It’s maple season in the north country and sugar shanties welcomed visitors to observe the syrup making process first hand over the weekend. Events will continue next weekend as well. Admission is free. Read More ⇒Visitors tap into Maple Weekend fun
Dear Aggie: The eggs I’m buying at the grocery store are getting so expensive. Can I save money by raising my own chickens? Read More ⇒Is it cheaper (by the dozen) to raise my own chickens?
DEKALB JUNCTION — Tami M. French, who owns PT’s Market with her husband, David J. French, lives by her grandfather’s words. Read More ⇒Market hopes to serve the community in DeKalb Junction
MASSENA — In a sure sign that spring is on the way, the Massena Rotary Club has announced its annual Massena Rotary Pancake Day. Read More ⇒Vendors sought for Massena Rotary Pancake Day on March 25
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, food prices increased by 9.9% in 2022 and are expected to grow another 7.1% in 2023. Read More ⇒Four ways you can save on your grocery bill
Around this time of year with St. Patty’s Day coming up, shepherd’s pie comes to mind. The pie has a savory meat filling topped with mashed potatoes and cheese. It’s usually made with lamb or ground lamb, but it is also made with ground beef and then called cottage pie. There’s always a disc… Read More ⇒Shepherd’s pie perfect for St. Patrick’s Day
Rachael Ray’s ending her longtime talk show after more than a decade, but food content will still be her meat and potatoes. Read More ⇒Rachel Ray is ready ‘to move on’ from TV
WATERTOWN — For years, the North Country Goes Green festival always kicked off with the raising of the Irish flag in front of the Dulles State Office Building. Read More ⇒Watertown’s Irish festival returning after three years
It is a nice sunny day on this first day of March. We had a mild February, and now I wonder if March will make up for it with snow. The temperature is mid 40s already before noon. Read More ⇒Lovina: Lovina keeps busy with deer jerky and snack sticks
While January marks the time of year when most Americans take stock of their eating habits, March marks yet another opportunity to reflect on what constitutes good nutrition — National Nutrition Month. Read More ⇒CCERoot: Fuel for the future, driven by the past
Ron Aldous was making maple syrup Monday in a lot owned by Herbert Bullock on the corner of Craig Drive and Spears Street in Canton. Read More ⇒PHOTOS: Making backyard maple syrup
New York State maple syrup — the all-natural, golden brown sweet that goes with everything from pancakes to popcorn — will be celebrated during Maple Weekends, March 18 to 19 and 25 to 26. Read More ⇒Maple Weekends coming up March 18-19 and 25-26
WATERTOWN — Nonprofit organizations that serve residents of Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties are encouraged to apply for the 2023 Watertown Sunrise Rotary Foundation Taste of the Town grant as the one-day community event returns to Jefferson Community College on Saturday, April 22. Read More ⇒Taste of the Town returns
I’d describe myself as a minor-league coffee snob — a daily drinker but not an obsessive. I’m not overly particular about the origin of my beans, but I always grind them fresh. I don’t invest in expensive coffee gadgets or carefully monitor water temperature, but I do make pour-overs in the … Read More ⇒Why I gave instant coffee another shot. And why you should too
LOWVILLE — If Betty Crocker and the Pilsbury Dough Boy designed the perfect village block, they would likely come up with Shady Avenue off State Street, which now has a bakery on each side. Read More ⇒Three women with two shops have ended Lowville’s 35-year bakery drought
WATERTOWN — Sgt. Joshua Whiteside and his wife, Patcharin, were thinking about starting a food truck offering boba teas and crepes. Read More ⇒Boba tea cafe to open in Paddock Arcade this spring
SYRACUSE — A study by researchers at Syracuse University has found that providing a universal free school meals program benefits student attendance and has no impact on weight outcomes in the early education years. Read More ⇒Syracuse University study examines impact of universal free school meals program
Today is granddaughter Andrea’s (Tim and Elizabeth’s) first birthday. Friday evening, we will go to Tim and Elizabeth’s for supper in honor of her birthday. She has the biggest eyes and the sweetest smile. Read More ⇒Lovina: Lovina explains the process for butchering pigs
Friday, Jan. 31, is a day that brings sad memories to our family. Two years ago, sister Susan died at age 44; five years ago, brother Amos died at age 56. Both were still so young and are still greatly missed. Read More ⇒Lovina: Lovina mourns the loss of loved ones
Gov. Kathleen Hochul, who wants to remove fossil fuels from buildings to fight climate change, unveiled proposed legislation Wednesday that lays out details and answers a question many have asked: What about cooking with gas? Read More ⇒Hochul’s all-electric building plan would ban gas stoves only in new builds
Football fans can rejoice: Wings and guacamole are plentiful and affordable again. Read More ⇒Wings and guacamole are cheaper in time for Super Bowl
Jan. 24! First of all, happy birthday wishes to sister Liz, who turns 54 today, and also to daughter Susan, who shares the same birthday. She turns 27 today. It’s unbelievable that our secondborn is that old already. A lot has happened in her young life, but with God’s help she was able to g… Read More ⇒Lovina and family enjoy another Christmas gathering
An apple a day might keep the doctor away, but experts say you need more kinds of fruit than that to maintain good health. Read More ⇒7 fruits experts say you should eat each week
MASSENA — The number of Massena Central School students taking part in breakfast and lunch offerings has dropped this year with the return of charges for school meals. Read More ⇒Massena Central School District sees decline in student meal participation
MASSENA — The Massena Central School District hasn’t had the numbers in the past to provide free meals to all students, but they plan to look at them again this year to see if they would qualify. Read More ⇒Massena Central School District exploring free meals for all students
