ready to go. Everything was set for a fun-filled day in Mechanicsburg. All that remained was a quick trip outside with our dogs before getting on the road. That’s when everything changed. Learn More

What's Love got to do with it? Everything!

April 20, 2026

Is there anything more important in this world than love? I think not. I believe love is the greatest motivating force known to mankind. It’s what makes us do crazy, generous, and sometimes downright baffling things. It’s why our husbands attempt to enjoy shopping, and why we women nod along, feigning deep interest, while they explain at great length why the newly installed water heater isn’t heating water or why the car has developed that mysterious pinging sound. It’s the reason I’m presently wearing a sweater adorned with a parade of polar bears not because I loved the design, but because he loves polar bears, and I knew it would make him smile. Love is what regularly motivates me to climb into the car and drive to Philadelphia or Mechanicsburg just to spend a few precious hours with my children and grandchildren. Every mile is worth it (even enduring the perpetually congested Schuylkill) when a little one comes running, shouting “Nana!” with arms wide open, or a baby snuggles close and flashes that irresistible smile. It’s why I now know the whimsical book Down by the Cool of the Pool about farmyard animals dancing and splashing at a waterhole by heart, and why I recently ordered two additional copies after one went missing, causing great despair in the lives of my grands. Learn More