The Origins of the Humble Easter Basket

April 20, 2026

Easter is quickly approaching, and I find myself once again in preparation mode. All eight Easter baskets, one for each of my grandchildren, are lined up neatly across the dining room table, like a row of cheerful little bunnies and chicks waiting to be filled. These are the very same baskets they received on their first Easter, a small but meaningful way to create continuity, memory, and tradition. While the contents may change from year to year, the baskets remain the same, white bunnies for the girls and yellow chicks for the boys. As I set them in place, I began to wonder: Why do we give Easter baskets? Where did this tradition come from? Thanks to the ever-accessible internet, I soon discovered that the custom has German roots, much like my mother’s side of the family. Centuries ago, German children would create small nests out of twigs or leaves, often shaping them inside hats or bonnets. On the night before Easter, they would set these “nests” out in hopes that the Easter Hare would visit and fill them with brightly colored, hard-boiled eggs. These eggs symbolized fertility and new life, fitting for the spring season and the deeper meaning of Easter. Learn More

The Strength of the Irish Spirit

April 20, 2026

As St. Patrick’s Day approaches, my inquisitive brain began to wonder: why are Americans like me, who carry Irish heritage in our bloodlines, so incredibly proud of our Irish roots? Surely it must be more than shamrocks, leprechauns, and a pint of Guinness. As I dug a bit deeper, a few possible reasons came to mind. Could it be the legendary Irish resilience? Their fierce independence? Or perhaps the unmistakable do-or-die spirit that has defined the Irish people for centuries? Throughout history, the Irish have experienced more than their share of hardship and heartbreak. Many of us are familiar with the Great Potato Famine that struck Ireland in the mid-1800s. It was nothing short of catastrophic. The Irish population depended heavily on the potato harvest to feed their families, and when an airborne fungus settled over Ireland and destroyed roughly three-quarters of the crop, millions were left starving. More than a million people died, and at least another million fled the country by ship, many dying during the journey. Even more devastating was the cruel reality that, during the famine, England, the governing authority over Ireland at the time, continued shipping grain, cattle, and dairy out of the country while the Irish people starved. It is almost impossible to imagine watching ships full of life-saving food sail past while your own family went hungry. Ironically, the fungus believed to have destroyed the potato crops may have arrived in Ireland from England itself. Learn More

More than a Musical

April 20, 2026

This weekend I had the privilege of attending the Mifflin County High School Drama Club’s production of The Addams Family, and I was absolutely blown away. The talent on that stage was incredible, but what impressed me even more was the dedication behind it, the long hours of rehearsal, memorizing lines, choreography practiced until it felt like second nature, and the courage it takes to step out on that stage. The commitment shown by these young performers was nothing short of awe-inspiring. Equally deserving of recognition are the directors, crew members, technicians, wardrobe staff, and volunteers working behind the scenes. Their direction and careful coordination ensured every cue, costume change, and prop came together flawlessly, proving once again that exceptional theater is built on teamwork. It was such a powerful reminder that our community’s future is in capable and competent hands. Young people who are willing to dedicate themselves to excellence, to collaborate, to stretch beyond their comfort zones, those are the very qualities that build strong businesses, strong organizations, and strong communities. Learn More