PITTSBURGH — Dustin Gardner has mentored scores of young cooks in the 16 years he’s served as executive chef of Casbah, an upscale Mediterranean restaurant in Shadyside. But it’s safe to say the budding chef who tugs tightest on his heartstrings is his pint-sized daughter. Read More ⇒Engaging kids in cooking has numerous benefits. And it’s a good time
This hearty, stick-to-your-ribs pasta sauce is among my eldest son Dan’s favorite dishes to make when he’s stuck all day indoors, and double-tasked with feeding a hungry crowd. Simmered for hours on the stovetop, it’s both rich and filling, with three different kinds of meat — pork shoulder,… Read More ⇒This Sunday sauce can warm winter’s heart
The Frederic Remington Art Museum will be hosting its eighth annual Wine, Beer, Cheese, Chocolate and Artisan Festival featuring more than 40 different vendors with locally made products. Read More ⇒Remington Museum to host more than 40 vendors at annual festival Feb. 4
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Jefferson and Lewis counties are co-hosting six workshops from January to March highlighting local meat producers. Read More ⇒Cornell cooperative Extension offers local food workshops
MINETTO - The Minetto United Methodist Church and the people of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Minetto will provide a free dinner on Sunday, January 22, serving dine-in guests and take-outs only in the dining room of the Methodist Church from 4-5:30 p.m. or until the food is gone. Ther… Read More ⇒Free community dinner at Minetto United Methodist Church
ALBANY — Several organizations joined with elected officials this week to call on Gov. Kathleen C. Hochul to fund free school meals for all students in her fiscal year 2024 budget. Read More ⇒Elected officials, education advocates call on governor to fund free school meals for all students
A federal agency says a ban on gas stoves is on the table amid rising concern about harmful indoor air pollutants emitted by the appliances. Read More ⇒U.S. safety agency to consider ban on gas stoves amid health fears
SARANAC LAKE — Anne Sterling Alsina danced as two familiar faces walked through her red front door. The second day of business at Anne’s Crepes — Sterling’s new creperie at 36 Broadway — was one of reunions among friends. Read More ⇒Anne’s Crepes makes tasty return to Saranac Lake
Some customers might not be lovin’ it when the last 11 McDonald’s along the New York Thruway shut their doors for good. Read More ⇒Goodbye Big Macs: All McDonald’s restaurants on N.Y. Thruway to close soon
SARANAC LAKE — A driver crashed into the Casa del Sol restaurant in Saranac Lake early Friday morning, breaking through part of a window and a wall on the south-facing side of the building. But after construction crews worked throughout the day Friday to haul away the wreckage and rebuild a … Read More ⇒Driver crashes into Saranac Lake’s Casa del Sol; restaurant reopens the same day
Potsdam chef has spent months planning 250 dishes to serve for World University Games hockey players
POTSDAM — Months of preparation have gone into concocting a menu of 250 dishes from around the world that will be served to 500 hockey players, coaches and staff during the FISU World University Games. Read More ⇒Potsdam chef has spent months planning 250 dishes to serve for World University Games hockey players
ALBANY — Results of the Certified Organic Survey released Dec. 15 show that 1,407 New York farms had 331,000 certified organic acres which produced and sold $328 million in organic commodities in 2021, according to Donnie Fike, state statistician at USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Se… Read More ⇒USDA survey report: N.Y. farms had 331,000 certified organic acres in 2021
MASSENA — Massena AMVETS Post 4, 12 Andrews St., will be giving its annual Christmas gift to the community on Sunday, Christmas Day. Read More ⇒Massena AMVETS Post 4 hosting take-out, delivery Christmas dinner
WATERTOWN — The Volunteer Transportation Center will mark the return of its annual North Country Chili Cook-Off in a hybrid format that will include bringing back the in-person event at the Dulles State Office Building. Read More ⇒North Country Chili Cook-Off returning with hybrid format
If you’re looking to avoid inflation’s pinch, forget ham and turkey this Christmas. Instead, reach for the ribs. Read More ⇒To beat inflation this Christmas, consider a festive rack of ribs
Chocolate consumption will rebound to pre-pandemic levels during the first festive season in three years without widespread COVID restrictions, the International Cocoa Organization said. Read More ⇒Holiday chocolate demand rebounding as COVID rules ease
I’m the first to admit I was a pretty terrible cook as a newlywed. Granted, I was barely a year out of college with little-to-no actual cooking experience under my 20-something belt, but still. Some of those first few meals I served my new husband were god-awful. Read More ⇒Chicken paprikash with dumplings will impress
BURLINGTON, Wash. — Fire draws people together. Read More ⇒Farmers find community amid stress at pizza party
The clock was running down. The pressure was on Marshawn Lynch. Read More ⇒Former NFL player goes ‘Yeast Mode’ on baking show
We had a very nice Thanksgiving holiday. We hosted a dinner here for our family, sister Emma’s family, and sister Verena. We are a total of 39 now. The table was set for 36 people. Andrea, 9 months, was in the highchair. Denzel, 4 months, was in a seat, and baby Jazlyn, 3½ weeks, of course, … Read More ⇒Lovina: A Full House for a Happy Thanksgiving
POTSDAM — More than 100 vendors collided with thousands of shoppers Saturday at SUNY Potsdam’s Maxcy Hall. Read More ⇒Craft, Food and Wine Holiday Show draws abundance of vendors and shoppers in Potsdam
The “Big Red” cookbook was first published in 1950. Read More ⇒‘Betty Crocker Cookbook’ is ‘radically refreshed’
POTSDAM — The Potsdam Food Co-op will host Baking Fest from noon to 3 p.m. Sunday at the Carriage House Bakery, 24 Elm St. Read More ⇒Potsdam Food Co-op’s Baking Fest is this weekend
WATERTOWN — Denny’s restaurant on Arsenal Street has closed — this time for good. Read More ⇒Denny’s closes in Watertown